Jokic notches sixth triple-double of season to help Nuggets fend off Pacers on Tuesday
The Denver Nuggets outlasted the Indiana Pacers, 114-109, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
It was a competitive contest Tuesday as the teams traded buckets throughout the first quarter. The Pacers (24-20) were able to steadily build a lead in the second frame and entered halftime up eight points. However, the Nuggets (31-14) dominated in the third quarter, winning the frame 39-19 and held a 12-point lead heading into the final 12 minutes. Indiana battled back and retook the lead with less than four minutes to play, but Denver turned to superstars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic down the stretch, and the duo scored the last 16 points for the Nuggets to help lead the team to their 31st win of the season and their 14th win on the road.
Nikola Jokic registered his league-leading 13th triple-double in Wednesday’s win and finished the game with 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Jamal Murray also had 31 points to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 14 points and five rebounds, while Aaron Gordon tallied nine points and two blocks. Reggie Jackson led the bench with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
With Haliburton sidelined due to hamstring injury management, Myles Turner led the Pacers with 22 points and six rebounds. In his third game with Indiana and his first at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Pascal Siakam recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for his sixth double-double of the season and the first with his new team. T.J. McConnell led the bench with 17 points and seven assists, while Bennedict Mathurin had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in reserve. Andrew Nembhard had 15 points and seven assists, while Aaron Nesmith chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.
With Tuesday’s game complete, both teams will play their next game Thursday. The Nuggets will wrap up their six-game Eastern Conference road trip against the New York Knicks, while the Pacers welcome in Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
It was a competitive contest Tuesday as the teams traded buckets throughout the first quarter. The Pacers (24-20) were able to steadily build a lead in the second frame and entered halftime up eight points. However, the Nuggets (31-14) dominated in the third quarter, winning the frame 39-19 and held a 12-point lead heading into the final 12 minutes. Indiana battled back and retook the lead with less than four minutes to play, but Denver turned to superstars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic down the stretch, and the duo scored the last 16 points for the Nuggets to help lead the team to their 31st win of the season and their 14th win on the road.
Nikola Jokic registered his league-leading 13th triple-double in Wednesday’s win and finished the game with 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Jamal Murray also had 31 points to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 14 points and five rebounds, while Aaron Gordon tallied nine points and two blocks. Reggie Jackson led the bench with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
With Haliburton sidelined due to hamstring injury management, Myles Turner led the Pacers with 22 points and six rebounds. In his third game with Indiana and his first at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Pascal Siakam recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for his sixth double-double of the season and the first with his new team. T.J. McConnell led the bench with 17 points and seven assists, while Bennedict Mathurin had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in reserve. Andrew Nembhard had 15 points and seven assists, while Aaron Nesmith chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.
With Tuesday’s game complete, both teams will play their next game Thursday. The Nuggets will wrap up their six-game Eastern Conference road trip against the New York Knicks, while the Pacers welcome in Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Knicks Win Intrastate Battle Over Nets, 108-103
The New York Knicks defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 108-103, at Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
The Nets (17-26) came into the contest in solid form despite a recent slump, leading to a 28-26 lead through one. The Knicks (27-17) had erased the slim deficit and forged a one-point advantage by halftime, but Brooklyn's 36-26 edge in the third seemingly put the hosts in solid position going into the final period. However, New York would dominate on both ends of the floor in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nets by a 32-18 margin and finally going ahead for good with only a minute remaining.
Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson co-led the Knicks with 30 points apiece, with Randle adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Donte DiVinceno supplied 11 points, five rebounds and one steal. OG Anunoby turned in 10 points, five boards, one assist, four steals and two blocks.
Mikal Bridges paced the Nets with 36 points, supplementing them five rebounds, five assists and one steal. Cameron Johnson compiled 19 points, five rebounds and two assists. Cam Thomas registered 14 points, two assists, one rebound and one block. Nicolas Claxton offered eight points, 17 rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Dennis Smith Jr. and Royce O'Neale matched Claxton's scoring and added five and four rebounds, respectively. Smith also dished out five assists.
The Knicks return home to host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while the Nets remain home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night as well.
The Nets (17-26) came into the contest in solid form despite a recent slump, leading to a 28-26 lead through one. The Knicks (27-17) had erased the slim deficit and forged a one-point advantage by halftime, but Brooklyn's 36-26 edge in the third seemingly put the hosts in solid position going into the final period. However, New York would dominate on both ends of the floor in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nets by a 32-18 margin and finally going ahead for good with only a minute remaining.
Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson co-led the Knicks with 30 points apiece, with Randle adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Donte DiVinceno supplied 11 points, five rebounds and one steal. OG Anunoby turned in 10 points, five boards, one assist, four steals and two blocks.
Mikal Bridges paced the Nets with 36 points, supplementing them five rebounds, five assists and one steal. Cameron Johnson compiled 19 points, five rebounds and two assists. Cam Thomas registered 14 points, two assists, one rebound and one block. Nicolas Claxton offered eight points, 17 rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Dennis Smith Jr. and Royce O'Neale matched Claxton's scoring and added five and four rebounds, respectively. Smith also dished out five assists.
The Knicks return home to host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while the Nets remain home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night as well.
Pelicans Fill It Up Versus Jazz
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting Utah Jazz, 153-124, at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Pelicans led, 34-30, after one quarter. The hosts turned up their play in the second and poured in 43 points in the quarter to push their lead up to 18 points at the break. The Jazz could not find any answers in the third, as the Pelicans pushed it to a 24-point difference heading into the final frame. The visitors kept up the pace in the fourth, but the Pelicans stayed a step ahead and charged to their second win in three games. This also marks the third straight loss for the Jazz.
