Pistons take down Hornets on Monday
The Detroit Pistons took down the Charlotte Hornets, 114-97, at Little Caesars Arena on Monday.
It was the home team Pistons (11-53) who raced out to an early lead off the back of an 11-2 run to win the first quarter by 11 points. The Hornets (16-49) managed to hold their opponent to 19 points in the second quarter, but only scored 23 themselves as they entered halftime down by seven. Detroit took control in the second half, dominating the third quarter 33-21 and extending its lead to as much as 19 points. Charlotte made things interesting by cutting the deficit to single digits midway through the fourth quarter, but the gap was too much to overcome as the Hornets dropped to 7-26 on the road, while the Pistons improved to 6-26 at home.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists.Grant Williams contributed 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Brandon Miller chipped in 19 points, five rebounds and seven assists, while Vasilije Micic added 11 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Nick Richards had 10 points, 13 rebounds and two assists for his 16th double-double of the season.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Duren finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds for his 35th double-double of the season. Simone Fontecchio chipped in 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jaden Ivey tallied 12 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Isaiah Stewart had 12 points and six rebounds.
Monday’s game was the third and final contest between the Hornets and Pistons, with Detroit sweeping the season series 3-0. Both teams next play March 13, with the Hornets visiting the Memphis Grizzlies while the Pistons host the Toronto Raptors.
It was the home team Pistons (11-53) who raced out to an early lead off the back of an 11-2 run to win the first quarter by 11 points. The Hornets (16-49) managed to hold their opponent to 19 points in the second quarter, but only scored 23 themselves as they entered halftime down by seven. Detroit took control in the second half, dominating the third quarter 33-21 and extending its lead to as much as 19 points. Charlotte made things interesting by cutting the deficit to single digits midway through the fourth quarter, but the gap was too much to overcome as the Hornets dropped to 7-26 on the road, while the Pistons improved to 6-26 at home.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists.Grant Williams contributed 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Brandon Miller chipped in 19 points, five rebounds and seven assists, while Vasilije Micic added 11 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Nick Richards had 10 points, 13 rebounds and two assists for his 16th double-double of the season.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Duren finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds for his 35th double-double of the season. Simone Fontecchio chipped in 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jaden Ivey tallied 12 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Isaiah Stewart had 12 points and six rebounds.
Monday’s game was the third and final contest between the Hornets and Pistons, with Detroit sweeping the season series 3-0. Both teams next play March 13, with the Hornets visiting the Memphis Grizzlies while the Pistons host the Toronto Raptors.
Suns Come From Behind To Beat Cavaliers
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 117-111, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday.
The Suns (38-27) had to work hard to get past the Cavaliers (41-24) in this one. However, and despite an early deficit, Phoenix didn't rattle and managed to come from behind in the second half. The Cavaliers jumped to a 41-32 lead after the first quarter and looked in complete control. Cleveland couldn’t sustain it, and the Suns began to show signs of life by reducing the deficit in the second quarter. Phoenix carried the momentum into the third quarter and flipped the score entirely following a 34-21 score in that 12-minute span. The Suns closed things out in the fourth and won the game easily.
Kevin Durant led the way for Phoenix with 37 points and eight rebounds. Devin Booker had 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Bradley Beal posted 24 points, five rebounds and four assists. Grayson Allen ended with 14 points. The Suns shot 54.8 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep.
Darius Garland led the way for the Cavaliers with 30 points and five assists. Caris LeVert had a 17-point, 11-assist double-double. Jarrett Allen also had a double-double after finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Craig Porter added 13 points coming off the bench. Cleveland shot 47.6 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from deep.
The Suns (38-27) had to work hard to get past the Cavaliers (41-24) in this one. However, and despite an early deficit, Phoenix didn't rattle and managed to come from behind in the second half. The Cavaliers jumped to a 41-32 lead after the first quarter and looked in complete control. Cleveland couldn’t sustain it, and the Suns began to show signs of life by reducing the deficit in the second quarter. Phoenix carried the momentum into the third quarter and flipped the score entirely following a 34-21 score in that 12-minute span. The Suns closed things out in the fourth and won the game easily.
