Kings defeat Pistons, 131-110, on Tuesday
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Detroit Pistons, 131-110, at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday.
The Pistons (3-34) were the ones who started the game strong, winning the first quarter 47-29. The script flipped in the second quarter when the Kings (22-14) ended the frame on a 26-4 run to take a three-point lead into halftime. The teams were even in the third quarter, but Sacramento dominated the fourth quarter and limited Detroit to just 15 points over the last 12 minutes of play. The Kings' victory pushed their road record to 9-7, while the Pistons are now 2-15 at home and have lost five straight games.
Four Kings players finished Tuesday’s win with 20-plus points. Domantas Sabonis registered his ninth triple-double of the season and led the way with a game-high 37 points on 16-for-21 shooting, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and three steals. Keegan Murray was not far behind with 32 points on 13-for-17 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks while finishing with a game-high plus-32 point differential. De’Aaron Fox chipped in 26 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals while Malik Monk led the bench with 20 points, two rebounds, nine assists and two blocks.
In the Pistons’ first game without Cade Cunningham (knee), Bojan Bogdanovic led the way with 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jaden Ivey added 22 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Jalen Duran registered his 17th double-double of the season with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Alec Burks led the bench with 16 points and three rebounds, while Joe Harris played for the first time since Dec. 23 and contributed nine points in nine minutes in reserve.
With Tuesday’s game in the books, both teams will play their next game Wednesday. The Kings will continue their road trip against the Charlotte Hornets, while the Pistons host the San Antonio Spurs.
The Pistons (3-34) were the ones who started the game strong, winning the first quarter 47-29. The script flipped in the second quarter when the Kings (22-14) ended the frame on a 26-4 run to take a three-point lead into halftime. The teams were even in the third quarter, but Sacramento dominated the fourth quarter and limited Detroit to just 15 points over the last 12 minutes of play. The Kings' victory pushed their road record to 9-7, while the Pistons are now 2-15 at home and have lost five straight games.
Four Kings players finished Tuesday’s win with 20-plus points. Domantas Sabonis registered his ninth triple-double of the season and led the way with a game-high 37 points on 16-for-21 shooting, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and three steals. Keegan Murray was not far behind with 32 points on 13-for-17 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks while finishing with a game-high plus-32 point differential. De’Aaron Fox chipped in 26 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals while Malik Monk led the bench with 20 points, two rebounds, nine assists and two blocks.
In the Pistons’ first game without Cade Cunningham (knee), Bojan Bogdanovic led the way with 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jaden Ivey added 22 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Jalen Duran registered his 17th double-double of the season with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Alec Burks led the bench with 16 points and three rebounds, while Joe Harris played for the first time since Dec. 23 and contributed nine points in nine minutes in reserve.
With Tuesday’s game in the books, both teams will play their next game Wednesday. The Kings will continue their road trip against the Charlotte Hornets, while the Pistons host the San Antonio Spurs.
Timberwolves Enjoy Strong Start, Top Magic
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Orlando Magic, 113-92, at Amway Center on Tuesday.
The Timberwolves (26-10) enjoyed an excellent start and didn’t have problems getting past the Magic (21-16) despite playing on the road. With the win, the Timberwolves moved to 12-8 on the road, while the Magic fell to 13-5 at home. Minnesota enjoyed an excellent start and raced to a 33-16 lead in the first quarter. That set the tone for the first quarter, but the Magic didn’t wake up, and Minnesota took full advantage of that. The Timberwolves bolstered their lead following a 34-21 score in the second quarter, meaning they were up by 29 points at the break. Orlando woke up in the second half and played much better. However, and despite limiting Minnesota to just 23 points in each of the final two quarters, the Magic didn’t do enough to even sniff a comeback and the Timberwolves won the game with absolute ease.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the way for the Timberwolves with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Rudy Gobert posted a strong 21-point, 12-rebound double-double while adding three blocks. Mike Conley also had a double-double after posting 11 points and 10 assists. Naz Reid added 13 points and 10 rebounds coming off the bench. Anthony Edwards was limited due to an injury and only posted six points across 26 minutes.
Jalen Suggs led the way for the Magic with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. Paolo Banchero was the only other starter who posted double-digit points after notching 18 points. Banchero also added two rebounds, three assists and three steals. Moritz Wagner was the leading scorer for the Magic with 21 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Trevelin Queen added 11 points.
The Timberwolves (26-10) enjoyed an excellent start and didn’t have problems getting past the Magic (21-16) despite playing on the road. With the win, the Timberwolves moved to 12-8 on the road, while the Magic fell to 13-5 at home. Minnesota enjoyed an excellent start and raced to a 33-16 lead in the first quarter. That set the tone for the first quarter, but the Magic didn’t wake up, and Minnesota took full advantage of that. The Timberwolves bolstered their lead following a 34-21 score in the second quarter, meaning they were up by 29 points at the break. Orlando woke up in the second half and played much better. However, and despite limiting Minnesota to just 23 points in each of the final two quarters, the Magic didn’t do enough to even sniff a comeback and the Timberwolves won the game with absolute ease.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the way for the Timberwolves with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Rudy Gobert posted a strong 21-point, 12-rebound double-double while adding three blocks. Mike Conley also had a double-double after posting 11 points and 10 assists. Naz Reid added 13 points and 10 rebounds coming off the bench. Anthony Edwards was limited due to an injury and only posted six points across 26 minutes.
Jalen Suggs led the way for the Magic with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. Paolo Banchero was the only other starter who posted double-digit points after notching 18 points. Banchero also added two rebounds, three assists and three steals. Moritz Wagner was the leading scorer for the Magic with 21 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Trevelin Queen added 11 points.
