Cavaliers take down Nets in Paris, France on Thursday
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 111-102, at the Accor Arena in Paris, France on Thursday.
The Cavaliers (22-15) dominated from the tip-off as they went on a 16-4 run to start the game and led by double digits after the first quarter. Cleveland’s stranglehold on the game continued into the second frame as they took a 20-point lead into halftime and limited Brooklyn (16-22) to just 34 points in the first half. The teams traded buckets for much of the third quarter, and while the Nets finally got their scoring together in the final frame, it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit as they dropped their second game in a row and have now lost seven of their last eight outings. With Thursday’s win, the Cavaliers have won four straight games and are 9-3 over their last 12 contests.
Mikal Bridges led the Nets' starters with 26 points and six rebounds. Cam Thomas led the bench with 26 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Lonnie Walker chipped in 20 points, three rebounds and two assists in reserve. Nic Claxton registered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Trendon Watford added eight points and four rebounds off the pine.
The Cavaliers were led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored a game-high 45 points on 15-for-30 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals, though he did commit seven turnovers. Caris LeVert led the bench with 21 points, three rebounds and two blocks, while Gorgi Niang contributed 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in reserve. Jarrett Allen had 12 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals for his 13th double-double of the season. Isaac Okoro added 12 points and four rebounds.
With the conclusion of Thursday’s international game, the Cavaliers and Nets will get extended rest and their next respective games will take place Mon., Jan. 15. The Cavaliers will host the Chicago Bulls, while the Nets return to Brooklyn to take on the Miami Heat.
The Cavaliers (22-15) dominated from the tip-off as they went on a 16-4 run to start the game and led by double digits after the first quarter. Cleveland’s stranglehold on the game continued into the second frame as they took a 20-point lead into halftime and limited Brooklyn (16-22) to just 34 points in the first half. The teams traded buckets for much of the third quarter, and while the Nets finally got their scoring together in the final frame, it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit as they dropped their second game in a row and have now lost seven of their last eight outings. With Thursday’s win, the Cavaliers have won four straight games and are 9-3 over their last 12 contests.
Mikal Bridges led the Nets' starters with 26 points and six rebounds. Cam Thomas led the bench with 26 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Lonnie Walker chipped in 20 points, three rebounds and two assists in reserve. Nic Claxton registered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Trendon Watford added eight points and four rebounds off the pine.
The Cavaliers were led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored a game-high 45 points on 15-for-30 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals, though he did commit seven turnovers. Caris LeVert led the bench with 21 points, three rebounds and two blocks, while Gorgi Niang contributed 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in reserve. Jarrett Allen had 12 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals for his 13th double-double of the season. Isaac Okoro added 12 points and four rebounds.
With the conclusion of Thursday’s international game, the Cavaliers and Nets will get extended rest and their next respective games will take place Mon., Jan. 15. The Cavaliers will host the Chicago Bulls, while the Nets return to Brooklyn to take on the Miami Heat.
Bucks Destroy Celtics In Spectacular Fashion
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Boston Celtics, 135-102, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
The Bucks (26-12) were in dire need of a win after a bad stretch of results, and they accomplished it against a tired Celtics (29-9) squad that looked gassed as soon as the game started. Milwaukee quickly set the tone of the game with a 41-23 score in the first quarter and never looked back the rest of the way. Boston looked outmatched, both physically and technically, and by the time the first half ended, the score was 75-38 for Milwaukee. The Celtics decided to rest their starters in the second half and essentially gave the game away. The backups did a good job to keep things close, though. The third quarter ended with a 36-32 score for the Bucks, and the fourth one was 32-24 for Boston. In reality, though, the game was over as soon as it started, and the Bucks didn’t have issues closing things out. With the win, the Bucks moved to 17-4 at home, while the Celtics fell to 11-9 away from home.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Damian Lillard posted 21 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Malik Beasley thrived and finished with 16 points and four boards while hitting four of his eight threes. Brook Lopez finished with 15 points. Bobby Portis impressed off the bench with 28 points and 12 boards.
The starters didn’t perform well for Boston in this one. In fact, Jaylen Brown was the only started who scored in double digits after posting 10 points. Jayson Tatum had seven points, while Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday each had six. Instead, Payton Pritchard led the way for Boston with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists. Sam Hauser had 15 points, and Oshae Brissett delivered 13 points.
The Bucks (26-12) were in dire need of a win after a bad stretch of results, and they accomplished it against a tired Celtics (29-9) squad that looked gassed as soon as the game started. Milwaukee quickly set the tone of the game with a 41-23 score in the first quarter and never looked back the rest of the way. Boston looked outmatched, both physically and technically, and by the time the first half ended, the score was 75-38 for Milwaukee. The Celtics decided to rest their starters in the second half and essentially gave the game away. The backups did a good job to keep things close, though. The third quarter ended with a 36-32 score for the Bucks, and the fourth one was 32-24 for Boston. In reality, though, the game was over as soon as it started, and the Bucks didn’t have issues closing things out. With the win, the Bucks moved to 17-4 at home, while the Celtics fell to 11-9 away from home.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Damian Lillard posted 21 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Malik Beasley thrived and finished with 16 points and four boards while hitting four of his eight threes. Brook Lopez finished with 15 points. Bobby Portis impressed off the bench with 28 points and 12 boards.
The starters didn’t perform well for Boston in this one. In fact, Jaylen Brown was the only started who scored in double digits after posting 10 points. Jayson Tatum had seven points, while Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday each had six. Instead, Payton Pritchard led the way for Boston with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists. Sam Hauser had 15 points, and Oshae Brissett delivered 13 points.
Thunder Throttles Trail Blazers, 139-77
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 139-77, at Paycom Arena on Thursday night.
