Heat Overcome Slow Start. Get Past Pistons
The Miami Heat defeated the Detroit Pistons, 108-95, at Little Caesars Arena on Friday.
The Heat (36-30) didn’t have problems getting past the Pistons (12-54) despite playing away from home. Miami had to endure a slow start before winning, as Detroit jumped to a 28-27 lead after the first quarter. The Pistons couldn’t hold on to their advantage, and the Heat was up by two at the end of the first half (56-54). A 28-18 score in the third quarter pulled the Heat away for good. The Pistons tried to come back in the fourth quarter, but they didn’t get the job done. Miami won the final 12 minutes by a 24-23 score to close the game by a 13-point margin. The game turned out to be much closer than what the final score indicates, though. The third quarter, in which Miami won 10 points, was the main differential in this game. With the win, the Heat moved to 19-15 on the road, while the Pistons fell to 7-27 at home.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Heat with 22 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals. Jimmy Butler had 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Terry Rozier ended with 18 points and five rebounds. Duncan Robinson notched 16 points, five assists and three steals. Caleb Martin delivered 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Thomas Bryant had 11 points. Miami shot 47.3 percent from the field and 20.6 percent from deep.
Simone Fontecchio paced the Pistons with 24 points and six rebounds. Cade Cunningham only finished with 11 points (5-15 FG) but added nine assists and six rebounds. Jalen Duren had 15 points and 17 rebounds. Jaden Ivey finished with 14 points, nine assists and three rebounds. Isaiah Stewart had 10 points and six boards. Evan Fournier recorded 12 points. Detroit shot 42.9 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three-point range.
The Heat (36-30) didn’t have problems getting past the Pistons (12-54) despite playing away from home. Miami had to endure a slow start before winning, as Detroit jumped to a 28-27 lead after the first quarter. The Pistons couldn’t hold on to their advantage, and the Heat was up by two at the end of the first half (56-54). A 28-18 score in the third quarter pulled the Heat away for good. The Pistons tried to come back in the fourth quarter, but they didn’t get the job done. Miami won the final 12 minutes by a 24-23 score to close the game by a 13-point margin. The game turned out to be much closer than what the final score indicates, though. The third quarter, in which Miami won 10 points, was the main differential in this game. With the win, the Heat moved to 19-15 on the road, while the Pistons fell to 7-27 at home.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Heat with 22 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals. Jimmy Butler had 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Terry Rozier ended with 18 points and five rebounds. Duncan Robinson notched 16 points, five assists and three steals. Caleb Martin delivered 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Thomas Bryant had 11 points. Miami shot 47.3 percent from the field and 20.6 percent from deep.
Simone Fontecchio paced the Pistons with 24 points and six rebounds. Cade Cunningham only finished with 11 points (5-15 FG) but added nine assists and six rebounds. Jalen Duren had 15 points and 17 rebounds. Jaden Ivey finished with 14 points, nine assists and three rebounds. Isaiah Stewart had 10 points and six boards. Evan Fournier recorded 12 points. Detroit shot 42.9 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three-point range.
Suns Top Hornets, 107-96
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 107-96, at Spectrum Center on Friday night.
The Suns (39-28) came into the night looking to erase the sting of a loss to the Boston Celtics a mere 24 hours earlier, but they emerged from the first quarter with a modest 28-26 lead over the underdog Hornets (17-50). However, Phoenix began to exert its will in the second quarter by adding seven points to its advantage before halftime, and when they outscored Charlotte by a 38-22 margin in the third, the game was essentially decided.
Devin Booker led the Suns with a 21-point, 11-assist double-double that included six rebounds, one steal and one block. Grayson Allen delivered 17 points, three assists and one steal. Bradley Beal supplied 15 points, seven assists and six boards. Eric Gordon managed 14 points. Jusuf Nurkic contributed a 13-point, 21-rebound double-double that included two assists and one block. Kevin Durant matched Nurkic's scoring and added eight rebounds, five assists and one steal.
Vasilije Micic led the Hornets with 21 points, complementing them with three assists, one rebound and one block. Grant Williams posted 20 points, six boards, one assist and one steal. Miles Bridges generated a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three assists. Brandon Miller registered 14 points, four boards, one assist, two steals and one block. Tre Mann compiled 12 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal.
The Suns remain on the road and visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon, while the Hornets visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
The Suns (39-28) came into the night looking to erase the sting of a loss to the Boston Celtics a mere 24 hours earlier, but they emerged from the first quarter with a modest 28-26 lead over the underdog Hornets (17-50). However, Phoenix began to exert its will in the second quarter by adding seven points to its advantage before halftime, and when they outscored Charlotte by a 38-22 margin in the third, the game was essentially decided.
