Tatum's 41-point double-double pushes Celtics past Nets
The Boston Celtics held off the Brooklyn Nets, 118-110, at the Barclays Center on Tuesday.
The Celtics (41-12) were the ones to get off to a strong start as they extended their six-point lead after the first quarter to 15 points heading into halftime. The Nets (21-32) managed to go bucket-for-bucket in the third and crawled the deficit back to single digits in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn got as close as six points to Boston in the final frame, but the Celtics made timely buckets to hang on down the stretch to improve their road record to 17-9.
The Celtics were led by All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, who scored 31 points in the first half and finished the game with 41 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two steals for his 20th double-double of the season. Fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown tallied 19 points and four assists, while Derrick White totaled 16 points, two rebounds and three assists. Al Horford, starting in place of Kristaps Porzingis (back), had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jrue Holiday contributed 14 points, five rebounds, 12 assists and two steals for his seventh double-double of the season.
Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 27 points, two rebounds and three assists. Cam Thomas had 26 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. Lonnie Walker led the Brooklyn bench with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Nic Claxton added 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Ben Simmons did a little bit of everything with five points, six rebounds and eight assists.
The Celtics and Nets will face each other again Wednesday at TD Garden, which will be the fourth and final contest of the season between the two Atlantic Division rivals.
The Celtics (41-12) were the ones to get off to a strong start as they extended their six-point lead after the first quarter to 15 points heading into halftime. The Nets (21-32) managed to go bucket-for-bucket in the third and crawled the deficit back to single digits in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn got as close as six points to Boston in the final frame, but the Celtics made timely buckets to hang on down the stretch to improve their road record to 17-9.
The Celtics were led by All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, who scored 31 points in the first half and finished the game with 41 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two steals for his 20th double-double of the season. Fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown tallied 19 points and four assists, while Derrick White totaled 16 points, two rebounds and three assists. Al Horford, starting in place of Kristaps Porzingis (back), had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jrue Holiday contributed 14 points, five rebounds, 12 assists and two steals for his seventh double-double of the season.
Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 27 points, two rebounds and three assists. Cam Thomas had 26 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. Lonnie Walker led the Brooklyn bench with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Nic Claxton added 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Ben Simmons did a little bit of everything with five points, six rebounds and eight assists.
The Celtics and Nets will face each other again Wednesday at TD Garden, which will be the fourth and final contest of the season between the two Atlantic Division rivals.
Thunder Pull Away Late To Defeat Magic
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic, 127-113, at Amway Center on Tuesday.
The Thunder (37-17) endured a slow start, but they grabbed the lead in the first half and never looked back to defeat the Magic (29-25). Orlando was the better team in the early stages and raced to a 32-31 score in the first quarter, but the Thunder responded and flipped things with a 29-20 score in the second quarter. Holding an eight-point lead entering the second half, the Thunder didn’t have problems closing things out. Oklahoma City won both the third and fourth quarters to cruise to an easy double-digit victory. With the win, the Thunder moved to 16-11 when playing on the road, while the Magic fell to 17-8 at home.
Jalen Williams led the way for the Thunder with 33 points and three assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander notched 32 points, five assists and three rebounds. Chet Holmgren recorded 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. Josh Giddey finished with 10 points, five rebounds and five assists. Isaiah Joe had 10 points off the bench. The Thunder shot 54.8 percent from the floor and 40.6 percent from three-point range.
Paolo Banchero recorded 23 points and 10 assists for the Magic, and he also grabbed six rebounds. Wendell Carter Jr. had 22 points and six rebounds. Jalen Suggs notched 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Franz Wagner had 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Moritz Wagner added 11 points and five rebounds. The Magic shot 45.1 percent from the floor and 30.6 percent from three-point range.
The Thunder (37-17) endured a slow start, but they grabbed the lead in the first half and never looked back to defeat the Magic (29-25). Orlando was the better team in the early stages and raced to a 32-31 score in the first quarter, but the Thunder responded and flipped things with a 29-20 score in the second quarter. Holding an eight-point lead entering the second half, the Thunder didn’t have problems closing things out. Oklahoma City won both the third and fourth quarters to cruise to an easy double-digit victory. With the win, the Thunder moved to 16-11 when playing on the road, while the Magic fell to 17-8 at home.
