Jazz take down Heat on Saturday, 117-109
The Utah Jazz took down the Miami Heat, 117-109, at the Delta Center on Saturday.
It was a competitive contest for most of the game, with neither team reaching a double-digit lead. The Heat (19-13) were able to use their physicality to their advantage as they had 40 free throw attempts, 32 of which they made. Both teams struggled to shoot from beyond the arc, but the Jazz (14-19) dominated the Heat in points in the paint (60 vs. 40) and points off turnovers (29 vs. 10) that ultimately helped Utah pull away in the fourth quarter for their fourth win in their last five games. Meanwhile Miami’s loss snapped their four-game win streak and dropped their road record to 10-7.
Bam Adebayo dominated the game with 28 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals for his fourth-straight double-double. Tyler Herro chipped in 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. Kevin Love led the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and two assists while Duncan Robinson contributed 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals over 32 minutes. Jimmy Butler, who made his return after missing the last four games with a left calf strain, left the game in the third quarter after injuring his right foot and finished with eight points and two rebounds over 23 minutes.
The Jazz had a balanced scoring attack, with seven players scoring in double-digits. Collin Sexton led Utah with 22 points, two rebounds and five assists for his third-straight 20-point outing. Rookie guard Keyonte George hit five of his eight three-point attempts and finished with 21 points -- 12 in the fourth quarter -- along with six rebounds and two assists off the bench. Kelly Olynyk finished with 19 points, six rebounds and 10 assists for his second double-double of the season. Simone Fontecchio contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals while Lauri Markkanen had 12 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Saturday’s contest marked the last game both teams played in 2023. Each team next plays on New Year’s Day on Monday, with the Heat continuing their road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers while the Jazz host the Dallas Mavericks.
It was a competitive contest for most of the game, with neither team reaching a double-digit lead. The Heat (19-13) were able to use their physicality to their advantage as they had 40 free throw attempts, 32 of which they made. Both teams struggled to shoot from beyond the arc, but the Jazz (14-19) dominated the Heat in points in the paint (60 vs. 40) and points off turnovers (29 vs. 10) that ultimately helped Utah pull away in the fourth quarter for their fourth win in their last five games. Meanwhile Miami’s loss snapped their four-game win streak and dropped their road record to 10-7.
Bam Adebayo dominated the game with 28 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals for his fourth-straight double-double. Tyler Herro chipped in 25 points, six rebounds and six assists. Kevin Love led the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and two assists while Duncan Robinson contributed 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals over 32 minutes. Jimmy Butler, who made his return after missing the last four games with a left calf strain, left the game in the third quarter after injuring his right foot and finished with eight points and two rebounds over 23 minutes.
The Jazz had a balanced scoring attack, with seven players scoring in double-digits. Collin Sexton led Utah with 22 points, two rebounds and five assists for his third-straight 20-point outing. Rookie guard Keyonte George hit five of his eight three-point attempts and finished with 21 points -- 12 in the fourth quarter -- along with six rebounds and two assists off the bench. Kelly Olynyk finished with 19 points, six rebounds and 10 assists for his second double-double of the season. Simone Fontecchio contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals while Lauri Markkanen had 12 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Saturday’s contest marked the last game both teams played in 2023. Each team next plays on New Year’s Day on Monday, with the Heat continuing their road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers while the Jazz host the Dallas Mavericks.
Pistons Snap Losing Skid, Defeat Raptors
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors, 129-127, at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.
The Pistons (3-29) finally snapped their 28-game losing streak, but they had to work hard to get past the Raptors (12-19) in front of an intense crowd in Detroit to claim their first win since late October. With the win, the Pistons moved to 2-14 at home, while the Raptors fell to 4-11 on the road. It wasn’t an easy win for Detroit, as they held an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Toronto never gave up and kept fighting until the final seconds. The Pistons held a 25-24 lead in the first quarter, but they began to pull away in the second quarter following a 27-20 score in the second quarter. A 42-38 score in the third quarter allowed Toronto to shrink the deficit and make it a game heading into the fourth, but the Pistons were savvy to close things out. Even though Toronto attempted a late comeback in the fourth and came close to completing it, the Raptors simply didn’t have enough in them to make it happen. As a result, the Pistons finally got back in the win column, while the Raptors will go down as the team that allowed Detroit to snap the longest losing skid in NBA history.
Cade Cunningham was massive for the Pistons after notching 30 points and 12 assists. Bojan Bogdanovic posted 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Kevin Knox II recorded 17 points, two rebounds and two assists. Jalen Duren had an 18-point, 17-rebound double-double. Jaden Ivey posted 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. Alec Burks had 16 points off the bench.
Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 35 points while also adding five rebounds and four assists. Scottie Barnes finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Dennis Schroder delivered 30 points and nine assists. Gary Trent Jr. had 24 points, four assists and four steals.
The Pistons (3-29) finally snapped their 28-game losing streak, but they had to work hard to get past the Raptors (12-19) in front of an intense crowd in Detroit to claim their first win since late October. With the win, the Pistons moved to 2-14 at home, while the Raptors fell to 4-11 on the road. It wasn’t an easy win for Detroit, as they held an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Toronto never gave up and kept fighting until the final seconds. The Pistons held a 25-24 lead in the first quarter, but they began to pull away in the second quarter following a 27-20 score in the second quarter. A 42-38 score in the third quarter allowed Toronto to shrink the deficit and make it a game heading into the fourth, but the Pistons were savvy to close things out. Even though Toronto attempted a late comeback in the fourth and came close to completing it, the Raptors simply didn’t have enough in them to make it happen. As a result, the Pistons finally got back in the win column, while the Raptors will go down as the team that allowed Detroit to snap the longest losing skid in NBA history.
Cade Cunningham was massive for the Pistons after notching 30 points and 12 assists. Bojan Bogdanovic posted 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Kevin Knox II recorded 17 points, two rebounds and two assists. Jalen Duren had an 18-point, 17-rebound double-double. Jaden Ivey posted 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. Alec Burks had 16 points off the bench.
Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 35 points while also adding five rebounds and four assists. Scottie Barnes finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Dennis Schroder delivered 30 points and nine assists. Gary Trent Jr. had 24 points, four assists and four steals.
Pacers Outlast Knicks, 140-126
The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks, 140-126, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
The Pacers (17-14) opened the game hot offensively, building a 32-27 lead through one. The Knicks (17-15) sliced three points from their deficit before halftime, but Indiana's 41-point third quarter gave it a double-digit advantage heading into the final period on the way to the double-digit victory. The hosts shot an impressive 59.5 percent, including 54.8 percent from behind the arc.
Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with 38 points, adding six rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson followed with matching 28-point tallies, adding 12 rebounds and six assists, respectively. Josh Hart generated a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist and one steal. Evan Fournier matched Hart's scoring and also contributed two rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Myles Turner paced the Pacers with 28 points, complementing them with eight rebounds and two assists. Aaron Nesmith delivered 25 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal. Tyrese Haliburton finished with a 22-point, 23-assist double-double that included five rebounds, two steals and one block. Bennedict Mathurin netted 20 points. Andrew Nembhard managed 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Knicks return home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday afternoon, while the Pacers visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night
The Pacers (17-14) opened the game hot offensively, building a 32-27 lead through one. The Knicks (17-15) sliced three points from their deficit before halftime, but Indiana's 41-point third quarter gave it a double-digit advantage heading into the final period on the way to the double-digit victory. The hosts shot an impressive 59.5 percent, including 54.8 percent from behind the arc.
Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with 38 points, adding six rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson followed with matching 28-point tallies, adding 12 rebounds and six assists, respectively. Josh Hart generated a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist and one steal. Evan Fournier matched Hart's scoring and also contributed two rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Myles Turner paced the Pacers with 28 points, complementing them with eight rebounds and two assists. Aaron Nesmith delivered 25 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal. Tyrese Haliburton finished with a 22-point, 23-assist double-double that included five rebounds, two steals and one block. Bennedict Mathurin netted 20 points. Andrew Nembhard managed 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Knicks return home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday afternoon, while the Pacers visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night
Bulls Take Care Of Business At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 105-92, at United Center on Saturday evening.
The Bulls got out to a strong start and led for most of the first quarter, before taking a four-point lead into the second. Both sides picked up the pace in the second, but the Bulls kept the upper hand and pushed it to an eight-point game by halftime. Thing slowed down again in the third, while the hosts maintained a cushion and the Sixers saw the deficit grow to nine points, entering the final frame. The visitors had no solutions in the fourth, as the Bulls held on for the home win.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists, in 37 minutes. Coby White followed up with 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Andre Drummond logged 15 points, 23 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 20 points, seven assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Tobias Harris followed up with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a block, while Paul Reed and Kelly Oubre added 11 points each.
The 76ers (22-10) and the Bulls (15-19) clash again on Tuesday, in Philly.