Devin Booker led the Suns with a 21-point, 11-assist double-double that included six rebounds, one steal and one block. Grayson Allen delivered 17 points, three assists and one steal. Bradley Beal supplied 15 points, seven assists and six boards. Eric Gordon managed 14 points. Jusuf Nurkic contributed a 13-point, 21-rebound double-double that included two assists and one block. Kevin Durant matched Nurkic's scoring and added eight rebounds, five assists and one steal.
Vasilije Micic led the Hornets with 21 points, complementing them with three assists, one rebound and one block. Grant Williams posted 20 points, six boards, one assist and one steal. Miles Bridges generated a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three assists. Brandon Miller registered 14 points, four boards, one assist, two steals and one block. Tre Mann compiled 12 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal.
The Suns remain on the road and visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon, while the Hornets visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
Magic take down Raptors, 113-103, in Eastern Conference clash
The Orlando Magic took down the Toronto Raptors, 113-103, at Scotiabank Arena on Friday.
The Magic (39-28) kicked things off with a 14-5 run in the first quarter, but the Raptors (23-44) closed out the frame on a 17-7 run of their own to go up by three. The teams exchanged buckets and leads in the second quarter, but Orlando took over in the second half by winning the third quarter, 34-25, and held on down the stretch to win its second game in a row. The Magic improved to 17-19 on the road thanks to shooting 50.0 percent from the field and going 19-for-22 from the charity stripe. Toronto dropped to 13-20 at home and have now lost six straight.
Franz Wagner led the Magic with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Paolo Banchero nearly had a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Suggs added 16 points, three assists and three steals, while Wendell Carter contributed 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Cole Anthony led the bench with 12 points and three rebounds.
Gary Trent led the Raptors with a game-high 31 points and four rebounds. Jordan Nwora led the reserves with 14 points, five rebounds and two steals, while Bruce Brown tallied 12 points, four rebounds and five assists off the pine. Kelly Olynyk supplied 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Immanuel Quickley registered his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points, three rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.
Friday's contest was the first game of a home-and-home series between the Magic and Raptors. The two squads will play again Sunday, March 17 in Orlando at the Kia Center.
The Magic (39-28) kicked things off with a 14-5 run in the first quarter, but the Raptors (23-44) closed out the frame on a 17-7 run of their own to go up by three. The teams exchanged buckets and leads in the second quarter, but Orlando took over in the second half by winning the third quarter, 34-25, and held on down the stretch to win its second game in a row. The Magic improved to 17-19 on the road thanks to shooting 50.0 percent from the field and going 19-for-22 from the charity stripe. Toronto dropped to 13-20 at home and have now lost six straight.
Franz Wagner led the Magic with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Paolo Banchero nearly had a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Suggs added 16 points, three assists and three steals, while Wendell Carter contributed 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Cole Anthony led the bench with 12 points and three rebounds.
Gary Trent led the Raptors with a game-high 31 points and four rebounds. Jordan Nwora led the reserves with 14 points, five rebounds and two steals, while Bruce Brown tallied 12 points, four rebounds and five assists off the pine. Kelly Olynyk supplied 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Immanuel Quickley registered his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points, three rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.
Friday's contest was the first game of a home-and-home series between the Magic and Raptors. The two squads will play again Sunday, March 17 in Orlando at the Kia Center.
Pelicans Defeat Clippers, 112-104
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 112-104, at Smoothie King Center on Friday.
While there were 13 lead changes in the first half, New Orleans never relinquished the lead in the second half. A 30-22 second quarter allowed them to take control, but they never led by more than 11 points. There were 13 ties as well. The Pelicans shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range, while the Clippers shot 48 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. New Orleans recorded 29 assists to eight turnovers, while Los Angeles had 18 assists to 12 turnovers. They also outscored them in the paint, 58-36, while out-rebounding them, 49-42.
The Clippers (42-24) were led by Paul George, providing 26 points, five rebounds and six assists. Kawhi Leonard collected 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Ivica Zubac amassed nine points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Norman Powell led the bench with 15 points. No other player reached double figures in scoring.
The Pelicans (40-26) were led by Zion Williamson, tallying 34 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Brandon Ingram totaled 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists. CJ McCollum compiled 11 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Trey Murphy led the bench with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.
On deck for LA is a home matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. As for New Orleans, they play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, playing host to the Portland Trail Blazers.
