Cavaliers Pull Upset, Secure Win Over 76ers
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime, 112-109, at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday evening.
The Cavaliers (13-21) have been struggling badly in recent weeks but showed signs of a turnaround in recent weeks, as they entered this game on a two-game winning run, and they pushed their winning streak to three contests with a huge win over the Sixers (22-12), a team that was also coming off a win. The Cavaliers jumped out to a five-point lead following the first quarter (28-23) and extended their lead to nine points at the break following a 28-24 second-quarter score. The Sixers responded with a 23-16 score in the third quarter and made it just a two-point game, and Philadelphia forced overtime following a 22-20 score in the final 12 minutes. The Cavaliers turned things around in the final five minutes, though, and they secured victory following a 20-17 score in the extra five minutes.
Collin Sexton led the Cavaliers in the win with 28 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Darius Garland had 25 points and nine assists, as he continued to dazzle as a playmaker. Jarrett Allen once again posted a double-double and finished with 14 points and 10 boards, while Isaac Okoro added 15 points. Damyean Dotson contributed 10 points off the bench.
As it has been the case all season long, Joel Embiid led the Sixers and delivered one of his best performances of the season since he ended with 42 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal, while Ben Simmons registered 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds across a team-high 41 minutes. Shake Milton had 11 points off the bench. No other Philadelphia player scored 10 or more points.
The Cavaliers (13-21) have been struggling badly in recent weeks but showed signs of a turnaround in recent weeks, as they entered this game on a two-game winning run, and they pushed their winning streak to three contests with a huge win over the Sixers (22-12), a team that was also coming off a win. The Cavaliers jumped out to a five-point lead following the first quarter (28-23) and extended their lead to nine points at the break following a 28-24 second-quarter score. The Sixers responded with a 23-16 score in the third quarter and made it just a two-point game, and Philadelphia forced overtime following a 22-20 score in the final 12 minutes. The Cavaliers turned things around in the final five minutes, though, and they secured victory following a 20-17 score in the extra five minutes.
Collin Sexton led the Cavaliers in the win with 28 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Darius Garland had 25 points and nine assists, as he continued to dazzle as a playmaker. Jarrett Allen once again posted a double-double and finished with 14 points and 10 boards, while Isaac Okoro added 15 points. Damyean Dotson contributed 10 points off the bench.
As it has been the case all season long, Joel Embiid led the Sixers and delivered one of his best performances of the season since he ended with 42 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal, while Ben Simmons registered 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds across a team-high 41 minutes. Shake Milton had 11 points off the bench. No other Philadelphia player scored 10 or more points.
Wizards Top Timberwolves, 128-112
The Washington Wizards defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 128-112, at Capital One Arena on Saturday night.
The Wizards (13-18) went into the contest in seemingly good shape to notch their seventh victory over the last eight contests, as the Timberwolves (7-27), already down D'Angelo Russell (quadriceps), were also without Malik Beasley (suspension), robbing Minnesota of its starting backcourt tandem. However, the visitors appeared up to the task early, exiting the first quarter with a 29-27 lead. Washington began to shift the dynamic of the contest in the second quarter, however, eliminating their deficit and taking a two-point lead into intermission before taking control for good during a third quarter in which they outscored the Timberwolves by a 44-29 margin.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included five assists and three blocks. Anthony Edwards followed with 21 points, six boards, two blocks and one steal. Naz Reid furnished 17 points, three assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Jaylen Nowell delivered 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Josh Okogie contributed 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal, while Jarred Vanderbilt totaled 11 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 34 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, six assists and one steal. Russell Westbrook generated a 19-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist triple-double that also included two steals. Davis Bertans supplied 19 points, four rebounds and two steals. Garrison Matthews registered 18 points and nine rebounds. Moritz Wagner delivered 12 points, while Alex Len finished with 10 points, four rebounds and four blocks.
The Timberwolves head back home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, while the Wizards hit the road and pay a visit to the Boston Celtics on Sunday evening as well.
