Lakers Hold Off Rally, Defeat Celtics
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics, 114-105, at TD Garden on Thursday.
The Lakers (25-25) moved back to an even .500 with a solid performance on both ends of the court against the Celtics (37-12), ultimately securing the win against one of the best home teams in the league. There’s no question the Lakers deserve credit for the win, as they were without their best players, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but the Celtics also delivered a sloppy performance, particularly in the first quarter. The Lakers raced to a 28-25 lead in the opening 12 minutes, and by the time halftime arrived, the Lakers’ lead was 14 points after a 32-21 score in the second quarter. The Celtics attempted to mount a comeback multiple times in the second half, but the Lakers had answers for every Boston run. Even though the Celtics won the final two quarters, 32-28 and 27-26, respectively, the Lakers closed things out and secured the win. With the win, the Lakers moved to 8-17 on the road, while the Celtics fell to 22-3 at home.
Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers with a 32-point performance that included a career-best seven threes -- he went 10-for-18 from the field and 7-for-10 from three-point range. Reaves also added three assists and two rebounds. D’Angelo Russell finished with 16 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds. Jaxson Hayes chipped in with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Taurean Prince had 11 points and eight rebounds, and Jarred Vanderbilt finished with 10 points, seven boards and three steals before departing with knee soreness in the second half. Rui Hachimura added 15 points off the bench.
Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer for the Celtics with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Kristaps Porzingis had 17 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and three assists. No other Boston starter finished with double-digit points. Jaylen Brown had eight points (4-12 FG), Derrick White posted 11 (4-11 FG) and Jrue Holiday delivered eight (4-9 FG). Sam Hauser stepped up from the bench with a 17-point outing (6-11 FG, 5-9 3Pt).
The Lakers (25-25) moved back to an even .500 with a solid performance on both ends of the court against the Celtics (37-12), ultimately securing the win against one of the best home teams in the league. There’s no question the Lakers deserve credit for the win, as they were without their best players, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but the Celtics also delivered a sloppy performance, particularly in the first quarter. The Lakers raced to a 28-25 lead in the opening 12 minutes, and by the time halftime arrived, the Lakers’ lead was 14 points after a 32-21 score in the second quarter. The Celtics attempted to mount a comeback multiple times in the second half, but the Lakers had answers for every Boston run. Even though the Celtics won the final two quarters, 32-28 and 27-26, respectively, the Lakers closed things out and secured the win. With the win, the Lakers moved to 8-17 on the road, while the Celtics fell to 22-3 at home.
Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers with a 32-point performance that included a career-best seven threes -- he went 10-for-18 from the field and 7-for-10 from three-point range. Reaves also added three assists and two rebounds. D’Angelo Russell finished with 16 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds. Jaxson Hayes chipped in with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Taurean Prince had 11 points and eight rebounds, and Jarred Vanderbilt finished with 10 points, seven boards and three steals before departing with knee soreness in the second half. Rui Hachimura added 15 points off the bench.
Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer for the Celtics with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Kristaps Porzingis had 17 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and three assists. No other Boston starter finished with double-digit points. Jaylen Brown had eight points (4-12 FG), Derrick White posted 11 (4-11 FG) and Jrue Holiday delivered eight (4-9 FG). Sam Hauser stepped up from the bench with a 17-point outing (6-11 FG, 5-9 3Pt).
Knicks Get By Pacers, 109-105
The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers, 109-105, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
The Knicks (32-17) were surging and rightfully listed as favorites coming in, but it was the Pacers (27-22) that started fast and jumped out to a 36-26 lead through one. New York did tighten up on defense in the second quarter but only managed to chip three points from its deficit before halftime. The hosts had whittled it away by another two points going into the final period, and they then proceeded to outscore Indiana, 30-21, over the final 12 minutes to complete the comeback.
Jalen Smith led the Pacers with 20 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Pascal Siakam posted 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and one block. Aaron Nesmith furnished 17 points, six boards, one assist and one steal. Tyrese Haliburton registered 15 points, five assists, four boards and two blocks. Obi Toppin and Andrew Nembhard contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, while pulling down three rebounds apiece. Nembhard also dished out six assists.
Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 40 points, adding five rebounds and one assist. Donte DiVincenzo supplied 20 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals. Miles McBride compiled 16 points, one rebound and two steals. Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa generated matching 12-point efforts while pulling down 19 and 16 rebounds, respectively. Hartenstein also managed six assists, while Achiuwa had three steals and two blocks.
The Pacers return home to host the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, while the Knicks host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
The Knicks (32-17) were surging and rightfully listed as favorites coming in, but it was the Pacers (27-22) that started fast and jumped out to a 36-26 lead through one. New York did tighten up on defense in the second quarter but only managed to chip three points from its deficit before halftime. The hosts had whittled it away by another two points going into the final period, and they then proceeded to outscore Indiana, 30-21, over the final 12 minutes to complete the comeback.
