Knicks Hold Off Wizards For Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards, 113-109, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
The Knicks (25-17) had to work harder than expected to get past the Wizards (7-33) at home. Even though New York never trailed at the end of any quarter, no one expected them to have so many problems to defeat the Wizards. The first quarter ended with a 22-22 tie, but the Knicks were marginally better in the second quarter and went up by one point at the break. The Wizards never gave up, however, and a 27-27 tie made it a one-point game with only 12 minutes left on the clock. The Knicks closed things out with a 40-37 score in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Knicks moved to 13-5 at home, while the Wizards fell to 4-19 on the road.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 41 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. OG Anunoby finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Julius Randle posted 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Donte DiVincenzo finished with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists. Isaiah Hartenstein only had six points, but he added 17 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Jordan Poole registered 24 points to lead the Wizards. Poole also added four rebounds and two assists. Marvin Bagley III had 20 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals in a starting role. Deni Avdija and Kyle Kuzma each had 15 points. Kuzma also had six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Avdija pulled down eight boards. Landry Shamet posted 13 points coming off the bench.
The Knicks (25-17) had to work harder than expected to get past the Wizards (7-33) at home. Even though New York never trailed at the end of any quarter, no one expected them to have so many problems to defeat the Wizards. The first quarter ended with a 22-22 tie, but the Knicks were marginally better in the second quarter and went up by one point at the break. The Wizards never gave up, however, and a 27-27 tie made it a one-point game with only 12 minutes left on the clock. The Knicks closed things out with a 40-37 score in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Knicks moved to 13-5 at home, while the Wizards fell to 4-19 on the road.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 41 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. OG Anunoby finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Julius Randle posted 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Donte DiVincenzo finished with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists. Isaiah Hartenstein only had six points, but he added 17 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Jordan Poole registered 24 points to lead the Wizards. Poole also added four rebounds and two assists. Marvin Bagley III had 20 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals in a starting role. Deni Avdija and Kyle Kuzma each had 15 points. Kuzma also had six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Avdija pulled down eight boards. Landry Shamet posted 13 points coming off the bench.
Bulls Hold On, Secure Win Over Raptors
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Toronto Raptors, 116-110, at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday.
The Bulls (20-23) enjoyed a strong start but nearly suffered an upset against the Raptors (16-26) on the road. Chicago grabbed a double-digit lead in the first quarter, but Toronto came close to completing a comeback in the fourth quarter, although they ultimately fell short. The Bulls finished the initial 12 minutes up by a 38-27 score in the first quarter, but Toronto responded with a 31-25 score in the second quarter. The Raptors kept the momentum going and outscored Chicago by 28-27, making it a four-point game with just 12 minutes left. Despite Toronto’s attempts to complete the comeback, the Bulls closed things out and won the final quarter by a 26-24 score. With the win, the Bulls moved to 7-13 on the road. Meanwhile, the Raptors fell to 10.11 at home.
Six Chicago players scored in double digits in this one. DeMar DeRozan led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds. He also added seven assists and two steals. Coby White finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Alex Caruso finished with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Patrick Williams had 12 points off the bench.
Scottie Barnes ended with 31 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks for the Raptors. RJ Barrett ended with 17 points, six assists and four rebounds. Immanuel Quickley had 12 points, three rebounds and three assists. Bruce Brown made his Toronto debut and delivered 15 points with seven boards off the bench.
The Bulls (20-23) enjoyed a strong start but nearly suffered an upset against the Raptors (16-26) on the road. Chicago grabbed a double-digit lead in the first quarter, but Toronto came close to completing a comeback in the fourth quarter, although they ultimately fell short. The Bulls finished the initial 12 minutes up by a 38-27 score in the first quarter, but Toronto responded with a 31-25 score in the second quarter. The Raptors kept the momentum going and outscored Chicago by 28-27, making it a four-point game with just 12 minutes left. Despite Toronto’s attempts to complete the comeback, the Bulls closed things out and won the final quarter by a 26-24 score. With the win, the Bulls moved to 7-13 on the road. Meanwhile, the Raptors fell to 10.11 at home.
Six Chicago players scored in double digits in this one. DeMar DeRozan led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds. He also added seven assists and two steals. Coby White finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Alex Caruso finished with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Patrick Williams had 12 points off the bench.
Scottie Barnes ended with 31 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks for the Raptors. RJ Barrett ended with 17 points, six assists and four rebounds. Immanuel Quickley had 12 points, three rebounds and three assists. Bruce Brown made his Toronto debut and delivered 15 points with seven boards off the bench.
Thunder Outlasts Jazz, 134-129
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz, 134-129, at Delta Center on Thursday night.
The Thunder (28-13) opened the game in impressive fashion offensively, which netted them a 39-27 lead after one. However, both teams had the hot hand during a second quarter where 77 total points were scored and the Jazz (22-21) were able to shave three points from their deficit. Utah continued to chip away in the third and trailed by only three going into the final period, but Oklahoma City was able to hang on to its advantage despite a few close calls.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, adding six rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Jalen Williams delivered 27 points, eight assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Josh Giddey generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists and one steal. Cason Wallace supplied 16 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Chet Holmgren posted 15 points, five boards, five assists and four blocks.