The Thunder (26-11) came in as heavy favorites, and from the opening tip, there was little doubt they'd validate that prognostication. Oklahoma City already sported a 36-24 lead through one, and they went on to eradicate any doubt about the outcome of the contest with an 82-32 advantage over the middle periods. That massive edge naturally made the final period the ultimate formality and one that allowed both coaches to empty their benches. The hosts enjoyed an expansive 57.0 percent - 27.7 percent shooting advantage while also winning the battle of the boards by a 59-42 margin.
Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 14 points, complementing them with three rebounds and two assists. Scoot Henderson supplied 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jerami Grant furnished nine points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Kris Murray matched Grant's scoring and also contributed five rebounds and one steal.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 31 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists and one block. Jalen Williams registered 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Chet Holmgren registered 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Josh Giddey turned in a 13-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that included three blocks. Luguentz Dort and Tre Mann produced matching 11-point effort while managing three and seven rebounds, respectively. Mann added four assists.
The Trail Blazers remain on the road and visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, while the Thunder remains home and hosts the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.
The Thunder (26-11) came in as heavy favorites, and from the opening tip, there was little doubt they'd validate that prognostication. Oklahoma City already sported a 36-24 lead through one, and they went on to eradicate any doubt about the outcome of the contest with an 82-32 advantage over the middle periods. That massive edge naturally made the final period the ultimate formality and one that allowed both coaches to empty their benches. The hosts enjoyed an expansive 57.0 percent - 27.7 percent shooting advantage while also winning the battle of the boards by a 59-42 margin.
Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 14 points, complementing them with three rebounds and two assists. Scoot Henderson supplied 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jerami Grant furnished nine points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Kris Murray matched Grant's scoring and also contributed five rebounds and one steal.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 31 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists and one block. Jalen Williams registered 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Chet Holmgren registered 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Josh Giddey turned in a 13-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that included three blocks. Luguentz Dort and Tre Mann produced matching 11-point effort while managing three and seven rebounds, respectively. Mann added four assists.
The Trail Blazers remain on the road and visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, while the Thunder remains home and hosts the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.
Mavs Hold Off Knicks In Dallas
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting New York Knicks, 128-124, at American Airlines Arena on Thursday evening.
The Mavs jumped out to a strong start and led, 44-26, after one quarter. They kept control through the second and pushed their lead to 19, by halftime. The Knicks brought a strong effort in the third and managed to outscore the hosts, 31-27, to cut it back to a 15-point difference heading into the final frame. The visitors kept the momentum going in the fourth and charged all the back to only a one-point difference with a minute left, but the Mavs managed to stay a step ahead in the end. This marks the end of five-game win streak for the Knicks.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 32 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Jalen Brunson followed up with 30 points, two rebounds, eight assists and a steal, while Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 44 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, in 40 minutes. Tim Hardaway followed up with 32 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Josh Green added 18 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The Knicks (22-16) will look to bounce back as they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Saturday. The Mavs (23-16) play host to the Pelicans on Saturday.
The Mavs jumped out to a strong start and led, 44-26, after one quarter. They kept control through the second and pushed their lead to 19, by halftime. The Knicks brought a strong effort in the third and managed to outscore the hosts, 31-27, to cut it back to a 15-point difference heading into the final frame. The visitors kept the momentum going in the fourth and charged all the back to only a one-point difference with a minute left, but the Mavs managed to stay a step ahead in the end. This marks the end of five-game win streak for the Knicks.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with 32 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Jalen Brunson followed up with 30 points, two rebounds, eight assists and a steal, while Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 44 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and two steals, in 40 minutes. Tim Hardaway followed up with 32 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Josh Green added 18 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The Knicks (22-16) will look to bounce back as they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Saturday. The Mavs (23-16) play host to the Pelicans on Saturday.
Suns Defeat Lakers, 127-109
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 127-109, at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
A 36-25 first quarter carried Phoenix to this blowout win, holding the lead for all but 11 seconds in this game. They maintained a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 32 points at times. The Suns shot 91 percent from the free-throw line (21-of-23), while the Lakers hit just 64 percent (16-of-25). Phoenix also won the turnover battle, 17-11. The Suns starters outscored the Lakers starters, 100-47.
The Suns (20-18) were led by Bradley Beal, finishing with 37 points, six rebounds and four assists. Devin Booker tallied 31 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Kevin Durant collected 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Jusuf Nurkic had nine points, 12 rebounds and two assists.
The Lakers (19-20) were led by D'Angelo Russell, providing 19 points, six assists and two steals off of the bench. Max Christie also had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists off the pine. Anthony Davis led the starters with 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Austin Reaves registered 13 points and six assists, while Lebron James accrued 10 points, five rebounds and nine assists.
On deck for Los Angeles is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Saturday. As for Phoenix, they're off until Sunday, when they stay on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers.
A 36-25 first quarter carried Phoenix to this blowout win, holding the lead for all but 11 seconds in this game. They maintained a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 32 points at times. The Suns shot 91 percent from the free-throw line (21-of-23), while the Lakers hit just 64 percent (16-of-25). Phoenix also won the turnover battle, 17-11. The Suns starters outscored the Lakers starters, 100-47.
The Suns (20-18) were led by Bradley Beal, finishing with 37 points, six rebounds and four assists. Devin Booker tallied 31 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Kevin Durant collected 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Jusuf Nurkic had nine points, 12 rebounds and two assists.
The Lakers (19-20) were led by D'Angelo Russell, providing 19 points, six assists and two steals off of the bench. Max Christie also had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists off the pine. Anthony Davis led the starters with 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Austin Reaves registered 13 points and six assists, while Lebron James accrued 10 points, five rebounds and nine assists.
On deck for Los Angeles is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Saturday. As for Phoenix, they're off until Sunday, when they stay on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers.