Clippers Use Late Bucket To Get Past Magic
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Orlando Magic, 106-104, at Staples Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Clippers (15-12) and the Magic (5-22) played a tight game, and while not many expected this contest to be such a close affair considering the records from both teams, the Magic put up a very good fight against a superior team. In fact, Orlando jumped out to a 30-23 lead in the first quarter and looked in control of the contest before the Clippers turned things around following a 26-14 score in the second quarter. Orlando tried to fight back and won the third quarter by a 31-29 score, making it a three-point contest with just 12 minutes left. The Magic fought in the fourth quarter and managed to tie the game inside the final minute of regulation, but the Clippers drilled the game-winning shot when Reggie Jackson nailed a two-pointer with only 2.2 seconds left. The Magic had the chance to win it, but Terrence Ross missed what would’ve been the game-winning three.
Reggie Jackson led the Clippers with 25 points and three assists, while Luke Kennard posted 23 points, five assists and three boards. Terrence Mann delivered 16 points and nine rebounds, while Ivica Zubac contributed 10 points and six rebounds. No other Clipper scored in double digits. Los Angeles shot 45.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.
Cole Anthony was the best player for Orlando with 23 points and six rebounds, while Franz Wagner delivered 20 points. Mo Bamba ended with 11 points and seven boards, while Wendell Carter Jr. registered 14 rebounds despite scoring just two points. Gary Harris had 14 points, and Terrence Ross added 22 points off the bench. Moritz Wagner had seven points. Orlando shot 43.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from deep.
The Clippers (15-12) and the Magic (5-22) played a tight game, and while not many expected this contest to be such a close affair considering the records from both teams, the Magic put up a very good fight against a superior team. In fact, Orlando jumped out to a 30-23 lead in the first quarter and looked in control of the contest before the Clippers turned things around following a 26-14 score in the second quarter. Orlando tried to fight back and won the third quarter by a 31-29 score, making it a three-point contest with just 12 minutes left. The Magic fought in the fourth quarter and managed to tie the game inside the final minute of regulation, but the Clippers drilled the game-winning shot when Reggie Jackson nailed a two-pointer with only 2.2 seconds left. The Magic had the chance to win it, but Terrence Ross missed what would’ve been the game-winning three.
Reggie Jackson led the Clippers with 25 points and three assists, while Luke Kennard posted 23 points, five assists and three boards. Terrence Mann delivered 16 points and nine rebounds, while Ivica Zubac contributed 10 points and six rebounds. No other Clipper scored in double digits. Los Angeles shot 45.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.
Cole Anthony was the best player for Orlando with 23 points and six rebounds, while Franz Wagner delivered 20 points. Mo Bamba ended with 11 points and seven boards, while Wendell Carter Jr. registered 14 rebounds despite scoring just two points. Gary Harris had 14 points, and Terrence Ross added 22 points off the bench. Moritz Wagner had seven points. Orlando shot 43.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from deep.
Jazz Use Big Second Half To Get Past Wizards
The Utah Jazz defeated the Washington Wizards, 123-98, at Capital One Arena on Saturday night.
The Jazz (19-7) and the Wizards (15-12) played a tight contest in the first half and it seemed as if the game was going to go down to the wire, but such was not the case and the visitors pulled away for good in the second half en route to a huge victory on enemy territory. In fact, Utah opened up a four-point lead following the first quarter (28-24) only to see the Wizards grab a one-point lead at the break (51-50 following a 27-22 second quarter). The Jazz started the second half with a more aggressive approach and outscored their rivals by a 31-18 score in the opening 12 minutes of the second half, setting up an advantage they'd never relinquish. They didn't step the foot out of the gas, however, and they also won the fourth quarter by a 42-29 score to close things out with ease.
Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Jazz with 28 points and four assists, while Rudy Gobert posted a strong double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Bojan Bogdanovic had 16 points and four rebounds, while Mike Conley contributed 11 points, eight assists and four boards. Hassan Whiteside had 18 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, while Jordan Clarkson notched 11 points and five dimes off the bench as well.