Collin Sexton paced the Jazz with 31 points, complementing them with seven assists, one rebound and one steal. Lauri Markkanen generated a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists and one steal. John Collins furnished 21 points, four boards, one assist and one block. Jordan Clarkson managed 18 points, five assists and two rebounds. Simone Fontecchio registered 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Thunder next visits the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, while the Jazz visits the Houston Rockets on Saturday night as well.
The Thunder (28-13) opened the game in impressive fashion offensively, which netted them a 39-27 lead after one. However, both teams had the hot hand during a second quarter where 77 total points were scored and the Jazz (22-21) were able to shave three points from their deficit. Utah continued to chip away in the third and trailed by only three going into the final period, but Oklahoma City was able to hang on to its advantage despite a few close calls.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, adding six rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Jalen Williams delivered 27 points, eight assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Josh Giddey generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists and one steal. Cason Wallace supplied 16 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Chet Holmgren posted 15 points, five boards, five assists and four blocks.
Collin Sexton paced the Jazz with 31 points, complementing them with seven assists, one rebound and one steal. Lauri Markkanen generated a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists and one steal. John Collins furnished 21 points, four boards, one assist and one block. Jordan Clarkson managed 18 points, five assists and two rebounds. Simone Fontecchio registered 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Thunder next visits the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, while the Jazz visits the Houston Rockets on Saturday night as well.
Timberwolves Earn Fourth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, 118-103, at Target Center on Thursday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start and was tied at 30, after one quarter. The score stayed close early in the second, but the Grizzlies closed the half strong to take a five-point lead into the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, pouring in 31 points each, as the visitors maintained a five-point advantage going into the fourth. The Timberwolves tuned it up to another level in the fourth and outscored the Grizzlies by 20 points in the frame to secure their fourth straight win.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 34 minutes. Naz Reid followed up with 20 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block, while Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert tallied 17 points each.
Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 36 points, three rebounds and a block, in 27 minutes. Luke Kennard followed up with 18. points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Santi Aldama added 13 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block.
The Grizzlies will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday. The Timberwolves (30-11) play host to the Thunder on Friday.
The game got out to a competitive start and was tied at 30, after one quarter. The score stayed close early in the second, but the Grizzlies closed the half strong to take a five-point lead into the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, pouring in 31 points each, as the visitors maintained a five-point advantage going into the fourth. The Timberwolves tuned it up to another level in the fourth and outscored the Grizzlies by 20 points in the frame to secure their fourth straight win.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 34 minutes. Naz Reid followed up with 20 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block, while Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert tallied 17 points each.
Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 36 points, three rebounds and a block, in 27 minutes. Luke Kennard followed up with 18. points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Santi Aldama added 13 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block.
The Grizzlies will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday. The Timberwolves (30-11) play host to the Thunder on Friday.
Pacers Defeat Kings, 126-121
The Indiana Pacers defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 126-121, at Golden One Center on Thursday.
Indiana never relinquished the lead after a 34-31 first quarter, taking control with a 36-26 second quarter. Sacramento did get it down to a five-point margin in the closing seconds but never attempted a game-tying shot in the second half. The Pacers shot 55 percent from the field while holding the Kings below 52 percent shooting. They also shot 79 percent from the free-throw line (15-of-19), while the Kings shot just 56 percent (18-of-32). Indiana outscored Sacramento in the paint, 62-54.
The Pacers (24-17) were led by Bennedict Mathurin, amassing 25 points, three rebounds, four assists and two blocks. TJ McConnell tallied 20 points and 10 assists. Myles Turner totaled 18 points and two rebounds. Jalen Smith accrued 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Buddy Hield had 12 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
The Kings (23-18) were led by Kevin Huerter, collecting 31 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. Keegan Murray generated 27 points, nine rebounds and two steals. De'Aaron Fox accumulated 24 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Domantas Sabonis finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Indiana has to play again on Friday, staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers. As for Sacramento, they're off until Monday, when they play host to the Atlanta Hawks.
Indiana never relinquished the lead after a 34-31 first quarter, taking control with a 36-26 second quarter. Sacramento did get it down to a five-point margin in the closing seconds but never attempted a game-tying shot in the second half. The Pacers shot 55 percent from the field while holding the Kings below 52 percent shooting. They also shot 79 percent from the free-throw line (15-of-19), while the Kings shot just 56 percent (18-of-32). Indiana outscored Sacramento in the paint, 62-54.
The Pacers (24-17) were led by Bennedict Mathurin, amassing 25 points, three rebounds, four assists and two blocks. TJ McConnell tallied 20 points and 10 assists. Myles Turner totaled 18 points and two rebounds. Jalen Smith accrued 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Buddy Hield had 12 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
The Kings (23-18) were led by Kevin Huerter, collecting 31 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. Keegan Murray generated 27 points, nine rebounds and two steals. De'Aaron Fox accumulated 24 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Domantas Sabonis finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Indiana has to play again on Friday, staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers. As for Sacramento, they're off until Monday, when they play host to the Atlanta Hawks.