Kevin Durant led the way for Phoenix with 37 points and eight rebounds. Devin Booker had 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Bradley Beal posted 24 points, five rebounds and four assists. Grayson Allen ended with 14 points. The Suns shot 54.8 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep.
Darius Garland led the way for the Cavaliers with 30 points and five assists. Caris LeVert had a 17-point, 11-assist double-double. Jarrett Allen also had a double-double after finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Craig Porter added 13 points coming off the bench. Cleveland shot 47.6 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from deep.
Mavericks Blast Bulls, 127-92
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Chicago Bulls, 127-92, at United Center on Monday night.
The Mavericks (37-28) set an unmistakable tone early and never really let up, jumping out to a 44-16 lead through one. The Bulls (31-34) did knock eight points from their massive deficit before halftime, but Dallas roared right back after intermission to tack 14 more points to their edge and make the final period a formality.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with a 27-point, 14-assist, 12-rebound triple-double that included one steal. Dereck Lively provided 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Daniel Gafford supplied 20 points, seven boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Kyrie Irving finished with 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
Onuralp Bitim paced the Bulls with 17 points, six rebounds and one assist. DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic produced matching 13-point, two-assist tallies while posting two and six rebounds, respectively. Coby White supplied 12 points, two rebounds and one assist. Julian Phillips registered 11 points, three rebounds and two steals.
The Mavericks return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, while the Bulls visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night as well.
The Mavericks (37-28) set an unmistakable tone early and never really let up, jumping out to a 44-16 lead through one. The Bulls (31-34) did knock eight points from their massive deficit before halftime, but Dallas roared right back after intermission to tack 14 more points to their edge and make the final period a formality.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with a 27-point, 14-assist, 12-rebound triple-double that included one steal. Dereck Lively provided 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Daniel Gafford supplied 20 points, seven boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Kyrie Irving finished with 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
Onuralp Bitim paced the Bulls with 17 points, six rebounds and one assist. DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic produced matching 13-point, two-assist tallies while posting two and six rebounds, respectively. Coby White supplied 12 points, two rebounds and one assist. Julian Phillips registered 11 points, three rebounds and two steals.
The Mavericks return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, while the Bulls visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night as well.
Warriors Top Spurs, 112-102
The Golden State Warriors defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 112-102, at AT & T Center on Monday night.
The Spurs (14-51) were coming off an impressive upset victory over the Warriors (34-30) on Saturday night, and early Monday, it appeared they were potentially headed toward what would have been a shocking sweep of the quick two-game series. San Antonio held a 37-29 lead after one, but Golden State eliminated all but two points from their deficit during the second quarter. The visitors then turned the tide of the game during a third quarter in which they outscored the home squad by a 32-18 margin, setting up a relatively comfortable double-digit victory.
Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 22 points, complementing them with five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Klay Thompson recorded 21 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Chris Paul supplied 19 points, nine boards, eight assists and one steal. Andrew Wiggins totaled 16 points, four rebounds and two assists. Brandin Podziemski managed 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Trayce Jackson-Davis managed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists.
Victor Wembanyama paced the Spurs with a 27-point, 14-rebound double-double that included three assists, two blocks and one steal. Devin Vassell turned in 17 points. Keldon Johnson compiled 16 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block.
The Warriors remain on the road and in Texas to visit the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, while the Spurs remain home and welcome in the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.
The Spurs (14-51) were coming off an impressive upset victory over the Warriors (34-30) on Saturday night, and early Monday, it appeared they were potentially headed toward what would have been a shocking sweep of the quick two-game series. San Antonio held a 37-29 lead after one, but Golden State eliminated all but two points from their deficit during the second quarter. The visitors then turned the tide of the game during a third quarter in which they outscored the home squad by a 32-18 margin, setting up a relatively comfortable double-digit victory.
Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 22 points, complementing them with five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Klay Thompson recorded 21 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Chris Paul supplied 19 points, nine boards, eight assists and one steal. Andrew Wiggins totaled 16 points, four rebounds and two assists. Brandin Podziemski managed 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Trayce Jackson-Davis managed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists.