Bradley Beal was the best player for the Wizards and ended with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Daniel Gafford had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie was the only other Washington starter who scored in double digits and finished with 12 points and four assists. Raul Neto came off the bench and chipped in with 13 points and three rebounds.
The Jazz (19-7) and the Wizards (15-12) played a tight contest in the first half and it seemed as if the game was going to go down to the wire, but such was not the case and the visitors pulled away for good in the second half en route to a huge victory on enemy territory. In fact, Utah opened up a four-point lead following the first quarter (28-24) only to see the Wizards grab a one-point lead at the break (51-50 following a 27-22 second quarter). The Jazz started the second half with a more aggressive approach and outscored their rivals by a 31-18 score in the opening 12 minutes of the second half, setting up an advantage they'd never relinquish. They didn't step the foot out of the gas, however, and they also won the fourth quarter by a 42-29 score to close things out with ease.
Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Jazz with 28 points and four assists, while Rudy Gobert posted a strong double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Bojan Bogdanovic had 16 points and four rebounds, while Mike Conley contributed 11 points, eight assists and four boards. Hassan Whiteside had 18 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, while Jordan Clarkson notched 11 points and five dimes off the bench as well.
Bradley Beal was the best player for the Wizards and ended with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Daniel Gafford had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie was the only other Washington starter who scored in double digits and finished with 12 points and four assists. Raul Neto came off the bench and chipped in with 13 points and three rebounds.
Cavaliers Cruise To Defeat Kings
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings, 117-103, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
The Cavaliers (16-12) enjoyed a strong start and that’s all they needed to get past the Kings (11-16) in front of their fans, as Cleveland jumped out to a 36-23 lead in the first quarter and simply never looked back. The Cavs also scored 45 points in the second quarter alone and were up by 29 points at halftime. They relaxed a bit in the second half and saw how the Kings won both the third (26-20) and fourth (25-16) quarters, but that was not enough to put their win in any sort of jeopardy. The Cavs closed things out with ease and delivered one of their most comprehensive wins of the campaign. Cleveland shot 46.6 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from deep, while Sacramento shot 44.1 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range.
Seven Cleveland players scored in double digits here, led by Isaac Okoro who had 20 points and four rebounds. Jarrett Allen (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Evan Mobley (15 points, 15 rebounds) both had double-doubles, while Darius Garland contributed 16 points, 13 assists and six rebounds. Kevin Love had 11 points, Ricky Rubio added 15, and Cedi Osman had 18 -- all three coming off the bench. Rubio also added three assists and three steals as well.
Buddy Hield came off the bench but that didn’t stop him from leading the Kings in scoring since he finished with 21 points and five rebounds. Davion Mitchell had 14 points and five assists off the bench. De’Aaron Fox had 13 points and six boards, while Harrison Barnes ended with 12 points. No other Sacramento starter had double-digit points.
The Cavaliers (16-12) enjoyed a strong start and that’s all they needed to get past the Kings (11-16) in front of their fans, as Cleveland jumped out to a 36-23 lead in the first quarter and simply never looked back. The Cavs also scored 45 points in the second quarter alone and were up by 29 points at halftime. They relaxed a bit in the second half and saw how the Kings won both the third (26-20) and fourth (25-16) quarters, but that was not enough to put their win in any sort of jeopardy. The Cavs closed things out with ease and delivered one of their most comprehensive wins of the campaign. Cleveland shot 46.6 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from deep, while Sacramento shot 44.1 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range.
Seven Cleveland players scored in double digits here, led by Isaac Okoro who had 20 points and four rebounds. Jarrett Allen (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Evan Mobley (15 points, 15 rebounds) both had double-doubles, while Darius Garland contributed 16 points, 13 assists and six rebounds. Kevin Love had 11 points, Ricky Rubio added 15, and Cedi Osman had 18 -- all three coming off the bench. Rubio also added three assists and three steals as well.
Buddy Hield came off the bench but that didn’t stop him from leading the Kings in scoring since he finished with 21 points and five rebounds. Davion Mitchell had 14 points and five assists off the bench. De’Aaron Fox had 13 points and six boards, while Harrison Barnes ended with 12 points. No other Sacramento starter had double-digit points.