Knicks Throttle Trail Blazers, 112-84
The New York Knicks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 112-84, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
The Knicks (22-15) came in as heavy favorites and wasted no time playing like it, jumping out to a 38-22 lead through one and extending their advantage to 22 points by halftime. That essentially sealed the victory a couple of quarters early, but New York added an extra layer of security to its advantage by outscoring the Trail Blazers (10-26), 34-20, in the third quarter.
Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 21 points, adding two rebounds. Anfernee Simons supplied 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. Shaedon Sharpe delivered nine points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Kris Murray matched Sharpe's scoring and also contributed four rebounds, one assist and one steal.
OG Anunoby paced the Knicks with 23 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, one steal and one block. Julius Randle supplied 20 points, eight assists, seven boards and one block. Quentin Grimes furnished 17 points, four boards, one assist and three steals. Miles McBride collected 16 points, two rebounds and one steal. Donte DiVincenzo finished with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jalen Brunson registered 12 points, seven assists and three boards.
The Trail Blazers remain on the road and visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, while the Knicks hit the road and tangle with the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
The Knicks (22-15) came in as heavy favorites and wasted no time playing like it, jumping out to a 38-22 lead through one and extending their advantage to 22 points by halftime. That essentially sealed the victory a couple of quarters early, but New York added an extra layer of security to its advantage by outscoring the Trail Blazers (10-26), 34-20, in the third quarter.
Jerami Grant led the Trail Blazers with 21 points, adding two rebounds. Anfernee Simons supplied 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. Shaedon Sharpe delivered nine points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Kris Murray matched Sharpe's scoring and also contributed four rebounds, one assist and one steal.
OG Anunoby paced the Knicks with 23 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, one steal and one block. Julius Randle supplied 20 points, eight assists, seven boards and one block. Quentin Grimes furnished 17 points, four boards, one assist and three steals. Miles McBride collected 16 points, two rebounds and one steal. Donte DiVincenzo finished with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jalen Brunson registered 12 points, seven assists and three boards.
The Trail Blazers remain on the road and visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, while the Knicks hit the road and tangle with the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
Grizzlies Close Out Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the host Dallas Mavericks, 120-103, at American Airlines Center on Tuesday evening.
The Grizzlies got out to a strong start and led, 29-22, after one quarter. They turned up their game even more in the second and outscored the Mavs, 39-31, to take a 15-point lead into the break. The visitors continued to apply pressure through the third and added another five points to their advantage, making it a 20-point difference entering the final frame. The Mavs kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Grizzlies cruised to their third straight win. This also marks the end of a three-game win streak for Dallas.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 32 points, nine rebounds and four assists, in 39 minutes. Marcus Smart followed up with 23 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Xavier Tillman and Ziaire Williams added 14 points each.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 33 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block, in 40 minutes. Luka Doncic followed up with 31 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals, while Derrick Jones chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block.
The Mavericks (22-16) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Knicks on Thursday. The Grizzlies (14-23) play host to the Clippers on Friday.
The Grizzlies got out to a strong start and led, 29-22, after one quarter. They turned up their game even more in the second and outscored the Mavs, 39-31, to take a 15-point lead into the break. The visitors continued to apply pressure through the third and added another five points to their advantage, making it a 20-point difference entering the final frame. The Mavs kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Grizzlies cruised to their third straight win. This also marks the end of a three-game win streak for Dallas.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 32 points, nine rebounds and four assists, in 39 minutes. Marcus Smart followed up with 23 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Xavier Tillman and Ziaire Williams added 14 points each.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 33 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block, in 40 minutes. Luka Doncic followed up with 31 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals, while Derrick Jones chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block.
The Mavericks (22-16) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Knicks on Thursday. The Grizzlies (14-23) play host to the Clippers on Friday.
Lakers Defeat Raptors, 132-131
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 132-131, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
There were nine ties and 23 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than eight points. An 8-2 run in the final three minutes is what carried LA to their narrow win. The Lakers shot 28-of-36 from the free-throw line while the Raptors connected on just 6-of-13. Los Angeles also out-rebounded Toronto, 48-43, while outscoring their bench, 34-26.
The Raptors (15-22) were led by Scottie Barnes, finishing with 26 points, three rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Pascal Siakam provided 25 points, four rebounds and three assists. RJ Barrett registered 23 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Immanuel Quickley collected 21 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Lakers (19-19) were led by Anthony Davis, totaling a season-high 41 points, 11 rebounds and six assists on 13-of-17 shooting. LeBron James accrued 22 points, five rebounds and 12 assists. Austin Reaves amassed 11 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Christian Wood led the bench with 14 points and four boards.
On deck for the Lakers is a home matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. As for the Raptors, they return to action on Wednesday in a road meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers.
There were nine ties and 23 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than eight points. An 8-2 run in the final three minutes is what carried LA to their narrow win. The Lakers shot 28-of-36 from the free-throw line while the Raptors connected on just 6-of-13. Los Angeles also out-rebounded Toronto, 48-43, while outscoring their bench, 34-26.
The Raptors (15-22) were led by Scottie Barnes, finishing with 26 points, three rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Pascal Siakam provided 25 points, four rebounds and three assists. RJ Barrett registered 23 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Immanuel Quickley collected 21 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Lakers (19-19) were led by Anthony Davis, totaling a season-high 41 points, 11 rebounds and six assists on 13-of-17 shooting. LeBron James accrued 22 points, five rebounds and 12 assists. Austin Reaves amassed 11 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Christian Wood led the bench with 14 points and four boards.
On deck for the Lakers is a home matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. As for the Raptors, they return to action on Wednesday in a road meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers.