Lakers Get Past Jazz In Overtime
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz, 127-115, at Staples Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Lakers (35-22) and the Jazz (42-15) have been two of the best teams in the Western Conference this season and this matchup could easily be a preview of a potential Western Conference Semifinals, but the Lakers managed to come through and defeat Utah in a game where both teams looked shorthanded -- Los Angeles had neither LeBron James (ankle) nor Anthony Davis (calf) while Utah was without Donovan Mitchell (knee). This game needed five extra minutes to find a winner as well. The Jazz built a one-point lead following the first quarter, but the Lakers responded quickly and grabbed a 12-point lead at the end of the third quarter following dominant spells in both the second (31-27) and third (29-20) periods. Utah managed to mount a fourth-quarter comeback and forced overtime, but the Lakers cruised their way in the final five minutes and outscored a fatigued Utah squad by a 17-5 score to run away with the win.
Andre Drummond led the Lakers offensively with a 27-point performance that also included eight rebounds, three assists and two steals -- he was one of three Lakers that scored at least 25 points since Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also reached that tally. Schroder contributed eight assists as well, while Caldwell-Pope chipped in with five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kyle Kuzma had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Markieff Morris notched a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double for Los Angeles.
Jordan Clarkson started in place of Donovan Mitchell and paced the Jazz with 27 points, while Joe Ingles posted a 20-point, 14-assist double-double. Ersan Ilyasova had 20 points as well, while Bojan Bogdanovic notched 19 points. Royce O'Neale contributed 14 points with eight rebounds and four assists. No other Utah player scored in double digits.
The Lakers (35-22) and the Jazz (42-15) have been two of the best teams in the Western Conference this season and this matchup could easily be a preview of a potential Western Conference Semifinals, but the Lakers managed to come through and defeat Utah in a game where both teams looked shorthanded -- Los Angeles had neither LeBron James (ankle) nor Anthony Davis (calf) while Utah was without Donovan Mitchell (knee). This game needed five extra minutes to find a winner as well. The Jazz built a one-point lead following the first quarter, but the Lakers responded quickly and grabbed a 12-point lead at the end of the third quarter following dominant spells in both the second (31-27) and third (29-20) periods. Utah managed to mount a fourth-quarter comeback and forced overtime, but the Lakers cruised their way in the final five minutes and outscored a fatigued Utah squad by a 17-5 score to run away with the win.
Andre Drummond led the Lakers offensively with a 27-point performance that also included eight rebounds, three assists and two steals -- he was one of three Lakers that scored at least 25 points since Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also reached that tally. Schroder contributed eight assists as well, while Caldwell-Pope chipped in with five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Kyle Kuzma had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Markieff Morris notched a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double for Los Angeles.
Jordan Clarkson started in place of Donovan Mitchell and paced the Jazz with 27 points, while Joe Ingles posted a 20-point, 14-assist double-double. Ersan Ilyasova had 20 points as well, while Bojan Bogdanovic notched 19 points. Royce O'Neale contributed 14 points with eight rebounds and four assists. No other Utah player scored in double digits.
Bulls Topple Cavaliers, 106-96
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 106-96, at United Center on Saturday night.
The Bulls (23-33) came into the divisional clash in dire need of some momentum, as an extended stretch of losing had left their postseason hopes in dire straits. Chicago set the right tone early by jumping out to a 29-24 lead through one, but the Cavaliers (20-36) managed to erase their deficit and build a two -point lead going into halftime. The home squad then came out of intermission a refocused squad, outscoring Cleveland, 33-21, during the third period to take a 10-point lead into the final period, which proved to also be their final margin of victory.
Collin Sexton and Darius Garland co-led the Cavaliers with matching 22-point tallies, with Sexton also pulling down five rebounds and Garland dishing out 12 assists. Kevin Love generated a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one steal. Isaac Okoro poured in 13 points, while Jarrett Allen furnished 10 points, 11 boards and two assists.
Nikola Vucevic paced the Bulls with 25 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lauri Markkanen delivered 16 points, six rebounds and one steal. Denzel Valentine totaled 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and one block. Patrick Williams posted 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.
The Cavaliers remain on the road and visit the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, while the Bulls hit the road and tangle with the Boston Celtics on Monday night as well.
The Bulls (23-33) came into the divisional clash in dire need of some momentum, as an extended stretch of losing had left their postseason hopes in dire straits. Chicago set the right tone early by jumping out to a 29-24 lead through one, but the Cavaliers (20-36) managed to erase their deficit and build a two -point lead going into halftime. The home squad then came out of intermission a refocused squad, outscoring Cleveland, 33-21, during the third period to take a 10-point lead into the final period, which proved to also be their final margin of victory.
Collin Sexton and Darius Garland co-led the Cavaliers with matching 22-point tallies, with Sexton also pulling down five rebounds and Garland dishing out 12 assists. Kevin Love generated a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one steal. Isaac Okoro poured in 13 points, while Jarrett Allen furnished 10 points, 11 boards and two assists.
Nikola Vucevic paced the Bulls with 25 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lauri Markkanen delivered 16 points, six rebounds and one steal. Denzel Valentine totaled 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and one block. Patrick Williams posted 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.
The Cavaliers remain on the road and visit the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, while the Bulls hit the road and tangle with the Boston Celtics on Monday night as well.
Wizards Close Out Fourth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Washington Wizards defeated the the visiting Detroit Pistons, 121-100, at Capital One Arena on Saturday evening.
The contest got out to a tight start with the score tied at 27, after one quarter. The Wizards pulled ahead in the second and took a six-point lead into halftime. They carried the momentum into the third quarter, where they outscored the visitors by seven, to make it a 13-point game heading into the fourth. The Pistons had no answers in the fourth, as the Wizards pushed their lead to a game-high 24 points on the way to closing out their fourth straight win.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 37 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 30 minutes. Russell Westbrook tallied 15 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Ish Smith chipped in 16 points, five assists and three rebounds, while Robin Lopez added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Wizards shot 53 percent from the field, including 9-of-16 from long range.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Stewart totaled 19 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, in 24 minutes. Frank Jackson added 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while Josh Jackson tallied 17 points, two rebounds, two assists and a block. The Pistons shot 44 percent from the field, including 9-of-27 from long range.
The Pistons (17-40) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Cavs on Monday. The Wizards (23-33) play host to the Thunder on Monday.
The contest got out to a tight start with the score tied at 27, after one quarter. The Wizards pulled ahead in the second and took a six-point lead into halftime. They carried the momentum into the third quarter, where they outscored the visitors by seven, to make it a 13-point game heading into the fourth. The Pistons had no answers in the fourth, as the Wizards pushed their lead to a game-high 24 points on the way to closing out their fourth straight win.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 37 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 30 minutes. Russell Westbrook tallied 15 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Ish Smith chipped in 16 points, five assists and three rebounds, while Robin Lopez added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Wizards shot 53 percent from the field, including 9-of-16 from long range.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Stewart totaled 19 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, in 24 minutes. Frank Jackson added 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while Josh Jackson tallied 17 points, two rebounds, two assists and a block. The Pistons shot 44 percent from the field, including 9-of-27 from long range.
The Pistons (17-40) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Cavs on Monday. The Wizards (23-33) play host to the Thunder on Monday.
Celtics Outlast Warriors, 116-111
The Boston Celtics defeated the Golden State Warriors, 116-111, at TD Garden on Saturday night.
What had the potential to be a wire-to-wire competitive affair got off to a bit of a lopsided start, as the Warriors (28-29) jumped out to a 33-24 advantage through one. The Celtics (31-26) bounced back to make things more competitive before halftime, putting up 36 second-quarter points to trail by six at intermission. Boston would then proceed to eradicate that deficit altogether in the third and send the game into the final period deadlocked. The fourth quarter was an instant classic, with the two teams jostling throughout for the advantage until a clutch Kemba Walker three-pointer and subsequent free throw was enough to put away a hobbled Stephen Curry, who appeared to suffer a significant sprain late, and what had been a hot Golden State squad.
Curry led the Warriors with 47 points, adding seven rebounds and three assists. Andrew Wiggins followed with 22 points, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Kent Bazemore provided 16 points, four rebounds and one steal. Jordan Poole poured in 12 points off the bench. Draymond Green mustered five points, 10 assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 44 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kemba Walker supplied 26 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals. Marcus Smart registered 16 points, nine boards, six assists and two steals. Jabari Parker and Payton Pritchard turned in matching 11-point tallies.
The Warriors remain on the road and visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, while the Celtics remain home and host the Chicago Bulls on Monday night as well.
What had the potential to be a wire-to-wire competitive affair got off to a bit of a lopsided start, as the Warriors (28-29) jumped out to a 33-24 advantage through one. The Celtics (31-26) bounced back to make things more competitive before halftime, putting up 36 second-quarter points to trail by six at intermission. Boston would then proceed to eradicate that deficit altogether in the third and send the game into the final period deadlocked. The fourth quarter was an instant classic, with the two teams jostling throughout for the advantage until a clutch Kemba Walker three-pointer and subsequent free throw was enough to put away a hobbled Stephen Curry, who appeared to suffer a significant sprain late, and what had been a hot Golden State squad.
