Knicks Too Much For Bucks
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 129-122, at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day.
The Knicks jumped out to a strong start and led, 36-27, after one quarter. They pushed their lead up to 13 points early in the second, but the Bucks brought it down to an 11-point difference heading into the break. Both sides came out with intensity in the third and poured in 36 points each, while the Knicks carried and 11-point advantage into the final frame. Both sides kept up the pace in the fourth, but the Bucks could not make up the difference as they saw their seven-game win streak come to an end.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 38 points, four rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Julius Randle followed up with 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal, while RJ Barrett added 21 points, six rebounds and a steal.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard totaled 32 points each to lead the way for the Bucks. Khris Middleton followed up with 24 points, two rebounds, six assists and a steal, while Brook Lopez tallied 14 points, six rebounds, a steal and two blocks.
The Bucks (22-8) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Knicks (17-12) clash with the Thunder in OKC on Wednesday.
The Knicks jumped out to a strong start and led, 36-27, after one quarter. They pushed their lead up to 13 points early in the second, but the Bucks brought it down to an 11-point difference heading into the break. Both sides came out with intensity in the third and poured in 36 points each, while the Knicks carried and 11-point advantage into the final frame. Both sides kept up the pace in the fourth, but the Bucks could not make up the difference as they saw their seven-game win streak come to an end.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 38 points, four rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Julius Randle followed up with 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal, while RJ Barrett added 21 points, six rebounds and a steal.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard totaled 32 points each to lead the way for the Bucks. Khris Middleton followed up with 24 points, two rebounds, six assists and a steal, while Brook Lopez tallied 14 points, six rebounds, a steal and two blocks.
The Bucks (22-8) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Knicks (17-12) clash with the Thunder in OKC on Wednesday.
Nuggets Close Out Fifth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 120-114, at Ball Arena on Christmas Day.
The game got out to a competitive start, but the Nuggets controlled most of the first quarter and took a three-point edge into the second. Warriors pulled ahead in the second, while the Nuggets kept the score close and trailed by one, heading into the break. Both sides picked up the pace in the third, as the Nuggets reclaimed the upper hand and carried a three-point advantage into the final frame. The visitors pulled in front again early in the fourth, but the Nuggets kept their focus and finished strong to close out their fifth straight win. This also marks the end of a five-game win streak for the Warriors.
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 28 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. Nikola Jokic followed up with 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Michael Porter tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 22 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block, in 29 minutes off the bench. Stephen Curry followed up with 18 points, two rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Dario Saric added 14 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (15-15) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Thursday. The Nuggets (22-10) play host to the Grizzlies on Thursday.
The game got out to a competitive start, but the Nuggets controlled most of the first quarter and took a three-point edge into the second. Warriors pulled ahead in the second, while the Nuggets kept the score close and trailed by one, heading into the break. Both sides picked up the pace in the third, as the Nuggets reclaimed the upper hand and carried a three-point advantage into the final frame. The visitors pulled in front again early in the fourth, but the Nuggets kept their focus and finished strong to close out their fifth straight win. This also marks the end of a five-game win streak for the Warriors.
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 28 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. Nikola Jokic followed up with 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Michael Porter tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 22 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block, in 29 minutes off the bench. Stephen Curry followed up with 18 points, two rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Dario Saric added 14 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (15-15) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Thursday. The Nuggets (22-10) play host to the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Celtics Defeat Lakers, 126-115
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 126-115, at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.
Boston led for all but two minutes in this victory, kickstarting the game with a 32-23 first quarter. They rode a 41-33 third quarter to their win, leading by at least eight points for the entirety of the second half. The Celtics shot 51 percent from the field while holding the Lakers below 48 percent shooting. Boston also recorded 31 assists to eight turnovers, while Los Angeles had 24 assists to 12 turnovers. The eight steals and seven blocks they recorded were also critical because the Lakers had just five combined.
The Celtics (23-6) were led by Kristaps Porzingis, providing 28 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Jayson Tatum totaled 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Jaylen Brown amassed 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jrue Holiday had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. while Derrick White tallied 18 points, two rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Lakers (16-15) were led by Anthony Davis finishing with 40 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Taurean Prince accrued 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. LeBron James accrued 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Rui Hachmiura led the bench with 12 points and three rebounds, while Austin Reave registered 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Los Angeles playing host to the Charlotte Hornets and Boston returning home to face the struggling Detroit Pistons.
Boston led for all but two minutes in this victory, kickstarting the game with a 32-23 first quarter. They rode a 41-33 third quarter to their win, leading by at least eight points for the entirety of the second half. The Celtics shot 51 percent from the field while holding the Lakers below 48 percent shooting. Boston also recorded 31 assists to eight turnovers, while Los Angeles had 24 assists to 12 turnovers. The eight steals and seven blocks they recorded were also critical because the Lakers had just five combined.
The Celtics (23-6) were led by Kristaps Porzingis, providing 28 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Jayson Tatum totaled 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Jaylen Brown amassed 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jrue Holiday had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. while Derrick White tallied 18 points, two rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Lakers (16-15) were led by Anthony Davis finishing with 40 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Taurean Prince accrued 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. LeBron James accrued 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Rui Hachmiura led the bench with 12 points and three rebounds, while Austin Reave registered 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Los Angeles playing host to the Charlotte Hornets and Boston returning home to face the struggling Detroit Pistons.
