Celtics Hold Off Heat In Miami
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Miami Heat, 110-106, at Kaseya Center on Sunday afternoon.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Celtics took a four-point edge into the second quarter. They kept the upper hand through the second and pushed to a nine-point lead by halftime. The Heat came out strong in the third but only managed to trim the deficit by one, while it remained a seven-point game entering the final period. The hosts kept the pressure on through the fourth but it was not enough, as the Celtics closed out their fourth straight win.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks, in 39 minutes. Kristaps Porzingis followed up with 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Jaylen Brown added 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
Meanwhile, Tyler Herro led the Heat with 24 points, five rebounds and four assists, in 39 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks, while Caleb Martin added 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Heat (28-25) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Bucks in Milwaukee on Tuesday. The Celtics (41-12) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Celtics took a four-point edge into the second quarter. They kept the upper hand through the second and pushed to a nine-point lead by halftime. The Heat came out strong in the third but only managed to trim the deficit by one, while it remained a seven-point game entering the final period. The hosts kept the pressure on through the fourth but it was not enough, as the Celtics closed out their fourth straight win.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks, in 39 minutes. Kristaps Porzingis followed up with 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Jaylen Brown added 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
Meanwhile, Tyler Herro led the Heat with 24 points, five rebounds and four assists, in 39 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks, while Caleb Martin added 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Heat (28-25) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Bucks in Milwaukee on Tuesday. The Celtics (41-12) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
Thunder Defeat Kings, 127-113
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 127-113, at Paycom Center on Sunday.
While there were four ties and five lead changes through the opening 15 minutes, Oklahoma City never relinquished the lead after a 38-30 second quarter. A 33-26 third quarter carried them to this win, leading by at least seven points for the closing 20 minutes. The Thunder shot 55 percent from the field, 48 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line, while the Kings shot 49 percent from the field, 38 percent from long range and 69 percent from the charity stripe. They also won the turnover battle, 18-9.
The Kings (30-22) were led by Malik Monk, providing 26 points, four rebounds and five assists off the bench. Domantas Sabonis led the starters with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists. De'Aaron Fox finished with 15 points and five assists, while Harrison Barnes had 14 points. Keegan Murray totaled 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
The Thunder (36-17) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, tallying 38 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Jalen Williams had 32 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Luguentz Dort generated 17 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while Chet Holmgren compiled 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and four blocks.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Oklahoma City traveling to face the Orlando Magic and Sacramento staying on the road to face the Phoenix Suns.
While there were four ties and five lead changes through the opening 15 minutes, Oklahoma City never relinquished the lead after a 38-30 second quarter. A 33-26 third quarter carried them to this win, leading by at least seven points for the closing 20 minutes. The Thunder shot 55 percent from the field, 48 percent from three-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line, while the Kings shot 49 percent from the field, 38 percent from long range and 69 percent from the charity stripe. They also won the turnover battle, 18-9.
The Kings (30-22) were led by Malik Monk, providing 26 points, four rebounds and five assists off the bench. Domantas Sabonis led the starters with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists. De'Aaron Fox finished with 15 points and five assists, while Harrison Barnes had 14 points. Keegan Murray totaled 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
The Thunder (36-17) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, tallying 38 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Jalen Williams had 32 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Luguentz Dort generated 17 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while Chet Holmgren compiled 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and four blocks.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Oklahoma City traveling to face the Orlando Magic and Sacramento staying on the road to face the Phoenix Suns.