76ers Hold On To Secure Win Over Mavericks
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 120-116, at American Airlines Center on Sunday afternoon.
The 76ers (35-25) moved 10 games above the .500 mark and secured the victory over the Mavericks (34-27) in front of a 20,277 crowd in Dallas, TX. The 76ers were the better team throughout most of the contest, and while the Mavs attempted a late fourth-quarter comeback, Philadelphia ended up securing the victory by a tight margin. Philadelphia established its terms and raced to a 32-22 lead in the first quarter. However, Dallas showed it would not go down without a fight and reduced the lead to five points following a 29-24 score in the second quarter. The 76ers again dominated in the third quarter and extended their advantage to 14 points after a 34-25 score in the third quarter. However, the 76ers couldn’t close things out in the final 12 minutes. The Mavericks fought back and came close to completing a comeback, but a 40-30 score was not enough. The Sixers ultimately won the game and moved to 16-12 on the road. Meanwhile, the Mavs fell to 18-14 at home.
Tobias Harris was the leading scorer for the 76ers with 28 points and five rebounds. Tyrese Maxey delivered 24 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Buddy Hield chipped in with 11 points, three rebounds, four assists and one steal. Kelly Oubre delivered 21 points, five rebounds and four assists off the bench. Paul Reed recorded 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Sixers shot 45.5 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from three-point range.
Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with a triple-double, finishing with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Kyrie Irving finished with 28 points, five rebounds and nine assists. P.J. Washington posted 13 points, four rebounds and two assists. No other starter scored in double digits for Dallas. Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in with 21 points and seven rebounds coming off the bench. The Mavericks shot 46.5 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range.
The 76ers (35-25) moved 10 games above the .500 mark and secured the victory over the Mavericks (34-27) in front of a 20,277 crowd in Dallas, TX. The 76ers were the better team throughout most of the contest, and while the Mavs attempted a late fourth-quarter comeback, Philadelphia ended up securing the victory by a tight margin. Philadelphia established its terms and raced to a 32-22 lead in the first quarter. However, Dallas showed it would not go down without a fight and reduced the lead to five points following a 29-24 score in the second quarter. The 76ers again dominated in the third quarter and extended their advantage to 14 points after a 34-25 score in the third quarter. However, the 76ers couldn’t close things out in the final 12 minutes. The Mavericks fought back and came close to completing a comeback, but a 40-30 score was not enough. The Sixers ultimately won the game and moved to 16-12 on the road. Meanwhile, the Mavs fell to 18-14 at home.
Tobias Harris was the leading scorer for the 76ers with 28 points and five rebounds. Tyrese Maxey delivered 24 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Buddy Hield chipped in with 11 points, three rebounds, four assists and one steal. Kelly Oubre delivered 21 points, five rebounds and four assists off the bench. Paul Reed recorded 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Sixers shot 45.5 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from three-point range.
Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with a triple-double, finishing with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Kyrie Irving finished with 28 points, five rebounds and nine assists. P.J. Washington posted 13 points, four rebounds and two assists. No other starter scored in double digits for Dallas. Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in with 21 points and seven rebounds coming off the bench. The Mavericks shot 46.5 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range.
Celtics Destroy Warriors With 52-Point Win
The Boston Celtics defeated the Golden State Warriors, 140-88, at TD Garden on Sunday afternoon.
The Celtics (48-12) are the best team in the league and the Warriors (32-28) are an average team that’s looking to sneak in the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference. Even though there’s a difference between both teams in terms of talent, no one expected the Warriors to struggle this much against Boston. The Celtics grabbed a 44-22 lead in the first quarter, and it seemed the game was already over following the first quarter. Boston didn’t step its foot off the gas and bolstered their advantage even further in the second quarter, and a 38-16 score made it a 44-point game for the Celtics at the break. Boston also won the third quarter before allowing Golden State to reduce the deficit down the stretch. At the end of the day, Boston won by 52 points. It was the team’s third-biggest win in franchise history. Boston's only bigger blowout wins were a 133-77 victory at Chicago on Dec. 8, 2018, and a 128-75 drubbing over Sacramento at home on Jan. 25, 2022.
Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics with 29 points, and he also added three rebounds and three assists. Jayson Tatum posted 27 points, five assists and three rebounds on his birthday. Derrick White posted 14 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Payton Pritchard delivered 19 points, six rebounds and six assists coming off the bench. Boston shot 55.2 percent from the field and 51 percent from three-point range.
