Bulls Hold On To Get Past Knicks
The Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks, 119-115, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
The Bulls (15-8) and the Knicks (11-11) ended playing a game that had plenty of emotions, particularly in the final minutes where the Knicks were quite close to completing what would've been a massive comeback. Chicago enjoyed a strong start to the contest, though, and they jumped out to a 37-19 lead in the opening 12 minutes. While that seemed as if it would set the tone of the game, the Knicks responded quickly and finished the second quarter with a 32-32 tie before reducing the deficit to just six points after a 32-20 score in the third quarter. With only 12 minutes left on the clock, the Knicks also won the final quarter by a 32-30 score, but that wasn't enough to complete what would've been a massive comeback and ended losing by just four points. The Bulls shot 49.4 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three, while the Knicks shot 51.2 percent from the field -- and a meager 34.6 percent from deep.
DeMar DeRozan had a huge game for the Bulls and ended with 34 points, six rebounds and three assists, while both Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine ended with 27 points -- while Vucevic also had seven rebounds and three assists, LaVine chipped in with seven boards, five dimes, a steal and a block. No other Chicago player scored in double digits. Lonzo Ball ended with eight points, six assists and five rebounds, and Alex Caruso had six points, six boards and six assists off the bench.
Julius Randle was the best player for the Knicks and ended with 30 points and 12 rebounds while also adding six assists and two blocks, while both Alec Burks and Evan Fournier chipped in with 16 points -- Burks also posted seven boards, three assists and two steals, while Fournier racked up four steals. Immanuel Quickley had 15 points, and Derrick Rose chipped in with 16 points off the bench.
The Bulls (15-8) and the Knicks (11-11) ended playing a game that had plenty of emotions, particularly in the final minutes where the Knicks were quite close to completing what would've been a massive comeback. Chicago enjoyed a strong start to the contest, though, and they jumped out to a 37-19 lead in the opening 12 minutes. While that seemed as if it would set the tone of the game, the Knicks responded quickly and finished the second quarter with a 32-32 tie before reducing the deficit to just six points after a 32-20 score in the third quarter. With only 12 minutes left on the clock, the Knicks also won the final quarter by a 32-30 score, but that wasn't enough to complete what would've been a massive comeback and ended losing by just four points. The Bulls shot 49.4 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three, while the Knicks shot 51.2 percent from the field -- and a meager 34.6 percent from deep.
DeMar DeRozan had a huge game for the Bulls and ended with 34 points, six rebounds and three assists, while both Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine ended with 27 points -- while Vucevic also had seven rebounds and three assists, LaVine chipped in with seven boards, five dimes, a steal and a block. No other Chicago player scored in double digits. Lonzo Ball ended with eight points, six assists and five rebounds, and Alex Caruso had six points, six boards and six assists off the bench.
Julius Randle was the best player for the Knicks and ended with 30 points and 12 rebounds while also adding six assists and two blocks, while both Alec Burks and Evan Fournier chipped in with 16 points -- Burks also posted seven boards, three assists and two steals, while Fournier racked up four steals. Immanuel Quickley had 15 points, and Derrick Rose chipped in with 16 points off the bench.
Raptors Edge Bucks, 97-93
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 97-93, at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.
The Raptors (10-13) served early notice they wouldn't be facilitating an easy path to a ninth straight win for the Bucks (14-9), with Toronto jumping out to a 48-40 lead by halftime. Milwaukee was able to put a three-point dent into its deficit during the third quarter, and the defending champs got as close as within two points with just 13.6 seconds remaining before the hosts were able to record the final two points of the game on a pair of Fred VanVleet free throws.
Jrue Holiday led the way for the Bucks with 26 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds and one block. Khris Middleton totaled 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one block. Bobby Portis generated a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one steal and one block. Grayson Allen poured in 10 points.
VanVleet paced the Raptors with 29 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists and one block. Pascal Siakam furnished 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one block. Scottie Barnes delivered 13 points, seven boards, four assists, three steals and one block. Gary Trent managed eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
The Bucks return home to host the Miami Heat on Saturday night, while the Raptors host the Washington Wizards on Sunday evening.
The Raptors (10-13) served early notice they wouldn't be facilitating an easy path to a ninth straight win for the Bucks (14-9), with Toronto jumping out to a 48-40 lead by halftime. Milwaukee was able to put a three-point dent into its deficit during the third quarter, and the defending champs got as close as within two points with just 13.6 seconds remaining before the hosts were able to record the final two points of the game on a pair of Fred VanVleet free throws.
Jrue Holiday led the way for the Bucks with 26 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds and one block. Khris Middleton totaled 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one block. Bobby Portis generated a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one steal and one block. Grayson Allen poured in 10 points.
VanVleet paced the Raptors with 29 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists and one block. Pascal Siakam furnished 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one block. Scottie Barnes delivered 13 points, seven boards, four assists, three steals and one block. Gary Trent managed eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
The Bucks return home to host the Miami Heat on Saturday night, while the Raptors host the Washington Wizards on Sunday evening.
Grizzlies Defeat Thunder By NBA-Record 73 Points
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 152-79, at FedEx Forum on Thursday evening.
The 73-point margin of victory is a new NBA record. The Grizzlies took control right from the start with a, 31-16, lead after one quarter. They managed to turn it up a notch in the second, where they outscored the visitors, 41-20, to push their advantage to 36 points by halftime. The Thunder had no answers in the second half, as the Grizzlies added another 15 points to their advantage through the third quarter, making it a 51-point game heading into the final frame. The Grizzlies showed no mercy in the fourth, as the kept the pressure on and rallied to the NBA record, blowout win. This marks the third consecutive win for the Grizzlies, and the eighth straight loss for the Thunder.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting, in 20 minutes. De'Anthony Melton followed up with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Santi Aldama added 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. The Grizzlies shot 62.5 percent from the field, including 19-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Luguentz Dort was the high-point man for the Thunder, with 15 points on 3-of-8 shooting. Tre Mann, Ty Jerome and Mike Muscala chipped in 12 points each, and Isaiah Roby was the only other player to score in double digits, with 11 points. The Thunder shot 33 percent from the field, including 11-of-38 from deep.
The Thunder (6-16) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Monday. The Grizzlies (12-10) take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Saturday.
The 73-point margin of victory is a new NBA record. The Grizzlies took control right from the start with a, 31-16, lead after one quarter. They managed to turn it up a notch in the second, where they outscored the visitors, 41-20, to push their advantage to 36 points by halftime. The Thunder had no answers in the second half, as the Grizzlies added another 15 points to their advantage through the third quarter, making it a 51-point game heading into the final frame. The Grizzlies showed no mercy in the fourth, as the kept the pressure on and rallied to the NBA record, blowout win. This marks the third consecutive win for the Grizzlies, and the eighth straight loss for the Thunder.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting, in 20 minutes. De'Anthony Melton followed up with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Santi Aldama added 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. The Grizzlies shot 62.5 percent from the field, including 19-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Luguentz Dort was the high-point man for the Thunder, with 15 points on 3-of-8 shooting. Tre Mann, Ty Jerome and Mike Muscala chipped in 12 points each, and Isaiah Roby was the only other player to score in double digits, with 11 points. The Thunder shot 33 percent from the field, including 11-of-38 from deep.
The Thunder (6-16) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Monday. The Grizzlies (12-10) take on the Mavericks in Dallas on Saturday.
Suns Push Win Streak To 18 Games
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 114-103, at Footprint Center on Thursday evening.
