Jokic, Murray and Porter each score 25 points in Nuggets' win over Pacers
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Indiana Pacers, 117-109, at Ball Arena on Sunday.
Sunday’s game was a tight contest, and although the Nuggets (28-13) won or tied all four quarters, they did so by three points or less. The Pacers (23-16) led briefly in the first quarter and kept things close before going down by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter. Denver shot an efficient 64.8 percent from the field in Sunday’s game and finished with 64 points in the paint, compared to 54 by Indiana. The Pacers were able to snag 14 offensive rebounds to keep themselves in the game, but they shot 8-for-29 from beyond the arc, compared to 10-for-20 by the Nuggets.
Bruce Brown led the Pacers with 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals for his first double-double of the season. Buddy Hield, who got the start Sunday in place of Aaron Nesmith (leg), added 16 points, two rebounds and two steals. Myles Turner had 12 points, four assists and two steals, while Andrew Nembhard tallied 12 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Benedict Mathurin had 12 points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench, and Isaiah Jackson also had 12 points to go along with seven rebounds and two steals in reserve.
All five Denver starters scored in double digits in Sunday’s win, with four of them scoring 20-plus points. The trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter each scored 25 points. Jokic added 12 rebounds, nine assists, one block and two steals, Murray had eight assists and Porter contributed eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Aaron Gordon tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in 11 points, two rebounds and two steals. Reggie Jackson led the Nuggets’ bench with nine points and four assists.
The Pacers continue their six-game road trip Monday against the Utah Jazz, while Denver hits the road to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Sunday’s game was a tight contest, and although the Nuggets (28-13) won or tied all four quarters, they did so by three points or less. The Pacers (23-16) led briefly in the first quarter and kept things close before going down by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter. Denver shot an efficient 64.8 percent from the field in Sunday’s game and finished with 64 points in the paint, compared to 54 by Indiana. The Pacers were able to snag 14 offensive rebounds to keep themselves in the game, but they shot 8-for-29 from beyond the arc, compared to 10-for-20 by the Nuggets.
Bruce Brown led the Pacers with 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals for his first double-double of the season. Buddy Hield, who got the start Sunday in place of Aaron Nesmith (leg), added 16 points, two rebounds and two steals. Myles Turner had 12 points, four assists and two steals, while Andrew Nembhard tallied 12 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Benedict Mathurin had 12 points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench, and Isaiah Jackson also had 12 points to go along with seven rebounds and two steals in reserve.
All five Denver starters scored in double digits in Sunday’s win, with four of them scoring 20-plus points. The trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter each scored 25 points. Jokic added 12 rebounds, nine assists, one block and two steals, Murray had eight assists and Porter contributed eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Aaron Gordon tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in 11 points, two rebounds and two steals. Reggie Jackson led the Nuggets’ bench with nine points and four assists.
The Pacers continue their six-game road trip Monday against the Utah Jazz, while Denver hits the road to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Heat Cruise To Easy Win Over Hornets
The Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 104-87, at Kaseya Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Heat (23-16) didn’t have major problems in securing the victory Sunday against one of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference, the Hornets (8-29). Miami quickly took control of the contest and raced to a 26-16 lead in the first quarter. A 26-15 allowed Miami to extend its lead to 21 points after two quarters. Even though Charlotte fought back in the second half, it was not enough to complete the win. The Hornets won the third quarter by a 30-25 score, but they fell short in attempting a late comeback. Miami closed things out with a 27-26 score in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Heat moved to 12-7 at home, while the Hornets fell to 4-16 on the road. Also, the Heat swept the regular-season series against Charlotte.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Heat with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Tyler Herro posted 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jaime Jaquez had to depart due to a groin injury, but he still finished with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists across 15 minutes. Duncan Robinson posted 19 points, five assists and four rebounds. Jason Richardson posted 11 points.
Three players monopolized the offense for the Hornets in this loss. Terry Rozier led the way with 26 points, seven assists and five rebounds. LaMelo Ball scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while also dishing out five assists. Miles Bridges posted 20 points and seven rebounds. No other Hornets players scored in double digits.
The Heat (23-16) didn’t have major problems in securing the victory Sunday against one of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference, the Hornets (8-29). Miami quickly took control of the contest and raced to a 26-16 lead in the first quarter. A 26-15 allowed Miami to extend its lead to 21 points after two quarters. Even though Charlotte fought back in the second half, it was not enough to complete the win. The Hornets won the third quarter by a 30-25 score, but they fell short in attempting a late comeback. Miami closed things out with a 27-26 score in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Heat moved to 12-7 at home, while the Hornets fell to 4-16 on the road. Also, the Heat swept the regular-season series against Charlotte.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Heat with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Tyler Herro posted 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jaime Jaquez had to depart due to a groin injury, but he still finished with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists across 15 minutes. Duncan Robinson posted 19 points, five assists and four rebounds. Jason Richardson posted 11 points.
Three players monopolized the offense for the Hornets in this loss. Terry Rozier led the way with 26 points, seven assists and five rebounds. LaMelo Ball scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while also dishing out five assists. Miles Bridges posted 20 points and seven rebounds. No other Hornets players scored in double digits.
Bucks Win OT Thriller Over Kings, 143-142
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Sacramento Kings, 143-142, in overtime at Fiserv Forum on Sunday night.
The interconference clash had the feel of a high-scoring affair from the start, with the Kings (23-16) and Bucks (28-12) combining for 69 first-quarter points and another 65 in the second period. Milwaukee held a 68-66 lead at halftime and added another two points from its advantage in the third, setting up a wild fourth quarter where Sacramento completed a comeback with a driving layup with one second remaining. However, after another nip-and-tuck period in overtime, it was Damian Lillard's three-pointer at the buzzer that sealed the victory for the hosts.
Fox led the Kings with 32 points, adding five assists, two rebounds and three steals. Malik Monk furnished 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Huerter generated a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three assists and one steal. Domantas Sabonis generated a 21-point, 15-assist, 13-rebound triple-double that included one steal and one block. Harrison Barnes netted 14 points.
Lillard paced the Bucks with 29 points, complementing them with eight assists and four rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo provided 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Malik Beasley supplied 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Bobby Portis contributed a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist. Brook Lopez registered 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, while the Bucks visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
The interconference clash had the feel of a high-scoring affair from the start, with the Kings (23-16) and Bucks (28-12) combining for 69 first-quarter points and another 65 in the second period. Milwaukee held a 68-66 lead at halftime and added another two points from its advantage in the third, setting up a wild fourth quarter where Sacramento completed a comeback with a driving layup with one second remaining. However, after another nip-and-tuck period in overtime, it was Damian Lillard's three-pointer at the buzzer that sealed the victory for the hosts.
Fox led the Kings with 32 points, adding five assists, two rebounds and three steals. Malik Monk furnished 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Huerter generated a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three assists and one steal. Domantas Sabonis generated a 21-point, 15-assist, 13-rebound triple-double that included one steal and one block. Harrison Barnes netted 14 points.
Lillard paced the Bucks with 29 points, complementing them with eight assists and four rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo provided 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Malik Beasley supplied 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Bobby Portis contributed a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist. Brook Lopez registered 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, while the Bucks visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Timberwolves Hold Off Clippers In Minnesota
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 109-105, at Target Center on Sunday evening.
The Timberwolves jumped out to a great start with a, 29-19, lead after one quarter. The Clippers brought a better effort in the second and grabbed a brief lead, before trailing by one at halftime. The hosts picked up their play again in the third and rallied to a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Clippers would not back down and put up a strong fight in the fourth but they came up short, as they saw their three-game win streak came to an end. This marks the second straight win for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns followed up with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Rudy Gobert totaled 15 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Norman Powell followed up with 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting, in 30 minutes off the bench. Russell Westbrook totaled 12 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists and two steals, while Paul George added 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Clippers (25-14) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Thunder on Tuesday. The Timberwolves (28-11) take on the Pistons in Detroit on Wednesday,
The Timberwolves jumped out to a great start with a, 29-19, lead after one quarter. The Clippers brought a better effort in the second and grabbed a brief lead, before trailing by one at halftime. The hosts picked up their play again in the third and rallied to a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Clippers would not back down and put up a strong fight in the fourth but they came up short, as they saw their three-game win streak came to an end. This marks the second straight win for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns followed up with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Rudy Gobert totaled 15 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Norman Powell followed up with 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting, in 30 minutes off the bench. Russell Westbrook totaled 12 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists and two steals, while Paul George added 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Clippers (25-14) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Thunder on Tuesday. The Timberwolves (28-11) take on the Pistons in Detroit on Wednesday,
Suns Defeat Blazers, 127-116
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 127-116, at Moda Center on Sunday.
While there were 16 lead changes in the first half, Phoenix never relinquished the lead in the second half after a 40-28 second quarter. Portland cut it to a four-point margin with seven minutes remaining, but Phoenix responded with a 10-2 run to take command. The Suns shot 61 percent from the field, 48 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line, while the Trail Blazers shot 45 percent from the field, 48 percent from long range and 73 percent from the charity stripe. Phoenix also outscored Portland in the paint, 44-32.
The Suns (21-18) were led by Devin Booker, finishing with 34 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Bradley Beal accrued 23 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kevin Durant collected 21 points, five rebounds and six assists. Grayson Allen amassed 20 points, four rebounds and two blocks, while Jusuf Nurkic had 14 points, 13 rebounds and three steals.
The Trail Blazers (10-29) were led by Scoot Henderson, finishing with a career-high 33 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and three steals. Anfernee Simons accrued 28 points, five rebounds and five assists. Duop Reath registered 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks, while Kris Murray led the bench with 13 points, three assists and three steals.
On deck for Phoenix is a home matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. As for Portland, they return to action on Wednesday in a home matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.
While there were 16 lead changes in the first half, Phoenix never relinquished the lead in the second half after a 40-28 second quarter. Portland cut it to a four-point margin with seven minutes remaining, but Phoenix responded with a 10-2 run to take command. The Suns shot 61 percent from the field, 48 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line, while the Trail Blazers shot 45 percent from the field, 48 percent from long range and 73 percent from the charity stripe. Phoenix also outscored Portland in the paint, 44-32.
The Suns (21-18) were led by Devin Booker, finishing with 34 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Bradley Beal accrued 23 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kevin Durant collected 21 points, five rebounds and six assists. Grayson Allen amassed 20 points, four rebounds and two blocks, while Jusuf Nurkic had 14 points, 13 rebounds and three steals.
The Trail Blazers (10-29) were led by Scoot Henderson, finishing with a career-high 33 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and three steals. Anfernee Simons accrued 28 points, five rebounds and five assists. Duop Reath registered 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks, while Kris Murray led the bench with 13 points, three assists and three steals.
On deck for Phoenix is a home matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. As for Portland, they return to action on Wednesday in a home matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.