Sixers Defeat Mavericks, 111-97
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 111-97, at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday.
While there were four lead changes in the first quarter, Philly never relinquished the lead after that. In fact, they won all four individual quarters, riding a 36-21 second quarter to their victory. Dallas trailed by at least 15 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter after that. The Sixers ended up out-assisting the Mavericks, 26-17. In addition, Philly recorded 11 steals to Dallas' two, while winning the turnover battle, 18-7. They also outscored the Mavs in the paint, 50-26.
The Mavericks (15-16) were led by Luka Doncic and his 19 points, three rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Josh Richardson amassed 13 points and six rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr led the bench with 12 points, two rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Boban Marjanovic got a rare start and provided seven points and 12 rebounds.
The Sixers (22-11) were led by Joel Embiid, tallying 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals despite going 5-of-20 from the field. Seth Curry totaled 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals. Ben Simmons accrued 15 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Dwight Howard led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Philly remaining home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas staying on the road to play the surging Brooklyn Nets.
While there were four lead changes in the first quarter, Philly never relinquished the lead after that. In fact, they won all four individual quarters, riding a 36-21 second quarter to their victory. Dallas trailed by at least 15 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter after that. The Sixers ended up out-assisting the Mavericks, 26-17. In addition, Philly recorded 11 steals to Dallas' two, while winning the turnover battle, 18-7. They also outscored the Mavs in the paint, 50-26.
The Mavericks (15-16) were led by Luka Doncic and his 19 points, three rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Josh Richardson amassed 13 points and six rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr led the bench with 12 points, two rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Boban Marjanovic got a rare start and provided seven points and 12 rebounds.
The Sixers (22-11) were led by Joel Embiid, tallying 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals despite going 5-of-20 from the field. Seth Curry totaled 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals. Ben Simmons accrued 15 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Dwight Howard led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Philly remaining home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas staying on the road to play the surging Brooklyn Nets.
Nets Defeat Magic, 129-92
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the visiting Orlando Magic, 129-92, at Barclay's Center on Thursday.
While there were four lead changes in the first 20 minutes of this game, Brooklyn rode a 41-19 second quarter to a blowout win. In fact, they finished that quarter on a 26-4 run and then started the third quarter on a 10-2 spurt to take a 26-point lead. Orlando never got within 20 points in the fourth because of those runs, with Brooklyn riding a 37-20 fourth quarter to this lopsided scoreline. The Nets shot 53 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range while holding the Magic to 40 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. In addition, Brooklyn out-assisted Orlando, 30-19, while out-rebounding them, 51-35.
The Magic (13-20) were led by Nikola Vucevic and his 28 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. James Ennis hit all five of his shots to generate 15 points and three rebounds. Michael Carter-Williams had 11 points and five assists. Dwayne Bacon led the bench with 11 points and two boards. The bench combined to shoot just 9-of-36 from the field.
The Nets (22-12) were led by Kyrie Irving, tallying 27 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals. James Harden collected 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Joe Harris amassed 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. Deandre Jordan finished with eight points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Landry Shamet led the bench with 19 points and nine boards.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Brooklyn remaining in New York to host the Dallas Mavericks and Orlando returning home to face the surging Utah Jazz.
While there were four lead changes in the first 20 minutes of this game, Brooklyn rode a 41-19 second quarter to a blowout win. In fact, they finished that quarter on a 26-4 run and then started the third quarter on a 10-2 spurt to take a 26-point lead. Orlando never got within 20 points in the fourth because of those runs, with Brooklyn riding a 37-20 fourth quarter to this lopsided scoreline. The Nets shot 53 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range while holding the Magic to 40 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. In addition, Brooklyn out-assisted Orlando, 30-19, while out-rebounding them, 51-35.
The Magic (13-20) were led by Nikola Vucevic and his 28 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. James Ennis hit all five of his shots to generate 15 points and three rebounds. Michael Carter-Williams had 11 points and five assists. Dwayne Bacon led the bench with 11 points and two boards. The bench combined to shoot just 9-of-36 from the field.
The Nets (22-12) were led by Kyrie Irving, tallying 27 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals. James Harden collected 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Joe Harris amassed 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. Deandre Jordan finished with eight points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Landry Shamet led the bench with 19 points and nine boards.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Brooklyn remaining in New York to host the Dallas Mavericks and Orlando returning home to face the surging Utah Jazz.
Knicks Dominate At Home
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 140-121, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday evening.
The Knicks got out to a great start at home with a, 38-29, lead after one quarter. They kept up the tempo in the second and pushed their lead up to 15 points by halftime. The Kings came out stronger in the third quarter and trimmed it to a seven-point game heading into the final frame. The Knicks took it to another level in the fourth, outscoring the Kings, 39-27, to complete the blowout and hand the Kings their ninth consecutive loss.
Immanuel Quickly came up huge for the Knicks, with 25 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 12-of-12 shooting from the foul line, in 20 minutes off the bench. Alec Burks added 24 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Julius Randle totaled 21 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Knicks shot 59 percent from the field, including 19-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and a steal, in 38 minutes. Harrison Barnes added 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Tyrese Haliburton tallied 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. The Kings shot 49 percent from the field, including 12-of-35 from long range.
The Kings (12-20) will look to end the slide as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Friday. The Knicks (16-17) play host to the Pacers on Saturday.
The Knicks got out to a great start at home with a, 38-29, lead after one quarter. They kept up the tempo in the second and pushed their lead up to 15 points by halftime. The Kings came out stronger in the third quarter and trimmed it to a seven-point game heading into the final frame. The Knicks took it to another level in the fourth, outscoring the Kings, 39-27, to complete the blowout and hand the Kings their ninth consecutive loss.
Immanuel Quickly came up huge for the Knicks, with 25 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 12-of-12 shooting from the foul line, in 20 minutes off the bench. Alec Burks added 24 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Julius Randle totaled 21 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Knicks shot 59 percent from the field, including 19-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and a steal, in 38 minutes. Harrison Barnes added 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Tyrese Haliburton tallied 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. The Kings shot 49 percent from the field, including 12-of-35 from long range.
The Kings (12-20) will look to end the slide as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Friday. The Knicks (16-17) play host to the Pacers on Saturday.
Grizzlies Run Past Clippers
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 122-94, at FedEx Forum on Thursday evening.
The Clippers got out to a solid start on the road with a, 27-24, lead after one quarter. The Grizzlies flipped the switch in the second, as they outscored the visitors, 40-26, in the quarter, to take an eight-point lead into the halftime. They kept up the momentum in the third and pushed the lead to 14 points heading into the final frame. The Grizzlies picked up the pace again in the fourth, outscoring the Clippers, 33-19, in the quarter, to secure the win in the first of consecutive contests between the teams.
Tyus Jones was the high-point man for the Grizzlies, as he came up huge with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting, in 14 minutes off the bench. Jonas Valanciunas totaled 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Ja Morant tallied 16 points, seven assists and two rebounds. The Grizzlies shot 54 percent from the field, including 11-of-19 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard was the high-point man for the Clippers, with 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds, in 31 minutes. Paul George added 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Serge Ibaka totaled 13 points and seven rebounds. The Clippers shot 40 percent from the field, including 12-of-34 from long range.
The Clippers (23-11) and the Grizzlies (14-14) will be right back at it, as they face-off again in Memphis on Friday.
The Clippers got out to a solid start on the road with a, 27-24, lead after one quarter. The Grizzlies flipped the switch in the second, as they outscored the visitors, 40-26, in the quarter, to take an eight-point lead into the halftime. They kept up the momentum in the third and pushed the lead to 14 points heading into the final frame. The Grizzlies picked up the pace again in the fourth, outscoring the Clippers, 33-19, in the quarter, to secure the win in the first of consecutive contests between the teams.
Tyus Jones was the high-point man for the Grizzlies, as he came up huge with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting, in 14 minutes off the bench. Jonas Valanciunas totaled 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Ja Morant tallied 16 points, seven assists and two rebounds. The Grizzlies shot 54 percent from the field, including 11-of-19 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard was the high-point man for the Clippers, with 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds, in 31 minutes. Paul George added 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Serge Ibaka totaled 13 points and seven rebounds. The Clippers shot 40 percent from the field, including 12-of-34 from long range.
The Clippers (23-11) and the Grizzlies (14-14) will be right back at it, as they face-off again in Memphis on Friday.
Wizards Defeat Nuggets, 112-110
The Washington Wizards defeated the host Denver Nuggets, 112-110, at Ball Arena on Thursday.
