Thomas scores 40, powers Nets over 76ers on Saturday
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 136-121, at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.
It was the visiting Nets (20-28) who pounced early with an 11-0 run and ended the first quarter up 38-22. The 76ers (30-18) managed to go bucket-for-bucket in the second quarter, but were unable to keep up with Brooklyn's offensive output after halftime. With the Nets leading by as much as 30 points in the fourth quarter, both teams elected to empty their benches down the stretch. The 76ers dropped to 17-7 at home, while the Nets improved to 8-15 on the road.
Cam Thomas paced the Nets with a game-high 40 points, three rebounds and five assists. Lonnie Walker led the bench with 20 points, two rebounds and three assists. Mikal Bridges chipped in 23 points, three rebounds and four assists and finished with a game-high plus-25 point differential. Cam Johnson tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Nic Claxton finished with 12 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four blocks for his 19th double-double of the season.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 23 points, three rebounds, five assists and three steals. Kelly Oubre contributed 16 points and four rebounds. Terquavion Smith took advantage of garbage time to led the bench with 17 points and one assist over nine minutes. KJ Martin had 11 points, four rebounds and four assists in reserve, while Jaden Springer added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists off the pine. Frank Korkmaz ended Saturday's game with 10 points and four rebounds.
With Saturday's game in the books, both teams will next play Mon. Feb 5. The 76ers will host the Dallas Mavericks, while the Nets return home to take on the Golden State Warriors.
It was the visiting Nets (20-28) who pounced early with an 11-0 run and ended the first quarter up 38-22. The 76ers (30-18) managed to go bucket-for-bucket in the second quarter, but were unable to keep up with Brooklyn's offensive output after halftime. With the Nets leading by as much as 30 points in the fourth quarter, both teams elected to empty their benches down the stretch. The 76ers dropped to 17-7 at home, while the Nets improved to 8-15 on the road.
Cam Thomas paced the Nets with a game-high 40 points, three rebounds and five assists. Lonnie Walker led the bench with 20 points, two rebounds and three assists. Mikal Bridges chipped in 23 points, three rebounds and four assists and finished with a game-high plus-25 point differential. Cam Johnson tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Nic Claxton finished with 12 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four blocks for his 19th double-double of the season.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 23 points, three rebounds, five assists and three steals. Kelly Oubre contributed 16 points and four rebounds. Terquavion Smith took advantage of garbage time to led the bench with 17 points and one assist over nine minutes. KJ Martin had 11 points, four rebounds and four assists in reserve, while Jaden Springer added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists off the pine. Frank Korkmaz ended Saturday's game with 10 points and four rebounds.
With Saturday's game in the books, both teams will next play Mon. Feb 5. The 76ers will host the Dallas Mavericks, while the Nets return home to take on the Golden State Warriors.
Hawks Top Warriors in OT
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 141-134, at State Farm Arena on Saturday evening.
Despite a season-high 60 points from Stephen Curry, the Hawks managed to come out on top in overtime. The game got out to a competitive start as the Warriors took a five-point lead in the break. The score stayed close in the second, while the Hawks managed to tie it up at 64, heading into break. Both sides brought an equal effort in the third, and matched each other point-for-point again in the fourth, leading to overtime. The Hawks turned it up a notch in the extra frame, where they outscored the visitors, 18-11, to close out their fourth straight win.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 35 points, six assists and a steal, in 42 minutes. Jalen Johnson followed up with 21 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and a block, while Dejounte Murray added 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 60 points, six rebounds, four assists and a block, in 41 minutes. Lester Quinones followed up with 17 points and five rebounds, while Jonathan Kuminga totaled 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The Warriors (2125) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Monday. The Hawks (22-27) play host to the Clippers on Monday.
Despite a season-high 60 points from Stephen Curry, the Hawks managed to come out on top in overtime. The game got out to a competitive start as the Warriors took a five-point lead in the break. The score stayed close in the second, while the Hawks managed to tie it up at 64, heading into break. Both sides brought an equal effort in the third, and matched each other point-for-point again in the fourth, leading to overtime. The Hawks turned it up a notch in the extra frame, where they outscored the visitors, 18-11, to close out their fourth straight win.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 35 points, six assists and a steal, in 42 minutes. Jalen Johnson followed up with 21 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and a block, while Dejounte Murray added 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 60 points, six rebounds, four assists and a block, in 41 minutes. Lester Quinones followed up with 17 points and five rebounds, while Jonathan Kuminga totaled 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The Warriors (2125) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Monday. The Hawks (22-27) play host to the Clippers on Monday.