The Wizards (13-18) went into the contest in seemingly good shape to notch their seventh victory over the last eight contests, as the Timberwolves (7-27), already down D'Angelo Russell (quadriceps), were also without Malik Beasley (suspension), robbing Minnesota of its starting backcourt tandem. However, the visitors appeared up to the task early, exiting the first quarter with a 29-27 lead. Washington began to shift the dynamic of the contest in the second quarter, however, eliminating their deficit and taking a two-point lead into intermission before taking control for good during a third quarter in which they outscored the Timberwolves by a 44-29 margin.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included five assists and three blocks. Anthony Edwards followed with 21 points, six boards, two blocks and one steal. Naz Reid furnished 17 points, three assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Jaylen Nowell delivered 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Josh Okogie contributed 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal, while Jarred Vanderbilt totaled 11 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 34 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, six assists and one steal. Russell Westbrook generated a 19-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist triple-double that also included two steals. Davis Bertans supplied 19 points, four rebounds and two steals. Garrison Matthews registered 18 points and nine rebounds. Moritz Wagner delivered 12 points, while Alex Len finished with 10 points, four rebounds and four blocks.
The Timberwolves head back home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, while the Wizards hit the road and pay a visit to the Boston Celtics on Sunday evening as well.
Knicks Hold On, Secure Victory Over Pacers
The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers, 110-107, at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
The Knicks (17-17) finally reached the .500 threshold with an impressive performance Saturday at home against another Eastern Conference foe, as they got off to a slow start but bounced back just in time to defeat a struggling Pacers (15-17) team. The Pacers jumped out to a 32-23 lead in the first half and seemingly looked in control of the contest, but the Knicks responded just before halftime and turned things around, securing a two-point lead at the break thanks to a 31-20 second-quarter score. The second half was extremely high but the Knicks won the final two quarters by a minimal one-point advantage (56-55). With the win, the Knicks improved to 10-7 at home while the Pacers fell to 8-7 away from home.
Julius Randle had an impressive performance and carried the Knicks with 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals. R.J. Barrett posted 24 points and seven rebounds, while Derrick Rose ended with 17 points and 11 assists as a starter. Immanuel Quickley ended with 10 points off the bench. The Knicks shot 49.4 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range in the win.
The entire Pacers starting lineup scored in double digits here and Doug McDermott paced the offense with 20 points and five rebounds. Domantas Sabonis filled the stat sheet once again with 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. T.J. McConnell ended with 17 points, 12 assists and six boards, while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 13 points and three rebounds. The Pacers shot 45.2 percent from the field.
The Knicks (17-17) finally reached the .500 threshold with an impressive performance Saturday at home against another Eastern Conference foe, as they got off to a slow start but bounced back just in time to defeat a struggling Pacers (15-17) team. The Pacers jumped out to a 32-23 lead in the first half and seemingly looked in control of the contest, but the Knicks responded just before halftime and turned things around, securing a two-point lead at the break thanks to a 31-20 second-quarter score. The second half was extremely high but the Knicks won the final two quarters by a minimal one-point advantage (56-55). With the win, the Knicks improved to 10-7 at home while the Pacers fell to 8-7 away from home.
Julius Randle had an impressive performance and carried the Knicks with 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals. R.J. Barrett posted 24 points and seven rebounds, while Derrick Rose ended with 17 points and 11 assists as a starter. Immanuel Quickley ended with 10 points off the bench. The Knicks shot 49.4 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range in the win.
The entire Pacers starting lineup scored in double digits here and Doug McDermott paced the offense with 20 points and five rebounds. Domantas Sabonis filled the stat sheet once again with 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. T.J. McConnell ended with 17 points, 12 assists and six boards, while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 13 points and three rebounds. The Pacers shot 45.2 percent from the field.
Jazz Thumps Magic, 124-109
The Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic, 124-109, at Amway Center on Saturday night.