The Suns got out to a great start with a, 30-18, lead after one quarter. The pace picked up in the second, but the Suns stayed in control and took a, 69-51, lead into the break. The Pistons came out strong in the third quarter and outscored the hosts, 30-18, to cut it back to a six-point game heading into the final frame. The Pistons cut it down to a five-point game early in the fourth, but the Suns stayed a couple steps ahead and held on for their 18th consecutive win. This marks the eighth straight loss for the Pistons.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Suns, led by Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson, who totaled 19 points each, off the bench Mikal Bridges added 18 points, five rebounds and four steals, while Deandre Ayton tallied 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a block. The Suns shot 54 percent from the field, including 12-of-21 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jerami Grant led the Pistons with 34 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, in 38 minutes. Cade Cunningham followed up with 19 points, two rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Isaiah Stewart totaled 12 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and a block. The Pistons shot 45 percent from the field, including 11-of-27 from deep
The Pistons (4-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Thunder on Monday. The Suns (19-3) take on the Warriors in Golden State on Friday.
The Suns got out to a great start with a, 30-18, lead after one quarter. The pace picked up in the second, but the Suns stayed in control and took a, 69-51, lead into the break. The Pistons came out strong in the third quarter and outscored the hosts, 30-18, to cut it back to a six-point game heading into the final frame. The Pistons cut it down to a five-point game early in the fourth, but the Suns stayed a couple steps ahead and held on for their 18th consecutive win. This marks the eighth straight loss for the Pistons.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Suns, led by Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson, who totaled 19 points each, off the bench Mikal Bridges added 18 points, five rebounds and four steals, while Deandre Ayton tallied 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a block. The Suns shot 54 percent from the field, including 12-of-21 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jerami Grant led the Pistons with 34 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, in 38 minutes. Cade Cunningham followed up with 19 points, two rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Isaiah Stewart totaled 12 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and a block. The Pistons shot 45 percent from the field, including 11-of-27 from deep
The Pistons (4-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Thunder on Monday. The Suns (19-3) take on the Warriors in Golden State on Friday.
Spurs Defeat Trail Blazers, 114-83
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 114-83, at Moda Center on Thursday.
Outside of an 18-16 third quarter in favor of Portland, San Antonio won the other three quarters by at least 10 points apiece. In fact, they carried a 68-47 lead into the half and got their lead up to 31 points at times in this wire-to-wire win. The Spurs shot 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while holding the Trail Blazers to 35 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range. In addition, San Antonio out-assisted Portland, 32-19, while outscoring them in the paint, 54-26.
The Spurs (7-13) were led by Dejounte Murray, tallying 15 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Doug McDermott dropped 16 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jakob Poeltl provided 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and four blocks, while Derrick White compiled 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Bryn Forbes led the bench with 16 points.
The Trail Blazers (11-12) were led by C.J. McCollum and his 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. Norman Powell amassed 16 points and four boards. Robert Covington had 10 points and six rebounds, while Jusuf Nurkic totaled 10 points and seven boards. Ben McLemore led the bench with 11 points, two rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Portland remaining home to face the Boston Celtics and San Antonio staying on the road to play the Golden State Warriors.
Outside of an 18-16 third quarter in favor of Portland, San Antonio won the other three quarters by at least 10 points apiece. In fact, they carried a 68-47 lead into the half and got their lead up to 31 points at times in this wire-to-wire win. The Spurs shot 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while holding the Trail Blazers to 35 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range. In addition, San Antonio out-assisted Portland, 32-19, while outscoring them in the paint, 54-26.
The Spurs (7-13) were led by Dejounte Murray, tallying 15 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Doug McDermott dropped 16 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jakob Poeltl provided 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists and four blocks, while Derrick White compiled 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Bryn Forbes led the bench with 16 points.
The Trail Blazers (11-12) were led by C.J. McCollum and his 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. Norman Powell amassed 16 points and four boards. Robert Covington had 10 points and six rebounds, while Jusuf Nurkic totaled 10 points and seven boards. Ben McLemore led the bench with 11 points, two rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Portland remaining home to face the Boston Celtics and San Antonio staying on the road to play the Golden State Warriors.