Bucks Dominate, Rout Warriors At Home
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Golden State Warriors, 118-99, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday night.
The Bucks (27-17) had one of their best performances of the season Thursday and completely destroyed the Warriors (30-11), and their dominance was noticeable as soon as the game started. Milwaukee quickly jumped out to a 37-21 score in the first quarter and bolstered that advantage even more in the second quarter, limiting Golden State to just 17 points and racing out to a 37-point lead following a three-pointer from Bobby Portis at the buzzer. The Warriors responded with a 34-20 score in the third quarter and a 27-21 score in the fourth, but that was not enough to turn things around and mount a comeback. The game was all but decided in the first half, and Milwaukee ended up winning the game with ease.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the best player for Milwaukee and posted a triple-double of 30 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, while Khris Middleton chipped in with 23 points, seven assists and five boards. Bobby Portis had 20 points and seven rebounds, and Grayson Allen contributed 15 points, five boards and two steals. The Bucks shot an impressive 51.2 percent from the field.
Andrew Wiggins was the top scorer for the Warriors after notching 16 points and two rebounds, while Stephen Curry ended with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals despite another woeful shooting effort (4-11 FG). Klay Thompson went 3-11 from the field and recorded just 11 points. Jonathan Kuminga impressed off the bench and delivered 15 points with seven rebounds. The Warriors shot just 34.7 percent from the field.
The Bucks (27-17) had one of their best performances of the season Thursday and completely destroyed the Warriors (30-11), and their dominance was noticeable as soon as the game started. Milwaukee quickly jumped out to a 37-21 score in the first quarter and bolstered that advantage even more in the second quarter, limiting Golden State to just 17 points and racing out to a 37-point lead following a three-pointer from Bobby Portis at the buzzer. The Warriors responded with a 34-20 score in the third quarter and a 27-21 score in the fourth, but that was not enough to turn things around and mount a comeback. The game was all but decided in the first half, and Milwaukee ended up winning the game with ease.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the best player for Milwaukee and posted a triple-double of 30 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, while Khris Middleton chipped in with 23 points, seven assists and five boards. Bobby Portis had 20 points and seven rebounds, and Grayson Allen contributed 15 points, five boards and two steals. The Bucks shot an impressive 51.2 percent from the field.
Andrew Wiggins was the top scorer for the Warriors after notching 16 points and two rebounds, while Stephen Curry ended with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals despite another woeful shooting effort (4-11 FG). Klay Thompson went 3-11 from the field and recorded just 11 points. Jonathan Kuminga impressed off the bench and delivered 15 points with seven rebounds. The Warriors shot just 34.7 percent from the field.
Pelicans Topple Clippers, 113-89
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 113-89, at Smoothie King Center on Thursday night.
The Pelicans (16-26) came into the contest fresh off a thrilling buzzer-beating win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday night, and they seemed to carry over plenty of that momentum into a first half during which they forged a 53-34 lead over the Clippers (21-22). Although the contest was virtually decided at that point, New Orleans left no doubt as to the outcome when they added another five points to their advantage during the third quarter. The hosts played atypically impressive defense, limiting Los Angeles to 38.3 percent shooting and forcing 15 turnovers.
Terance Mann led the Clippers with 15 points, adding four rebounds and one assist. Marcus Morris furnished 12 points, three boards, one assist and one block. Serge Ibaka and Brandon Boston generated matching 10-point tallies while recording six and five rebounds, respectively. Xavier Moon registered 10 points and dished out four assists.
Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 24 points, supplementing them with six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Jonas Valanciunas posted an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double. Herbert Jones totaled 14 points, six boards, three assists and three steals. Devonte' Graham and Jaxson Hayes contributed 13 points apiece, with Graham also managing seven assists and six rebounds. Josh Hart turned in 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Clippers remain on the road and face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, while the Pelicans hit the road and tangle with the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night as well.
The Pelicans (16-26) came into the contest fresh off a thrilling buzzer-beating win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday night, and they seemed to carry over plenty of that momentum into a first half during which they forged a 53-34 lead over the Clippers (21-22). Although the contest was virtually decided at that point, New Orleans left no doubt as to the outcome when they added another five points to their advantage during the third quarter. The hosts played atypically impressive defense, limiting Los Angeles to 38.3 percent shooting and forcing 15 turnovers.
Terance Mann led the Clippers with 15 points, adding four rebounds and one assist. Marcus Morris furnished 12 points, three boards, one assist and one block. Serge Ibaka and Brandon Boston generated matching 10-point tallies while recording six and five rebounds, respectively. Xavier Moon registered 10 points and dished out four assists.
Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 24 points, supplementing them with six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Jonas Valanciunas posted an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double. Herbert Jones totaled 14 points, six boards, three assists and three steals. Devonte' Graham and Jaxson Hayes contributed 13 points apiece, with Graham also managing seven assists and six rebounds. Josh Hart turned in 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Clippers remain on the road and face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, while the Pelicans hit the road and tangle with the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night as well.
Grizzlies Notch 11th Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-108, at FedEx Forum on Thursday evening.
The Timberwolves got out to a good start with a, 31-25, lead after one quarter. The Grizzlies grabbed a brief edge early in the second, but the Timberwolves regained control and took a seven-point advantage into the break. The Grizzlies rallied back in the third and outscored the visitors, 14-8, through the final four minutes of the quarter, to take a six-point lead into the final frame. The Timberwolves kept up the fight in the fourth and made it a tie game with 1:47 left, but the Grizzlies took over in crunch time and secured the win to push their streak to 11 games. This marks the second consecutive loss for the Timberwolves.