There were 14 ties and seven lead changes in this game, coming down to the final shot. In fact, Facundo Campazzo had a wide-open three-point attempt at the buzzer to win the game for Denver on a 3-on-1 fastbreak but missed. It was tight throughout, with neither team leading by more than five points for the final 16 minutes of play. Washington outscored Denver in the paint, 48-36. In addition, the Wizards shot 48 percent from the field while holding the Nuggets to below 44 percent.
The Wizards (12-18) were led by Bradley Beal and his 33 points, four rebounds and four assists. Rui Hachimura amassed 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. Russell Westbrook collected 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Raul Neto led the bench with 15 points, two rebounds, four assists and five steals.
The Nuggets (17-15) were led by Jamal Murray and his 34 points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Nikola Jokic tallied 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Michael Porter Jr totaled 18 points and 10 rebounds while Monte Morris had 12 points, three rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Washington returning home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver traveling to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
There were 14 ties and seven lead changes in this game, coming down to the final shot. In fact, Facundo Campazzo had a wide-open three-point attempt at the buzzer to win the game for Denver on a 3-on-1 fastbreak but missed. It was tight throughout, with neither team leading by more than five points for the final 16 minutes of play. Washington outscored Denver in the paint, 48-36. In addition, the Wizards shot 48 percent from the field while holding the Nuggets to below 44 percent.
The Wizards (12-18) were led by Bradley Beal and his 33 points, four rebounds and four assists. Rui Hachimura amassed 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. Russell Westbrook collected 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Raul Neto led the bench with 15 points, two rebounds, four assists and five steals.
The Nuggets (17-15) were led by Jamal Murray and his 34 points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Nikola Jokic tallied 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Michael Porter Jr totaled 18 points and 10 rebounds while Monte Morris had 12 points, three rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Washington returning home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver traveling to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Bucks Outlast Pelicans, 129-125
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 129-125, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday night.
The Bucks (20-13) came into Thursday's contest looking to notch a fourth consecutive victory in a season that has thus far been marked by a fair share of multi-game swings on either end of the spectrum. Milwaukee got its quest off to a good start by forging a 35-31 lead through one, but the Pelicans (14-18) were able to whittle their deficit to one point by halftime. The game subsequently went into the final period knotted at 103-103, The two squads eventually traded the lead multiple times in the closing minutes, but a pair of Giannis Antetokounmpo buckets and a free throw constituted a game-ending 5-0 run that sealed the win.
Zion Williamson led the way for the Pelicans with 34 points, complementing them with eight rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Brandon Ingram followed with 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Lonzo Ball supplied 20 points, eight assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Eric Bledsoe registered 16 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Willy Hernangomez totaled 10 points and five boards.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 38 points, supplementing them with 10 rebounds, four assists and one block. Khris Middleton collected 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Donte DiVincenzo recorded 24 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, two steals and one block. Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez posted 12 points apiece while pulling down eight and five rebounds, respectively.
The Pelicans remain on the road and next visit the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, while the Bucks remain home and tangle with the Los Angeles Clippers in a Sunday afternoon showdown.
The Bucks (20-13) came into Thursday's contest looking to notch a fourth consecutive victory in a season that has thus far been marked by a fair share of multi-game swings on either end of the spectrum. Milwaukee got its quest off to a good start by forging a 35-31 lead through one, but the Pelicans (14-18) were able to whittle their deficit to one point by halftime. The game subsequently went into the final period knotted at 103-103, The two squads eventually traded the lead multiple times in the closing minutes, but a pair of Giannis Antetokounmpo buckets and a free throw constituted a game-ending 5-0 run that sealed the win.
Zion Williamson led the way for the Pelicans with 34 points, complementing them with eight rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Brandon Ingram followed with 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Lonzo Ball supplied 20 points, eight assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Eric Bledsoe registered 16 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Willy Hernangomez totaled 10 points and five boards.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 38 points, supplementing them with 10 rebounds, four assists and one block. Khris Middleton collected 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Donte DiVincenzo recorded 24 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, two steals and one block. Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez posted 12 points apiece while pulling down eight and five rebounds, respectively.
The Pelicans remain on the road and next visit the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, while the Bucks remain home and tangle with the Los Angeles Clippers in a Sunday afternoon showdown.