Heat Beat 76ers In Star-Less Showdown
The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 119-113, at Kaseya Center on Monday.
The Heat (18-12) were without Jimmy Butler and the Sixers (20-9) were without Joel Embiid, so both teams were missing their best players. However, Miami’s role players stepped their game up, and they had to grind out a win that was only decided in the final stages of the contest. Miami enjoyed a better start and raced to a 26-22 lead in the first quarter, and the Heat looked in control early on. They would push their lead to double digits following a 37-27 score in the second quarter, but the 76ers would not give up easily. The Sixers won the third quarter by an impressive 37-23 score, tying the game with only 12 minutes left in the game. Miami executed better down the stretch, and a few clutch buckets in the final minutes gave the Heat the victory. With the win, the Heat moved to 9-6 at home, while the Sixers fell to 8-5 on the road.
Jaime Jaquez had the best game of his career Monday, posting a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double. Tyler Herro notched 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Bam Adebayo delivered a 26-point, 15-rebound double-double while also adding five assists and three blocks. Kyle Lowry had 12 points and four assists. Kevin Love had eight points and 10 rebounds. Duncan Robinson finished with 16 points off the bench.
Tobias Harris notched 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Sixers. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists. De’Anthony Melton posted 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Tyrese Maxey had 12 points, five assists and three rebounds. Maxey only shot 4-for-20 from the field and 1-for-8 from three-point range. Mo Bamba had 18 points off the bench.
The Heat (18-12) were without Jimmy Butler and the Sixers (20-9) were without Joel Embiid, so both teams were missing their best players. However, Miami’s role players stepped their game up, and they had to grind out a win that was only decided in the final stages of the contest. Miami enjoyed a better start and raced to a 26-22 lead in the first quarter, and the Heat looked in control early on. They would push their lead to double digits following a 37-27 score in the second quarter, but the 76ers would not give up easily. The Sixers won the third quarter by an impressive 37-23 score, tying the game with only 12 minutes left in the game. Miami executed better down the stretch, and a few clutch buckets in the final minutes gave the Heat the victory. With the win, the Heat moved to 9-6 at home, while the Sixers fell to 8-5 on the road.
Jaime Jaquez had the best game of his career Monday, posting a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double. Tyler Herro notched 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Bam Adebayo delivered a 26-point, 15-rebound double-double while also adding five assists and three blocks. Kyle Lowry had 12 points and four assists. Kevin Love had eight points and 10 rebounds. Duncan Robinson finished with 16 points off the bench.
Tobias Harris notched 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Sixers. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists. De’Anthony Melton posted 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Tyrese Maxey had 12 points, five assists and three rebounds. Maxey only shot 4-for-20 from the field and 1-for-8 from three-point range. Mo Bamba had 18 points off the bench.
Mavericks Thump Suns, 128-114
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Phoenix Suns, 128-114, at Footprint Center on Monday night.
Both squads came in down key backcourt members, but it was the Mavericks (18-12) that came out clicking on all cylinders on their way to a 36-24 lead through one. The Suns (14-15) were able to shave two points from their deficit prior to halftime, and they then managed to take a one-point advantage into the final period by outscoring Dallas, 38-27, during an impressive third quarter. However, the visitors would roar after falling behind by six within the first minute of the fourth quarter, finishing on a 37-17 run from the 10:46 mark on for the double-digit victory.
Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with a momentous 50-point, 15-assist double-double that included six rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Derrick Jones contributed 23 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Dereck Lively generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist. Tim Hardaway delivered 18 points, seven boards, two assists and one steal.
Grayson Allen paced the Suns with 32 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, four assists and one steal. Chimezie Metu generated a 23-point, 19-rebound double-double that included two assists and one steal. Devin Booker turned in 20 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Kevin Durant registered 16 points, eight boards, seven assists and one block. Eric Gordon netted 14 points.
The Mavericks return home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, while the Suns visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
Both squads came in down key backcourt members, but it was the Mavericks (18-12) that came out clicking on all cylinders on their way to a 36-24 lead through one. The Suns (14-15) were able to shave two points from their deficit prior to halftime, and they then managed to take a one-point advantage into the final period by outscoring Dallas, 38-27, during an impressive third quarter. However, the visitors would roar after falling behind by six within the first minute of the fourth quarter, finishing on a 37-17 run from the 10:46 mark on for the double-digit victory.
Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with a momentous 50-point, 15-assist double-double that included six rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Derrick Jones contributed 23 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Dereck Lively generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist. Tim Hardaway delivered 18 points, seven boards, two assists and one steal.
Grayson Allen paced the Suns with 32 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, four assists and one steal. Chimezie Metu generated a 23-point, 19-rebound double-double that included two assists and one steal. Devin Booker turned in 20 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Kevin Durant registered 16 points, eight boards, seven assists and one block. Eric Gordon netted 14 points.
The Mavericks return home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, while the Suns visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.