Curry led the Warriors with 47 points, adding seven rebounds and three assists. Andrew Wiggins followed with 22 points, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Kent Bazemore provided 16 points, four rebounds and one steal. Jordan Poole poured in 12 points off the bench. Draymond Green mustered five points, 10 assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 44 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kemba Walker supplied 26 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals. Marcus Smart registered 16 points, nine boards, six assists and two steals. Jabari Parker and Payton Pritchard turned in matching 11-point tallies.
The Warriors remain on the road and visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, while the Celtics remain home and host the Chicago Bulls on Monday night as well.
Grizzlies Confident In Road Win
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the host Milwaukee Bucks, 128-115, at Fiserv Forum on Saturday evening.
The contest got out to a high-scoring start as the Grizzlies led, 35-31, after one quarter. The Grizzlies stayed in control through the second, where they pushed their lead to double digits and took a 10-point lead into halftime. The Bucks had no answers in the third, as the Grizzlies pushed their lead to a game-high 17 points, before taking an 11-point lead into the final frame. The Grizzlies stayed strong through the fourth and confidently closed out their second straight win.
Grayson Allen led the Grizzlies with 26 points, four rebounds and two steals, in 33 minutes. Dillon Brooks added 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jonas Valanciunas finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a block. The Grizzlies shot 54 percent from the field, including 15-of-40 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, in 29 minutes. Khris Middleton totaled 16 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and two steals, while Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday tallied 17 points each. The Bucks shot 42 percent from the field, including 16-of-47 from long range.
The Bucks (35-21) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Monday. The Grizzlies (29-26) take on the Nuggets in Denver on Monday.
The contest got out to a high-scoring start as the Grizzlies led, 35-31, after one quarter. The Grizzlies stayed in control through the second, where they pushed their lead to double digits and took a 10-point lead into halftime. The Bucks had no answers in the third, as the Grizzlies pushed their lead to a game-high 17 points, before taking an 11-point lead into the final frame. The Grizzlies stayed strong through the fourth and confidently closed out their second straight win.
Grayson Allen led the Grizzlies with 26 points, four rebounds and two steals, in 33 minutes. Dillon Brooks added 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jonas Valanciunas finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a block. The Grizzlies shot 54 percent from the field, including 15-of-40 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, in 29 minutes. Khris Middleton totaled 16 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and two steals, while Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday tallied 17 points each. The Bucks shot 42 percent from the field, including 16-of-47 from long range.
The Bucks (35-21) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Monday. The Grizzlies (29-26) take on the Nuggets in Denver on Monday.
Spurs Defeat Suns, 111-85
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 111-85, at Phoenix Suns Arena on Saturday.
San Antonio rested DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl in this game but dominated in shocking fashion. In fact, they got out to a 28-18 lead after the first quarter and held a double-digit lead for the final 32 minutes of action. They rode a 36-26 second quarter to a 19-point halftime lead and outscored the Suns by at least seven points in three of the four quarters, getting their lead up to 31 points. The Spurs recorded 11 steals and eight blocks while the Suns had just seven steals and two blocks. San Antonio shot 51 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding Phoenix to 40 percent from the field and 22 percent from long range.
The Spurs (27-28) were led by Keldon Johnson, scoring 17 points on 7-of-11 from the field. Dejounte Murray collected 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Devin Eubanks generated 13 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Derrick White had 12 points, two rebounds and six assists. Rudy Gay led the bench with 19 points and five rebounds.
The Suns (40-16) only starter in double figures was Devin Booker, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Deandre Ayton amassed eight points and nine rebounds. Chris Paul accrued six points, three rebounds and six assists. Jevon Carter led the bench with 17 points and two rebounds while Cameron Payne had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Phoenix traveling to face the Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio remaining on the road to play the Indiana Pacers.
San Antonio rested DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl in this game but dominated in shocking fashion. In fact, they got out to a 28-18 lead after the first quarter and held a double-digit lead for the final 32 minutes of action. They rode a 36-26 second quarter to a 19-point halftime lead and outscored the Suns by at least seven points in three of the four quarters, getting their lead up to 31 points. The Spurs recorded 11 steals and eight blocks while the Suns had just seven steals and two blocks. San Antonio shot 51 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding Phoenix to 40 percent from the field and 22 percent from long range.
The Spurs (27-28) were led by Keldon Johnson, scoring 17 points on 7-of-11 from the field. Dejounte Murray collected 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Devin Eubanks generated 13 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Derrick White had 12 points, two rebounds and six assists. Rudy Gay led the bench with 19 points and five rebounds.
The Suns (40-16) only starter in double figures was Devin Booker, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Deandre Ayton amassed eight points and nine rebounds. Chris Paul accrued six points, three rebounds and six assists. Jevon Carter led the bench with 17 points and two rebounds while Cameron Payne had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Phoenix traveling to face the Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio remaining on the road to play the Indiana Pacers.