Knicks Cruise To Easy Win Over 76ers
The New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 106-79, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
The Knicks (38-27) didn’t have major problems to get past the 76ers (36-29) in front of 19,812 fans at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks dominated early and built a double-digit lead following the first quarter after a 26-14 score. New York didn’t step off the gas the rest of the way, and by the time the second quarter ended, they were leading by a 59-41 score following a 33-27 second quarter. The 76ers didn’t find a way to react and also lost the third quarter by a 28-20 score. The game was all but over by the time the final 12 minutes started, but the Knicks closed things out with a 19-18 score. With the win, the Knicks moved to 22-13 at home, while the 76ers fell to 17-14 on the road. The Knicks won the season series 3-1.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart led the way for the Knicks with 20 points each. Brunson also dished out nine assists, while Hart grabbed 19 rebounds and handed 10 assists. OG Anunoby posted 14 points and four rebounds in 29 minutes in his return following a lengthy absence. Donte DiVincenzo notched 16 points and four assists. Precious Achiuwa recorded 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks coming off the bench. The Knicks shot 50.6 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range.
Kelly Oubre Jr. was the leading scorer for the 76ers with 19 points and six rebounds. Tyrese Maxey posted 17 points, four assists and two rebounds. No other Philadelphia starter scored in double digits. Paul Reed was the only other player who scored in double digits for Philly after ending with 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench. The Sixers shot 37.5 percent from the field and 24.2 percent from deep.
The Knicks (38-27) didn’t have major problems to get past the 76ers (36-29) in front of 19,812 fans at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks dominated early and built a double-digit lead following the first quarter after a 26-14 score. New York didn’t step off the gas the rest of the way, and by the time the second quarter ended, they were leading by a 59-41 score following a 33-27 second quarter. The 76ers didn’t find a way to react and also lost the third quarter by a 28-20 score. The game was all but over by the time the final 12 minutes started, but the Knicks closed things out with a 19-18 score. With the win, the Knicks moved to 22-13 at home, while the 76ers fell to 17-14 on the road. The Knicks won the season series 3-1.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart led the way for the Knicks with 20 points each. Brunson also dished out nine assists, while Hart grabbed 19 rebounds and handed 10 assists. OG Anunoby posted 14 points and four rebounds in 29 minutes in his return following a lengthy absence. Donte DiVincenzo notched 16 points and four assists. Precious Achiuwa recorded 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks coming off the bench. The Knicks shot 50.6 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range.
Kelly Oubre Jr. was the leading scorer for the 76ers with 19 points and six rebounds. Tyrese Maxey posted 17 points, four assists and two rebounds. No other Philadelphia starter scored in double digits. Paul Reed was the only other player who scored in double digits for Philly after ending with 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench. The Sixers shot 37.5 percent from the field and 24.2 percent from deep.
Pacers Pull Upset To Defeat Thunder
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-111, at Paycom Center on Tuesday.
The Pacers (36-29) delivered one of their best road performances of the season Tuesday and found a way to defeat one of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Thunder (45-19). Indiana enjoyed a strong start and raced to a 22-17 score in the first quarter, but they pulled away for good in the second quarter with a 36-29 score. Even though the Thunder fought back and reduced the deficit with a 41-36 score in the third quarter, it was not enough to think about a potential comeback. The Pacers closed things out with a 27-24 score in the final 12 minutes. With the win, the Pacers moved to 16-16 on the road, while the Thunder fell to 26-6 at home.
Myles Turner led the way for the Pacers with 24 points, three rebounds and four assists. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 18 points and 12 assists. Pascal Siakam delivered 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Aaron Nesmith recorded 15 points and four boards. Andrew Nembhard had 14 points, five assists and four rebounds. Obi Toppin added 10 points off the bench. The Pacers shot 53.9 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three-point range.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren had a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds while adding two blocks. Luguentz Dort posted 18 points and three assists. Josh Giddey finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Cason Wallace posted 11 points off the bench. The Thunder shot 43.4 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from deep.
The Pacers (36-29) delivered one of their best road performances of the season Tuesday and found a way to defeat one of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Thunder (45-19). Indiana enjoyed a strong start and raced to a 22-17 score in the first quarter, but they pulled away for good in the second quarter with a 36-29 score. Even though the Thunder fought back and reduced the deficit with a 41-36 score in the third quarter, it was not enough to think about a potential comeback. The Pacers closed things out with a 27-24 score in the final 12 minutes. With the win, the Pacers moved to 16-16 on the road, while the Thunder fell to 26-6 at home.
Myles Turner led the way for the Pacers with 24 points, three rebounds and four assists. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 18 points and 12 assists. Pascal Siakam delivered 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Aaron Nesmith recorded 15 points and four boards. Andrew Nembhard had 14 points, five assists and four rebounds. Obi Toppin added 10 points off the bench. The Pacers shot 53.9 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three-point range.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren had a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds while adding two blocks. Luguentz Dort posted 18 points and three assists. Josh Giddey finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Cason Wallace posted 11 points off the bench. The Thunder shot 43.4 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from deep.
Grizzlies Top Wizards, 109-97
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Washington Wizards, 109-97, at FedEx Forum on Tuesday night.
Neither team came into the interconference battle with a reputation for big wins, but the Grizzlies (23-43) served early notice that Tuesday night might be different. Memphis owned a 29-21 lead over the Wizards after one, and they added another 17 points to their advantage by intermission. Washington tightened up the defense in the second half while only ceding 42 points to the hosts, but it was nowhere near enough to overcome the big early deficit.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 24 points, adding seven rebounds, five assists and one steal. Corey Kispert furnished 22 points, two rebounds and one steal. Deni Avdija registered 16 points, four boards and one assist. Bilal Coulibaly totaled 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Jordan Poole registered 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and one block.
Trey Jemison paced the Grizzlies with 24 points, complementing them with six rebounds and two blocks. GG Jackson recorded 19 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block. Jake LaRavia delivered 16 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals. Luke Kennard registered 13 points, eight assists, four rebounds and one steal. Santi Aldama compiled 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
The Wizards remain on the road and visit the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, while the Grizzlies host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
Neither team came into the interconference battle with a reputation for big wins, but the Grizzlies (23-43) served early notice that Tuesday night might be different. Memphis owned a 29-21 lead over the Wizards after one, and they added another 17 points to their advantage by intermission. Washington tightened up the defense in the second half while only ceding 42 points to the hosts, but it was nowhere near enough to overcome the big early deficit.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 24 points, adding seven rebounds, five assists and one steal. Corey Kispert furnished 22 points, two rebounds and one steal. Deni Avdija registered 16 points, four boards and one assist. Bilal Coulibaly totaled 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Jordan Poole registered 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and one block.
Trey Jemison paced the Grizzlies with 24 points, complementing them with six rebounds and two blocks. GG Jackson recorded 19 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block. Jake LaRavia delivered 16 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals. Luke Kennard registered 13 points, eight assists, four rebounds and one steal. Santi Aldama compiled 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals.
The Wizards remain on the road and visit the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, while the Grizzlies host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
Rockets Edge Spurs, 103-101
The Houston Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 103-101, at Frost Bank Center on Tuesday night.
The Spurs (14-52), which had been playing better of late, opened the game hot offensively on their way to a 30-24 lead over the Rockets (30-35) through one. However, Houston shaved its deficit in half during the second quarter while limiting San Antonio to 17 points and eventually took a four-point advantage into the final period. San Antonio remained competitive until the final buzzer, however, with the game not decided until Devin Vassell's missed free throw with 3.1 seconds remaining was rebounded by Amen Thompson.
Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 21 points, adding seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. Jalen Green furnished 16 points, seven boards and five assists. Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two steals. Dillon Brooks netted 14 points. Jock Landale contributed 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block.
