76ers Outlast Nuggets, 126-121
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Denver Nuggets, 126-121, at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night.
The two teams came out firing and didn't let up for most of the first three quarters, with the Nuggets (28-14) and 76ers (26-13) knotted up at 78-78 at the half. Another 47 points were scored in the third quarter, but Denver was able to create some separation and forge a five-point advantage heading into the final period. However, Philadelphia played its best defensive quarter by far in the fourth, limiting the visitors to 17 points while scoring 27 of their own to secure the hard-fought comeback victory.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a 25-point, 19-rebound double-double that included three assists, one steal and one block. Michael Porter Jr. registered 20 points, five rebounds and one steal. Jamal Murray generated a 17-point, 10-assist double-double that included three rebounds and one block. Aaron Gordon supplied 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope turned in 13 points, five boards, two assists and one steal. Christian Braun and Reggie Jackson produced 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with a 41-point, 10-assist double-double that included seven rebounds and one block. Tyrese Maxey totaled 25 points, nine assists, five rebounds and two steals. Tobias Harris compiled 24 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. Kelly Oubre Jr. recorded 11 points, five rebounds and one steal.
The Nuggets remain on the road and visit the Boston Celtics on Friday night, while the 76ers visit the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
The two teams came out firing and didn't let up for most of the first three quarters, with the Nuggets (28-14) and 76ers (26-13) knotted up at 78-78 at the half. Another 47 points were scored in the third quarter, but Denver was able to create some separation and forge a five-point advantage heading into the final period. However, Philadelphia played its best defensive quarter by far in the fourth, limiting the visitors to 17 points while scoring 27 of their own to secure the hard-fought comeback victory.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a 25-point, 19-rebound double-double that included three assists, one steal and one block. Michael Porter Jr. registered 20 points, five rebounds and one steal. Jamal Murray generated a 17-point, 10-assist double-double that included three rebounds and one block. Aaron Gordon supplied 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope turned in 13 points, five boards, two assists and one steal. Christian Braun and Reggie Jackson produced 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with a 41-point, 10-assist double-double that included seven rebounds and one block. Tyrese Maxey totaled 25 points, nine assists, five rebounds and two steals. Tobias Harris compiled 24 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. Kelly Oubre Jr. recorded 11 points, five rebounds and one steal.
The Nuggets remain on the road and visit the Boston Celtics on Friday night, while the 76ers visit the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Suns Sink Kings With Late Rally
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 119-117, at Footprint Center on Tuesday evening.
The Kings jumped out to a great start and led, 39-27, after one quarter. The Suns had no answers in the second and saw the deficit grow to 17, by halftime. The hosts came out better in the third and managed to trim it back to a 12-point game heading into the final quarter. The Suns kept chipping away through the fourth and finally took a step in front as Kevin Durant knocked down two free throws with 29 seconds left. The Kings tied it up one more time, but Durant knocked down another couple of free throws to secure the third straight win for the Suns. This also marks the third straight loss for the Kings.
Grayson Allen led the Suns with 29 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, in 37 minutes. Kevin Durant followed up with 27 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Devin Booker finished with 16 points, four rebounds and 11 assists.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 33 points, two rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Domantas Sabonis followed up with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and a block, while Keegan Murray tallied 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
The Kings (23-17) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pacers on Thursday. The Suns (22-18) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday.
The Kings jumped out to a great start and led, 39-27, after one quarter. The Suns had no answers in the second and saw the deficit grow to 17, by halftime. The hosts came out better in the third and managed to trim it back to a 12-point game heading into the final quarter. The Suns kept chipping away through the fourth and finally took a step in front as Kevin Durant knocked down two free throws with 29 seconds left. The Kings tied it up one more time, but Durant knocked down another couple of free throws to secure the third straight win for the Suns. This also marks the third straight loss for the Kings.
Grayson Allen led the Suns with 29 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, in 37 minutes. Kevin Durant followed up with 27 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Devin Booker finished with 16 points, four rebounds and 11 assists.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 33 points, two rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Domantas Sabonis followed up with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and a block, while Keegan Murray tallied 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
The Kings (23-17) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pacers on Thursday. The Suns (22-18) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday.
Clippers Defeat Thunder, 128-117
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 128-117, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
Los Angeles led for all but a few minutes in this game but needed a late run to grab their win. They trailed 115-114 with 3:37 left but finished the game on a 14-2 run to capture their victory. The Clippers shot 54 percent from the field while holding the Thunder below 51 percent shooting. Los Angeles doubled up Oklahoma City in blocks, 10-5, while winning the turnover battle, 12-9. They also out-rebounded them, 50-43.
The Thunder (27-13) were led by Jalen Williams, totaling 25 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accrued 19 points, two rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Luguentz Dort had 19 points, while Isaiah Joe led the bench with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Chet Holmgren generated eight points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Clippers (26-14) were led by Paul George, scoring 28 of his 38 points in the second half. He finished with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. James Harden tallied 16 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Kawhi Leonard collected 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Mason Plumlee provided 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
On deck for Oklahoma City is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Thursday. As for Los Angeles, they're off until Sunday, when they play host to the Brooklyn Nets.
Los Angeles led for all but a few minutes in this game but needed a late run to grab their win. They trailed 115-114 with 3:37 left but finished the game on a 14-2 run to capture their victory. The Clippers shot 54 percent from the field while holding the Thunder below 51 percent shooting. Los Angeles doubled up Oklahoma City in blocks, 10-5, while winning the turnover battle, 12-9. They also out-rebounded them, 50-43.
The Thunder (27-13) were led by Jalen Williams, totaling 25 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accrued 19 points, two rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Luguentz Dort had 19 points, while Isaiah Joe led the bench with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Chet Holmgren generated eight points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Clippers (26-14) were led by Paul George, scoring 28 of his 38 points in the second half. He finished with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. James Harden tallied 16 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Kawhi Leonard collected 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Mason Plumlee provided 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
On deck for Oklahoma City is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Thursday. As for Los Angeles, they're off until Sunday, when they play host to the Brooklyn Nets.