The Jazz (27-7) came into the contest looking to put a rare loss that had transpired just 24 hours earlier at the hands of the Miami Heat quickly behind them, but they may have still been experiencing a bit of carryover during a first quarter that they emerged from with just a narrow 22-21 lead. Utah did manage to extend its advantage to four points by halftime, and they'd pushed to that edge to 11 points going into a final period during which they cruised to a win.
Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points, complementing them with six assists and four rebounds. Jordan Clarkson supplied 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Joe Ingles registered 17 points, seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Georges Niang managed 13 points, two boards and one assist. Rudy Gobert generated a 12-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included three assists, two blocks and one steal. Bojan Bogdanovic and Derrick Favors posted 10 points each while pulling down three and six rebounds, respectively.
Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 34 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Evan Fournier provided 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Dwayne Bacon tallied 13 points and three rebounds. Mo Bamba supplied 11 points, four rebounds and one block. Terrence Ross chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Jazz remains on the road and visits the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, while the Magic remains home and hosts the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night as well.
The Jazz (27-7) came into the contest looking to put a rare loss that had transpired just 24 hours earlier at the hands of the Miami Heat quickly behind them, but they may have still been experiencing a bit of carryover during a first quarter that they emerged from with just a narrow 22-21 lead. Utah did manage to extend its advantage to four points by halftime, and they'd pushed to that edge to 11 points going into a final period during which they cruised to a win.
Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points, complementing them with six assists and four rebounds. Jordan Clarkson supplied 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Joe Ingles registered 17 points, seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Georges Niang managed 13 points, two boards and one assist. Rudy Gobert generated a 12-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included three assists, two blocks and one steal. Bojan Bogdanovic and Derrick Favors posted 10 points each while pulling down three and six rebounds, respectively.
Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 34 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Evan Fournier provided 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Dwayne Bacon tallied 13 points and three rebounds. Mo Bamba supplied 11 points, four rebounds and one block. Terrence Ross chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Jazz remains on the road and visits the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, while the Magic remains home and hosts the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night as well.
Spurs Secure Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 117-114, at AT&T Center on Saturday evening.
The contest got out to a high-scoring start as the Spurs held a, 33-32 lead after one quarter. The Spurs maintained the upper hand through the second and pushed the lead to six, by halftime. The Pelicans came out strong in the third, but the Spurs stayed in control and extended their lead to 10 points, heading into the final frame. The Pelicans made a push in the fourth and cut it to a three-point game mid way through the quarter, but the Spurs answered the call down the stretch to secure the home win. This marks the second straight loss for the Pelicans.
DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 11 assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 points and five rebounds, while Dejounte Murray totaled 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and a block. The Spurs shot 47 percent from the field, including 12-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 29 points on 11-of-23 shooting, five assists and four rebounds, in 36 minutes. Zion Williamson added 23 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Eric Bledsoe finished with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. The Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field, including 9-of-32 from deep.
The Pelicans (14-19) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Jazz on Monday. The Spurs (17-12) play host to the Nets on Monday
The contest got out to a high-scoring start as the Spurs held a, 33-32 lead after one quarter. The Spurs maintained the upper hand through the second and pushed the lead to six, by halftime. The Pelicans came out strong in the third, but the Spurs stayed in control and extended their lead to 10 points, heading into the final frame. The Pelicans made a push in the fourth and cut it to a three-point game mid way through the quarter, but the Spurs answered the call down the stretch to secure the home win. This marks the second straight loss for the Pelicans.
DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 11 assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 points and five rebounds, while Dejounte Murray totaled 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and a block. The Spurs shot 47 percent from the field, including 12-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 29 points on 11-of-23 shooting, five assists and four rebounds, in 36 minutes. Zion Williamson added 23 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Eric Bledsoe finished with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. The Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field, including 9-of-32 from deep.
The Pelicans (14-19) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Jazz on Monday. The Spurs (17-12) play host to the Nets on Monday
Nuggets Throttle Thunder, 126-96
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Oklahoma City Thunder, 126-96, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Saturday.
