Raptors Outlast Pacers, 130-122
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Indiana Pacers, 130-122, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night.
The Raptors (22-36) came in as road underdogs but undermined that classification early, racking up 61 first-half points on the way to a five-point halftime lead. However, the Pacers (33-26) wouldn't go away, actually putting a two-point dent in their deficit in the third quarter to set up an intriguing final period. Indiana managed to keep things particularly interesting for nearly the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, but after knotting things up 102-102 with 8:17 remaining, the hosts saw Toronto go on a 13-2 run over the following 1:40 to given them the necessary cushion they'd need the rest of the way.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 24 points, adding five assists and two rebounds. Scottie Barnes generated a 21-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist triple-double that included five blocks. Immanuel Quickley recorded 19 points, six boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Gradey Dick provided 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jakob Poeltl contributed a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists and one block. Ochai Agjabi and Gary Trent netted 13 and 11 points, respectively, while also contributing two assists apiece.
Bennedict Mathurin paced the Pacers with 34 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Pascal Siakam offered 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists and one block. Myles Turner contributed a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one assist and two blocks. Andrew Nembhard netted 11 points. T.J. McConnell registered 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal.
The Raptors return home to host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, while the Pacers remain home and host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
The Raptors (22-36) came in as road underdogs but undermined that classification early, racking up 61 first-half points on the way to a five-point halftime lead. However, the Pacers (33-26) wouldn't go away, actually putting a two-point dent in their deficit in the third quarter to set up an intriguing final period. Indiana managed to keep things particularly interesting for nearly the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, but after knotting things up 102-102 with 8:17 remaining, the hosts saw Toronto go on a 13-2 run over the following 1:40 to given them the necessary cushion they'd need the rest of the way.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 24 points, adding five assists and two rebounds. Scottie Barnes generated a 21-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist triple-double that included five blocks. Immanuel Quickley recorded 19 points, six boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Gradey Dick provided 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jakob Poeltl contributed a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists and one block. Ochai Agjabi and Gary Trent netted 13 and 11 points, respectively, while also contributing two assists apiece.
Bennedict Mathurin paced the Pacers with 34 points, supplementing them with nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Pascal Siakam offered 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists and one block. Myles Turner contributed a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one assist and two blocks. Andrew Nembhard netted 11 points. T.J. McConnell registered 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal.
The Raptors return home to host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, while the Pacers remain home and host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Knicks Come Up Clutch To Hold Off Pistons
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 113-111, at Madison Square Garden on Monday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Knicks led, 29-27, after one quarter. The hosts pushed to a double-digit in the second, but the Pistons rallied back to cut it to a four-point game at the break. The Knicks retained the upper hand through the third and increased their advantage to eight points entering the final frame. The visitors did not give up and fought back to grab a brief lead, before the Knicks got the go-ahead bucket on a late layup by Josh Hart, to close out their second win in three games. This also marks the sixth straight loss for the Pistons.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 35 points, 12 assists and two steals, in 40 minutes. Josh Hart followed up with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, while Donte DiVincenzo tallied 21 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 32 points, five rebounds, eight assists and two blocks, in 36 minutes. Jaden Ivey totaled 14 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Quentin Grimes finished with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal and three blocks.
The Pistons (8-49) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday. The Knicks (35-23) play host to the Pelicans on Tuesday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Knicks led, 29-27, after one quarter. The hosts pushed to a double-digit in the second, but the Pistons rallied back to cut it to a four-point game at the break. The Knicks retained the upper hand through the third and increased their advantage to eight points entering the final frame. The visitors did not give up and fought back to grab a brief lead, before the Knicks got the go-ahead bucket on a late layup by Josh Hart, to close out their second win in three games. This also marks the sixth straight loss for the Pistons.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 35 points, 12 assists and two steals, in 40 minutes. Josh Hart followed up with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, while Donte DiVincenzo tallied 21 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 32 points, five rebounds, eight assists and two blocks, in 36 minutes. Jaden Ivey totaled 14 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Quentin Grimes finished with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal and three blocks.
The Pistons (8-49) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday. The Knicks (35-23) play host to the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Nets Blow Past Grizzlies
By Dan Bruno
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, 111-86, at FedEx Forum on Monday evening.
