Celtics Put An End To Pacers' Win Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Indiana Pacers, 118-101, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday evening.
The Celtics jumped out to a great start and led, 29-17, after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second, but the Pacers cut it back to a nine-point game by halftime. The Celtics kept the upper hand through the third, while the hosts managed to trim it down to a three-point difference heading into the final frame. The Celtics turned it up a notch in the fourth and outscored the Pacers, 34-20, in the quarter to run away with their second straight win. This also marks the end of a six-game win streak for the Pacers.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 38 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Jaylen Brown followed up with 31 points, four rebounds and a block, while Al Horford added 10 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, a steal and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, in 35 minutes off the bench. Tyrese Haliburton followed up with 17 points, six rebounds, seven assists and five steals, while Buddy Hield tallied 15 points, two rebounds and three assists.
The Pacers (20-15) and Celtics (28-7) clash again in Indiana on Monday.
The Celtics jumped out to a great start and led, 29-17, after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second, but the Pacers cut it back to a nine-point game by halftime. The Celtics kept the upper hand through the third, while the hosts managed to trim it down to a three-point difference heading into the final frame. The Celtics turned it up a notch in the fourth and outscored the Pacers, 34-20, in the quarter to run away with their second straight win. This also marks the end of a six-game win streak for the Pacers.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 38 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Jaylen Brown followed up with 31 points, four rebounds and a block, while Al Horford added 10 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, a steal and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, in 35 minutes off the bench. Tyrese Haliburton followed up with 17 points, six rebounds, seven assists and five steals, while Buddy Hield tallied 15 points, two rebounds and three assists.
The Pacers (20-15) and Celtics (28-7) clash again in Indiana on Monday.
Knicks Handle Wizards, 121-105
The New York Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards, 121-105, at Capital One Arena on Saturday night.
The Knicks (21-15) came into the contest as solid favorites and riding plenty of momentum, and the opening period went accordingly for the visitors. New York owned a 34-19 over the Wizards (6-29) after the first 12 minutes, and their advantage was up to 20 points by halftime. Once Washington was only able to put a four-point dent in its deficit in the third, the Knicks were firmly on the way to victory.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 39 points, adding seven rebounds, five assists and one steal. Jalen Brunson supplied 33 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo furnished 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal. OG Anunoby provided nine points, five boards, two assists and one steal, while Isaiah Hartenstein registered eight points, 19 rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks.
Kyle Kuzma paced the Wizards with 27 points, complementing them with two rebounds, two assists and one block. Deni Avdija managed 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals. Tyus Jones delivered 11 points, eight assists and one rebound, while Jordan Poole collected 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
The Knicks return home to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, while the Wizards remain home and host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.
The Knicks (21-15) came into the contest as solid favorites and riding plenty of momentum, and the opening period went accordingly for the visitors. New York owned a 34-19 over the Wizards (6-29) after the first 12 minutes, and their advantage was up to 20 points by halftime. Once Washington was only able to put a four-point dent in its deficit in the third, the Knicks were firmly on the way to victory.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 39 points, adding seven rebounds, five assists and one steal. Jalen Brunson supplied 33 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo furnished 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal. OG Anunoby provided nine points, five boards, two assists and one steal, while Isaiah Hartenstein registered eight points, 19 rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks.
Kyle Kuzma paced the Wizards with 27 points, complementing them with two rebounds, two assists and one block. Deni Avdija managed 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals. Tyus Jones delivered 11 points, eight assists and one rebound, while Jordan Poole collected 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
The Knicks return home to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, while the Wizards remain home and host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.
Jazz Pull Upset, Defeat 76ers Away From Home
The Utah Jazz defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 120-109, at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.
The Jazz (17-20) delivered one of their best offensive performances of the season Saturday, and they took advantage of Joel Embiid’s absence to secure the victory against the 76ers (23-12). With the win, Utah moved to 6-15 away from home, while the 76ers fell to 13-6 when playing at home. Utah enjoyed a strong start to the game and quickly raced to a 32-28 lead in the first quarter. A 29-26 score in the second quarter made it a one-point contest, and the Sixers showed signs of having life ahead of the second half. However, a 29-22 score in the third quarter gave the Jazz an eight-point advantage with only 12 minutes left. The Jazz closed things out with a 33-30 score in the final quarter. Utah delivered one of their best games on the road and managed to secure the victory.
Lauri Markkanen was the leading scorer for the Jazz and finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds and a block. Collin Sexton delivered 22 points and 10 assists. John Collins was efficient from the field and recorded 19 points with five rebounds and two assists. Jordan Clarkson had 18 points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal. Walker Kessler delivered 10 points and four rebounds. The Jazz shot 57.5 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from deep.
Tyrese Maxey delivered 25 points, nine assists and three steals for the Sixers. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 24 points, four rebounds and four assists. Paul Reed had 16 points and six rebounds. Marcus Morris had 15 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Patrick Beverley added 12 points coming off the bench. Philadelphia shot 40.4 percent from the field and 18.4 percent from three-point range.
The Jazz (17-20) delivered one of their best offensive performances of the season Saturday, and they took advantage of Joel Embiid’s absence to secure the victory against the 76ers (23-12). With the win, Utah moved to 6-15 away from home, while the 76ers fell to 13-6 when playing at home. Utah enjoyed a strong start to the game and quickly raced to a 32-28 lead in the first quarter. A 29-26 score in the second quarter made it a one-point contest, and the Sixers showed signs of having life ahead of the second half. However, a 29-22 score in the third quarter gave the Jazz an eight-point advantage with only 12 minutes left. The Jazz closed things out with a 33-30 score in the final quarter. Utah delivered one of their best games on the road and managed to secure the victory.
Lauri Markkanen was the leading scorer for the Jazz and finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds and a block. Collin Sexton delivered 22 points and 10 assists. John Collins was efficient from the field and recorded 19 points with five rebounds and two assists. Jordan Clarkson had 18 points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal. Walker Kessler delivered 10 points and four rebounds. The Jazz shot 57.5 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from deep.
Tyrese Maxey delivered 25 points, nine assists and three steals for the Sixers. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 24 points, four rebounds and four assists. Paul Reed had 16 points and six rebounds. Marcus Morris had 15 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Patrick Beverley added 12 points coming off the bench. Philadelphia shot 40.4 percent from the field and 18.4 percent from three-point range.
Rockets Defeat Bucks, 112-108
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 112-108, at Toyota Center on Saturday.
Houston kickstarted this game with a 29-18 first quarter and continued their dominance with a 34-25 second quarter. That 20-point halftime lead allowed Houston to lead by at least four points for the entirety of the second half, with Milwaukee never attempting a game-tying shot. The Rockets shot 38 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Bucks 27 percent from long range and 69 percent from the charity stripe. Houston recorded 22 assists to 10 turnovers, while Milwaukee had 21 assists to 11 turnovers. They also out-rebounded them, 55-51.
The Bucks (25-11) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, tallying 48 points, 17 rebounds and two assists. Damian Lillard had 18 points, two rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Khris Middleton collected 10 points, three rebounds and five assists. No other player had more than nine points or three assists.
The Rockets (18-16) were led by Alperen Sengun, providing 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Jalen Green generated 16 points, four rebounds and two assists. Fred VanVleet finished with 14 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steaks, while Jabari Smith Jr amassed 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jeff Green led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Milwaukee returning home to play the Utah Jazz and Houston traveling to face the Miami Heat,
Houston kickstarted this game with a 29-18 first quarter and continued their dominance with a 34-25 second quarter. That 20-point halftime lead allowed Houston to lead by at least four points for the entirety of the second half, with Milwaukee never attempting a game-tying shot. The Rockets shot 38 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Bucks 27 percent from long range and 69 percent from the charity stripe. Houston recorded 22 assists to 10 turnovers, while Milwaukee had 21 assists to 11 turnovers. They also out-rebounded them, 55-51.
The Bucks (25-11) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, tallying 48 points, 17 rebounds and two assists. Damian Lillard had 18 points, two rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Khris Middleton collected 10 points, three rebounds and five assists. No other player had more than nine points or three assists.
The Rockets (18-16) were led by Alperen Sengun, providing 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Jalen Green generated 16 points, four rebounds and two assists. Fred VanVleet finished with 14 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steaks, while Jabari Smith Jr amassed 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jeff Green led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Milwaukee returning home to play the Utah Jazz and Houston traveling to face the Miami Heat,