Bridges' 38 points boosts Nets past Hawks on Saturday
The Brooklyn Nets took down the Atlanta Hawks, 114-102, at Barclays Center on Saturday. With the win, the Nets captured the 2023-24 season series 3-1.
It was the visiting Hawks (26-34) who got off to a hot start Saturday, leading by as much as 13 points in the first half before the Nets (24-36) crawled back to reduce the deficit to two heading into halftime. The home team dominated in the second half, taking the third quarter 30-18 and pushing their lead to as much as 18 points. With such a large deficit, both teams opted to empty their benches in the final minutes of the game as Brooklyn improved its home record to 15-17, while Atlanta dropped to 11-18 on the road.
Saddiq Bey led the Hawks with 21 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Dejounte Murray tallied 20 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and two steals for his 10th double-double of the season. De’Andre Hunter led the bench with 15 points and two rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 13 points and six rebounds, while Clint Capella registered his 24th double-double of the year with 11 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
Mikal Bridges exploded for 38 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Cam Johnson chipped in 23 points and five rebounds, while Dennis Schroder finished with 14 points, two rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Nic Claxton filled up the box score with 12 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals for his 21st double-double of the season. Dorian Finney-Smith tallied 11 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Next up, the Nets host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, March 4, while the Hawks finish their three-game New York state road trip against the Knicks on Tuesday, March 5.
It was the visiting Hawks (26-34) who got off to a hot start Saturday, leading by as much as 13 points in the first half before the Nets (24-36) crawled back to reduce the deficit to two heading into halftime. The home team dominated in the second half, taking the third quarter 30-18 and pushing their lead to as much as 18 points. With such a large deficit, both teams opted to empty their benches in the final minutes of the game as Brooklyn improved its home record to 15-17, while Atlanta dropped to 11-18 on the road.
Saddiq Bey led the Hawks with 21 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Dejounte Murray tallied 20 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and two steals for his 10th double-double of the season. De’Andre Hunter led the bench with 15 points and two rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 13 points and six rebounds, while Clint Capella registered his 24th double-double of the year with 11 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
Mikal Bridges exploded for 38 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Cam Johnson chipped in 23 points and five rebounds, while Dennis Schroder finished with 14 points, two rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Nic Claxton filled up the box score with 12 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals for his 21st double-double of the season. Dorian Finney-Smith tallied 11 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Next up, the Nets host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, March 4, while the Hawks finish their three-game New York state road trip against the Knicks on Tuesday, March 5.
Heat Comes From Behind To Defeat Jazz
The Miami Heat defeated the Utah Jazz, 126-120, at Kaseya Center on Saturday.
The Heat (34-26) and the Jazz (27-34) played a tight game that was decided in the final minutes. Even though Utah started the game on a better note, Miami improved as the game continued, and the Heat eventually closed things out in the second half. The Jazz jumped to a 34-30 score in the first quarter, and they would maintain that four-point lead at the break following a 28-28 score in the second quarter. However, Miami would respond in the second half and erased the deficit following a 32-28 score in the third quarter. Things went back and forth in the final 12 minutes, but the Heat performed better down the stretch and executed better, ultimately cruising to victory following a 36-30 score in the final quarter. With the win, the Heat moved to 16-13 at home. Meanwhile, the Jazz fell to 9-23 away from home.
Jimmy Butler had 37 points, seven assists and three rebounds to lead the Heat to victory. Bam Adebayo finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Duncan Robinson had 12 points, six assists and five rebounds despite shooting just 2-for-9 from three-point range. Terry Rozier ended with 14 points and eight assists. Caleb Martin delivered 18 points, five rebounds and four assists off the bench. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 12 points across 29 minutes. The Heat shot 52.3 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Keyonte George led the way for the Jazz with 31 points, four rebounds and four assists. Lauri Markkanen finished with 25 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Taylor Hendricks grabbed 13 rebounds but only scored eight points. Collin Sexton ended with 18 points and five assists. John Collins chipped in with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists. No other Utah player scored in double digits. The Jazz shot 48.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from three in this loss.
