Celtics beat Magic to complete sweep
The Boston Celtics completed the two-game sweep over the Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon, 114-97, at the TD Garden.
The Magic (16-9) set the tone in the first quarter, leading the entire frame before the Celtics (20-5) regained control in the second quarter and outscored the visitors 34-19 to take a 10-point lead into halftime. The intensity picked up in the third quarter with both teams putting the clamps on defense and Orlando cut the deficit to single digits heading into the final frame. But Boston was able to close out Sunday’s game thanks to Jaylen Brown, who scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to seal the game. With Sunday’s victory, the Celtics swept their five-game homestand and remain unbeaten at TD Garden, while Orlando has dropped two straight.
Paolo Banchero bounced back from a cold shooting performance Friday to lead the Magic with 36 points (24 in the first half), 10 rebounds and two steals. Jalen Suggs was the only other Orlando player to score in double digits as he finished with 13 points and five rebounds. Franz Wagner struggled from the floor (3-for-14 shooting), but was able to accumulate eight rebounds and six assists along with eight points. Jonathan Isaac had eight points off the bench while Cole Anthony and Moritz Wagner each chipped in six points.
Just like Friday, all five Celtics starters finished in double-digits, with Brown leading the way with 31 points, six assists and five rebounds while co-star Jayson Tatum had 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Kristaps Porzingis returned to action after missing Friday's game and finished with a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds). Jrue Holiday pitched in 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks while Derrick White had 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Al Horford led the bench with eight points and eight rebounds over 24 minutes.
With Sunday’s game in the books, the Celtics start their four-game west coast tour as they take on the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals, while the Magic host the Miami Heat in a Southeast Division showdown Wednesday.
The Magic (16-9) set the tone in the first quarter, leading the entire frame before the Celtics (20-5) regained control in the second quarter and outscored the visitors 34-19 to take a 10-point lead into halftime. The intensity picked up in the third quarter with both teams putting the clamps on defense and Orlando cut the deficit to single digits heading into the final frame. But Boston was able to close out Sunday’s game thanks to Jaylen Brown, who scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to seal the game. With Sunday’s victory, the Celtics swept their five-game homestand and remain unbeaten at TD Garden, while Orlando has dropped two straight.
Paolo Banchero bounced back from a cold shooting performance Friday to lead the Magic with 36 points (24 in the first half), 10 rebounds and two steals. Jalen Suggs was the only other Orlando player to score in double digits as he finished with 13 points and five rebounds. Franz Wagner struggled from the floor (3-for-14 shooting), but was able to accumulate eight rebounds and six assists along with eight points. Jonathan Isaac had eight points off the bench while Cole Anthony and Moritz Wagner each chipped in six points.
Just like Friday, all five Celtics starters finished in double-digits, with Brown leading the way with 31 points, six assists and five rebounds while co-star Jayson Tatum had 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Kristaps Porzingis returned to action after missing Friday's game and finished with a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds). Jrue Holiday pitched in 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks while Derrick White had 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Al Horford led the bench with eight points and eight rebounds over 24 minutes.
With Sunday’s game in the books, the Celtics start their four-game west coast tour as they take on the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals, while the Magic host the Miami Heat in a Southeast Division showdown Wednesday.
Pelicans Blow Out Spurs In 36-Point Win
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 146-110, at Frost Bank Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Pelicans (16-11) had one of their best offensive showings of the season Sunday, shooting above 55 percent from the field and scoring 146 points to defeat the Spurs (4-21), as San Antonio regressed to losing ways following their recent win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. The Pelicans established the terms of the game quickly and built a 13-point lead following the first quarter (33-20), and they would not let the lead slip away. San Antonio never had a chance to contain New Orleans offensively, but at least they won the second quarter by a three-point margin (31-28). The Pelicans were up by 10 starting the second half and pulled away for good in the third after a 44-27 score. The fourth quarter was nothing more than garbage time, but the Pelicans closed things out with a 41-32 score in the final 12 minutes. With the win, the Pelicans moved to 7-7 on the road, while the Spurs fell to 2-12 at home.