Heat Roll Bulls, 118-92
The Miami Heat defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls, 118-92, at American Airlines Arena on Saturday.
Miami rode a 39-25 first quarter to this dominating victory, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. In fact, Miami held a double-digit lead for the final 20 minutes of this game, thanks to a 32-22 fourth quarter. The Heat shot 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range while holding the Bulls to 37 percent from the field and 43 percent from long range. Miami also out-assisted Chicago, 37-22, while out-rebounding them, 50-34. They also outscored them in the paint, 48-22.
The Bulls (17-10) were led by Zach LaVine, tallying 33 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Lonzo Ball accrued 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Nikola Vucevic amassed 10 points, eight rebounds and two assists, missing 12 of his 15 shots. Troy Brown Jr totaled 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Heat (16-11) were led by Duncan Robinson, dropping 26 points on 9-of-13 from the field. Dewayne Dedmon had 20 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Kyle Lowry collected 16 points, three rebounds, 14 assists and two steals. P.J. Tucker generated eight points, 11 rebounds and five assists, while Tyler Herro led the bench with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Miami is a road matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. Chicago is off until Tuesday, returning home to play the Detroit Pistons.
Miami rode a 39-25 first quarter to this dominating victory, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. In fact, Miami held a double-digit lead for the final 20 minutes of this game, thanks to a 32-22 fourth quarter. The Heat shot 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range while holding the Bulls to 37 percent from the field and 43 percent from long range. Miami also out-assisted Chicago, 37-22, while out-rebounding them, 50-34. They also outscored them in the paint, 48-22.
The Bulls (17-10) were led by Zach LaVine, tallying 33 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Lonzo Ball accrued 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Nikola Vucevic amassed 10 points, eight rebounds and two assists, missing 12 of his 15 shots. Troy Brown Jr totaled 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Heat (16-11) were led by Duncan Robinson, dropping 26 points on 9-of-13 from the field. Dewayne Dedmon had 20 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Kyle Lowry collected 16 points, three rebounds, 14 assists and two steals. P.J. Tucker generated eight points, 11 rebounds and five assists, while Tyler Herro led the bench with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Miami is a road matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. Chicago is off until Tuesday, returning home to play the Detroit Pistons.
Grizzlies Defeat Rockets, 113-106
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Houston Rockets, 113-106, at FedEx Forum on Saturday.
There was only one lead change in this game, with Memphis holding the lead for the final 46 minutes. That can be attributed to a 40-29 first quarter in favor of Memphis, putting the game to bed behind a 63-47 halftime lead. Houston never got within a five-point margin after that. Memphis ended up recording 10 steals to Houston's five, winning the turnover battle, 16-11.
The Rockets (8-18) were led by Christian Wood, collecting 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Garrison Mathews amassed 12 points and two assists. Armoni Brooks led the bench with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Alperen Sengun provided 15 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The Grizzlies (16-11) were led by Dillon Brooks and his 25 points. Desmond Bane accrued 19 points, four rebounds and two assists. Kyle Anderson started and totaled 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Tyus Jones tallied 13 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals while Killian Tillie led the bench with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday against Eastern Conference teams, with Houston traveling to face the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis staying home to play the Philadelphia 76ers.
There was only one lead change in this game, with Memphis holding the lead for the final 46 minutes. That can be attributed to a 40-29 first quarter in favor of Memphis, putting the game to bed behind a 63-47 halftime lead. Houston never got within a five-point margin after that. Memphis ended up recording 10 steals to Houston's five, winning the turnover battle, 16-11.
The Rockets (8-18) were led by Christian Wood, collecting 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Garrison Mathews amassed 12 points and two assists. Armoni Brooks led the bench with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Alperen Sengun provided 15 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The Grizzlies (16-11) were led by Dillon Brooks and his 25 points. Desmond Bane accrued 19 points, four rebounds and two assists. Kyle Anderson started and totaled 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Tyus Jones tallied 13 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals while Killian Tillie led the bench with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday against Eastern Conference teams, with Houston traveling to face the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis staying home to play the Philadelphia 76ers.
