Heat Comes From Behind, Defeat Nuggets
The Miami Heat defeated the Denver Nuggets, 125-105, on Saturday in the NBA restart season openers for both teams at Orlando.
The Heat (42-24) got off to a better start and quickly established the lead in the first quarter, pacing the game after the first 12 minutes by a two-point margin (28-26), although the Nuggets (43-23) would turn things around just before the break and secured a one-point lead at the break (57-56). The Heat would gain control for good in the third quarter, though, outscoring the Nuggets 38-22 while also taking advantage of Denver's eight turnovers during that period. The Heat closed the game out with a 31-26 fourth quarter and cruised their way to a comfortable 125-105 victory.
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were the top scorers for Miami in this game, as each finished with 22 points -- Butler also added seven assists and four rebounds, while Adebayo chipped in with nine boards and six dimes. Duncan Robinson added 17 points, Kendrick Nunn had 11, and Goran Dragic contributed 13 points with five dimes off the bench.
Five Denver players scored in double digits in this one, with Nikola Jokic and Jerami Grant leading the way with 19 points. The Serbian center also added seven rebounds and six assists, while the athletic wing shot 7-for-14 coming off the bench. Michael Porter Jr. notched 11 points, Torrey Craig finished with 10 points and five boards, and Monte Morris delivered 13 points, five assists, and three rebounds. Paul Millsap filled the stat sheet with eight points, six boards, two steals and one assist in 29 minutes.
The Heat (42-24) got off to a better start and quickly established the lead in the first quarter, pacing the game after the first 12 minutes by a two-point margin (28-26), although the Nuggets (43-23) would turn things around just before the break and secured a one-point lead at the break (57-56). The Heat would gain control for good in the third quarter, though, outscoring the Nuggets 38-22 while also taking advantage of Denver's eight turnovers during that period. The Heat closed the game out with a 31-26 fourth quarter and cruised their way to a comfortable 125-105 victory.
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were the top scorers for Miami in this game, as each finished with 22 points -- Butler also added seven assists and four rebounds, while Adebayo chipped in with nine boards and six dimes. Duncan Robinson added 17 points, Kendrick Nunn had 11, and Goran Dragic contributed 13 points with five dimes off the bench.
Five Denver players scored in double digits in this one, with Nikola Jokic and Jerami Grant leading the way with 19 points. The Serbian center also added seven rebounds and six assists, while the athletic wing shot 7-for-14 coming off the bench. Michael Porter Jr. notched 11 points, Torrey Craig finished with 10 points and five boards, and Monte Morris delivered 13 points, five assists, and three rebounds. Paul Millsap filled the stat sheet with eight points, six boards, two steals and one assist in 29 minutes.
Thunder Make Easy Work Of Jazz In Restart Debut
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz, 110-94, on Saturday at Orlando.
The Thunder got out to a great start, taking the edge early, before taking a, 29-15, lead into second. They kept control through the second and pushed their lead to 24, by halftime. The Jazz tightened it up in the third quarter but could only match the Thunder, with 20 points each in the quarter, so that they still trailed by 24, heading into the final frame. The Jazz kept battling through the fourth, but could barley break the 20-point cushion, as they fell short by 16, in the end, while the Thunder closed out an impressive win to kick off their restart.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 19 points, six assists, three steals and two rebounds, in 32 minutes. Chris Paul tallied 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Steven Adams totaled 16 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. The Thunder shot 53 percent from the field, including 10-of-26 from deep.
Meanwhile, five players scored in double digits for the Jazz, led by Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Jordan Clarkson chipped in 11 points, while Mike Conley tallied 12 points, four assists and two rebounds. The Jazz shot 39 percent from the field, including 8-of-31 from long range.
The Jazz will be back in action on Monday, when they take on the Lakers. The Thunder take on the Nuggets on Monday.
The Thunder got out to a great start, taking the edge early, before taking a, 29-15, lead into second. They kept control through the second and pushed their lead to 24, by halftime. The Jazz tightened it up in the third quarter but could only match the Thunder, with 20 points each in the quarter, so that they still trailed by 24, heading into the final frame. The Jazz kept battling through the fourth, but could barley break the 20-point cushion, as they fell short by 16, in the end, while the Thunder closed out an impressive win to kick off their restart.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 19 points, six assists, three steals and two rebounds, in 32 minutes. Chris Paul tallied 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Steven Adams totaled 16 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. The Thunder shot 53 percent from the field, including 10-of-26 from deep.