CJ McCollum led the way for the Pelicans with 29 points, two rebounds and two assists. Zion Williamson recorded 15 points while filling the stat sheet admirably. He also added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Brandon Ingram posted 26 points, four assists and three rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas chipped in with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Jose Alvarado had 16 points, while Naji Marshall (11 points) and Trey Murphy III (14 points) also had double-digit scoring efforts.
Victor Wembanyama had 17 points and 13 rebounds while also adding four blocks and four assists. Keldon Johnson had 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists. Devin Vassell also had 13 points. Malaki Branham accounted for 11 points. Justin Champagnie delivered 15 points off the bench.
The Pelicans (16-11) had one of their best offensive showings of the season Sunday, shooting above 55 percent from the field and scoring 146 points to defeat the Spurs (4-21), as San Antonio regressed to losing ways following their recent win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. The Pelicans established the terms of the game quickly and built a 13-point lead following the first quarter (33-20), and they would not let the lead slip away. San Antonio never had a chance to contain New Orleans offensively, but at least they won the second quarter by a three-point margin (31-28). The Pelicans were up by 10 starting the second half and pulled away for good in the third after a 44-27 score. The fourth quarter was nothing more than garbage time, but the Pelicans closed things out with a 41-32 score in the final 12 minutes. With the win, the Pelicans moved to 7-7 on the road, while the Spurs fell to 2-12 at home.
CJ McCollum led the way for the Pelicans with 29 points, two rebounds and two assists. Zion Williamson recorded 15 points while filling the stat sheet admirably. He also added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Brandon Ingram posted 26 points, four assists and three rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas chipped in with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Jose Alvarado had 16 points, while Naji Marshall (11 points) and Trey Murphy III (14 points) also had double-digit scoring efforts.
Victor Wembanyama had 17 points and 13 rebounds while also adding four blocks and four assists. Keldon Johnson had 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists. Devin Vassell also had 13 points. Malaki Branham accounted for 11 points. Justin Champagnie delivered 15 points off the bench.
Bucks Outscore Rockets, 128-119
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Houston Rockets, 128-119, at Fiserv Forum on Sunday night.
The Bucks (19-7) came into the contest riding a three-game winning streak, and during the first half, it appeared they'd have little trouble extending their success. Milwaukee owned a 33-28 lead through one, and their advantage was up to 11 points by intermission. The Rockets (13-10) outpaced their hosts by two points overall in the second half, but the Bucks' cushion proved enough to keep Houston at bay.
Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 22 points, adding six assists, two rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Alperen Sengun furnished 20 points, eight boards, five assists, one steal and one block. Dillon Brooks supplied 18 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals. Jabari Smith Jr. and Jeff Green produced matching 16-point tallies, with Smith adding five rebounds, two assists and one block. Jalen Green matched his teammates' scoring and also posted seven assists and two rebounds.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with 39 points, complementing them with 11 assists, five rebounds and three steals. Giannis Antetokounmpo generated a 26-point, 17-rebound double-double that included three assists. Khris Middleton delivered 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. Brook Lopez registered 18 points and six boards. Bobby Portis finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
The Rockets remain on the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, while the Bucks host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.
The Bucks (19-7) came into the contest riding a three-game winning streak, and during the first half, it appeared they'd have little trouble extending their success. Milwaukee owned a 33-28 lead through one, and their advantage was up to 11 points by intermission. The Rockets (13-10) outpaced their hosts by two points overall in the second half, but the Bucks' cushion proved enough to keep Houston at bay.
Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 22 points, adding six assists, two rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Alperen Sengun furnished 20 points, eight boards, five assists, one steal and one block. Dillon Brooks supplied 18 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals. Jabari Smith Jr. and Jeff Green produced matching 16-point tallies, with Smith adding five rebounds, two assists and one block. Jalen Green matched his teammates' scoring and also posted seven assists and two rebounds.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with 39 points, complementing them with 11 assists, five rebounds and three steals. Giannis Antetokounmpo generated a 26-point, 17-rebound double-double that included three assists. Khris Middleton delivered 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. Brook Lopez registered 18 points and six boards. Bobby Portis finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
The Rockets remain on the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, while the Bucks host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.
Suns Rally To Close Out Wizards
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Washington Wizards, 112-108, at Footprint Center on Sunday evening.