Desmond Bane led the way for the Grizzles with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and four steals, in 32 minutes. Jaren Jackson Jr. followed up with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Ja Morant totaled 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. The Grizzlies shot 46 percent from the field, including 8-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 30 points, two rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. D'Angelo Russell followed up with 29 points, three rebounds, six assists and a block, while Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. The Timberwolves shot 43 percent from the field, including 15-of-48 from deep.
The Timberwolves (20-22) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Warriors on Sunday. The Grizzlies (30-14) play host to the Mavericks on Friday.
The Timberwolves got out to a good start with a, 31-25, lead after one quarter. The Grizzlies grabbed a brief edge early in the second, but the Timberwolves regained control and took a seven-point advantage into the break. The Grizzlies rallied back in the third and outscored the visitors, 14-8, through the final four minutes of the quarter, to take a six-point lead into the final frame. The Timberwolves kept up the fight in the fourth and made it a tie game with 1:47 left, but the Grizzlies took over in crunch time and secured the win to push their streak to 11 games. This marks the second consecutive loss for the Timberwolves.
Desmond Bane led the way for the Grizzles with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and four steals, in 32 minutes. Jaren Jackson Jr. followed up with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Ja Morant totaled 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. The Grizzlies shot 46 percent from the field, including 8-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 30 points, two rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. D'Angelo Russell followed up with 29 points, three rebounds, six assists and a block, while Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. The Timberwolves shot 43 percent from the field, including 15-of-48 from deep.
The Timberwolves (20-22) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Warriors on Sunday. The Grizzlies (30-14) play host to the Mavericks on Friday.
Thunder Throttle Nets, 130-109
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host Brooklyn Nets, 130-109, at Barclay's Center on Thursday.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win for the Thunder, they held the lead for the final 44 minutes. That can be attributed to a 38-26 first quarter, with Oklahoma City carrying a 19-point lead into the half. They got their lead up to 23 points at times in this blowout win. Oklahoma City shot 52 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while holding Brooklyn to 42 percent from the field and 22 percent from long range. In addition, the Thunder doubled up the Nets in assists, 32-16.
The Thunder (14-27) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, tallying 33 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks. Luguentz Dort amassed 27 points and two assists. Josh Giddey generated 19 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Darius Bazley led the bench with 16 points and five rebounds, while Mike Muscala had 14 points.
The Nets (26-15) were led by James Harden and his 26 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three blocks. Bruce Brown accrued 10 points, eight rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Cam Thomas led the bench with 21 points and three rebounds, while Paul Millsap provided eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Oklahoma City returning home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn remaining home to face the New Orleans Pelicans.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win for the Thunder, they held the lead for the final 44 minutes. That can be attributed to a 38-26 first quarter, with Oklahoma City carrying a 19-point lead into the half. They got their lead up to 23 points at times in this blowout win. Oklahoma City shot 52 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while holding Brooklyn to 42 percent from the field and 22 percent from long range. In addition, the Thunder doubled up the Nets in assists, 32-16.
The Thunder (14-27) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, tallying 33 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks. Luguentz Dort amassed 27 points and two assists. Josh Giddey generated 19 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Darius Bazley led the bench with 16 points and five rebounds, while Mike Muscala had 14 points.
The Nets (26-15) were led by James Harden and his 26 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three blocks. Bruce Brown accrued 10 points, eight rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Cam Thomas led the bench with 21 points and three rebounds, while Paul Millsap provided eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Oklahoma City returning home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn remaining home to face the New Orleans Pelicans.
Nuggets Defeat Trail Blazers, 140-108
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 140-108, at Ball Arena on Thursday.
While there were seven ties and three lead changes in the opening eight minutes, Denver never relinquished the lead after a 41-28 first quarter. In fact, they finished that opening frame on a 20-7 run and carried a 17-point lead into the half, while winning all four individual quarters by at least four points apiece. They led by at least 14 points for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 36 points at times. Denver shot 63 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range while holding Portland to 45 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. In addition, the Nuggets outscored the Trail Blazers in the paint, 58-46, and in bench points, 66-39.
The Trail Blazers (16-25) were led by Bem McLemore and his 18 points, four assists and two steals. Dennis Smith Jr accumulated 17 points, two rebounds and eight assists. Nassir Little totaled 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Jusuf Nurkic finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists. C.J. Elleby led the bench with eight points, three rebounds and seven assists.
The Nuggets (21-19) were led by Will Barton, tallying 21 points, four rebounds and two assists. Nikola Jokic collected 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Jeff Green generated 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. Facundo Campazzo led the bench with 18 points, 12 assists and four steals, while Bones Hyland had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Portland remaining on the road to face the Washington Wizards and Denver staying home to play the Los Angeles Lakers.
While there were seven ties and three lead changes in the opening eight minutes, Denver never relinquished the lead after a 41-28 first quarter. In fact, they finished that opening frame on a 20-7 run and carried a 17-point lead into the half, while winning all four individual quarters by at least four points apiece. They led by at least 14 points for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 36 points at times. Denver shot 63 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range while holding Portland to 45 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. In addition, the Nuggets outscored the Trail Blazers in the paint, 58-46, and in bench points, 66-39.
The Trail Blazers (16-25) were led by Bem McLemore and his 18 points, four assists and two steals. Dennis Smith Jr accumulated 17 points, two rebounds and eight assists. Nassir Little totaled 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Jusuf Nurkic finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists. C.J. Elleby led the bench with eight points, three rebounds and seven assists.
The Nuggets (21-19) were led by Will Barton, tallying 21 points, four rebounds and two assists. Nikola Jokic collected 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Jeff Green generated 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. Facundo Campazzo led the bench with 18 points, 12 assists and four steals, while Bones Hyland had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Portland remaining on the road to face the Washington Wizards and Denver staying home to play the Los Angeles Lakers.