Pistons Stun Thunder In Detroit
By Dan Bruno
The Detroit Pistons defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 120-104, at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Thunder jumped out to a strong start and led, 31-24, after one quarter. The Pistons turned it up in the second and outscored the visitors, 46-30, in the quarter to take a nine-point lead into the break. The Pistons stayed in control through the third and managed to push their lead up to 14 points entering the final frame. The Thunder had no answers in the fourth and saw a five-game win streak come to an end, while the Pistons closed out their second win in three games.
Jalen Duren led the way for the Pistons with 22 points, 21 rebounds, six assists and a block, in 31 minutes. Jaden Ivey followed up with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Bojan Bogdanovic totaled 17 points and two assists.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points. five rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 29 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 20 points and three assists, while Chet Holmgren finished with nine points, 12 rebounds and a block.
The Thunder (32-14) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Timberwolves on Monday. The Pistons (6-40) take on the Cavs in Cleveland on Wednesday.
The Thunder jumped out to a strong start and led, 31-24, after one quarter. The Pistons turned it up in the second and outscored the visitors, 46-30, in the quarter to take a nine-point lead into the break. The Pistons stayed in control through the third and managed to push their lead up to 14 points entering the final frame. The Thunder had no answers in the fourth and saw a five-game win streak come to an end, while the Pistons closed out their second win in three games.
Jalen Duren led the way for the Pistons with 22 points, 21 rebounds, six assists and a block, in 31 minutes. Jaden Ivey followed up with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Bojan Bogdanovic totaled 17 points and two assists.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points. five rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 29 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 20 points and three assists, while Chet Holmgren finished with nine points, 12 rebounds and a block.
The Thunder (32-14) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Timberwolves on Monday. The Pistons (6-40) take on the Cavs in Cleveland on Wednesday.
Mathurin scores 24 off bench, leads Pacers over Grizzlies on Sunday
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 116-110, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.
The Grizzlies (18-28) jumped out to an early eight-point lead in the first quarter, but the Pacers (27-20) clawed their way back and entered halftime down by two points. The third quarter was all Indiana, as they won the frame 41-29, and continued that momentum into the fourth quarter when the Pacers held their largest lead of 12 points. Memphis battled back late in the final frame and got the game within one score, but the Pacers managed to hold on at the end to earn their 16th win at home.
Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 25 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Vince Williams added 20 points and eight rebounds, while David Roddy chipped in 14 points and five rebounds. GG Jackson led the Memphis bench with 18 points and four rebounds. Santi Aldama chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers off the bench with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Isaiah Jackson had 10 points and seven rebounds in reserve. Pascal Siakam had a nice all-around game with 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Jalen Smith tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks for his fourth double-double of the season. Aaron Nesmith contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Andrew Nembhard finished with 16 points, four rebounds and nine assists.
Next up, the Grizzlies travel back home to host the Sacramento Kings on Monday, while the Pacers hit the road to face the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies (18-28) jumped out to an early eight-point lead in the first quarter, but the Pacers (27-20) clawed their way back and entered halftime down by two points. The third quarter was all Indiana, as they won the frame 41-29, and continued that momentum into the fourth quarter when the Pacers held their largest lead of 12 points. Memphis battled back late in the final frame and got the game within one score, but the Pacers managed to hold on at the end to earn their 16th win at home.
Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 25 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Vince Williams added 20 points and eight rebounds, while David Roddy chipped in 14 points and five rebounds. GG Jackson led the Memphis bench with 18 points and four rebounds. Santi Aldama chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers off the bench with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Isaiah Jackson had 10 points and seven rebounds in reserve. Pascal Siakam had a nice all-around game with 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Jalen Smith tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks for his fourth double-double of the season. Aaron Nesmith contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Andrew Nembhard finished with 16 points, four rebounds and nine assists.
Next up, the Grizzlies travel back home to host the Sacramento Kings on Monday, while the Pacers hit the road to face the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
Hawks Edge Raptors, 126-125
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Toronto Raptors, 126-125, at State Farm Arena on Sunday evening.
The Hawks (19-27) opened the game in impressive fashion on both ends of the floor, leading to a 34-26 advantage through one. However, the Raptors (16-30) were able to bounce back in the second quarter, eliminating their deficit altogether and building a four-point lead halftime lead. The back-and-forth affair continued in the third with Atlanta regaining a two-point edge, and after a hotly contested final period, the hosts escaped with the win when Saddiq Bey dunked in the final points off a Trae Young miss with just over a second remaining.
Scottie Barnes and Jordan Nwora co-led the Raptors with 24 points, with Barnes adding eight assists, four rebounds and two blocks and Nwora posting nine boards, six assists and one steal. Gary Trent netted 16 points. Gradey Dick furnished 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal. Dennis Schroder supplied 14 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals. Jontay Porter delivered 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bruce Brown registered 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
Young paced the Hawks with 30 points, complementing them with 12 assists, two rebounds and two steals. Bey generated a 26-point, 13-rebound double-double that included three assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic managed 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Clint Capela produced a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double that included one block. Jalen Johnson turned in 17 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two assists.
The Raptors remain on the road and visit the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, while the Hawks remain home and welcome in the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night as well.