Victor Wembanyama paced the Spurs with a 27-point, 14-rebound double-double that included three assists, two blocks and one steal. Devin Vassell turned in 17 points. Keldon Johnson compiled 16 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block.
The Warriors remain on the road and in Texas to visit the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, while the Spurs remain home and welcome in the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.
Nuggets Rally To Close Out Raptors
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 125-119, at Ball Arena on Monday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Raptors led, 34-32, after one quarter. The visitors kept the pressure on in the second and managed to rally to a 17-point lead at the break. The Nuggets turned it up a notch in the third and outscored the visitors, 42-30, to cut it to a five-point game heading into the final frame. The Nuggets kept up the fight through the fourth and chipped away until they took over in the final minutes to secure their third straight win. This also marks the fourth straight loss for the Raptors.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 26 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, in 38 minutes. Kelly Olynyk followed up with 24 points, six rebounds and an assist, while Bruce Brown tallied 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 35 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals and two blocks, in 38 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 26 points, five rebounds, 12 assists and two blocks, while Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter added 19 points each.
The Raptors (23-42) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Pistons in Detroit on Wednesday. The Nuggets (45-20) take on the Heat in Miami on Wednesday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Raptors led, 34-32, after one quarter. The visitors kept the pressure on in the second and managed to rally to a 17-point lead at the break. The Nuggets turned it up a notch in the third and outscored the visitors, 42-30, to cut it to a five-point game heading into the final frame. The Nuggets kept up the fight through the fourth and chipped away until they took over in the final minutes to secure their third straight win. This also marks the fourth straight loss for the Raptors.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 26 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, in 38 minutes. Kelly Olynyk followed up with 24 points, six rebounds and an assist, while Bruce Brown tallied 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 35 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals and two blocks, in 38 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 26 points, five rebounds, 12 assists and two blocks, while Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter added 19 points each.
The Raptors (23-42) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Pistons in Detroit on Wednesday. The Nuggets (45-20) take on the Heat in Miami on Wednesday.
Celtics Defeat Blazers, 121-99
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 121-99, at Moda Center on Monday.
A 37-28 first quarter carried the Celtics to this easy win, maintaining the lead for the final three quarters. They got their lead up to 23 points at times, leading by at least six points for the final 40 minutes of this game. Boston out-rebounded Portland, 55-47, while out-assisting them, 34-22. The Celtics won the turnover battle, 11-3. Boston also outscored Portland in the paint, 60-44, and in fastbreak scoring, 23-6.
The Celtics (50-14) were led by Jaylen Brown, finishing with 27 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jayson Tatum tallied 26 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Al Horford had 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while Derek White amassed 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks. Sam Hauser led the bench with 22 points, two rebounds and two steals. Payton Pritchard also provided 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Trail Blazers (18-46) were led by Deandre Ayton, accruing 22 points and 15 rebounds. Anfernee Simons accumulated 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jerami Grant generated 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Scoot Henderson compiled 13 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
Boston has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Tuesday, staying on the road to play the Utah Jazz. As for Portland, they remain home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday for their next outing.
A 37-28 first quarter carried the Celtics to this easy win, maintaining the lead for the final three quarters. They got their lead up to 23 points at times, leading by at least six points for the final 40 minutes of this game. Boston out-rebounded Portland, 55-47, while out-assisting them, 34-22. The Celtics won the turnover battle, 11-3. Boston also outscored Portland in the paint, 60-44, and in fastbreak scoring, 23-6.
The Celtics (50-14) were led by Jaylen Brown, finishing with 27 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jayson Tatum tallied 26 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Al Horford had 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while Derek White amassed 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks. Sam Hauser led the bench with 22 points, two rebounds and two steals. Payton Pritchard also provided 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Trail Blazers (18-46) were led by Deandre Ayton, accruing 22 points and 15 rebounds. Anfernee Simons accumulated 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jerami Grant generated 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Scoot Henderson compiled 13 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
Boston has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Tuesday, staying on the road to play the Utah Jazz. As for Portland, they remain home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday for their next outing.