Jalen Smith led the Pacers with 20 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Pascal Siakam posted 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and one block. Aaron Nesmith furnished 17 points, six boards, one assist and one steal. Tyrese Haliburton registered 15 points, five assists, four boards and two blocks. Obi Toppin and Andrew Nembhard contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, while pulling down three rebounds apiece. Nembhard also dished out six assists.
Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 40 points, adding five rebounds and one assist. Donte DiVincenzo supplied 20 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals. Miles McBride compiled 16 points, one rebound and two steals. Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa generated matching 12-point efforts while pulling down 19 and 16 rebounds, respectively. Hartenstein also managed six assists, while Achiuwa had three steals and two blocks.
The Pacers return home to host the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, while the Knicks host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
Cavs Finish Strong In Memphis
By Dan Bruno
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the host Memphis Grizzlies, 108-101, at FedEx Forum on Thursday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start and was tied at 27, after one quarter. The Grizzlies pulled ahead in the second and rallied to a double-digit lead, before the Cavs cut it back to seven-point game at the break. The visitors turned up their play in the third and outscored the Grizzlies, 30-22, in the quarter to take a one-point edge into the final frame. The hosts grabbed a brief lead early in the fourth, but the Cavs took control down the stretch and closed out their fourth straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Grizzlies.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 25 points, four rebounds and seven assists, in 33 minutes. Caris LeVert followed up with 16 points, three assists and two steals, while Jarrett Allen logged 14 points, nine rebounds two assists and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks, in 34 minutes. Santi Aldama followed up with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Vince Williams added 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The Grizzlies (18-30) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Warriors on Friday. The Cavaliers (30-16) take on the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday.
The game got out to a competitive start and was tied at 27, after one quarter. The Grizzlies pulled ahead in the second and rallied to a double-digit lead, before the Cavs cut it back to seven-point game at the break. The visitors turned up their play in the third and outscored the Grizzlies, 30-22, in the quarter to take a one-point edge into the final frame. The hosts grabbed a brief lead early in the fourth, but the Cavs took control down the stretch and closed out their fourth straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Grizzlies.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 25 points, four rebounds and seven assists, in 33 minutes. Caris LeVert followed up with 16 points, three assists and two steals, while Jarrett Allen logged 14 points, nine rebounds two assists and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks, in 34 minutes. Santi Aldama followed up with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Vince Williams added 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The Grizzlies (18-30) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Warriors on Friday. The Cavaliers (30-16) take on the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday.
Sixers Defeat Jazz, 127-124
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the host Utah Jazz, 127-124, at Vivint Arena on Thursday.
While Philly held the lead for over 45 minutes of this game, it came down to the final seconds. Utah had a game-high three-point lead with two minutes remaining, but Philly closed the game on a 10-4 run to prevail. The Sixers shot 44 percent from three-point range (14-of-32), while the Jazz shot 33 percent from long distance (12-of-36). Philadelphia also recorded six steals and 11 blocks while winning the turnover battle, 9-4. That allowed them to outscore Utah in fastbreak points, 27-15.
The Sixers (30-17) were led by Tyrese Maxey, tallying 51 points and two rebounds. Tobias Harris totaled 28 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Kelly Oubre amassed 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks, while Paul Reed provided seven points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
The Jazz (24-26) were led by Lauri Markkanen, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Collin Sexton compiled 22 points and six assists. John Collins generated 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Jordan Clarkson led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and 10 assists. Kelly Olynyk also had 14 points, three rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Philly is a home matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. As for Utah, they return to action on Sunday in a home matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.
While Philly held the lead for over 45 minutes of this game, it came down to the final seconds. Utah had a game-high three-point lead with two minutes remaining, but Philly closed the game on a 10-4 run to prevail. The Sixers shot 44 percent from three-point range (14-of-32), while the Jazz shot 33 percent from long distance (12-of-36). Philadelphia also recorded six steals and 11 blocks while winning the turnover battle, 9-4. That allowed them to outscore Utah in fastbreak points, 27-15.
The Sixers (30-17) were led by Tyrese Maxey, tallying 51 points and two rebounds. Tobias Harris totaled 28 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Kelly Oubre amassed 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks, while Paul Reed provided seven points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
The Jazz (24-26) were led by Lauri Markkanen, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Collin Sexton compiled 22 points and six assists. John Collins generated 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Jordan Clarkson led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and 10 assists. Kelly Olynyk also had 14 points, three rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Philly is a home matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. As for Utah, they return to action on Sunday in a home matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.