Denver started this game on a 19-4 run and never looked back from there. In fact, they rode a 38-20 first quarter to their wire-to-wire win, holding a double-digit lead for the final three quarters and leading by at least 20 points for the entirety of the second half. The Nuggets shot 55 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range while holding the Thunder to 42 percent from the field and 23 percent from long range. Denver also out-rebounded Oklahoma City, 49-37, while out-assisting them, 30-24.
The Nuggets (18-15) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, tallying 18 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Jamal Murray led the team with 26 points, two rebounds and five assists. Michael Porter amassed 20 points and 10 rebounds while Will Barton collected 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. None of those guys played in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder (14-20) were led by Darius Bazley, totaling 22 points and four rebounds. Shai Gilgwous-Alexander collected 13 points, five rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Al Horford had just six points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Isaiah Roby led the bench with 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Denver returns to action on Monday, traveling to face the Chicago Bulls. As for Oklahoma City, they're off until Wednesday when they play the Dallas Mavericks on the road.
Denver started this game on a 19-4 run and never looked back from there. In fact, they rode a 38-20 first quarter to their wire-to-wire win, holding a double-digit lead for the final three quarters and leading by at least 20 points for the entirety of the second half. The Nuggets shot 55 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range while holding the Thunder to 42 percent from the field and 23 percent from long range. Denver also out-rebounded Oklahoma City, 49-37, while out-assisting them, 30-24.
The Nuggets (18-15) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, tallying 18 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Jamal Murray led the team with 26 points, two rebounds and five assists. Michael Porter amassed 20 points and 10 rebounds while Will Barton collected 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. None of those guys played in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder (14-20) were led by Darius Bazley, totaling 22 points and four rebounds. Shai Gilgwous-Alexander collected 13 points, five rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Al Horford had just six points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Isaiah Roby led the bench with 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Denver returns to action on Monday, traveling to face the Chicago Bulls. As for Oklahoma City, they're off until Wednesday when they play the Dallas Mavericks on the road.
Mavericks Defeat Shorthanded Nets, 115-98
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Brooklyn Nets, 115-98, at Barclay's Center on Saturday.
Dallas got out to a 38-26 lead after the first quarter and never looked back after that. In fact, the Mavericks held the lead for the final three quarters, with the Mavericks outscoring the Nets in the second half, 47-34. Dallas ended up shooting 52 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while holding Brooklyn to 41 percent from the field and 32 percent from long range. In addition, the Mavericks recorded 12 steals and eight blocks while winning the turnover differential, 19-8.
The Mavericks (16-16) were led by Luka Doncic and his 27 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Kristaps Porzingis returned and amassed 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Dorian Finney-Smith generated 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jalen Brunson led the bench with 14 points, three rebounds and two steals.
The Nets (22-13) were led by James Harden, collecting 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Jeff Green totaled 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. Bruce Brown had 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists. No other player reached double figures in scoring and no one had more than three assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Dallas remaining on the road to face the struggling Orlando Magic and Brooklyn traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs.
Dallas got out to a 38-26 lead after the first quarter and never looked back after that. In fact, the Mavericks held the lead for the final three quarters, with the Mavericks outscoring the Nets in the second half, 47-34. Dallas ended up shooting 52 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range while holding Brooklyn to 41 percent from the field and 32 percent from long range. In addition, the Mavericks recorded 12 steals and eight blocks while winning the turnover differential, 19-8.
The Mavericks (16-16) were led by Luka Doncic and his 27 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Kristaps Porzingis returned and amassed 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Dorian Finney-Smith generated 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jalen Brunson led the bench with 14 points, three rebounds and two steals.
The Nets (22-13) were led by James Harden, collecting 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Jeff Green totaled 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. Bruce Brown had 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists. No other player reached double figures in scoring and no one had more than three assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Dallas remaining on the road to face the struggling Orlando Magic and Brooklyn traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs.