Pacers outlast Celtics on Monday
The Indiana Pacers overcame the Boston Celtics, 133-131, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday to even the home-and-home series, 1-1, between the Eastern Conference foes.
The two teams kept things even throughout the first quarter. The Celtics (28-8) were able to win the second quarter, 34-26, but the story of the frame was Tyrese Haliburton, who sustained a left hamstring strain and did not return. It seemed to be a rallying point for the Pacers (21-15) after halftime, as they won the third quarter 44-34 to take a two-point lead into the final 12 minutes. Indiana and Boston exchanged blows in the fourth quarter, before Bennedict Mathurin was fouled by Kristaps Porzingis on a three-point try with seconds left in regulation. Mathurin made two of his three free-throw attempts and the Celtics weren’t able to respond out of a timeout as the Pacers got the victory and revenge for Saturday’s contest.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with a game-high 40 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jrue Holiday chipped in 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Porzingis tallied 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. Payton Prtichard led the bench with 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Derrick White missed 12 of his 16 field goal attempts and finished with 13 points, four rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Al Horford got the start Monday for Jayson Tatum (ankle) and finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
The Pacers spread the scoring load Monday, with seven players finishing with double-digit points. It was Mathurin who led Indiana with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals off the bench. Aaron Nesmith led the starters with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Myles Turner contributed 16 points and eight rebounds. Buddy Hield had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists and Obi Toppin added 13 points. T.J. McConnell, who got more time at point guard following Haliburton’s exit, finished with 12 points, four assists, seven assists and two steals.
Both teams will play their next respective games on Wednesday. The Pacers will stay at home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Celtics travel back to Boston to face the visiting Washington Wizards.
The two teams kept things even throughout the first quarter. The Celtics (28-8) were able to win the second quarter, 34-26, but the story of the frame was Tyrese Haliburton, who sustained a left hamstring strain and did not return. It seemed to be a rallying point for the Pacers (21-15) after halftime, as they won the third quarter 44-34 to take a two-point lead into the final 12 minutes. Indiana and Boston exchanged blows in the fourth quarter, before Bennedict Mathurin was fouled by Kristaps Porzingis on a three-point try with seconds left in regulation. Mathurin made two of his three free-throw attempts and the Celtics weren’t able to respond out of a timeout as the Pacers got the victory and revenge for Saturday’s contest.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with a game-high 40 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jrue Holiday chipped in 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Porzingis tallied 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. Payton Prtichard led the bench with 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Derrick White missed 12 of his 16 field goal attempts and finished with 13 points, four rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Al Horford got the start Monday for Jayson Tatum (ankle) and finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
The Pacers spread the scoring load Monday, with seven players finishing with double-digit points. It was Mathurin who led Indiana with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals off the bench. Aaron Nesmith led the starters with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Myles Turner contributed 16 points and eight rebounds. Buddy Hield had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists and Obi Toppin added 13 points. T.J. McConnell, who got more time at point guard following Haliburton’s exit, finished with 12 points, four assists, seven assists and two steals.
Both teams will play their next respective games on Wednesday. The Pacers will stay at home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Celtics travel back to Boston to face the visiting Washington Wizards.
Shai, Holmgren Lead Thunder Past Wizards
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Washington Wizards, 136-128, at Capital One Arena on Monday.
The Thunder (24-11) moved to 10-6 on the road and snapped their losing skid with a tight victory against one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards (6-30). Oklahoma City enjoyed a solid start and raced to a 36-30 score in the first quarter. A 31-31 score in the second quarter kept the six-point margin between both teams, and the game remained close in the third quarter after a 36-35 score. The Thunder held a five-point lead with just 12 minutes left. Oklahoma City also won the final quarter by a 34-31 score to close things out.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder with 32 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Chet Holmgren posted 31 points, five assists, four rebounds and two blocks. Jalen Williams had 21 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Isaiah Joe posted 16 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench. Aaron Wiggins had 13 points and five rebounds.
Jordan Poole led the way for the Wizards with 24 points and five assists. Kyle Kuzma recorded 22 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. Tyus Jones had 18 points, nine assists and three steals. Deni Avdija recorded 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Landry Shamet delivered 15 points and two steals off the bench. Corey Kispert ended with 11 points.
The Thunder (24-11) moved to 10-6 on the road and snapped their losing skid with a tight victory against one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards (6-30). Oklahoma City enjoyed a solid start and raced to a 36-30 score in the first quarter. A 31-31 score in the second quarter kept the six-point margin between both teams, and the game remained close in the third quarter after a 36-35 score. The Thunder held a five-point lead with just 12 minutes left. Oklahoma City also won the final quarter by a 34-31 score to close things out.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder with 32 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Chet Holmgren posted 31 points, five assists, four rebounds and two blocks. Jalen Williams had 21 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Isaiah Joe posted 16 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench. Aaron Wiggins had 13 points and five rebounds.
Jordan Poole led the way for the Wizards with 24 points and five assists. Kyle Kuzma recorded 22 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. Tyus Jones had 18 points, nine assists and three steals. Deni Avdija recorded 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Landry Shamet delivered 15 points and two steals off the bench. Corey Kispert ended with 11 points.
Bulls Get Past Hornets in OT, 119-112
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Charlotte Hornets in overtime, 117-112, at Spectrum Center on Monday night.
The Hornets (9-25) opened the game playing competitively, as they held a 25-24 lead after one. However, the Bulls (17-21) roared back with a 27-18 second-quarter advantage, sending them into halftime with an eight-point edge. Both teams were hot offensively coming out of intermission -- leading to 65 combined third-quarter points -- and Charlotte eventually clawed back and forced overtime by scoring the final points of regulation via a Terry Rozier three-pointer and a Miles Bridges nine-footer. However, it was mostly Chicago setting the tone in the extra period, opening with an 8-0 run and then pulling away again after the hosts got within three.
Coby White led the Bulls with 27 points, adding six rebounds and five assists. Andre Drummond and Nikola Vucevic turned in matching 21-point tallies while recording 15 and 10 rebounds, respectively. DeMar DeRozan finished with 18 points, seven boards, seven assists, three steals and one block.
Rozier paced the Hornets with 39 points, complementing them with eight assists and three rebounds. Bridges provided 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Nick Smith Jr. furnished 15 points, four boards, three assists and one steal. Nick Richards supplied 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist and three blocks.
The Bulls return home to host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, while the Hornets remain home and host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night as well.
The Hornets (9-25) opened the game playing competitively, as they held a 25-24 lead after one. However, the Bulls (17-21) roared back with a 27-18 second-quarter advantage, sending them into halftime with an eight-point edge. Both teams were hot offensively coming out of intermission -- leading to 65 combined third-quarter points -- and Charlotte eventually clawed back and forced overtime by scoring the final points of regulation via a Terry Rozier three-pointer and a Miles Bridges nine-footer. However, it was mostly Chicago setting the tone in the extra period, opening with an 8-0 run and then pulling away again after the hosts got within three.
Coby White led the Bulls with 27 points, adding six rebounds and five assists. Andre Drummond and Nikola Vucevic turned in matching 21-point tallies while recording 15 and 10 rebounds, respectively. DeMar DeRozan finished with 18 points, seven boards, seven assists, three steals and one block.
Rozier paced the Hornets with 39 points, complementing them with eight assists and three rebounds. Bridges provided 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Nick Smith Jr. furnished 15 points, four boards, three assists and one steal. Nick Richards supplied 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist and three blocks.
The Bulls return home to host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, while the Hornets remain home and host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night as well.
Heat Too Much For Rockets In Miami
By Dan Bruno
The Miami Heat defeated the visiting Houston Rockets, 120-113, at Kaseya Center on Monday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Heat led, 34-27, after one quarter. They maintained a small cushion through most of the second, until the Rockets closed the quarter on a, 13-5, run to tie it up at 59, going into the break. The Heat took control against in the third and built a nine-point lead entering the final frame. They made no mistake in the fourth and finished strong to close out their second win in three games.
Tyler Herro led the way for the Heat with 28 points, three rebounds and three assists, in 34 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 22 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Kevin Love totaled 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 32 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two blocks, in 39 minutes. Alperen Sengun followed up with 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals, while Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore chipped in 11 points each.
