Mitchell's 29 points propels Cavaliers past Kings on Monday
The Cleveland Cavaliers blew out the Sacramento Kings, 136-110, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday.
The Kings (29-20) would have their only lead of the game early in the first quarter and led by as many as two points in the entire contest. The Cavaliers (32-16) won the second quarter, 35-25, and took a 15-point lead into halftime. The teams traded buckets for much of the third quarter, but Cleveland put their foot down in the final frame and held Sacramento to just 18 points over the last 12 minutes of play. The key to the Cavs' success in Monday's win -- their 18th at home -- was their 58.0 percent field goal shooting (compared to 46.2 percent by the Kings) and converting 23 of 41 shots from beyond the arc, compared to 17 of 44 by their opponent.
Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 22 points, while De'Aaron Fox chipped in 19 points, four rebounds and two steals. Malik Monk led the bench with 18 points and four rebounds. Domantas Sabonis added 12 points, 19 rebounds and a season-high 15 assists while registering his 15th triple-double of the season. Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter each scored 10 points.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals. Max Strus totaled 22 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jarrett Allen finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Caris LeVert led the bench with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Evan Mobley contributed 11 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two steals for his 14th double-double of the season.
With Monday's game wrapped up, both teams will next play Wednesday, Feb. 7. The Kings head back home to host the Detroit Pistons, while the Cavaliers start a three-game Eastern Conference road trip against the Washington Wizards.
The Kings (29-20) would have their only lead of the game early in the first quarter and led by as many as two points in the entire contest. The Cavaliers (32-16) won the second quarter, 35-25, and took a 15-point lead into halftime. The teams traded buckets for much of the third quarter, but Cleveland put their foot down in the final frame and held Sacramento to just 18 points over the last 12 minutes of play. The key to the Cavs' success in Monday's win -- their 18th at home -- was their 58.0 percent field goal shooting (compared to 46.2 percent by the Kings) and converting 23 of 41 shots from beyond the arc, compared to 17 of 44 by their opponent.
Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 22 points, while De'Aaron Fox chipped in 19 points, four rebounds and two steals. Malik Monk led the bench with 18 points and four rebounds. Domantas Sabonis added 12 points, 19 rebounds and a season-high 15 assists while registering his 15th triple-double of the season. Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter each scored 10 points.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals. Max Strus totaled 22 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jarrett Allen finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Caris LeVert led the bench with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Evan Mobley contributed 11 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two steals for his 14th double-double of the season.
With Monday's game wrapped up, both teams will next play Wednesday, Feb. 7. The Kings head back home to host the Detroit Pistons, while the Cavaliers start a three-game Eastern Conference road trip against the Washington Wizards.
Mavericks Come From Behind To Top Sixers
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 118-102, at Wells Fargo Center on Monday.
The Mavericks (27-23) listed Luka Doncic as available for Monday’s matchup against a 76ers (30-19) team that didn’t have Joel Embiid due to a knee injury. Even though Doncic wasn’t at his best, Kyrie Irving had a strong game to carry Dallas to victory on the road. The 76ers looked good in the early going, however, and raced to a 33-26 lead following the first quarter. Dallas showed signs of life following a 27-24 score in the second quarter, but they pulled away for good after a 24-17 score in the third quarter. The Mavericks didn’t step off the gas in the final 12 minutes and closed things out with a dominant 41-28 score in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Mavericks moved to 13-10 on the road, while the Sixers fell to 17-8 at home.
Kyrie Irving was the leading scorer for the Mavericks with 23 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. Luka Doncic had one of his worst scoring performances of the season, putting up 19 points in 36 minutes (6-15 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 3-5 FT). Doncic also finished with eight rebounds and three assists. Josh Green posted 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Maxi Kleber had 14 points, five assists and four rebounds. Jaden Hardy added 17 points off the bench in just 15 minutes.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the way for the 76ers with 19 points and six rebounds. Tyrese Maxey didn’t have his best performance and finished with 15 points and seven assists while shooting 6-for-16 from the field. Tobias Harris recorded 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Paul Reed started in place of Joel Embiid but only posted two points and six rebounds. Marcus Morris Sr. had 10 points off the bench.
The Mavericks (27-23) listed Luka Doncic as available for Monday’s matchup against a 76ers (30-19) team that didn’t have Joel Embiid due to a knee injury. Even though Doncic wasn’t at his best, Kyrie Irving had a strong game to carry Dallas to victory on the road. The 76ers looked good in the early going, however, and raced to a 33-26 lead following the first quarter. Dallas showed signs of life following a 27-24 score in the second quarter, but they pulled away for good after a 24-17 score in the third quarter. The Mavericks didn’t step off the gas in the final 12 minutes and closed things out with a dominant 41-28 score in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Mavericks moved to 13-10 on the road, while the Sixers fell to 17-8 at home.
