Siakam scores 29, helps Pacers fend off Rockets on Tuesday
The Indiana Pacers held off the Houston Rockets, 132-129, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
It was a high-scoring affair Tuesday as the first quarter finished with a score of 41-39 in favor of the Pacers (29-23). The second frame belonged to the Rockets (23-27), who won the quarter by nine points to take a seven-point lead into halftime. Indiana flipped the switch in the third quarter, however, as it dominated the frame, 38-24, and extended its lead by as much as 14 in the fourth. The Pacers improved to 17-10 at home, while the Rockets dropped to 5-18 on the road.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with a game-high 30 points along with three rebounds and two steals. Dillon Brooks tallied 23 points, three rebounds and four assists. Jabari Smith accumulated 20 points and nine rebounds, while Alperen Sengun finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for his 23rd double-double of the season. Amen Thompson had 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for his third double-double of the season.
The Pacers were led by Pascal Siakam who finished with 29 points, four rebounds and four assists. Myles Turner had 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 18 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. T.J. McConnell led the bench with 17 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Buddy Hield added 12 points, three rebounds and six assists in reserve.
Next up, the Pacers host the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 8, while Rockets travel north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 9.
It was a high-scoring affair Tuesday as the first quarter finished with a score of 41-39 in favor of the Pacers (29-23). The second frame belonged to the Rockets (23-27), who won the quarter by nine points to take a seven-point lead into halftime. Indiana flipped the switch in the third quarter, however, as it dominated the frame, 38-24, and extended its lead by as much as 14 in the fourth. The Pacers improved to 17-10 at home, while the Rockets dropped to 5-18 on the road.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with a game-high 30 points along with three rebounds and two steals. Dillon Brooks tallied 23 points, three rebounds and four assists. Jabari Smith accumulated 20 points and nine rebounds, while Alperen Sengun finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for his 23rd double-double of the season. Amen Thompson had 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for his third double-double of the season.
The Pacers were led by Pascal Siakam who finished with 29 points, four rebounds and four assists. Myles Turner had 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 18 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. T.J. McConnell led the bench with 17 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Buddy Hield added 12 points, three rebounds and six assists in reserve.
Next up, the Pacers host the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 8, while Rockets travel north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 9.
Heat Dominate Early, Dispatch Magic Easily
The Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic, 121-95, at Kaseya Center on Tuesday.
The Heat (27-24) moved three games over the .500 mark with a big win over the Magic (27-24) on Tuesday, and given the rivalry between these two teams, this was one of Miami’s best wins of the season. The Heat looked good in the early stages and raced to a 26-19 lead following the first quarter. A 30-30 score in the second quarter kept things close, but the Heat would pull away for good in the third quarter. A 40-25 score in the third quarter allowed Miami to bolster their lead past the 20-point barrier, so the Magic didn’t have enough in them to complete a comeback. The Heat closed things out with a 25-20 score in the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, the Heat moved to 14-12 at home, while the Magic fell to 12-17 on the road.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat in scoring with 23 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals, and he was one of seven Miami players who scored in double digits. Terry Rozier finished with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro each posted 14 points, though Adebayo also notched eight rebounds, while Herro delivered three rebounds and four assists. Caleb Martin had 11 points. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals off the bench.
Only four Orlando players scored in double digits in this game. Paolo Banchero led the way with 23 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. Franz Wagner had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Markelle Fultz also had 13 points. Jalen Suggs struggled and only scored three points (1-7 FG).
The Heat (27-24) moved three games over the .500 mark with a big win over the Magic (27-24) on Tuesday, and given the rivalry between these two teams, this was one of Miami’s best wins of the season. The Heat looked good in the early stages and raced to a 26-19 lead following the first quarter. A 30-30 score in the second quarter kept things close, but the Heat would pull away for good in the third quarter. A 40-25 score in the third quarter allowed Miami to bolster their lead past the 20-point barrier, so the Magic didn’t have enough in them to complete a comeback. The Heat closed things out with a 25-20 score in the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, the Heat moved to 14-12 at home, while the Magic fell to 12-17 on the road.
Jimmy Butler led the Heat in scoring with 23 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals, and he was one of seven Miami players who scored in double digits. Terry Rozier finished with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro each posted 14 points, though Adebayo also notched eight rebounds, while Herro delivered three rebounds and four assists. Caleb Martin had 11 points. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals off the bench.
Only four Orlando players scored in double digits in this game. Paolo Banchero led the way with 23 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. Franz Wagner had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Markelle Fultz also had 13 points. Jalen Suggs struggled and only scored three points (1-7 FG).
Mavericks Enjoy Strong Start, Defeat Nets
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 119-107, at Barclays Center on Tuesday.
The Mavericks (28-23) and the Nets (20-30) engaged in a tight battle Tuesday, but Dallas enjoyed a strong start, and that was enough to secure this win on the road. With the victory, the Mavericks moved to 14-10 on the road, while the Nets fell to 12-15 when playing at home. Dallas looked good in the early stages and raced to a 31-24 lead following the first quarter, and by the time the second quarter ended, the Mavs’ lead was already a double-digit margin (65-47). The Nets looked better in the second half, with the third quarter ending with a 30-30 tie and Brooklyn outscoring its rivals by a 30-24 score. However, that was not enough to mount a comeback. Dallas has now won two games in a row.
Kyrie Irving was the top scorer for the Mavericks in this game and finished with 36 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Luka Doncic was the best all-around player, though, as he posted 35 points, 18 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Josh Green had 12 points and three assists, while Tim Hardaway recorded 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench. The Mavericks shot 50.5 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from three-point range.
Mikal Bridges was the leading scorer for the Nets and finished with 28 points, and he also added four assists with two steals. Cam Thomas was the only other starter who scored in double digits after finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Royce O’Neale posted 18 points, six boards and two assists. Jalen Wilson posted 10 points and four boards. The Nets shot 45.1 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from deep.
The Mavericks (28-23) and the Nets (20-30) engaged in a tight battle Tuesday, but Dallas enjoyed a strong start, and that was enough to secure this win on the road. With the victory, the Mavericks moved to 14-10 on the road, while the Nets fell to 12-15 when playing at home. Dallas looked good in the early stages and raced to a 31-24 lead following the first quarter, and by the time the second quarter ended, the Mavs’ lead was already a double-digit margin (65-47). The Nets looked better in the second half, with the third quarter ending with a 30-30 tie and Brooklyn outscoring its rivals by a 30-24 score. However, that was not enough to mount a comeback. Dallas has now won two games in a row.
Kyrie Irving was the top scorer for the Mavericks in this game and finished with 36 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Luka Doncic was the best all-around player, though, as he posted 35 points, 18 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Josh Green had 12 points and three assists, while Tim Hardaway recorded 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench. The Mavericks shot 50.5 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from three-point range.
Mikal Bridges was the leading scorer for the Nets and finished with 28 points, and he also added four assists with two steals. Cam Thomas was the only other starter who scored in double digits after finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Royce O’Neale posted 18 points, six boards and two assists. Jalen Wilson posted 10 points and four boards. The Nets shot 45.1 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from deep.
Knicks Top Grizzlies, 123-113
The New York Knicks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 123-113, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
The Knicks (33-18) came into the game as the biggest favorites of the night against the most injury-decimated team in the league in the Grizzlies (18-33), and they established their dominance in the first half by racking up 70 points. That netted New York a 24-point lead by halftime, and when Memphis only made a one-point dent in its deficit in the third quarter, the game was essentially decided. The visitors did make the final score more respectable with 39 points in the final 12 minutes and even got within four with just over two minutes remaining before a game-ending 10-4 run over the final 1:44 sealed the hosts' win.
Vince Williams Jr. led the Grizzlies with 19 points, adding five assists, three rebounds and one steal. GG Jackson furnished 16 points, five boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal. David Roddy supplied 15 points, three rebounds and three assists. Trey Jemison, Jacob Gilyard and Luke Kennard posted 12 points apiece while pulling down seven, three and three rebounds, respectively. Santi Aldama finished with 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Donte DiVincenzo paced the Knicks with 32 points, complementing them with five rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Jalen Brunson registered 27 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals. Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa produced matching 17-point, three-assist tallies while adding eight and five rebounds, respectively. Hartenstein and Achiuwa also posted three blocks and three steals, respectively. Miles McBride posted 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Josh Hart generated a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists.
The Grizzlies return home to host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, while the Knicks remain home and host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
The Knicks (33-18) came into the game as the biggest favorites of the night against the most injury-decimated team in the league in the Grizzlies (18-33), and they established their dominance in the first half by racking up 70 points. That netted New York a 24-point lead by halftime, and when Memphis only made a one-point dent in its deficit in the third quarter, the game was essentially decided. The visitors did make the final score more respectable with 39 points in the final 12 minutes and even got within four with just over two minutes remaining before a game-ending 10-4 run over the final 1:44 sealed the hosts' win.
Vince Williams Jr. led the Grizzlies with 19 points, adding five assists, three rebounds and one steal. GG Jackson furnished 16 points, five boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal. David Roddy supplied 15 points, three rebounds and three assists. Trey Jemison, Jacob Gilyard and Luke Kennard posted 12 points apiece while pulling down seven, three and three rebounds, respectively. Santi Aldama finished with 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Donte DiVincenzo paced the Knicks with 32 points, complementing them with five rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Jalen Brunson registered 27 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals. Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa produced matching 17-point, three-assist tallies while adding eight and five rebounds, respectively. Hartenstein and Achiuwa also posted three blocks and three steals, respectively. Miles McBride posted 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Josh Hart generated a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists.
The Grizzlies return home to host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, while the Knicks remain home and host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
Bulls Topple Timberwolves In OT
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, 129-123, at United Center on Tuesday evening.