Meanwhile, five players scored in double digits for the Jazz, led by Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Jordan Clarkson chipped in 11 points, while Mike Conley tallied 12 points, four assists and two rebounds. The Jazz shot 39 percent from the field, including 8-of-31 from long range.
The Jazz will be back in action on Monday, when they take on the Lakers. The Thunder take on the Nuggets on Monday.
Clippers Blast Pelicans, 126-103
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 126-103, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Saturday afternoon.
The Clippers (45-21) were looking to get into the win column after dropping a two-point decision to the rival Los Angeles Lakers in their restart opener Thursday, and they managed to establish the tone early against a Pelicans (28-38) squad that was in dire need of a win in their quest to chase down the No. 8-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Los Angeles had extended a 12-point first-quarter lead to 32 points by halftime, essentially putting the game away for all practical purposes. New Orleans managed to score 37 points in the last 12 minutes to make the loss a tad less lopsided, but the Pelicans saw only two members of its starting five score in double digits.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Pelicans off the bench with 15 points over 12 minutes. Brandon Ingram provided 14 points and two rebounds. Derrick Favors managed 12 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Frank Jackson and J.J. Redick turned in matching 11-point tallies, with Jackson adding six assists and five rebounds. Lonzo Ball (seven points) and Jrue Holiday (four points) turned in underwhelming efforts, while Zion Williamson was limited to 14 minutes and furnished seven points and five rebounds.
Paul George paced the Clippers with 28 points, supplementing them with three rebounds, one assist and three steals. Kawhi Leonard registered 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Reggie Jackson headed back to the second unit and compiled 15 points, eight boards, two assists and two steals. Patrick Beverley and Marcus Morris posted nine points each, with Beverley also contributing four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Pelicans are back on the court Monday evening, when they'll take on the Grizzlies in a matchup critical to New Orleans' playoff hopes. The Clippers will return to action Tuesday afternoon, when they'll face the Phoenix Suns.
The Clippers (45-21) were looking to get into the win column after dropping a two-point decision to the rival Los Angeles Lakers in their restart opener Thursday, and they managed to establish the tone early against a Pelicans (28-38) squad that was in dire need of a win in their quest to chase down the No. 8-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Los Angeles had extended a 12-point first-quarter lead to 32 points by halftime, essentially putting the game away for all practical purposes. New Orleans managed to score 37 points in the last 12 minutes to make the loss a tad less lopsided, but the Pelicans saw only two members of its starting five score in double digits.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Pelicans off the bench with 15 points over 12 minutes. Brandon Ingram provided 14 points and two rebounds. Derrick Favors managed 12 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Frank Jackson and J.J. Redick turned in matching 11-point tallies, with Jackson adding six assists and five rebounds. Lonzo Ball (seven points) and Jrue Holiday (four points) turned in underwhelming efforts, while Zion Williamson was limited to 14 minutes and furnished seven points and five rebounds.
Paul George paced the Clippers with 28 points, supplementing them with three rebounds, one assist and three steals. Kawhi Leonard registered 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Reggie Jackson headed back to the second unit and compiled 15 points, eight boards, two assists and two steals. Patrick Beverley and Marcus Morris posted nine points each, with Beverley also contributing four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Pelicans are back on the court Monday evening, when they'll take on the Grizzlies in a matchup critical to New Orleans' playoff hopes. The Clippers will return to action Tuesday afternoon, when they'll face the Phoenix Suns.
Short-Handed Pacers Upend 76ers, 127-121
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 127-121, in an NBA restart opener for both teams in Orlando on Saturday night.
The Pacers (40-26) jumped out to a strong start despite missing Malcolm Brogdon (neck), as they owned a 35-29 lead through one quarter. Each squad matched each other bucket for bucket in the second, but the 76ers (39-27) appeared to take control during a third period when they erased their deficit and established a six-point advantage going into the fourth quarter. Indiana then went on a key 14-3 run midway through the final period and then finished with a 25-18 edge over the final 5:47 of the contest. T.J. Warren put the team on his shoulders with a career-high 53 points, 12 of which came in the final 4:06 to help clinch the win.
Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with a 41-point, 21-rebound double-double that also included four assists, three blocks and one steal. Tobias Harris followed with 30 points, complementing them with eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Ben Simmons generated a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double and also provided four assists and one steal. Al Horford turned in 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and one block off the bench.
Warren complemented his aforementioned scoring total with four rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Aaron Holiday and Victor Oladipo posted matching 15-point totals, with Holiday dishing out 10 assists and Oladipo pulling down seven rebounds. Doug McDermott and T.J. McConnell managed 10 points apiece, with McConnell also registering eight dimes.
The 76ers are back on the floor Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, while the Pacers tangle with the Washington Wizards on Monday afternoon.
The Pacers (40-26) jumped out to a strong start despite missing Malcolm Brogdon (neck), as they owned a 35-29 lead through one quarter. Each squad matched each other bucket for bucket in the second, but the 76ers (39-27) appeared to take control during a third period when they erased their deficit and established a six-point advantage going into the fourth quarter. Indiana then went on a key 14-3 run midway through the final period and then finished with a 25-18 edge over the final 5:47 of the contest. T.J. Warren put the team on his shoulders with a career-high 53 points, 12 of which came in the final 4:06 to help clinch the win.
Joel Embiid led the way for the 76ers with a 41-point, 21-rebound double-double that also included four assists, three blocks and one steal. Tobias Harris followed with 30 points, complementing them with eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Ben Simmons generated a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double and also provided four assists and one steal. Al Horford turned in 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and one block off the bench.
Warren complemented his aforementioned scoring total with four rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Aaron Holiday and Victor Oladipo posted matching 15-point totals, with Holiday dishing out 10 assists and Oladipo pulling down seven rebounds. Doug McDermott and T.J. McConnell managed 10 points apiece, with McConnell also registering eight dimes.
The 76ers are back on the floor Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, while the Pacers tangle with the Washington Wizards on Monday afternoon.
Raptors Defeat Lakers, 107-92
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-92, in Orlando on Saturday.
It took seven ties and 10 lead changes to determine a winner in this game, with Toronto riding a 35-22 fourth quarter to their victory. In fact, their largest lead of the game was 16 points, coming in the final seconds. That capped off a 66-48 second half. Toronto held Los Angeles to just 35 percent from the field, 25 percent from three-point range and 73 percent from the free-throw line. In addition, the Raptors won the rebounding battle, 51-40, while out-assisting the Lakers, 24-17.
The Lakers (50-14) were led by LeBron James, who tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Anthony Davis finished with just 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Kyle Kuzma led the bench with 16 points and four boards. Dion Waiters had 12 points, three rebounds and two assists. None of those players cracked 50 percent shooting.
The Raptors (46-18) were led by Kyle Lowry and his 33 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. OG Anunoby totaled 23 points, four rebounds and two steals. Pascal Siakam collected 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks while Fred VanVleet amassed 13 points, five rebounds and 11 assists.
Both teams will return to action on Monday, with Toronto facing the Miami Heat and Los Angeles playing the Utah Jazz.
It took seven ties and 10 lead changes to determine a winner in this game, with Toronto riding a 35-22 fourth quarter to their victory. In fact, their largest lead of the game was 16 points, coming in the final seconds. That capped off a 66-48 second half. Toronto held Los Angeles to just 35 percent from the field, 25 percent from three-point range and 73 percent from the free-throw line. In addition, the Raptors won the rebounding battle, 51-40, while out-assisting the Lakers, 24-17.
The Lakers (50-14) were led by LeBron James, who tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Anthony Davis finished with just 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Kyle Kuzma led the bench with 16 points and four boards. Dion Waiters had 12 points, three rebounds and two assists. None of those players cracked 50 percent shooting.
The Raptors (46-18) were led by Kyle Lowry and his 33 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. OG Anunoby totaled 23 points, four rebounds and two steals. Pascal Siakam collected 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks while Fred VanVleet amassed 13 points, five rebounds and 11 assists.
Both teams will return to action on Monday, with Toronto facing the Miami Heat and Los Angeles playing the Utah Jazz.