The Hawks (19-27) opened the game in impressive fashion on both ends of the floor, leading to a 34-26 advantage through one. However, the Raptors (16-30) were able to bounce back in the second quarter, eliminating their deficit altogether and building a four-point lead halftime lead. The back-and-forth affair continued in the third with Atlanta regaining a two-point edge, and after a hotly contested final period, the hosts escaped with the win when Saddiq Bey dunked in the final points off a Trae Young miss with just over a second remaining.
Scottie Barnes and Jordan Nwora co-led the Raptors with 24 points, with Barnes adding eight assists, four rebounds and two blocks and Nwora posting nine boards, six assists and one steal. Gary Trent netted 16 points. Gradey Dick furnished 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal. Dennis Schroder supplied 14 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals. Jontay Porter delivered 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bruce Brown registered 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
Young paced the Hawks with 30 points, complementing them with 12 assists, two rebounds and two steals. Bey generated a 26-point, 13-rebound double-double that included three assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic managed 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Clint Capela produced a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double that included one block. Jalen Johnson turned in 17 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two assists.
The Raptors remain on the road and visit the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, while the Hawks remain home and welcome in the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night as well.
Magic Rally Past Suns In Orlando
By Dan Bruno
The Orlando Magic defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 113-98, at Kia Center on Sunday evening.
The Suns jumped out to a hot start and led, 37-26, after one quarter. The Magic bounced back in the second and outscored the visitors by six points to cut it back to a five-point game at the break. Both sides came out focused in the third, and the Suns led for most of the quarter, until the the Magic tied it up late in the frame. The visitors reclaimed a three-point edge entering the fourth, but the Magic took control in the final quarter, outscoring the Suns by 18 points in the final 12 minutes to close out the home win and end a two-game slide. This also marks the second straight loss for the Suns.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the Magic with 26 points, four rebounds and seven assists, in 36 minutes of action. Moritz Wagner followed up with 16 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and a block, while Markelle Fultz added 14 points, two rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker led the Suns with 44 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, in 36 minutes. Kevin Durant followed up with 15 points, four rebounds, five assists and a block, while Bradley Beal finished with nine points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal.
The Suns (26-20) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Heat in Miami on Monday. The Magic (24-22) take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Monday.
The Suns jumped out to a hot start and led, 37-26, after one quarter. The Magic bounced back in the second and outscored the visitors by six points to cut it back to a five-point game at the break. Both sides came out focused in the third, and the Suns led for most of the quarter, until the the Magic tied it up late in the frame. The visitors reclaimed a three-point edge entering the fourth, but the Magic took control in the final quarter, outscoring the Suns by 18 points in the final 12 minutes to close out the home win and end a two-game slide. This also marks the second straight loss for the Suns.
Paolo Banchero led the way for the Magic with 26 points, four rebounds and seven assists, in 36 minutes of action. Moritz Wagner followed up with 16 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and a block, while Markelle Fultz added 14 points, two rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker led the Suns with 44 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, in 36 minutes. Kevin Durant followed up with 15 points, four rebounds, five assists and a block, while Bradley Beal finished with nine points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal.
The Suns (26-20) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Heat in Miami on Monday. The Magic (24-22) take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Monday.
Bulls Defeat Blazers, 104-96
The Chicago Bulls defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 104-96, at Moda Center on Sunday.
Chicago held the lead for all but one minute in this game, thanks to a 53-42 first half. They put things away with a 28-21 fourth quarter, closing the game on a 7-2 run. The Bulls shot 47 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range, while the Trail Blazers shot 41 percent from the field and 18 percent from long range. Chicago recorded 27 assists to four turnovers, while Portland had 22 assists to 13 turnovers. The Bulls also outscored the Blazers in the paint, 52-40, and in fastbreak scoring, 15-4.
The Bulls (22-25) were led by DeMar DeRozan, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Coby White collected 15 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Nikola Vucevic had 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks, while Ayo Dosunmu amassed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Andre Drummond led the bench with 15 points and seven boards.
The Trail Blazers (13-33) were led by Jerami Grant, generating 24 points, seven rebounds and two assists. DeAndre Ayton accrued 22 points and 12 rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon compiled 16 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Anfernee Simons provided 11 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. No other player had more than seven points.
Portland has to play again on Monday, remaining home to face the Philadelphia 76ers. As for Chicago, they return home to play the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday for their next outing,
Chicago held the lead for all but one minute in this game, thanks to a 53-42 first half. They put things away with a 28-21 fourth quarter, closing the game on a 7-2 run. The Bulls shot 47 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range, while the Trail Blazers shot 41 percent from the field and 18 percent from long range. Chicago recorded 27 assists to four turnovers, while Portland had 22 assists to 13 turnovers. The Bulls also outscored the Blazers in the paint, 52-40, and in fastbreak scoring, 15-4.
The Bulls (22-25) were led by DeMar DeRozan, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Coby White collected 15 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Nikola Vucevic had 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks, while Ayo Dosunmu amassed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Andre Drummond led the bench with 15 points and seven boards.
The Trail Blazers (13-33) were led by Jerami Grant, generating 24 points, seven rebounds and two assists. DeAndre Ayton accrued 22 points and 12 rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon compiled 16 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Anfernee Simons provided 11 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. No other player had more than seven points.
Portland has to play again on Monday, remaining home to face the Philadelphia 76ers. As for Chicago, they return home to play the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday for their next outing,