Jalen Williams led the way for the Thunder with 33 points and three assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander notched 32 points, five assists and three rebounds. Chet Holmgren recorded 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. Josh Giddey finished with 10 points, five rebounds and five assists. Isaiah Joe had 10 points off the bench. The Thunder shot 54.8 percent from the floor and 40.6 percent from three-point range.
Paolo Banchero recorded 23 points and 10 assists for the Magic, and he also grabbed six rebounds. Wendell Carter Jr. had 22 points and six rebounds. Jalen Suggs notched 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Franz Wagner had 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Moritz Wagner added 11 points and five rebounds. The Magic shot 45.1 percent from the floor and 30.6 percent from three-point range.
Heat Surprisingly Thumps Bucks, 123-97
The Miami Heat defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 123-97, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night.
The Bucks (35-20) checked into the contest appearing to finally be hitting their stride under new head coach Doc Rivers, but it became apparent early on that the short-handed Heat (29-25) were more prepared to play Tuesday. Miami already owned a 40-28 lead after one despite missing two key starters in Jimmy Butler (personal) and Terry Rozier (knee), and the visitors had extended their advantage another five points by intermission. Any thoughts of a Milwaukee second-half comeback were erased in the third quarter, when Erik Spoelstra's squad tacked on yet another five points to its edge and then cruised the rest of the way to victory.
Nikola Jovic led the Heat with 24 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. Duncan Robinson supplied 23 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Tyler Herro delivered 19 points, five assists and three rebounds. Kevin Love matched Herro's scoring total and added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo generated a 16-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that included two steals. Jaime Jaquez furnished 12 points, four assists and three rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double that included eight assists and two blocks. Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis posted 16 points each while adding five assists, three rebounds and four rebounds, respectively. Beasley added three steals.
The Heat remains on the road and faces the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, while the Bucks visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.
The Bucks (35-20) checked into the contest appearing to finally be hitting their stride under new head coach Doc Rivers, but it became apparent early on that the short-handed Heat (29-25) were more prepared to play Tuesday. Miami already owned a 40-28 lead after one despite missing two key starters in Jimmy Butler (personal) and Terry Rozier (knee), and the visitors had extended their advantage another five points by intermission. Any thoughts of a Milwaukee second-half comeback were erased in the third quarter, when Erik Spoelstra's squad tacked on yet another five points to its edge and then cruised the rest of the way to victory.
Nikola Jovic led the Heat with 24 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. Duncan Robinson supplied 23 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Tyler Herro delivered 19 points, five assists and three rebounds. Kevin Love matched Herro's scoring total and added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo generated a 16-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that included two steals. Jaime Jaquez furnished 12 points, four assists and three rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double that included eight assists and two blocks. Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis posted 16 points each while adding five assists, three rebounds and four rebounds, respectively. Beasley added three steals.
The Heat remains on the road and faces the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, while the Bucks visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.
Suns Hold Off Kings In Phoenix
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 130-125, at Footprint Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Kings held a, 39-38, lead after one quarter. They rallied to an 11-point lead mid way through the second, but the Suns battled back to make it a three-point game at the break. The Kings kept the upper hand through most of the third, but the hosts closed the quarter on a, 9-5 run to take a two-point lead into the final quarter. The Suns rallied in front to start the fourth, but they had to withstand a valiant effort from the visitors in order to hold on for their fourth win in their last five games. This also marks the fourth loss in the last five games for the Kings.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 28 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Devin Booker followed up with 25 points, three rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while Eric Gordon tallied 23 points, three rebounds, three assists and a block.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 40 points, three rebounds, a steal and a block, in 40 minutes. Domantas Sabonis followed up with 35 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists, a steal and a block, while Malik Monk added 22 points, four rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block.
The Kings (30-23) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday. The Suns (32-22) play host to the Pistons on Wednesday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Kings held a, 39-38, lead after one quarter. They rallied to an 11-point lead mid way through the second, but the Suns battled back to make it a three-point game at the break. The Kings kept the upper hand through most of the third, but the hosts closed the quarter on a, 9-5 run to take a two-point lead into the final quarter. The Suns rallied in front to start the fourth, but they had to withstand a valiant effort from the visitors in order to hold on for their fourth win in their last five games. This also marks the fourth loss in the last five games for the Kings.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 28 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Devin Booker followed up with 25 points, three rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while Eric Gordon tallied 23 points, three rebounds, three assists and a block.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 40 points, three rebounds, a steal and a block, in 40 minutes. Domantas Sabonis followed up with 35 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists, a steal and a block, while Malik Monk added 22 points, four rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block.