Tre Jones paced the Spurs with 24 points, supplementing them with five assists, three rebounds and three steals. Jeremy Sochan collected 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Victor Wembanyama generated a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists, two blocks and one steal. Julian Champagnie and Blake Wesley had matching 10-point, three-rebound efforts while adding two steals and three assists, respectively.
The Rockets return home to host the Washington Wizards on Thursday night, while the Spurs host the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
The Spurs (14-52), which had been playing better of late, opened the game hot offensively on their way to a 30-24 lead over the Rockets (30-35) through one. However, Houston shaved its deficit in half during the second quarter while limiting San Antonio to 17 points and eventually took a four-point advantage into the final period. San Antonio remained competitive until the final buzzer, however, with the game not decided until Devin Vassell's missed free throw with 3.1 seconds remaining was rebounded by Amen Thompson.
Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 21 points, adding seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. Jalen Green furnished 16 points, seven boards and five assists. Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two steals. Dillon Brooks netted 14 points. Jock Landale contributed 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block.
Tre Jones paced the Spurs with 24 points, supplementing them with five assists, three rebounds and three steals. Jeremy Sochan collected 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Victor Wembanyama generated a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists, two blocks and one steal. Julian Champagnie and Blake Wesley had matching 10-point, three-rebound efforts while adding two steals and three assists, respectively.
The Rockets return home to host the Washington Wizards on Thursday night, while the Spurs host the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
Tatum Leads Celtics Past Jazz
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Utah Jazz, 123-107, at Delta Center on Tuesday evening.
Jayson Tatum poured in 38 points to lead the shorthanded Celtics to the win in Utah. The game got out to a high-scoring start, but the Celtics took the upper hand and led, 44-33, after one quarter. The visitors maintained control through the second and managed to push it to a 15-point game by halftime. The Jazz brought a better effort in the third and outscored the Celtics by eight points in the quarter, to cut it back to a seven-point difference entering the final frame. The Celtics reclaimed momentum in the fourth and rallied to the finish to secure their third straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Jazz.
Tatum shot 13-for-25 from the field on his way to the game-high 38 points, and he added six rebounds, two assists and a block, in 34 minutes. Derrick White followed up with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and three blocks, while Jrue Holiday tallied 16 points, five rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block.
Meanwhile, Keyonte George led the Jazz with 26 points, six assists and two blocks, in 35 minutes. Jordan Clarkson followed up with 21 points, two assists and a steal, while Collin Sexton logged 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a block.
The Jazz (28-37) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Hawks on Friday. The Celtics (51-14) play host to the Suns on Thursday.
Jayson Tatum poured in 38 points to lead the shorthanded Celtics to the win in Utah. The game got out to a high-scoring start, but the Celtics took the upper hand and led, 44-33, after one quarter. The visitors maintained control through the second and managed to push it to a 15-point game by halftime. The Jazz brought a better effort in the third and outscored the Celtics by eight points in the quarter, to cut it back to a seven-point difference entering the final frame. The Celtics reclaimed momentum in the fourth and rallied to the finish to secure their third straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Jazz.
Tatum shot 13-for-25 from the field on his way to the game-high 38 points, and he added six rebounds, two assists and a block, in 34 minutes. Derrick White followed up with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and three blocks, while Jrue Holiday tallied 16 points, five rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block.
Meanwhile, Keyonte George led the Jazz with 26 points, six assists and two blocks, in 35 minutes. Jordan Clarkson followed up with 21 points, two assists and a steal, while Collin Sexton logged 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a block.
The Jazz (28-37) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Hawks on Friday. The Celtics (51-14) play host to the Suns on Thursday.
T'Wolves Defeat Clippers, 118-100
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers, 118-100, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
Each team had a game-high 22-point lead in this game, with Minnesota completing a 44-point turnaround to win. Los Angeles led by 22 in the second quarter, but Minnesota rode a 63-37 second half to their comeback victory. They shot 51 percent from the field while holding the Clippers below 48 percent shooting. Minnesota out-rebounded Los Angeles, 52-40, while outscoring them in the paint, 62-40. They also won the turnover battle, 18-9, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 27-11.
The Timberwolves (45-21) were led by Anthony Edwards, accruing 37 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Mike Conley collected 23 points, three rebounds and three assists. Kyle Anderson amassed 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists, while Rudy Gobert had eight points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the bench with 28 points and three boards.
The Clippers (41-23) were led by Paul George, providing 22 points, three rebounds and three assists. James Harden tallied 12 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Ivica Zubac totaled 10 points and eight rebounds, while Norman Powell led the bench with 11 points, four rebounds and two assists. Kawhi Leonard played just 12 minutes, suffering back spasms.
On deck for Los Angeles is a road matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. As for Minnesota, they're off until Saturday, when they travel to face the Utah Jazz.
Each team had a game-high 22-point lead in this game, with Minnesota completing a 44-point turnaround to win. Los Angeles led by 22 in the second quarter, but Minnesota rode a 63-37 second half to their comeback victory. They shot 51 percent from the field while holding the Clippers below 48 percent shooting. Minnesota out-rebounded Los Angeles, 52-40, while outscoring them in the paint, 62-40. They also won the turnover battle, 18-9, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 27-11.
The Timberwolves (45-21) were led by Anthony Edwards, accruing 37 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Mike Conley collected 23 points, three rebounds and three assists. Kyle Anderson amassed 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists, while Rudy Gobert had eight points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the bench with 28 points and three boards.
The Clippers (41-23) were led by Paul George, providing 22 points, three rebounds and three assists. James Harden tallied 12 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Ivica Zubac totaled 10 points and eight rebounds, while Norman Powell led the bench with 11 points, four rebounds and two assists. Kawhi Leonard played just 12 minutes, suffering back spasms.
On deck for Los Angeles is a road matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. As for Minnesota, they're off until Saturday, when they travel to face the Utah Jazz.
Kings Clobber Bucks, 129-94
The Sacramento Kings defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 129-94, at Golden One Center on Tuesday.
A 38-30 first quarter set the tone for the Kings in this wire-to-wire win, getting out to a 75-56 lead at the half. A 34-16 fourth quarter completed their blowout victory, leading by at least 14 points for the entirety of the second half. Sacramento shot 53 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range while holding Milwaukee to 37 percent from the field and 18 percent from long range. The Kings also out-assisted the Bucks, 34-23, while outscoring them in the paint, 54-42. Their 11 steals were massive as well because Milwaukee had just three.
The Bucks (42-24) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, accruing 30 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Malik Beasley amassed 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. Damian Lillard missed 10 of his 12 shots to finish with 10 points, five rebounds and six assists. Bobby Portis led the bench with 11 points and seven boards.
The Kings (37-27) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Domantas Sabonis had 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Harrison Barnes had 16 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Malik Monk led the bench with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Sacramento has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, remaining home to play the Los Angeles Lakers. As for Milwaukee, they return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday for their next fixture.
A 38-30 first quarter set the tone for the Kings in this wire-to-wire win, getting out to a 75-56 lead at the half. A 34-16 fourth quarter completed their blowout victory, leading by at least 14 points for the entirety of the second half. Sacramento shot 53 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range while holding Milwaukee to 37 percent from the field and 18 percent from long range. The Kings also out-assisted the Bucks, 34-23, while outscoring them in the paint, 54-42. Their 11 steals were massive as well because Milwaukee had just three.
The Bucks (42-24) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, accruing 30 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Malik Beasley amassed 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. Damian Lillard missed 10 of his 12 shots to finish with 10 points, five rebounds and six assists. Bobby Portis led the bench with 11 points and seven boards.
The Kings (37-27) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Domantas Sabonis had 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Harrison Barnes had 16 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Malik Monk led the bench with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Sacramento has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, remaining home to play the Los Angeles Lakers. As for Milwaukee, they return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday for their next fixture.