The Bulls got out to a strong start and led for most of the first quarter, before taking a four-point lead into the second. Both sides picked up the pace in the second, but the Bulls kept the upper hand and pushed it to an eight-point game by halftime. Thing slowed down again in the third, while the hosts maintained a cushion and the Sixers saw the deficit grow to nine points, entering the final frame. The visitors had no solutions in the fourth, as the Bulls held on for the home win.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists, in 37 minutes. Coby White followed up with 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Andre Drummond logged 15 points, 23 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 20 points, seven assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Tobias Harris followed up with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a block, while Paul Reed and Kelly Oubre added 11 points each.
The 76ers (22-10) and the Bulls (15-19) clash again on Tuesday, in Philly.
T'Wolves Defeat Lakers, 108-106
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 108-106, at Target Center on Saturday.
There were 14 ties and 14 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 11 points. In fact, neither team led by more than seven points in the second half. LeBron James made what looked like a game-tying three with 3.3 seconds left, but he had a toe on the line. they were unable to get off a shot on their next possession. The Timberwolves shot 50 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range while holding the Lakers to 42 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. Minnesota also doubled up LA in blocks, 8-4.
The Lakers (17-16) were led by Anthony Davis, finishing with 33 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks on 12-of-17 shooting. LeBron James tallied 26 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals. No other player reached double figures in scoring. Austin Reaves and Taurean Prince scored nine points apiece.
The Timberwolves (24-7) were led by Anthony Edwards, who accrued 31 points, three rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Mike Conley compiled 15 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Rudy Gobert generated 13 points, 13 rebounds and two steals, while Naz Reid led the bench with 21 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
On deck for Los Angeles is a road matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. As for Minnesota, they return to action on Monday in a road meeting with the New York Knicks,
There were 14 ties and 14 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 11 points. In fact, neither team led by more than seven points in the second half. LeBron James made what looked like a game-tying three with 3.3 seconds left, but he had a toe on the line. they were unable to get off a shot on their next possession. The Timberwolves shot 50 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range while holding the Lakers to 42 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. Minnesota also doubled up LA in blocks, 8-4.
The Lakers (17-16) were led by Anthony Davis, finishing with 33 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks on 12-of-17 shooting. LeBron James tallied 26 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals. No other player reached double figures in scoring. Austin Reaves and Taurean Prince scored nine points apiece.
The Timberwolves (24-7) were led by Anthony Edwards, who accrued 31 points, three rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Mike Conley compiled 15 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Rudy Gobert generated 13 points, 13 rebounds and two steals, while Naz Reid led the bench with 21 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
On deck for Los Angeles is a road matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. As for Minnesota, they return to action on Monday in a road meeting with the New York Knicks,
Mavs Defeat Warriors, 132-122
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 132-122, at Chase Center on Saturday.
A 34-26 first quarter set the foundation for Dallas in this victory, never relinquishing the lead after the opening four minutes. They got their lead up to 16 points at times, leading by at least five points for the entirety of the second half. The Mavericks shot 56 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Warriors to 46 percent from the field, 40 percent from long range and 69 percent from the charity stripe.
The Mavericks (19-14) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 39 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Dante Exum amassed 19 points and five assists. Dereck Lively totaled 12 points and 14 boards, while Josh Green led the bench with 18 points and two assists. Tim Hardaway also had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists off of the pine.
The Warriors (15-17) were led by Stephen Curry, finishing with 25 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Chris Paul provided 24 points, two rebounds, six assists and two steals. Trayce Jackson-Davis had 17 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Jonathan Kuminga compiled 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Klay Thompson missed 10 of his 11 shots to finish with three points.
On deck for Dallas is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Monday. As for Golden State, they play host to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday for their next outing.
A 34-26 first quarter set the foundation for Dallas in this victory, never relinquishing the lead after the opening four minutes. They got their lead up to 16 points at times, leading by at least five points for the entirety of the second half. The Mavericks shot 56 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Warriors to 46 percent from the field, 40 percent from long range and 69 percent from the charity stripe.
The Mavericks (19-14) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 39 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Dante Exum amassed 19 points and five assists. Dereck Lively totaled 12 points and 14 boards, while Josh Green led the bench with 18 points and two assists. Tim Hardaway also had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists off of the pine.
The Warriors (15-17) were led by Stephen Curry, finishing with 25 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Chris Paul provided 24 points, two rebounds, six assists and two steals. Trayce Jackson-Davis had 17 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Jonathan Kuminga compiled 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Klay Thompson missed 10 of his 11 shots to finish with three points.
On deck for Dallas is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Monday. As for Golden State, they play host to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday for their next outing.