While there were 13 lead changes in the first half, New Orleans never relinquished the lead in the second half. A 30-22 second quarter allowed them to take control, but they never led by more than 11 points. There were 13 ties as well. The Pelicans shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range, while the Clippers shot 48 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. New Orleans recorded 29 assists to eight turnovers, while Los Angeles had 18 assists to 12 turnovers. They also outscored them in the paint, 58-36, while out-rebounding them, 49-42.
The Clippers (42-24) were led by Paul George, providing 26 points, five rebounds and six assists. Kawhi Leonard collected 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Ivica Zubac amassed nine points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Norman Powell led the bench with 15 points. No other player reached double figures in scoring.
The Pelicans (40-26) were led by Zion Williamson, tallying 34 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Brandon Ingram totaled 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists. CJ McCollum compiled 11 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Trey Murphy led the bench with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.
On deck for LA is a home matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. As for New Orleans, they play the second half of a back-to-back set on Saturday, playing host to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Nuggets Defeat Spurs, 117-106
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host San Antonio Spurs, 117-106, at Frost Bank Center on Friday.
A 37-18 first quarter set the foundation for Denver in this dominating victory, holding the lead for all but one minute in this game. They got their lead up to 21 points at times, maintaining a double-digit lead for the closing eight minutes. Denver shot 55 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding San Antonio to 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. They also out-assisted them, 36-23, while outscoring them in the paint, 64-44. The Nugs recorded 13 steals, while San Antonio had just six.
The Nuggets (47-20) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 31 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Jamal Murray amassed 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 13 points and seven rebounds, while Aaron Gordon accrued seven points, three rebounds and seven assists. Christian Braun led the bench with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
The Spurs (14-53) were led by Jeremy Sochan, finishing with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Devin Vassell had 17 points, two rebounds and two assists. Victor Wembanyama generated 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. Tre Jones tallied eight points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Zach Collins led the bench with 13 points and six boards.
Both teams return to action on Sunday, with San Antonio staying home to play the Brooklyn Nets and Denver remaining on the road to face the Dallas Mavericks.
A 37-18 first quarter set the foundation for Denver in this dominating victory, holding the lead for all but one minute in this game. They got their lead up to 21 points at times, maintaining a double-digit lead for the closing eight minutes. Denver shot 55 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding San Antonio to 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. They also out-assisted them, 36-23, while outscoring them in the paint, 64-44. The Nugs recorded 13 steals, while San Antonio had just six.
The Nuggets (47-20) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 31 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Jamal Murray amassed 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 13 points and seven rebounds, while Aaron Gordon accrued seven points, three rebounds and seven assists. Christian Braun led the bench with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
The Spurs (14-53) were led by Jeremy Sochan, finishing with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Devin Vassell had 17 points, two rebounds and two assists. Victor Wembanyama generated 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. Tre Jones tallied eight points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Zach Collins led the bench with 13 points and six boards.
Both teams return to action on Sunday, with San Antonio staying home to play the Brooklyn Nets and Denver remaining on the road to face the Dallas Mavericks.
Jazz Hold Off Hawks In Utah
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 124-122, at Delta Center on Friday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start, while Jazz pulled ahead for a, 34-28, lead after one quarter. The Hawks picked up their play in the second and grabbed a one-point edge by the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the hosts managed to reclaim a two-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Jazz jumped out to a 10-point lead mid way through the fourth and maintained a step ahead the rest of the way to put an end to a three-game slide. This also marks the third straight loss for the Hawks.
Keyonte George led the Jazz with 25 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 35 minutes. Collin Sexton followed up with 21 points, four rebounds six assists and two steals, while John Collins logged 18 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block.
Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 33 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. De'Andre Hunter followed up with 27 points, two rebounds and a steal, while Jalen Johnson totaled 26 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Hawks (29-37) will look to bounce back as they take on the Clippers in L.A. on Sunday. The Jazz (29-37) play host to the Timberwolves on Saturday.
The game got out to a competitive start, while Jazz pulled ahead for a, 34-28, lead after one quarter. The Hawks picked up their play in the second and grabbed a one-point edge by the break. Both sides came out strong in the third, but the hosts managed to reclaim a two-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Jazz jumped out to a 10-point lead mid way through the fourth and maintained a step ahead the rest of the way to put an end to a three-game slide. This also marks the third straight loss for the Hawks.
Keyonte George led the Jazz with 25 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 35 minutes. Collin Sexton followed up with 21 points, four rebounds six assists and two steals, while John Collins logged 18 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block.
Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 33 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two steals, in 39 minutes. De'Andre Hunter followed up with 27 points, two rebounds and a steal, while Jalen Johnson totaled 26 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Hawks (29-37) will look to bounce back as they take on the Clippers in L.A. on Sunday. The Jazz (29-37) play host to the Timberwolves on Saturday.