The Rockets (18-17) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Wednesday. The Heat (21-15) play host to the Thunder on Wednesday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Heat led, 34-27, after one quarter. They maintained a small cushion through most of the second, until the Rockets closed the quarter on a, 13-5, run to tie it up at 59, going into the break. The Heat took control against in the third and built a nine-point lead entering the final frame. They made no mistake in the fourth and finished strong to close out their second win in three games.
Tyler Herro led the way for the Heat with 28 points, three rebounds and three assists, in 34 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 22 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Kevin Love totaled 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 32 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two blocks, in 39 minutes. Alperen Sengun followed up with 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals, while Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore chipped in 11 points each.
The Rockets (18-17) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Wednesday. The Heat (21-15) play host to the Thunder on Wednesday.
Jazz Stun Bucks In Milwaukee
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the host Milwaukee Bucks, 132-116, at Fiserv Forum on Monday evening.
The Jazz jumped out to a great start and led, 41-23, after one quarter. They kept up the control in the second and pushed their lead up to a whopping, 31 points by halftime. The Bucks came out much better in the third and outscored the visitors, 44-23, to cut it back to a 10-point game heading into the final quarter. The Jazz found their groove again in the fourth and outscored the hosts by eight points in the quarter, as they closed out their second straight win. This also marks the fourth loss in five games for the Bucks.
Lauri Markkanen totaled 21 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks, while Jordan Clarkson finished with 21 points, four rebounds, six assists and a block, to lead the way for the Jazz. John Collins, Collin Sexton and Keyonte George added 19 points each.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, in 38 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 23 points, three rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block, while Malik Beasley chipped in 17 point, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The Bucks (25-12) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Celtics on Thursday. The Jazz (18-20) play host to the Nuggets on Wednesday.
The Jazz jumped out to a great start and led, 41-23, after one quarter. They kept up the control in the second and pushed their lead up to a whopping, 31 points by halftime. The Bucks came out much better in the third and outscored the visitors, 44-23, to cut it back to a 10-point game heading into the final quarter. The Jazz found their groove again in the fourth and outscored the hosts by eight points in the quarter, as they closed out their second straight win. This also marks the fourth loss in five games for the Bucks.
Lauri Markkanen totaled 21 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks, while Jordan Clarkson finished with 21 points, four rebounds, six assists and a block, to lead the way for the Jazz. John Collins, Collin Sexton and Keyonte George added 19 points each.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, in 38 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 23 points, three rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block, while Malik Beasley chipped in 17 point, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The Bucks (25-12) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Celtics on Thursday. The Jazz (18-20) play host to the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Clippers Defeat Suns, 138-111
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 138-111, at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.
While there were eight ties and six lead changes in the opening 20 minutes, Los Angeles never relinquished the lead in the second half. They won all four individual quarters, completing their blowout with a 37-20 fourth quarter. The Clippers shot 62 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding the Suns to 49 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. Los Angeles also out-rebounded Phoenix, 49-32, while out-assisting them, 32-17.
The Suns (19-18) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 30 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Devin Booker tallied 20 points and five assists. Bradley Beal accrued 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen had eight points, three rebounds and two assists apiece. Eric Gordon led the bench with 12 points and two assists.
The Clippers (23-13) were led by Paul George, generating 25 points and seven rebounds. James Harden had 19 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Ivica Zubac totaled 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Kawhi Leonard compiled 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and five steals. Norman Powell led the bench with 14 points and five boards.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Thursday in a road matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
While there were eight ties and six lead changes in the opening 20 minutes, Los Angeles never relinquished the lead in the second half. They won all four individual quarters, completing their blowout with a 37-20 fourth quarter. The Clippers shot 62 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding the Suns to 49 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. Los Angeles also out-rebounded Phoenix, 49-32, while out-assisting them, 32-17.
The Suns (19-18) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 30 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Devin Booker tallied 20 points and five assists. Bradley Beal accrued 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen had eight points, three rebounds and two assists apiece. Eric Gordon led the bench with 12 points and two assists.
The Clippers (23-13) were led by Paul George, generating 25 points and seven rebounds. James Harden had 19 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Ivica Zubac totaled 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Kawhi Leonard compiled 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and five steals. Norman Powell led the bench with 14 points and five boards.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. As for Phoenix, they return to action on Thursday in a road matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.