C.J. McCollum led the Pelicans with 33 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, in 29 minutes. Herbert Jones followed up with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, while Zion Williamson finished with 17 points, three rebounds and 11 assists.
Meanwhile, Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 22 points, three rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 24 minutes. Simone Fontecchio followed up with 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while John Collins totaled 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
The Jazz (22-23) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Wizards on Thursday. The Pelicans (26-18) play host to the Thunder on Friday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Pelicans led, 34-30, after one quarter. The hosts turned up their play in the second and poured in 43 points in the quarter to push their lead up to 18 points at the break. The Jazz could not find any answers in the third, as the Pelicans pushed it to a 24-point difference heading into the final frame. The visitors kept up the pace in the fourth, but the Pelicans stayed a step ahead and charged to their second win in three games. This also marks the third straight loss for the Jazz.
C.J. McCollum led the Pelicans with 33 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, in 29 minutes. Herbert Jones followed up with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, while Zion Williamson finished with 17 points, three rebounds and 11 assists.
Meanwhile, Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 22 points, three rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 24 minutes. Simone Fontecchio followed up with 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while John Collins totaled 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
The Jazz (22-23) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Wizards on Thursday. The Pelicans (26-18) play host to the Thunder on Friday.
Thunder Edge Blazers For Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 111-109, at Paycom Center on Tuesday evening.
The Thunder jumped out to a great start and led, 38-28, after one quarter. The Trail Blazers turned it around in the second and outscored the hosts, 38-20, in the quarter to take an eight-point lead into the break. The Thunder reclaimed the momentum in the third and outscored the visitors by 10 points in the quarter to take a two-point edge into the fourth. The score stayed close through the fourth and after a few lead changes, the Thunder came out on top for their third straight win thanks to a game-winning jumper by Jalen Williams. This also marks the second straight loss for the Trail Blazers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and five steals, in 35 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, while Aaron Wiggins added 13 points and three rebounds.
Meanwhile, Scoot Henderson led the Trail Blazers with 19 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 26 minutes. Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant followed up with 18 points each, while Anfernee Simons added 17 points, three rebounds, five assists and a block.
The Trail Blazers (12-31) will look to bounce back as they take on the Rockets in Houston on Wednesday. The Thunder (30-13) clash with the Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday.
The Thunder jumped out to a great start and led, 38-28, after one quarter. The Trail Blazers turned it around in the second and outscored the hosts, 38-20, in the quarter to take an eight-point lead into the break. The Thunder reclaimed the momentum in the third and outscored the visitors by 10 points in the quarter to take a two-point edge into the fourth. The score stayed close through the fourth and after a few lead changes, the Thunder came out on top for their third straight win thanks to a game-winning jumper by Jalen Williams. This also marks the second straight loss for the Trail Blazers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and five steals, in 35 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, while Aaron Wiggins added 13 points and three rebounds.
Meanwhile, Scoot Henderson led the Trail Blazers with 19 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 26 minutes. Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant followed up with 18 points each, while Anfernee Simons added 17 points, three rebounds, five assists and a block.
The Trail Blazers (12-31) will look to bounce back as they take on the Rockets in Houston on Wednesday. The Thunder (30-13) clash with the Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday.
Clippers Defeat Lakers, 127-116
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 127-116, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win for the Clippers, they never relinquished the lead after a 35-29 first quarter. A 42-35 second quarter gave them a game-high 16-point lead, with the Clippers never attempting a game-tying shot after the opening quarter. The Clippers shot 59 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding the Lakers to 49 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range. The Clippers also out-assisted the Lakers, 33-27, while outscoring them in the paint, 68-60.
The Lakers (22-23) were led by D'Angelo Russell, registering 27 points, five rebounds and 10 assists. Anthony Davis finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Austin Reaves accrued 12 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Taurean Prince and Rui Hachimura had 11 points, three rebounds and two assists apiece. Jarred Vanderbilt led the bench with 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Clippers (28-14) got a rare triple-double from Kawhi Leonard, collecting 25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals on 11-of-16 shooting. James Harden had 23 points, two rebounds and 10 assists. Paul George provided 17 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Terance Mann had 17 points. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Norman Powell amassed 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
On deck for the Lakers is a home matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. As for the Clippers, they return to action on Friday in a road matchup with the Toronto Raptors.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win for the Clippers, they never relinquished the lead after a 35-29 first quarter. A 42-35 second quarter gave them a game-high 16-point lead, with the Clippers never attempting a game-tying shot after the opening quarter. The Clippers shot 59 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding the Lakers to 49 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range. The Clippers also out-assisted the Lakers, 33-27, while outscoring them in the paint, 68-60.
The Lakers (22-23) were led by D'Angelo Russell, registering 27 points, five rebounds and 10 assists. Anthony Davis finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Austin Reaves accrued 12 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Taurean Prince and Rui Hachimura had 11 points, three rebounds and two assists apiece. Jarred Vanderbilt led the bench with 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Clippers (28-14) got a rare triple-double from Kawhi Leonard, collecting 25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals on 11-of-16 shooting. James Harden had 23 points, two rebounds and 10 assists. Paul George provided 17 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Terance Mann had 17 points. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Norman Powell amassed 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
On deck for the Lakers is a home matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. As for the Clippers, they return to action on Friday in a road matchup with the Toronto Raptors.