Kings Top Bulls, 123-115
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Chicago Bulls, 123-115, at United Center on Saturday night.
The Kings (29-19) were on the second night of a back-to-back set after a high-scoring victory over the fast-paced Pacers on Friday night, but it wasn't evident from the way they were able to start Saturday's contest. Sacramento had forged a 71-52 lead by halftime thanks to highly efficient offensive play, and although the Bulls (23-27) managed to cut that deficit to 10 during the third quarter and get to within three with 1:31 remaining, the visitors' game-ending 7-2 run ensured the victory.
De'Aaron Fox led the way for the Kings with 41 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, four assists and five steals. Malik Monk provided 22 points, seven assists five rebounds and one block. Trey Lyles supplied 16 points, five boards, three assists and two steals. Domantas Sabonis generated a 13-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that also included one steal. Harrison Barnes netted 11 points.
Coby White paced the Bulls with 26 points, complementing them with six rebounds and four assists. Nikola Vucevic posted a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double that included three assists and one steal. DeMar DeRozan matched Vucevic's scoring and also produced seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Ayo Dosunmu turned in 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, while the Bulls host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
The Kings (29-19) were on the second night of a back-to-back set after a high-scoring victory over the fast-paced Pacers on Friday night, but it wasn't evident from the way they were able to start Saturday's contest. Sacramento had forged a 71-52 lead by halftime thanks to highly efficient offensive play, and although the Bulls (23-27) managed to cut that deficit to 10 during the third quarter and get to within three with 1:31 remaining, the visitors' game-ending 7-2 run ensured the victory.
De'Aaron Fox led the way for the Kings with 41 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, four assists and five steals. Malik Monk provided 22 points, seven assists five rebounds and one block. Trey Lyles supplied 16 points, five boards, three assists and two steals. Domantas Sabonis generated a 13-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that also included one steal. Harrison Barnes netted 11 points.
Coby White paced the Bulls with 26 points, complementing them with six rebounds and four assists. Nikola Vucevic posted a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double that included three assists and one steal. DeMar DeRozan matched Vucevic's scoring and also produced seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Ayo Dosunmu turned in 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, while the Bulls host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
Bucks Take Over Late In Dallas
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the host Dallas Mavericks, 129-117, at American Airlines Center on Saturday evening.
The Mavs jumped out to a great start and led, 44-20, after one quarter. The Bucks returned the favor in the second and outscored the hosts, 40-21, to cut it down to a five-point difference entering halftime. The visitors kept the momentum going in the third and after rallying to an eight-point lead, managed to hand on to a one-point edge entering the final frame. The Mavs answered back and tied it up early in the fourth, but the Bucks pulled ahead again and did not look back, as they ended a two-game skid. This also marks the second straight loss for the Mavericks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks as he racked up 48 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, five steals and a block, in 40 minutes. Damian Lillard followed up with 30 points, three rebounds, eight assists and a block, while Bobby Portis totaled 12 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 40 points, nine rebounds, 11 assists and a steal, in 42 minutes. Maxi Kleber followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Josh Green tallied 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The Mavericks (26-23) hope to bounce back as they clash with the Sixers in Philly on Monday. The Bucks (33-16) take on the Jazz in Utah on Sunday.
The Mavs jumped out to a great start and led, 44-20, after one quarter. The Bucks returned the favor in the second and outscored the hosts, 40-21, to cut it down to a five-point difference entering halftime. The visitors kept the momentum going in the third and after rallying to an eight-point lead, managed to hand on to a one-point edge entering the final frame. The Mavs answered back and tied it up early in the fourth, but the Bucks pulled ahead again and did not look back, as they ended a two-game skid. This also marks the second straight loss for the Mavericks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks as he racked up 48 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, five steals and a block, in 40 minutes. Damian Lillard followed up with 30 points, three rebounds, eight assists and a block, while Bobby Portis totaled 12 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 40 points, nine rebounds, 11 assists and a steal, in 42 minutes. Maxi Kleber followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Josh Green tallied 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The Mavericks (26-23) hope to bounce back as they clash with the Sixers in Philly on Monday. The Bucks (33-16) take on the Jazz in Utah on Sunday.