The Timberwolves got out to a strong start and led, 33-22, after one quarter. They kept the momentum going in the second and added another 11 points to their advantage to make it a 22-point deficit at the break. The Bulls turned up their play in the third and outscored the visitors by 13 points in the quarter to cut it back to a nine-point game heading into the final quarter. The hosts kept the pressure on in the fourth and took a brief lead, before the Bulls tied it up to force overtime. The Bulls took over in overtime and closed out their second win in three games. This also marks the second loss in three games for the Timberwolves.
DeMar DeRozan finished with 33 points, three rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Coby White tallied 33 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a steal to lead the way for the Bulls. Andre Drummond also came up big with 16 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 38 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 44 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns followed up with 33 points, five rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, while Rudy Gobert totaled 12 points, 16 rebounds, a steal and a block.
The Timberwolves (35-15) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Bucks in Milwaukee on Thursday. The Bulls (23-27) take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Thursday.
The Timberwolves got out to a strong start and led, 33-22, after one quarter. They kept the momentum going in the second and added another 11 points to their advantage to make it a 22-point deficit at the break. The Bulls turned up their play in the third and outscored the visitors by 13 points in the quarter to cut it back to a nine-point game heading into the final quarter. The hosts kept the pressure on in the fourth and took a brief lead, before the Bulls tied it up to force overtime. The Bulls took over in overtime and closed out their second win in three games. This also marks the second loss in three games for the Timberwolves.
DeMar DeRozan finished with 33 points, three rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Coby White tallied 33 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a steal to lead the way for the Bulls. Andre Drummond also came up big with 16 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 38 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 44 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns followed up with 33 points, five rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, while Rudy Gobert totaled 12 points, 16 rebounds, a steal and a block.
The Timberwolves (35-15) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Bucks in Milwaukee on Thursday. The Bulls (23-27) take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Thursday.
Jazz Rally To Top Thunder In Utah
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 124-117, at Delta Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Thunder held a five-point lead after one quarter. Both sides kept up the pace in the second, while the visitors led for most of the quarter and pushed it to a seven-point game at the break. The Jazz turned up their play in the third and outscored the Thunder by 11 points in the quarter to claim a four-point edge heading into the final frame. The Jazz kept the pressure on in the fourth and despite a brief lead change, they rallied back in front and held on to secure their second straight win.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 33 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. John Collins followed up with 22 points, nine rebounds and a block, while Collin Sexton added 14 points and four assists.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points, four rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, in 36 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Chet Holmgren totaled 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks.
The Thunder (35-16) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Mavs in Dallas on Saturday. The Jazz (26-26) take on the Suns in Phoenix on Thursday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Thunder held a five-point lead after one quarter. Both sides kept up the pace in the second, while the visitors led for most of the quarter and pushed it to a seven-point game at the break. The Jazz turned up their play in the third and outscored the Thunder by 11 points in the quarter to claim a four-point edge heading into the final frame. The Jazz kept the pressure on in the fourth and despite a brief lead change, they rallied back in front and held on to secure their second straight win.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 33 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. John Collins followed up with 22 points, nine rebounds and a block, while Collin Sexton added 14 points and four assists.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points, four rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, in 36 minutes. Jalen Williams followed up with 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Chet Holmgren totaled 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks.
The Thunder (35-16) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Mavs in Dallas on Saturday. The Jazz (26-26) take on the Suns in Phoenix on Thursday.
Suns Defeat Bucks, 114-106
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 114-106, at Footprint Center on Tuesday.
While there were 13 lead changes through the opening 25 minutes, Phoenix rode a 31-24 third quarter to their victory. The Suns got their lead up to 15 points in the final frame, leading by at least five points for the final 13 minutes. Phoenix shot 51 percent from the field while holding Milwaukee to 43 percent shooting. The Suns starters also outscored the Bucks starters by 23 points.
The Bucks (33-18) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, collecting 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Malik Beasley amassed 22 points, four rebounds and two assists. Pat Connaughton compiled 12 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Cameron Payne led the bench with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Brook Lopez and Damian Lillard were both out, while Khris Middleton suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter.
The Suns (30-21) were led by Devin Booker, finishing with 32 points and four assists. Kevin Durant tallied 28 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Bradley Beal accrued 25 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Jusuf Nurkic totaled 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Grayson Allen generated eight points, three rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Phoenix remaining home to play the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee returning home to fade the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While there were 13 lead changes through the opening 25 minutes, Phoenix rode a 31-24 third quarter to their victory. The Suns got their lead up to 15 points in the final frame, leading by at least five points for the final 13 minutes. Phoenix shot 51 percent from the field while holding Milwaukee to 43 percent shooting. The Suns starters also outscored the Bucks starters by 23 points.
The Bucks (33-18) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, collecting 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Malik Beasley amassed 22 points, four rebounds and two assists. Pat Connaughton compiled 12 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Cameron Payne led the bench with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Brook Lopez and Damian Lillard were both out, while Khris Middleton suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter.
The Suns (30-21) were led by Devin Booker, finishing with 32 points and four assists. Kevin Durant tallied 28 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Bradley Beal accrued 25 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Jusuf Nurkic totaled 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Grayson Allen generated eight points, three rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Phoenix remaining home to play the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee returning home to fade the Minnesota Timberwolves.