Magic Come Through To Defeat Pistons
The Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons, 112-109, at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.
The Magic (32-25) enjoyed a strong start and defeated a struggling Pistons (8-48) team on the road. However, it must be noted the Pistons fought hard in the second half, and they could have completed the comeback had they had a few more minutes left. Orlando looked good early on and jumped to a 32-30 lead in the first quarter, and the Magic made it a double-digit game after a 33-25 second quarter. However, the Pistons woke up in the second half, and they responded with a 30-25 score in the third quarter to make the contest a closed affair. The Pistons kept it going and tied the game down the stretch when Cade Cunningham made a driving layup with 12.1 seconds left. However, the Magic relied on their All-Star player to deliver down the stretch, and Paolo Banchero stepped up, draining an 18-foot jumper with an and-one to give Orlando a huge win on the road. With the win, the Magic moved to 14-17 on the road, while the Pistons fell to 4-24 at home.
Eight Orlando players scored in double digits in this game, with Paolo Banchero leading the way with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner had 14 points each, with Suggs dishing out five assists and Wagner adding five rebounds. Moritz Wagner also added 14 points off the bench. Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in with an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. Gary Harris and Jonathan Isaac had 12 points.
Cade Cunningham led the way for the Pistons with a game-high 26 points, and he also added seven rebounds and four assists. Jalen Duren had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Duren also had three assists and four blocks. Simone Fontecchio recorded 17 points and five assists. Evan Fournier chipped in with 13 points coming off the bench.
The Magic (32-25) enjoyed a strong start and defeated a struggling Pistons (8-48) team on the road. However, it must be noted the Pistons fought hard in the second half, and they could have completed the comeback had they had a few more minutes left. Orlando looked good early on and jumped to a 32-30 lead in the first quarter, and the Magic made it a double-digit game after a 33-25 second quarter. However, the Pistons woke up in the second half, and they responded with a 30-25 score in the third quarter to make the contest a closed affair. The Pistons kept it going and tied the game down the stretch when Cade Cunningham made a driving layup with 12.1 seconds left. However, the Magic relied on their All-Star player to deliver down the stretch, and Paolo Banchero stepped up, draining an 18-foot jumper with an and-one to give Orlando a huge win on the road. With the win, the Magic moved to 14-17 on the road, while the Pistons fell to 4-24 at home.
Eight Orlando players scored in double digits in this game, with Paolo Banchero leading the way with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner had 14 points each, with Suggs dishing out five assists and Wagner adding five rebounds. Moritz Wagner also added 14 points off the bench. Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in with an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. Gary Harris and Jonathan Isaac had 12 points.
Cade Cunningham led the way for the Pistons with a game-high 26 points, and he also added seven rebounds and four assists. Jalen Duren had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Duren also had three assists and four blocks. Simone Fontecchio recorded 17 points and five assists. Evan Fournier chipped in with 13 points coming off the bench.
Celtics Hold On For Eighth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the host New York Knicks, 116-102, at Madison Square Garden on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start and the Celtics held a, 30-26, lead after one quarter. The visitors created additional separation in the second, but the Knicks fought back to keep it to a four-point deficit at the break. The Celtics turned up their play again in the third and outscored the hosts by nine points in the quarter to push it to a 13-point game heading into the final frame. The pace slowed down in the fourth, but the Knicks had no answers as the Celtics cruised to their eighth straight win.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 30 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Kristaps Porzingis followed up with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and a block, while Jayson Tatum tallied 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brunson led the Knicks with 34 points, three rebounds, nine assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Josh Hart followed up with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Donte DiVincenzo added 12 points, four rebounds and a block.
The Knicks (34-23) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pistons on Monday. The Celtics (45-12) play host to the 76ers on Tuesday.
The game got out to a competitive start and the Celtics held a, 30-26, lead after one quarter. The visitors created additional separation in the second, but the Knicks fought back to keep it to a four-point deficit at the break. The Celtics turned up their play again in the third and outscored the hosts by nine points in the quarter to push it to a 13-point game heading into the final frame. The pace slowed down in the fourth, but the Knicks had no answers as the Celtics cruised to their eighth straight win.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 30 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Kristaps Porzingis followed up with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and a block, while Jayson Tatum tallied 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brunson led the Knicks with 34 points, three rebounds, nine assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Josh Hart followed up with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Donte DiVincenzo added 12 points, four rebounds and a block.
The Knicks (34-23) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pistons on Monday. The Celtics (45-12) play host to the 76ers on Tuesday.
T'Wolves Defeat Nets, 101-86
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 101-86, at Target Center on Saturday.
There were 12 ties and 10 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points until the final moments. That was Minnesota, who rode a 59-41 second half to this blowout win. They actually finished the game on a 21-8 run over the closing six minutes when it was a two-point game. The Timberwolves shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range while holding the Nets to 34 percent from the field and 17 percent from long range. Minnesota also outscored Brooklyn in fastbreak points, 25-6, while out-blocking them, 9-2.
The Nets (21-35) were led by Cam Thomas, collecting 18 points, six rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges amassed 15 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Nic Claxton compiled 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Dorian Finney-Smith finished with 11 points and nine boards, Cam Johnson led the bench with 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Timberwolves (40-17) were led by Anthony Edwards, generating 29 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 28 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Mike Conley had 14 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Kyle Anderson totaled 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Brooklyn is a road matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. As for Minnesota, they return to action on Tuesday in a home meeting with the San Antonio Spurs.
There were 12 ties and 10 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points until the final moments. That was Minnesota, who rode a 59-41 second half to this blowout win. They actually finished the game on a 21-8 run over the closing six minutes when it was a two-point game. The Timberwolves shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range while holding the Nets to 34 percent from the field and 17 percent from long range. Minnesota also outscored Brooklyn in fastbreak points, 25-6, while out-blocking them, 9-2.
The Nets (21-35) were led by Cam Thomas, collecting 18 points, six rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges amassed 15 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Nic Claxton compiled 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Dorian Finney-Smith finished with 11 points and nine boards, Cam Johnson led the bench with 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Timberwolves (40-17) were led by Anthony Edwards, generating 29 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 28 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Mike Conley had 14 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Kyle Anderson totaled 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Brooklyn is a road matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. As for Minnesota, they return to action on Tuesday in a home meeting with the San Antonio Spurs.