The Nets got off to a strong start and led, 30-18, after one quarter. They kept control through the second and added another 14 points to their advantage, making it a 26-point game at the break. The Grizzlies came out better in the third quarter and managed to trim the deficit by three points, while it remained a 23-point difference entering the final frame. The Nets had no trouble cruising through the fourth to put an end to a four-game slide. This also marks the second straight loss for the Grizzlies.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Nets, including all five starters. Dennis Schroder led the way with 18 points, two rebounds and five assists, in 26 minutes. Cam Thomas followed up with 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Dorian Finney-Smith added 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a block. The Nets shot 48.9 percent from the field, including 15-for-42 from deep.
Meanwhile, Lamar Stevens led the Grizzlies with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists and a block, in 23 minutes. Jaren Jackson followed up with 15 points, four rebounds, two steals and a block, while Jake LaRavia tallied 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The Grizzlies (20-38) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Wednesday. The Nets (22-35) take on the Magic in Orlando on Tuesday.
The Nets got off to a strong start and led, 30-18, after one quarter. They kept control through the second and added another 14 points to their advantage, making it a 26-point game at the break. The Grizzlies came out better in the third quarter and managed to trim the deficit by three points, while it remained a 23-point difference entering the final frame. The Nets had no trouble cruising through the fourth to put an end to a four-game slide. This also marks the second straight loss for the Grizzlies.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Nets, including all five starters. Dennis Schroder led the way with 18 points, two rebounds and five assists, in 26 minutes. Cam Thomas followed up with 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Dorian Finney-Smith added 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a block. The Nets shot 48.9 percent from the field, including 15-for-42 from deep.
Meanwhile, Lamar Stevens led the Grizzlies with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists and a block, in 23 minutes. Jaren Jackson followed up with 15 points, four rebounds, two steals and a block, while Jake LaRavia tallied 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The Grizzlies (20-38) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Wednesday. The Nets (22-35) take on the Magic in Orlando on Tuesday.
Heat Defeat Kings, 121-110
The Miami Heat defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 121-110, at Golden One Center on Monday,
This game had one major swing, with Miami riding a 36-19 third quarter to their win. Sacramento got it down to a three-point margin late in the fourth to overcome a 20-point deficit but the Heat scored the final seven points to complete their win. Miami shot 20-of-25 from the free-throw line, while Sacramento connected on just 7-of-12. The Heat also outscored the Kings in the paint, 60-50, while outscoring their bench, 34-13.
The Heat (32-25) were led by Bam Adebayo, accruing 28 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jaime Jaquez shot 12-of-17 from the field to finish with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Caleb Martin collected 16 points and six boards, while Kevin Love led the bench with 19 points and six rebounds. Duncan Robinson missed 10 of his 11 shots but still tallied four points, four rebounds and 11 assists.
The Kings (33-24) were led by Keegan Murray, compiling 28 points, five rebounds and three steals on 10-of-14 shooting. De'Aaron Fox finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Domantas Sabonis had 14 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, while Kevin Huerter totaled 14 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Miami has to play again on Tuesday, staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers. As for Sacramento, they return to action on Wednesday in a road matchup with the Denver Nuggets.
This game had one major swing, with Miami riding a 36-19 third quarter to their win. Sacramento got it down to a three-point margin late in the fourth to overcome a 20-point deficit but the Heat scored the final seven points to complete their win. Miami shot 20-of-25 from the free-throw line, while Sacramento connected on just 7-of-12. The Heat also outscored the Kings in the paint, 60-50, while outscoring their bench, 34-13.
The Heat (32-25) were led by Bam Adebayo, accruing 28 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jaime Jaquez shot 12-of-17 from the field to finish with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Caleb Martin collected 16 points and six boards, while Kevin Love led the bench with 19 points and six rebounds. Duncan Robinson missed 10 of his 11 shots but still tallied four points, four rebounds and 11 assists.
The Kings (33-24) were led by Keegan Murray, compiling 28 points, five rebounds and three steals on 10-of-14 shooting. De'Aaron Fox finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Domantas Sabonis had 14 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, while Kevin Huerter totaled 14 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Miami has to play again on Tuesday, staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers. As for Sacramento, they return to action on Wednesday in a road matchup with the Denver Nuggets.