The Kings (30-23) will look to bounce back as they take on the Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday. The Suns (32-22) play host to the Pistons on Wednesday.
Timberwolves Rally To Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 121-109, at Moda Center on Tuesday evening.
The Timberwolves jumped out to a great start and led, 37-25, after one quarter. The Trail Blazers picked up their play in the second and outscored the visitors by four points in the quarter to cut it to an eight-point game at the break. The hosts carried the momentum into the third and outscored the Timberwolves, 32-25, bringing it down to a one-point difference entering the final quarter. The Timberwolves woke up again in the fourth and poured in 37 points in the quarter to charge to their third straight win. This also marks the fifth straight loss for the Trail Blazers.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 41 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Nickeil Alexander-Walker followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block, while Rudy Gobert totaled 16 points, 15 rebounds and a block.
Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 22 points and 16 rebounds, in 32 minutes. Anfernee Simons followed up with 20 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Dalano Banton tallied 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block.
The Trail Blazers (15-38) and Timberwolves (38-16) clash again in Portland on Thursday.
The Timberwolves jumped out to a great start and led, 37-25, after one quarter. The Trail Blazers picked up their play in the second and outscored the visitors by four points in the quarter to cut it to an eight-point game at the break. The hosts carried the momentum into the third and outscored the Timberwolves, 32-25, bringing it down to a one-point difference entering the final quarter. The Timberwolves woke up again in the fourth and poured in 37 points in the quarter to charge to their third straight win. This also marks the fifth straight loss for the Trail Blazers.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 41 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Nickeil Alexander-Walker followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block, while Rudy Gobert totaled 16 points, 15 rebounds and a block.
Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 22 points and 16 rebounds, in 32 minutes. Anfernee Simons followed up with 20 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Dalano Banton tallied 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block.
The Trail Blazers (15-38) and Timberwolves (38-16) clash again in Portland on Thursday.
Lakers Defeat Pistons, 125-111
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 125-111, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
A 34-24 first quarter carried LA to this win, maintaining the lead for the final three frames. A 37-24 second quarter put the game away, getting their lead up to 24 points at times. They held a double-digit lead for the final 30 minutes of this blowout victory. The Lakers shot 51 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Pistons to 42 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. Los Angeles also out-blocked Detroit. 11-2.
The Pistons (8-45) were led by Ausar Thompson, totaling 19 points and two rebounds. Jaden Ivey tallied 15 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals. Cade Cunningham collected 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Jalen Duren totaled eight points and eight rebounds. James Wiseman led the bench with 18 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Lakers (29-26) were led by LeBron James, finishing with 25 points and eight assists. D'Angelo Russell registered 21 points, two rebounds and three assists. Anthony Davis sat the fourth quarter but still had 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and six blocks. Austin Reaves accrued 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Spencer Dinwiddie had six points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals in his debut.
Both of these teams have to play again on Wednesday, with Los Angeles traveling to ace the Utah Jazz and Detroit staying on the road to face the Phoenix Suns,
A 34-24 first quarter carried LA to this win, maintaining the lead for the final three frames. A 37-24 second quarter put the game away, getting their lead up to 24 points at times. They held a double-digit lead for the final 30 minutes of this blowout victory. The Lakers shot 51 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Pistons to 42 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. Los Angeles also out-blocked Detroit. 11-2.
The Pistons (8-45) were led by Ausar Thompson, totaling 19 points and two rebounds. Jaden Ivey tallied 15 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals. Cade Cunningham collected 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Jalen Duren totaled eight points and eight rebounds. James Wiseman led the bench with 18 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Lakers (29-26) were led by LeBron James, finishing with 25 points and eight assists. D'Angelo Russell registered 21 points, two rebounds and three assists. Anthony Davis sat the fourth quarter but still had 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and six blocks. Austin Reaves accrued 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Spencer Dinwiddie had six points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals in his debut.
Both of these teams have to play again on Wednesday, with Los Angeles traveling to ace the Utah Jazz and Detroit staying on the road to face the Phoenix Suns,