Hawks Cruise To Win Over Shorthanded Lakers
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 138-122, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday.
The Hawks (20-27) remain far from competing for a playoff berth and could very well be sellers before the Feb. 8 trade deadline, but their record should be better if they were able to play every game like they did Tuesday against the Lakers (24-25). Atlanta didn’t waste time and grabbed the lead early on, jumping to a 36-29 advantage following the first quarter, and the Hawks would never look back. A 31-27 score made it a double-digit game by halftime, and the Hawks also won the final two quarters to close things out. A 36-32 score in the third quarter, and a 35-34 margin in the final 12 minutes, sealed Atlanta’s win. With the win, the Hawks moved to 10-13 at home. Meanwhile, the Lakers fell to 7-17 playing on the road.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 26 points and 13 assists. Clint Capela also chipped in with a double-double and delivered 13 points with 12 rebounds. Jalen Johnson finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Dejounte Murray ended with 24 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals. Saddiq Bey posted 18 points and eight rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 points coming off the bench. The Hawks shot 52.5 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three-point range.
LeBron James was the best player for the Lakers and sniffed a triple-double after ending with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Austin Reaves was the team’s leading scorer with 28 points and six assists. Rui Hachimura contributed 16 points and four rebounds coming off the bench. Jarred Vanderbilt added 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Lakers shot 53.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from deep.
The Hawks (20-27) remain far from competing for a playoff berth and could very well be sellers before the Feb. 8 trade deadline, but their record should be better if they were able to play every game like they did Tuesday against the Lakers (24-25). Atlanta didn’t waste time and grabbed the lead early on, jumping to a 36-29 advantage following the first quarter, and the Hawks would never look back. A 31-27 score made it a double-digit game by halftime, and the Hawks also won the final two quarters to close things out. A 36-32 score in the third quarter, and a 35-34 margin in the final 12 minutes, sealed Atlanta’s win. With the win, the Hawks moved to 10-13 at home. Meanwhile, the Lakers fell to 7-17 playing on the road.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 26 points and 13 assists. Clint Capela also chipped in with a double-double and delivered 13 points with 12 rebounds. Jalen Johnson finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Dejounte Murray ended with 24 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals. Saddiq Bey posted 18 points and eight rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 points coming off the bench. The Hawks shot 52.5 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three-point range.
LeBron James was the best player for the Lakers and sniffed a triple-double after ending with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Austin Reaves was the team’s leading scorer with 28 points and six assists. Rui Hachimura contributed 16 points and four rebounds coming off the bench. Jarred Vanderbilt added 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Lakers shot 53.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from deep.
Celtics Edge Pacers, 129-124
The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers, 129-124, at TD Garden on Tuesday night.
The Celtics (37-11) appeared to be well on their way to a comfortable victory over the first two quarters, with Boston hardly missing the net on the way to an 81-66 lead at intermission. However, the Pacers (27-21) came out halftime a different team, tightening up on defense while lopping 12 points from their deficit. Both teams made scoring difficult for the other over the final 12 minutes, and with Tyrese Haliburton on an apparent minutes limit for Indiana in his return from a multi-game absence due to hamstring injury, the hosts were able to pull way with two late Jrue Holiday free throws after the visitors had closed to within three.
Aaron Nesmith led the way for the Pacers with 26 points, adding 12 rebounds, seven assists and one block. Pascal Siakam furnished 23 points, six boards and two assists. Myles Turner supplied 17 points, five boards, one assist and one block. Andrew Nembhard finished with 15 points, five assists and four rebounds. Haliburton generated a 13-point, 10-assist double-double that included three rebounds and one steal. Buddy Hield offered 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Obi Toppin recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 30 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal. Jaylen Brown delivered 25 points, six boards, two assists and two steals. Derrick White offered 24 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Kristaps Porzingis and Holiday posted matching 17-point efforts while hauling in 12 and five rebounds, respectively.
The Pacers remain on the road and visit the New York Knicks on Thursday night, while the Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night as well.
The Celtics (37-11) appeared to be well on their way to a comfortable victory over the first two quarters, with Boston hardly missing the net on the way to an 81-66 lead at intermission. However, the Pacers (27-21) came out halftime a different team, tightening up on defense while lopping 12 points from their deficit. Both teams made scoring difficult for the other over the final 12 minutes, and with Tyrese Haliburton on an apparent minutes limit for Indiana in his return from a multi-game absence due to hamstring injury, the hosts were able to pull way with two late Jrue Holiday free throws after the visitors had closed to within three.
Aaron Nesmith led the way for the Pacers with 26 points, adding 12 rebounds, seven assists and one block. Pascal Siakam furnished 23 points, six boards and two assists. Myles Turner supplied 17 points, five boards, one assist and one block. Andrew Nembhard finished with 15 points, five assists and four rebounds. Haliburton generated a 13-point, 10-assist double-double that included three rebounds and one steal. Buddy Hield offered 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Obi Toppin recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 30 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal. Jaylen Brown delivered 25 points, six boards, two assists and two steals. Derrick White offered 24 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Kristaps Porzingis and Holiday posted matching 17-point efforts while hauling in 12 and five rebounds, respectively.
The Pacers remain on the road and visit the New York Knicks on Thursday night, while the Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night as well.
Knicks Dispose of Jazz, 118-103
The New York Knicks defeated the Utah Jazz, 118-103, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
The red-hot Knicks (31-17) unsurprisingly came in as heavy home favorites, but the struggling Jazz (24-25) were reasonably competitive during a first half that culminated with New York holding a 57-49 lead. However, the hosts came out of intermission with even more focus, adding 12 points to their advantage to essentially seal the win.
Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 22 points, adding seven assists and three rebounds. Keyonte George supplied 15 points, two rebounds and one assist. Lauri Markkanen and Simone Fontecchio produced matching 14-point, five-rebound, one-assist tallies. John Collins generated an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists. Jordan Clarkson matched Collins' scoring and adding one rebound and one assist.
Donte DiVincenzo paced the Knicks with 33 points, complementing them with five rebounds, four assists, four steals and one block. Jalen Brunson registered 29 points, nine assists, three rebounds and one block. Precious Achiuwa contributed 18 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Isaiah Hartenstein produced a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists, two steals and one block. Quentin Grimes provided 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Josh Hart finished with a 10-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals and two blocks.
The Jazz return home and face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, while the Knicks remain home and welcome in the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night as well.
The red-hot Knicks (31-17) unsurprisingly came in as heavy home favorites, but the struggling Jazz (24-25) were reasonably competitive during a first half that culminated with New York holding a 57-49 lead. However, the hosts came out of intermission with even more focus, adding 12 points to their advantage to essentially seal the win.
Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 22 points, adding seven assists and three rebounds. Keyonte George supplied 15 points, two rebounds and one assist. Lauri Markkanen and Simone Fontecchio produced matching 14-point, five-rebound, one-assist tallies. John Collins generated an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists. Jordan Clarkson matched Collins' scoring and adding one rebound and one assist.
Donte DiVincenzo paced the Knicks with 33 points, complementing them with five rebounds, four assists, four steals and one block. Jalen Brunson registered 29 points, nine assists, three rebounds and one block. Precious Achiuwa contributed 18 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Isaiah Hartenstein produced a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists, two steals and one block. Quentin Grimes provided 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Josh Hart finished with a 10-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals and two blocks.
The Jazz return home and face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, while the Knicks remain home and welcome in the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night as well.
Raptors Rally Past Bulls In Chicago
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the host Chicago Bulls, 118-107, at United Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start, while the Bulls held on to to four-point lead after one quarter. The hosts made a push to start the second and maintained the upper hand through the quarter, taking a 10-point lead into the break. The Raptors turned their play up in the third and outscored the Bulls, 37-26, to grab a one-point edge entering the final frame. The Raptors kept the momentum going in the fourth and charged to the road win, ending a five-game slide. This marks the third loss in four games for the Bulls.
Gary Trent led the Raptors with 24 points, five rebounds and a steal, in 32 minutes. Bruce Brow followed up with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks, while Dennis Schroder totaled 16 points, three rebounds, 10 assists two steals and a block.
Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 25 points, two rebounds, five assists three steals and four blocks, in 42 minutes. Ayo Dosunmu followed up with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block, while Nikola Vucevic tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.
The Bulls (22-26) will look to bounce back as they take on the Hornets in Charlotte on Wednesday. The Raptors (17-30) clash with the Rockets in Houston on Friday.
The game got out to a competitive start, while the Bulls held on to to four-point lead after one quarter. The hosts made a push to start the second and maintained the upper hand through the quarter, taking a 10-point lead into the break. The Raptors turned their play up in the third and outscored the Bulls, 37-26, to grab a one-point edge entering the final frame. The Raptors kept the momentum going in the fourth and charged to the road win, ending a five-game slide. This marks the third loss in four games for the Bulls.
Gary Trent led the Raptors with 24 points, five rebounds and a steal, in 32 minutes. Bruce Brow followed up with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks, while Dennis Schroder totaled 16 points, three rebounds, 10 assists two steals and a block.
Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 25 points, two rebounds, five assists three steals and four blocks, in 42 minutes. Ayo Dosunmu followed up with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block, while Nikola Vucevic tallied 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block.
The Bulls (22-26) will look to bounce back as they take on the Hornets in Charlotte on Wednesday. The Raptors (17-30) clash with the Rockets in Houston on Friday.
Warriors Defeat Sixers, 119-107
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 119-107, at Chase Center on Tuesday.
There were only six ties and four lead changes in this game, with Golden State maintaining the lead for the closing 22 minutes. They went on a 17-4 run at the beginning of the third quarter, which carried them to this win. The Warriors shot 56 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the charity stripe, while the Sixers shot 46 percent from the field, 43 percent from long range and 76 percent from the charity stripe. Golden State also out-assisted Philly, 32-10.
The Sixers (29-17) were led by Tobias Harris, tallying 26 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kelly Oubre collected 15 points and six rebounds. Joel Embiid had 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and eight turnovers before departing with another knee injury. Furknan Korkmaz led the bench with 19 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (20-24) were led by Stephen Curry, compiling 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Jonathan Kuminga had 26 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. Andrew Wiggins accrued 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Draymond Green generated nine points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks.
On deck for Philly is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Thursday. As for Golden State, they return to action on Friday in a road matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.
There were only six ties and four lead changes in this game, with Golden State maintaining the lead for the closing 22 minutes. They went on a 17-4 run at the beginning of the third quarter, which carried them to this win. The Warriors shot 56 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the charity stripe, while the Sixers shot 46 percent from the field, 43 percent from long range and 76 percent from the charity stripe. Golden State also out-assisted Philly, 32-10.
The Sixers (29-17) were led by Tobias Harris, tallying 26 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kelly Oubre collected 15 points and six rebounds. Joel Embiid had 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and eight turnovers before departing with another knee injury. Furknan Korkmaz led the bench with 19 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (20-24) were led by Stephen Curry, compiling 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Jonathan Kuminga had 26 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. Andrew Wiggins accrued 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Draymond Green generated nine points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks.
On deck for Philly is a road matchup with the Utah Jazz on Thursday. As for Golden State, they return to action on Friday in a road matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.