Lester Quinones was the top scorer for the Warriors with 17 points coming off the bench. He was one of three players who scored in double digits in this huge loss. Jerome Robinson posted 10 points, and Moses Moody was the lone starter who scored in double digits with an 11-point effort. Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green all had six points. Stephen Curry finished with four points (2-13 FG) across 17 minutes. The Warriors shot 39.1 percent from the field and 17.1 percent from three-point range.
The Celtics (48-12) are the best team in the league and the Warriors (32-28) are an average team that’s looking to sneak in the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference. Even though there’s a difference between both teams in terms of talent, no one expected the Warriors to struggle this much against Boston. The Celtics grabbed a 44-22 lead in the first quarter, and it seemed the game was already over following the first quarter. Boston didn’t step its foot off the gas and bolstered their advantage even further in the second quarter, and a 38-16 score made it a 44-point game for the Celtics at the break. Boston also won the third quarter before allowing Golden State to reduce the deficit down the stretch. At the end of the day, Boston won by 52 points. It was the team’s third-biggest win in franchise history. Boston's only bigger blowout wins were a 133-77 victory at Chicago on Dec. 8, 2018, and a 128-75 drubbing over Sacramento at home on Jan. 25, 2022.
Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics with 29 points, and he also added three rebounds and three assists. Jayson Tatum posted 27 points, five assists and three rebounds on his birthday. Derrick White posted 14 points, eight assists and three rebounds. Payton Pritchard delivered 19 points, six rebounds and six assists coming off the bench. Boston shot 55.2 percent from the field and 51 percent from three-point range.
Lester Quinones was the top scorer for the Warriors with 17 points coming off the bench. He was one of three players who scored in double digits in this huge loss. Jerome Robinson posted 10 points, and Moses Moody was the lone starter who scored in double digits with an 11-point effort. Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green all had six points. Stephen Curry finished with four points (2-13 FG) across 17 minutes. The Warriors shot 39.1 percent from the field and 17.1 percent from three-point range.
Clippers Edge Timberwolves In Minnesota
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves, 89-88, at Target Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Timberwolves got out to a strong start and led, 30-18, after one quarter. The Clippers turned it around in the second and outscored the hosts, 31-16, to claim a three-point lead at the break. The visitors held the advantage for most of the third, but the Timberwolves closed the quarter well and took a one-point edge in to the final frame. After a couple of lead changes early in the fourth, the Clippers held the upper hand for the final few minutes to close out their second straight win. This also marks the second straight loss for the Timberwolves.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 32 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block, in 38 minutes. Norman Powell followed up with 24 points, three rebounds and a steal, while James Harden supplied four points, five rebounds, 10 assists, a steal and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals, in 37 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns followed up with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Rudy Gobert logged 12 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
The Timberwolves (42-19) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Trail Blazers on Monday. The Clippers (39-20) take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Monday.
The Timberwolves got out to a strong start and led, 30-18, after one quarter. The Clippers turned it around in the second and outscored the hosts, 31-16, to claim a three-point lead at the break. The visitors held the advantage for most of the third, but the Timberwolves closed the quarter well and took a one-point edge in to the final frame. After a couple of lead changes early in the fourth, the Clippers held the upper hand for the final few minutes to close out their second straight win. This also marks the second straight loss for the Timberwolves.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 32 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block, in 38 minutes. Norman Powell followed up with 24 points, three rebounds and a steal, while James Harden supplied four points, five rebounds, 10 assists, a steal and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals, in 37 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns followed up with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Rudy Gobert logged 12 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
The Timberwolves (42-19) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Trail Blazers on Monday. The Clippers (39-20) take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Monday.
Magic Dominates Pistons, 113-91
The Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons, 113-91, at Amway Center on Sunday evening.
The Magic (35-26) came in as clear home favorites, but they encountered a feisty Pistons (9-51) team that trailed by only four after one. Orlando did mange to extend its advantage to nine points by halftime, and the hosts kept the foot on the gas coming out of intermission to take an 18-point lead into the final period. Detroit shot just 38.4 percent while surrendering a 59.7 percent success rate to the Magic.
Evan Fournier led the Pistons with 17 points, adding five assists, one rebound and one steal. Simone Fontecchio furnished 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jalen Duren supplied 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Isaiah Stewart finished with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block, while Jaden Ivey matched his teammate's scoring.
Paolo Banchero paced the Magic with 29 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds and five assists. Wendell Carter Jr. totaled 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Markelle Fultz turned in 16 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block. Franz Wagner registered 13 points, eight boards, one assist and two blocks. Jalen Suggs managed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
The Pistons remain in Florida and visit the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, while the Magic hit the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night as well.
The Magic (35-26) came in as clear home favorites, but they encountered a feisty Pistons (9-51) team that trailed by only four after one. Orlando did mange to extend its advantage to nine points by halftime, and the hosts kept the foot on the gas coming out of intermission to take an 18-point lead into the final period. Detroit shot just 38.4 percent while surrendering a 59.7 percent success rate to the Magic.
Evan Fournier led the Pistons with 17 points, adding five assists, one rebound and one steal. Simone Fontecchio furnished 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jalen Duren supplied 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Isaiah Stewart finished with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block, while Jaden Ivey matched his teammate's scoring.
Paolo Banchero paced the Magic with 29 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds and five assists. Wendell Carter Jr. totaled 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Markelle Fultz turned in 16 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block. Franz Wagner registered 13 points, eight boards, one assist and two blocks. Jalen Suggs managed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
The Pistons remain in Florida and visit the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, while the Magic hit the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night as well.
Raptors Hold Off Hornets
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 111-106, at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday evening.
The Raptors got out to a good start, but the Hornets rallied to take a, 29-27, lead into the second quarter. The hosts turned it up again in the second and outscored the Hornets by six points in the quarter to secure a, 52-48, advantage at the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the Raptors reclaimed control to build a seven-point cushion head into the final frame. The visitors did not give up and rallied to grab a, 103-102, lead with a minute left on the clock, but the Raptors came up clutch at the foul line to close out the home win and end a two-game slide. This also marks the fourth straight loss for the Hornets.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 35 minutes. Immanuel Quickley followed up with 22 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, while Gary Trent tallied 17 points, five rebounds, three steals and a block.
Meanwhile, Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 37 minutes. Miles Bridges followed up with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Grant Williams totaled 18 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.
The Hornets (15-46) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Magic on Tuesday. The Raptors (23-38) play host to the Pelicans on Tuesday.
The Raptors got out to a good start, but the Hornets rallied to take a, 29-27, lead into the second quarter. The hosts turned it up again in the second and outscored the Hornets by six points in the quarter to secure a, 52-48, advantage at the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the Raptors reclaimed control to build a seven-point cushion head into the final frame. The visitors did not give up and rallied to grab a, 103-102, lead with a minute left on the clock, but the Raptors came up clutch at the foul line to close out the home win and end a two-game slide. This also marks the fourth straight loss for the Hornets.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 35 minutes. Immanuel Quickley followed up with 22 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, while Gary Trent tallied 17 points, five rebounds, three steals and a block.
Meanwhile, Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 37 minutes. Miles Bridges followed up with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Grant Williams totaled 18 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.
The Hornets (15-46) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Magic on Tuesday. The Raptors (23-38) play host to the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Knicks Top Cavaliers, 107-98
The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 107-98, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday night.
The Knicks (36-25) belied their road underdog status early by jumping out to a 28-19 lead through one despite losing Jalen Brunson to a knee injury just one minute into the game, but the Cavaliers (39-21) roared back in the second to erase their deficit altogether and take a two-point advantage into halftime. However, New York would turn the tide of what had been a rollercoaster contest for good in the third, when it outscored Cleveland by a 36-25 margin. The hosts then got as close as within three with 4:40 remaining, but the visitors' 8-2 run the rest of the way sealed the victory.
Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with 28 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Bojan Bogdanovic recorded 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Miles McBride collected 16 points, five assists and one rebound. Precious Achiuwa turned in 14 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Josh Hart generated a 13-point, 18-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals and two blocks.
Sam Merrill paced the Cavaliers with 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. Darius Garland managed 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Jarrett Allen supplied 18 points, seven boards, six assists, one steal and one block. Isaac Okoro tallied 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Evan Mobley finished with a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double that included six assists and one block.
The Knicks return home to host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night, while the Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night as well.
The Knicks (36-25) belied their road underdog status early by jumping out to a 28-19 lead through one despite losing Jalen Brunson to a knee injury just one minute into the game, but the Cavaliers (39-21) roared back in the second to erase their deficit altogether and take a two-point advantage into halftime. However, New York would turn the tide of what had been a rollercoaster contest for good in the third, when it outscored Cleveland by a 36-25 margin. The hosts then got as close as within three with 4:40 remaining, but the visitors' 8-2 run the rest of the way sealed the victory.
Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with 28 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Bojan Bogdanovic recorded 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Miles McBride collected 16 points, five assists and one rebound. Precious Achiuwa turned in 14 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Josh Hart generated a 13-point, 18-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals and two blocks.
