Jazz Beat Pelicans In NBA Restart Opener
The Utah Jazz defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 106-104, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
The Jazz and the Pelicans delivered a nail-biting contest right from the get-go, although the Jazz got off to a better start and built an 11-point lead midway through the first quarter. New Orleans woke up just before the first quarter ended, leading 26-23 after one and stretching their lead to 16 points nearing the end of the first half. It seemed as if the Pelicans would come away with the win, as they led 60-48 at the break and 87-79 after three, but the Jazz turned things around in the final minutes. Utah tightened things up on defense and made some key buckets down the stretch to mount a comeback, ultimately leading by two in the final seconds. Brandon Ingram could have won the game for the Pelicans with a last-second three, but his effort went in and out of the rim, allowing the Jazz to secure a come-from-behind victory.
Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley each scored 20 points for the Jazz, although Mitchell did a better job of rounding out the stat sheet with five boards and five assists as well. Rudy Gobert posted a strong double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, while also adding three blocks. Utah's leading scorer came off the bench, however, as Jordan Clarkson paced the entire offense with 23 points while logging 33 minutes.
Brandon Ingram led the way for the Pelicans with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 20 points, five boards, four assists and three steals. Zion Williamson had 13 points in just 16 minutes while shooting 6-for-8 from the field. J.J. Redick (21 points) and Josh Hart (10 points, three rebounds) delivered productive performances off the bench for New Orleans.
The Jazz and the Pelicans delivered a nail-biting contest right from the get-go, although the Jazz got off to a better start and built an 11-point lead midway through the first quarter. New Orleans woke up just before the first quarter ended, leading 26-23 after one and stretching their lead to 16 points nearing the end of the first half. It seemed as if the Pelicans would come away with the win, as they led 60-48 at the break and 87-79 after three, but the Jazz turned things around in the final minutes. Utah tightened things up on defense and made some key buckets down the stretch to mount a comeback, ultimately leading by two in the final seconds. Brandon Ingram could have won the game for the Pelicans with a last-second three, but his effort went in and out of the rim, allowing the Jazz to secure a come-from-behind victory.
Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley each scored 20 points for the Jazz, although Mitchell did a better job of rounding out the stat sheet with five boards and five assists as well. Rudy Gobert posted a strong double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, while also adding three blocks. Utah's leading scorer came off the bench, however, as Jordan Clarkson paced the entire offense with 23 points while logging 33 minutes.
Brandon Ingram led the way for the Pelicans with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 20 points, five boards, four assists and three steals. Zion Williamson had 13 points in just 16 minutes while shooting 6-for-8 from the field. J.J. Redick (21 points) and Josh Hart (10 points, three rebounds) delivered productive performances off the bench for New Orleans.
Lakers Edge Clippers in Restart Thriller, 103-101
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 103-101, in an NBA restart opener for both teams in Orlando on Thursday night.
The Lakers (50-14) got off to a fast start despite LeBron James not being in top form, as Anthony Davis played a prominent part in forging a 35-23 first-quarter advantage. The Clippers (44-21) did manage to shave 10 points from their deficit in the second quarter, however, and the second half saw both teams mostly remain within striking distance of the other. The final scoring sequence began with Paul George draining a three-point bucket with 29 seconds remaining to knot the score at 101. James followed on the next possession with a put-back of his own miss on an aggressive drive toward the basket that proved to be the game-winning points following a George misfire at the buzzer.
George led the Clippers with 30 points, adding five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Kawhi Leonard furnished 28 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Patrick Beverley played after being questionable and delivered 12 points off the bench. Reggie Jackson drew the start at point guard and totaled 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Davis paced the Lakers with 34 points, supplementing them with eight boards and four assists. James registered a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included seven assists, one steal and one block. Kyle Kuzma matched James' scoring tally and also provided seven rebounds, two assists and one block. Dion Waters poured in 11 points in 21 minutes.
Both teams return to the court Saturday, with the Clippers facing the New Orleans Pelicans in an evening tilt and the Lakers taking on the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.
The Lakers (50-14) got off to a fast start despite LeBron James not being in top form, as Anthony Davis played a prominent part in forging a 35-23 first-quarter advantage. The Clippers (44-21) did manage to shave 10 points from their deficit in the second quarter, however, and the second half saw both teams mostly remain within striking distance of the other. The final scoring sequence began with Paul George draining a three-point bucket with 29 seconds remaining to knot the score at 101. James followed on the next possession with a put-back of his own miss on an aggressive drive toward the basket that proved to be the game-winning points following a George misfire at the buzzer.
George led the Clippers with 30 points, adding five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Kawhi Leonard furnished 28 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Patrick Beverley played after being questionable and delivered 12 points off the bench. Reggie Jackson drew the start at point guard and totaled 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Davis paced the Lakers with 34 points, supplementing them with eight boards and four assists. James registered a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included seven assists, one steal and one block. Kyle Kuzma matched James' scoring tally and also provided seven rebounds, two assists and one block. Dion Waters poured in 11 points in 21 minutes.
Both teams return to the court Saturday, with the Clippers facing the New Orleans Pelicans in an evening tilt and the Lakers taking on the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.