Kyrie Irving was the leading scorer for the Mavericks with 23 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. Luka Doncic had one of his worst scoring performances of the season, putting up 19 points in 36 minutes (6-15 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 3-5 FT). Doncic also finished with eight rebounds and three assists. Josh Green posted 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Maxi Kleber had 14 points, five assists and four rebounds. Jaden Hardy added 17 points off the bench in just 15 minutes.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the way for the 76ers with 19 points and six rebounds. Tyrese Maxey didn’t have his best performance and finished with 15 points and seven assists while shooting 6-for-16 from the field. Tobias Harris recorded 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Paul Reed started in place of Joel Embiid but only posted two points and six rebounds. Marcus Morris Sr. had 10 points off the bench.
Lakers Outlast Hornets, 124-118
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 124-118, at Spectrum Center on Monday night.
The Lakers (27-25) appeared firmly on the way to a convincing win early, as they managed the unlikely feat of racking up 37 points apiece in each of the first two quarters to take a 16-point lead into halftime. The Hornets (10-39) were only able to make a two-point dent into their deficit in the third quarter, but Charlotte battled back to to get within four points with 1:20 remaining before a pair of free throws apiece by Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis, who also posted his third career triple-double, sealed the hard-fought victory.
D'Angelo Russell led the way for the Lakers with 28 points, adding six assists, four rebounds and one steal. Davis posted a 26-point, 15-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that included three blocks. LeBron James matched Davis' scoring tally while also recording seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Christian Wood totaled 11 points and six boards.
Miles Bridges paced the Hornets with 41 points, supplementing them with four assists. Brandon Miller turned in 33 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals. P.J. Washington registered 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal. Bryce McGowens delivered 10 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
The Lakers return home and face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while the Hornets host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
The Lakers (27-25) appeared firmly on the way to a convincing win early, as they managed the unlikely feat of racking up 37 points apiece in each of the first two quarters to take a 16-point lead into halftime. The Hornets (10-39) were only able to make a two-point dent into their deficit in the third quarter, but Charlotte battled back to to get within four points with 1:20 remaining before a pair of free throws apiece by Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis, who also posted his third career triple-double, sealed the hard-fought victory.
D'Angelo Russell led the way for the Lakers with 28 points, adding six assists, four rebounds and one steal. Davis posted a 26-point, 15-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that included three blocks. LeBron James matched Davis' scoring tally while also recording seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Christian Wood totaled 11 points and six boards.
Miles Bridges paced the Hornets with 41 points, supplementing them with four assists. Brandon Miller turned in 33 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals. P.J. Washington registered 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal. Bryce McGowens delivered 10 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
The Lakers return home and face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while the Hornets host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Clippers Survive Hawks, 149-144
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 149-144, at State Farm Arena on Monday night.
The Clippers (34-15) and Hawks (22-28) set the early tone for what would turn out to be an extremely high-scoring game by combining for 65 first-quarter points, and they one-upped themselves during the second quarter by tacking on another 67. The result was a 66-66 halftime deadlock, and after a 71-point third quarter, Los Angeles went into the final period with a slim one-point lead. That set the stage for an even wilder fourth quarter, one in which a whopping 90 total points were compiled and Los Angeles needed two late James Harden free throws to escape after Atlanta got to within three with 26.1 seasons remaining.
Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 36 points, adding five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Harden followed with a 30-point, 10-assist double-double that included eight rebounds, two steals and one block. Paul George recorded 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Russell Westbrook, Amir Coffey and Norman Powell had matching 13-point tallies, with Westbrook adding five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
De'Andre Hunter paced the Hawks with 27 points, complementing them with seven rebounds and three assists. Trae Young offered 25 points, 12 assists, two rebounds and two steals. Dejounte Murray furnished 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu and Saddiq Bey posted matching 18-point, five-rebound efforts while recording one block and one steal, respectively. Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal.
The Clippers return home to host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, while the Hawks visit the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night as well.
The Clippers (34-15) and Hawks (22-28) set the early tone for what would turn out to be an extremely high-scoring game by combining for 65 first-quarter points, and they one-upped themselves during the second quarter by tacking on another 67. The result was a 66-66 halftime deadlock, and after a 71-point third quarter, Los Angeles went into the final period with a slim one-point lead. That set the stage for an even wilder fourth quarter, one in which a whopping 90 total points were compiled and Los Angeles needed two late James Harden free throws to escape after Atlanta got to within three with 26.1 seasons remaining.
Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 36 points, adding five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Harden followed with a 30-point, 10-assist double-double that included eight rebounds, two steals and one block. Paul George recorded 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Russell Westbrook, Amir Coffey and Norman Powell had matching 13-point tallies, with Westbrook adding five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
De'Andre Hunter paced the Hawks with 27 points, complementing them with seven rebounds and three assists. Trae Young offered 25 points, 12 assists, two rebounds and two steals. Dejounte Murray furnished 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu and Saddiq Bey posted matching 18-point, five-rebound efforts while recording one block and one steal, respectively. Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal.
The Clippers return home to host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, while the Hawks visit the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night as well.
Warriors Finish Strong In Brooklyn
By Dan Bruno
The Golden State Warriors defeated the host Brooklyn Nets, 109-98, at Barclays Center on Monday evening.
The game got out to a tight start as the Nets led, 23-20, after one quarter. The Warriors picked up momentum in the second and pushed their lead up to six points at the break. The visitors turned it up a notch in the third and outscored the Nets, 32-21, in the quarter to claim a five-point advantage going into the final frame. The Warriors kept up the pace in the fourth and confidently closed out their third win in four games.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points, five rebounds and three assists, in 34 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga followed up with 28 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, while Brandin Podziemski added 15 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Meanwhile, Cam Thomas led the Nets with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Nic Claxton totaled 15 points, five rebounds and seven blocks, while Royce O'Neale tallied 15 points, three rebounds and a steal.
The Nets (20-29) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Mavericks on Tuesday. The Warriors (22-25) take on the 76ers in Philly on Wednesday.
The game got out to a tight start as the Nets led, 23-20, after one quarter. The Warriors picked up momentum in the second and pushed their lead up to six points at the break. The visitors turned it up a notch in the third and outscored the Nets, 32-21, in the quarter to claim a five-point advantage going into the final frame. The Warriors kept up the pace in the fourth and confidently closed out their third win in four games.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points, five rebounds and three assists, in 34 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga followed up with 28 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, while Brandin Podziemski added 15 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
Meanwhile, Cam Thomas led the Nets with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Nic Claxton totaled 15 points, five rebounds and seven blocks, while Royce O'Neale tallied 15 points, three rebounds and a steal.
The Nets (20-29) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Mavericks on Tuesday. The Warriors (22-25) take on the 76ers in Philly on Wednesday.
Pelicans Roll Raptors, 138-100
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 138-100, at Smoothie King Center on Monday.
A 36-19 first quarter set the foundation for New Orleans, completing their blowout with a 38-21 third quarter. It wasn't necessarily a wire-to-wire win, but the Pelicans held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. They led by at least 30 points for the final 15 minutes and got their lead up to 45 points at times. New Orleans shot 51 percent from the field, 42 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw range, while New Orleans shot 47 percent from the field, 32 percent from long range and 67 percent from the charity stripe. They also won the turnover battle, 18-7.
The Raptors (17-33) were led by Gradey Dick, providing 22 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench. Scottie Barnes led the starters with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Jakob Poeltl totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while Chris Boucher collected 14 points and six boards.
The Pelicans (29-21) were led by Brandon Ingram, finishing with 41 points, six rebounds and 10 assists on 16-of-21 from the field. CJ McCollum compiled 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Zion Williamson had 16 points, three rebounds and five assists. Jonas Valanciunas generated 10 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Toronto staying on the road to play the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans playing the Los Angeles Clippers on the road as well.
A 36-19 first quarter set the foundation for New Orleans, completing their blowout with a 38-21 third quarter. It wasn't necessarily a wire-to-wire win, but the Pelicans held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. They led by at least 30 points for the final 15 minutes and got their lead up to 45 points at times. New Orleans shot 51 percent from the field, 42 percent from three-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw range, while New Orleans shot 47 percent from the field, 32 percent from long range and 67 percent from the charity stripe. They also won the turnover battle, 18-7.
The Raptors (17-33) were led by Gradey Dick, providing 22 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench. Scottie Barnes led the starters with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Jakob Poeltl totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while Chris Boucher collected 14 points and six boards.
The Pelicans (29-21) were led by Brandon Ingram, finishing with 41 points, six rebounds and 10 assists on 16-of-21 from the field. CJ McCollum compiled 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Zion Williamson had 16 points, three rebounds and five assists. Jonas Valanciunas generated 10 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, with Toronto staying on the road to play the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans playing the Los Angeles Clippers on the road as well.