The Heat (34-26) and the Jazz (27-34) played a tight game that was decided in the final minutes. Even though Utah started the game on a better note, Miami improved as the game continued, and the Heat eventually closed things out in the second half. The Jazz jumped to a 34-30 score in the first quarter, and they would maintain that four-point lead at the break following a 28-28 score in the second quarter. However, Miami would respond in the second half and erased the deficit following a 32-28 score in the third quarter. Things went back and forth in the final 12 minutes, but the Heat performed better down the stretch and executed better, ultimately cruising to victory following a 36-30 score in the final quarter. With the win, the Heat moved to 16-13 at home. Meanwhile, the Jazz fell to 9-23 away from home.
Jimmy Butler had 37 points, seven assists and three rebounds to lead the Heat to victory. Bam Adebayo finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Duncan Robinson had 12 points, six assists and five rebounds despite shooting just 2-for-9 from three-point range. Terry Rozier ended with 14 points and eight assists. Caleb Martin delivered 18 points, five rebounds and four assists off the bench. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 12 points across 29 minutes. The Heat shot 52.3 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Keyonte George led the way for the Jazz with 31 points, four rebounds and four assists. Lauri Markkanen finished with 25 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Taylor Hendricks grabbed 13 rebounds but only scored eight points. Collin Sexton ended with 18 points and five assists. John Collins chipped in with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists. No other Utah player scored in double digits. The Jazz shot 48.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from three in this loss.
Trail Blazers Top Grizzlies in OT, 107-100
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime, 107-100, at FedEx Forum on Saturday night.
The Trail Blazers (17-42) came in looking to put together a successful encore after a 30-point win over the Grizzlies (20-41) on Friday night, and early on, it appeared they'd be successful in their quest. Portland held a 25-20 lead through one, but Memphis' 31-point haul in the second quarter erased its deficit and netted a four-point halftime edge. The hosts then appeared to take control for good during a third period in which they held the visitors to 14 points and added 13 points to their advantage, but the Blazers mounted a furious comeback in the final period by outscoring the Grizzlies, 34-17, to force overtime. They remained hot in the extra period with a 12-5 advantage to seal the victory.
Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 30 points, adding seven rebounds and seven assists. Jabari Walker generated an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists and one steal. Toumani Camara furnished 15 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Ashton Hagans delivered 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block. Duop Reath registered 12 points, six rebounds, one assist and three blocks. Danalo Banton finished with 10 points, three rebounds and one steal.
Santi Aldama and Vince Williams Jr. co-led the Grizzlies with 21-point, eight-rebound tallies while adding three and two assists, respectively. Williams added three blocks and two steals. GG Jackson recorded 17 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals.
The Trail Blazers remain on the road and visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, while the Grizzlies visit the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night as well.
The Trail Blazers (17-42) came in looking to put together a successful encore after a 30-point win over the Grizzlies (20-41) on Friday night, and early on, it appeared they'd be successful in their quest. Portland held a 25-20 lead through one, but Memphis' 31-point haul in the second quarter erased its deficit and netted a four-point halftime edge. The hosts then appeared to take control for good during a third period in which they held the visitors to 14 points and added 13 points to their advantage, but the Blazers mounted a furious comeback in the final period by outscoring the Grizzlies, 34-17, to force overtime. They remained hot in the extra period with a 12-5 advantage to seal the victory.
Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers with 30 points, adding seven rebounds and seven assists. Jabari Walker generated an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists and one steal. Toumani Camara furnished 15 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Ashton Hagans delivered 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block. Duop Reath registered 12 points, six rebounds, one assist and three blocks. Danalo Banton finished with 10 points, three rebounds and one steal.
Santi Aldama and Vince Williams Jr. co-led the Grizzlies with 21-point, eight-rebound tallies while adding three and two assists, respectively. Williams added three blocks and two steals. GG Jackson recorded 17 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals.
The Trail Blazers remain on the road and visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, while the Grizzlies visit the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night as well.