Lakers Defeat Knicks, 113-105
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the host New York Knicks, 113-105, at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
There were 12 ties and 20 lead changes in this game, with neither team ever obtaining a double-digit lead. With that said, the Lakers ripped off an 11-0 run near the end of the fourth quarter, holding the Knicks scoreless for nearly seven minutes. LA outscored NY in that final frame, 33-19. Los Angeles shot 49 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while holding New York to 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. The Lakers also recorded four steals and 11 blocks, while the Knicks had just one steal and four blocks.
The Lakers (26-25) were led by Lebron James, finishing with 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Austin Reaves registered 22 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. D'Angelo Russell amassed 16 points and four assists, while Anthony Davis accrued 12 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. Taurean Prince led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Knicks (32-18) were led by Jalen Brunson, collecting 36 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Donte DiVincenzo had 26 points, six rebounds and four assists. Josh Hart totaled 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, while Isaiah Hartenstein accumulated six points, 15 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. No starter reached 50 percent shooting.
On deck for LA is a road matchup with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. As for New York, they return to action on Tuesday in a home matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.
There were 12 ties and 20 lead changes in this game, with neither team ever obtaining a double-digit lead. With that said, the Lakers ripped off an 11-0 run near the end of the fourth quarter, holding the Knicks scoreless for nearly seven minutes. LA outscored NY in that final frame, 33-19. Los Angeles shot 49 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while holding New York to 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. The Lakers also recorded four steals and 11 blocks, while the Knicks had just one steal and four blocks.
The Lakers (26-25) were led by Lebron James, finishing with 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Austin Reaves registered 22 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. D'Angelo Russell amassed 16 points and four assists, while Anthony Davis accrued 12 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. Taurean Prince led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Knicks (32-18) were led by Jalen Brunson, collecting 36 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Donte DiVincenzo had 26 points, six rebounds and four assists. Josh Hart totaled 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, while Isaiah Hartenstein accumulated six points, 15 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. No starter reached 50 percent shooting.
On deck for LA is a road matchup with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. As for New York, they return to action on Tuesday in a home matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Cavs Defeat Spurs, 117-101
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the host San Antonio Spurs, 117-101, at Frost Bank Center on Saturday.
While this wasn't necessarily a wire-to-wire win for Cleveland, they never relinquished the lead after a 30-25 first quarter. A 37-20 second quarter gave them a 22-point halftime lead, leading by at least 14 points for the entirety of the second half. The Cavaliers shot 47 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free-throw line, while the Spurs shot 37 percent from the field and 81 percent from the charity stripe. Cleveland also out-assisted San Antonio, 31-23, while outscoring them in the paint, 58-46.
The Cavaliers (31-16) were led by Donovan Mitchell, collecting 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. Evan Mobley amassed 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Jarrett Allen accrued 26 points and 16 rebounds. Those two big men combined to shoot 23-of-33 from the field. Caris LeVert led the bench with 10 points, five rebounds and six assists.
The Spurs (10-40) were led by Devin Vassell, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists. Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Tre Jones tallied seven points, five rebounds and eight assists, while Keldon Johnson led the bench with 17 points and five boards.
On deck for Cleveland is a home matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Monday. As for San Antonio, they're off until Wednesday, when they travel to play the Miami Heat.
While this wasn't necessarily a wire-to-wire win for Cleveland, they never relinquished the lead after a 30-25 first quarter. A 37-20 second quarter gave them a 22-point halftime lead, leading by at least 14 points for the entirety of the second half. The Cavaliers shot 47 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free-throw line, while the Spurs shot 37 percent from the field and 81 percent from the charity stripe. Cleveland also out-assisted San Antonio, 31-23, while outscoring them in the paint, 58-46.
The Cavaliers (31-16) were led by Donovan Mitchell, collecting 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. Evan Mobley amassed 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Jarrett Allen accrued 26 points and 16 rebounds. Those two big men combined to shoot 23-of-33 from the field. Caris LeVert led the bench with 10 points, five rebounds and six assists.
The Spurs (10-40) were led by Devin Vassell, finishing with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists. Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Tre Jones tallied seven points, five rebounds and eight assists, while Keldon Johnson led the bench with 17 points and five boards.
On deck for Cleveland is a home matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Monday. As for San Antonio, they're off until Wednesday, when they travel to play the Miami Heat.