The Wizards got out to a strong start and led, 29-21, after one quarter. The visitors kept the upper hand through the second and managed to push their lead up to 12 points by halftime. Both sides turned up the pace in the third, while the Suns began to chip away late in the quarter, making it am eight-point game heading into the final quarter. The Suns picked up momentum in the fourth and outscored the Wizards, 31-19, in the quarter to rally to the home win, ending a two-game slide.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 28 points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, in 35 minutes. Devin Booker followed up with 27 points, four rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block, while Jusuf Nurkic totaled six points, 17 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.
Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford led the Wizards with 26 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, in 35 minutes. Tyus Jones followed up with 22 points, four rebounds, 11 assists, six steals and a block, while Kyle Kuzma added 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Meanwhile, the Wizards (4-21) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Kings in Sacramento on Monday. The Suns (14-12) take on the Trail Blazers in Portland on Tuesday.
The Wizards got out to a strong start and led, 29-21, after one quarter. The visitors kept the upper hand through the second and managed to push their lead up to 12 points by halftime. Both sides turned up the pace in the third, while the Suns began to chip away late in the quarter, making it am eight-point game heading into the final quarter. The Suns picked up momentum in the fourth and outscored the Wizards, 31-19, in the quarter to rally to the home win, ending a two-game slide.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 28 points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, in 35 minutes. Devin Booker followed up with 27 points, four rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block, while Jusuf Nurkic totaled six points, 17 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.
Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford led the Wizards with 26 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, in 35 minutes. Tyus Jones followed up with 22 points, four rebounds, 11 assists, six steals and a block, while Kyle Kuzma added 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Meanwhile, the Wizards (4-21) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Kings in Sacramento on Monday. The Suns (14-12) take on the Trail Blazers in Portland on Tuesday.
Warriors Defeat Blazers, 118-114
The Golden State Warriors defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 118-114, at Moda Center on Sunday.
It's rare to see a wire-to-wire win decided in the final minute, but that's what we had here. Golden State led 65-49 at the half and got their lead up to 22 points at times. With that said, Portland tied the game twice in the fourth quarter and got it down to a one-point margin with 14.7 seconds left. That was as close as it got, but they could never get over their deficit. The Warriors shot 53 percent from the field while holding the Blazers below 48 percent shooting. Golden State also out-assisted Portland, 31-23, while out-rebounding them, 52-42.
The Warriors (12-14) were led by Klay Thompson, collecting 28 points and four rebounds on 11-of-16 from the field. Andrew Wiggins led the bench with 25 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Brandin Podziesmki amassed 10 points, five rebounds and five assists. Stephen Curry had seven points, two rebounds and eight assists, missing all eight of his threes. That's his first time not making a three-pointer in over three years.
The Trail Blazers (6-19) were led by Jerami Grant, generating 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Anfernee Simons accrued 24 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Shaedon Sharpe totaled 12 points and five boards, while Scoot Henderson led the bench with 14 points and two assists. DeAndre Ayton had eight points and eight rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Portland remaining home to play the Phoenix Suns and Golden State returning home to face the Boston Celtics.
It's rare to see a wire-to-wire win decided in the final minute, but that's what we had here. Golden State led 65-49 at the half and got their lead up to 22 points at times. With that said, Portland tied the game twice in the fourth quarter and got it down to a one-point margin with 14.7 seconds left. That was as close as it got, but they could never get over their deficit. The Warriors shot 53 percent from the field while holding the Blazers below 48 percent shooting. Golden State also out-assisted Portland, 31-23, while out-rebounding them, 52-42.
The Warriors (12-14) were led by Klay Thompson, collecting 28 points and four rebounds on 11-of-16 from the field. Andrew Wiggins led the bench with 25 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Brandin Podziesmki amassed 10 points, five rebounds and five assists. Stephen Curry had seven points, two rebounds and eight assists, missing all eight of his threes. That's his first time not making a three-pointer in over three years.
The Trail Blazers (6-19) were led by Jerami Grant, generating 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Anfernee Simons accrued 24 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Shaedon Sharpe totaled 12 points and five boards, while Scoot Henderson led the bench with 14 points and two assists. DeAndre Ayton had eight points and eight rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Portland remaining home to play the Phoenix Suns and Golden State returning home to face the Boston Celtics.