Nuggets Spoil LeBron's Historic Night
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 124-114, at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday evening.
LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to record a career total of 40,000 points, as he led the way for the Lakers in a hard-fought game. The Lakers got out to a strong start and led, 33-27, after one quarter. They stayed a step ahead through the second and managed to push to an eight-point advantage at the break. The Nuggets came out better in the third quarter and outscored the hosts, 31-23, to tie it up at 89, heading into the final frame. The Lakers reclaimed the upper hand early in the fourth, but the Nuggets closed the game on a, 16-4, run to secure their sixth consecutive win and improve to 18-14, on the road.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 39 minutes. Michael Porter followed up with 25 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Jamal Murray totaled 24 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, LeBron James led the Lakers with 26 points, four rebounds, nine assists and three steals, in 37 minutes. Rui Hachimura followed up with 23 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Anthony Davis added 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
The Lakers (33-29) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Thunder on Monday. The Nuggets (42-19) clash with the Suns on Tuesday.
LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to record a career total of 40,000 points, as he led the way for the Lakers in a hard-fought game. The Lakers got out to a strong start and led, 33-27, after one quarter. They stayed a step ahead through the second and managed to push to an eight-point advantage at the break. The Nuggets came out better in the third quarter and outscored the hosts, 31-23, to tie it up at 89, heading into the final frame. The Lakers reclaimed the upper hand early in the fourth, but the Nuggets closed the game on a, 16-4, run to secure their sixth consecutive win and improve to 18-14, on the road.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 35 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 39 minutes. Michael Porter followed up with 25 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Jamal Murray totaled 24 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, LeBron James led the Lakers with 26 points, four rebounds, nine assists and three steals, in 37 minutes. Rui Hachimura followed up with 23 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Anthony Davis added 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
The Lakers (33-29) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Thunder on Monday. The Nuggets (42-19) clash with the Suns on Tuesday.
Rockets Defeat Suns, 118-109
The Houston Rockets defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 118-109, at Footprint Center on Saturday.
A 38-19 first quarter carried Houston to this win, maintaining the lead for all but 11 seconds. That rare lead happened in the opening three minutes, with Houston getting their lead up to 20 points at times. The Rockets shot 38 percent from three-point range (16-of-42), while the Suns connected on just 31 percent (9-of-29). Houston also recorded 13 steals to Phoenix's six, winning the turnover battle, 19-12. That allowed them to outscore the Suns in fastbreak points, 28-10.
The Rockets (26-34) were led by Jalen Green, generating 34 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Fred VanVleet finished with 24 points, five rebounds and 11 assists. Alperen Sengun accrued 21 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Jabari Smith had 14 points and five rebounds. Dillon Brooks rounded out the starting lineup with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Suns (35-25) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 30 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Devin Booker tallied 24 points, two rebounds and five assists, Jusuf Nurkic totaled seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Royce O'Neale led the bench with 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
Phoenix plays again on Sunday, remaining home to play the Oklahoma City Thunder. As for Houston, they return to action on Tuesday in a home matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.
A 38-19 first quarter carried Houston to this win, maintaining the lead for all but 11 seconds. That rare lead happened in the opening three minutes, with Houston getting their lead up to 20 points at times. The Rockets shot 38 percent from three-point range (16-of-42), while the Suns connected on just 31 percent (9-of-29). Houston also recorded 13 steals to Phoenix's six, winning the turnover battle, 19-12. That allowed them to outscore the Suns in fastbreak points, 28-10.
The Rockets (26-34) were led by Jalen Green, generating 34 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Fred VanVleet finished with 24 points, five rebounds and 11 assists. Alperen Sengun accrued 21 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Jabari Smith had 14 points and five rebounds. Dillon Brooks rounded out the starting lineup with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Suns (35-25) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 30 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Devin Booker tallied 24 points, two rebounds and five assists, Jusuf Nurkic totaled seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Royce O'Neale led the bench with 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
Phoenix plays again on Sunday, remaining home to play the Oklahoma City Thunder. As for Houston, they return to action on Tuesday in a home matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.