Sam Merrill paced the Cavaliers with 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. Darius Garland managed 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Jarrett Allen supplied 18 points, seven boards, six assists, one steal and one block. Isaac Okoro tallied 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Evan Mobley finished with a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double that included six assists and one block.
The Knicks return home to host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night, while the Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night as well.
Spurs Defeat Pacers, 117-105
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers, 117-105, at Frost Bank Center on Sunday.
There were no ties in this game, with San Antonio holding the lead for all but a few minutes. A 26-16 first quarter set the foundation in thei victory, while a 65-57 second half put the game to bed. The Spurs shot 54 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Pacers to 44 percent from the field and 20 percent from long range. San Antonio out-assisted Indiana, 33-20, while outscoring them in the paint, 66-56.
The Pacers (34-28) were led by TJ McConnell, leading the bench with 26 points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals on 13-of-15 shooting. Pascal Siakam provided 21 points and eight rebounds. Myles Turner totaled 16 points and 10 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton tallied 12 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
The Spurs (13-48) were led by Victor Wembanyama, finishing with 31 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and six blocks. Malaki Branham amassed 18 points, four rebounds and six assists. Devin Vassell accrued 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Jeremy Sochan had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Keldon Johnson led the bench with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with San Antonio traveling to face the Houston Rockets and Indiana staying on the road to play the Dallas Mavericks.
There were no ties in this game, with San Antonio holding the lead for all but a few minutes. A 26-16 first quarter set the foundation in thei victory, while a 65-57 second half put the game to bed. The Spurs shot 54 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Pacers to 44 percent from the field and 20 percent from long range. San Antonio out-assisted Indiana, 33-20, while outscoring them in the paint, 66-56.
The Pacers (34-28) were led by TJ McConnell, leading the bench with 26 points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals on 13-of-15 shooting. Pascal Siakam provided 21 points and eight rebounds. Myles Turner totaled 16 points and 10 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton tallied 12 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
The Spurs (13-48) were led by Victor Wembanyama, finishing with 31 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and six blocks. Malaki Branham amassed 18 points, four rebounds and six assists. Devin Vassell accrued 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Jeremy Sochan had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Keldon Johnson led the bench with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with San Antonio traveling to face the Houston Rockets and Indiana staying on the road to play the Dallas Mavericks.
Thunder Defeat Suns, 118-110
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 118-110, at Footprint Center on Sunday.
There were only two ties and three lead changes in this game, but there were some major swings. Oklahoma City got out to a game-high 24-point lead midway through the third quarter, but Phoenix was able to grab a small lead near the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Thunder responded by closing the game on a 17-7 run to prevail. Oklahoma City shot 48 percent from the field, while Phoenix shot 44 percent. The Thunder also recorded 16 steals and eight blocks, while the Suns had just two steals and seven blocks. That led to OKC winning the turnover battle, 21-5.
The Thunder (42-18) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, collecting 35 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks. Jalen Williams amassed 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Chet Holmgren had 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Luguentz Dort totaled 13 points, five rebounds and three steals.
The Suns (35-26) were led by Bradley Beal, finishing with 31 points, four rebounds and six assists. Kevin Durant compiled 20 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jusuf Nurkic amassed 14 points, 31 rebounds and four assists. Those 31 rebounds were an NBA season-high and a franchise record. Eric Gordon led the bench with 15 points and three assists,
On deck for Oklahoma City is a road matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. As for Phoenix, they travel to play the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday for their next outing.
There were only two ties and three lead changes in this game, but there were some major swings. Oklahoma City got out to a game-high 24-point lead midway through the third quarter, but Phoenix was able to grab a small lead near the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Thunder responded by closing the game on a 17-7 run to prevail. Oklahoma City shot 48 percent from the field, while Phoenix shot 44 percent. The Thunder also recorded 16 steals and eight blocks, while the Suns had just two steals and seven blocks. That led to OKC winning the turnover battle, 21-5.
The Thunder (42-18) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, collecting 35 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks. Jalen Williams amassed 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Chet Holmgren had 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Luguentz Dort totaled 13 points, five rebounds and three steals.
The Suns (35-26) were led by Bradley Beal, finishing with 31 points, four rebounds and six assists. Kevin Durant compiled 20 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jusuf Nurkic amassed 14 points, 31 rebounds and four assists. Those 31 rebounds were an NBA season-high and a franchise record. Eric Gordon led the bench with 15 points and three assists,
On deck for Oklahoma City is a road matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. As for Phoenix, they travel to play the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday for their next outing.