76ers Upend Warriors, 102-93
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 102-93, at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night.
The Warriors (21-5) came in as slim road favorites, and the 76ers (15-12) showed why during a highly competitive first half in which they emerged from trailing by just three points. Each squad then matched each other bucket for bucket during the third quarter, setting up a suspenseful final period where Philadelphia managed to pull away courtesy of a 17-5 run over a seven-minute stretch.
Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 23 points, adding three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Andrew Wiggins followed with 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Stephen Curry furnished 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 26 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tobias Harris supplied 16 points, nine boards and three assists. Tyrese Maxey supplied 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Seth Curry and Shake Milton generated matching 10-point tallies while pulling down five and four boards, respectively.
The Warriors remain on the road and pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, while the 76ers hit the road and tangle with the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night as well.
The Warriors (21-5) came in as slim road favorites, and the 76ers (15-12) showed why during a highly competitive first half in which they emerged from trailing by just three points. Each squad then matched each other bucket for bucket during the third quarter, setting up a suspenseful final period where Philadelphia managed to pull away courtesy of a 17-5 run over a seven-minute stretch.
Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 23 points, adding three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Andrew Wiggins followed with 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Stephen Curry furnished 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 26 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tobias Harris supplied 16 points, nine boards and three assists. Tyrese Maxey supplied 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Seth Curry and Shake Milton generated matching 10-point tallies while pulling down five and four boards, respectively.
The Warriors remain on the road and pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, while the 76ers hit the road and tangle with the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night as well.
Nuggets Defeat Spurs, 127-112
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host San Antonio Spurs, 127-112, at AT&T Center on Saturday.
While there were six lead changes through the first 15 minutes, Denver rode a 44-27 second quarter to their victory. They also carried a 31-18 third quarter to a 31-point lead, getting their lead up to 32 points at times. The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field, 47 percent from three-point range and 93 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Spurs to 46 percent from the field, 37 percent from long range and 69 percent from the charity stripe. Denver recorded 33 assists to 11 turnovers while San Antonio had 28 assists to 17 turnovers. The Nuggets starters also outscored the Spurs starters, 80-36.
The Nuggets (13-13) were led by Nikola Jokic, tallying 35 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Monte Morris amassed 19 points, three rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Aaron Gordon accrued 16 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Markus Howard led the bench with 21 points. Bones Hyland also had 16 points and three assists.
The Spurs (9-16) had five bench players reach double figures in scoring, with Lonnie Walker leading the team with 16 points and three rebounds. Devin Vassell compiled 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Keldon Johnson led the starters with 14 points and four rebounds, while Dejounte Murray tallied six points, five rebounds and four assists.
San Antonio has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Sunday, playing host to the New Orleans Pelicans. As for Denver, they return to action on Monday in a home matchup with the Washington Wizards.
While there were six lead changes through the first 15 minutes, Denver rode a 44-27 second quarter to their victory. They also carried a 31-18 third quarter to a 31-point lead, getting their lead up to 32 points at times. The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field, 47 percent from three-point range and 93 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Spurs to 46 percent from the field, 37 percent from long range and 69 percent from the charity stripe. Denver recorded 33 assists to 11 turnovers while San Antonio had 28 assists to 17 turnovers. The Nuggets starters also outscored the Spurs starters, 80-36.
The Nuggets (13-13) were led by Nikola Jokic, tallying 35 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Monte Morris amassed 19 points, three rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Aaron Gordon accrued 16 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Markus Howard led the bench with 21 points. Bones Hyland also had 16 points and three assists.
The Spurs (9-16) had five bench players reach double figures in scoring, with Lonnie Walker leading the team with 16 points and three rebounds. Devin Vassell compiled 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Keldon Johnson led the starters with 14 points and four rebounds, while Dejounte Murray tallied six points, five rebounds and four assists.
San Antonio has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Sunday, playing host to the New Orleans Pelicans. As for Denver, they return to action on Monday in a home matchup with the Washington Wizards.