Hawks Dominate, Secure Win Over Magic
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic, 112-96, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Hawks (32-26) continue to move in the right direction and have been playing very well in recent days, going 5-1 in their last six outings and strengthening their case against a woeful Magic (18-40) team that looked completely lost and outmatched in this game, especially considering all the absences they were dealing with. Atlanta quickly jumped out to a 27-24 lead in the first quarter, but the Hawks didn't waste time to make it a 17-point game at the break following a dominant second quarter (38-24). The Magic showed signs of a potential turnaround in the third quarter following a 24-15 score, but that would be all they'd accomplish the rest of the way. The Hawks tightened things up in the final minutes and cruised their way in the fourth quarter, running away with the game by a double-digit margin with absolute ease. The Hawks shot 40.9 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from beyond the arc, while the Magic shot 39.8 percent from the field and 22.2 from deep.
Trae Young paced the Hawks in this game and finished with 25 points and seven assists, while Clint Capela delivered another double-double after notching 14 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks. John Collins chipped in with a double-double as well, as he ended with 11 points and 14 boards. Bogdan Bogdanovic mustered 14 points, while Kevin Huerter contributed 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Lou Williams had 22 points off the bench.
Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony each scored 17 points for Orlando -- Carter also added eight rebounds while Anthony mustered eight assists and two steals as well. Gary Harris had 14 points, and Dwayne Bacon finished with 10 points with three boards. Chasson Randle had 10 points coming off the bench. No other Orlando player scored in double digits, though.
The Hawks (32-26) continue to move in the right direction and have been playing very well in recent days, going 5-1 in their last six outings and strengthening their case against a woeful Magic (18-40) team that looked completely lost and outmatched in this game, especially considering all the absences they were dealing with. Atlanta quickly jumped out to a 27-24 lead in the first quarter, but the Hawks didn't waste time to make it a 17-point game at the break following a dominant second quarter (38-24). The Magic showed signs of a potential turnaround in the third quarter following a 24-15 score, but that would be all they'd accomplish the rest of the way. The Hawks tightened things up in the final minutes and cruised their way in the fourth quarter, running away with the game by a double-digit margin with absolute ease. The Hawks shot 40.9 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from beyond the arc, while the Magic shot 39.8 percent from the field and 22.2 from deep.
Trae Young paced the Hawks in this game and finished with 25 points and seven assists, while Clint Capela delivered another double-double after notching 14 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks. John Collins chipped in with a double-double as well, as he ended with 11 points and 14 boards. Bogdan Bogdanovic mustered 14 points, while Kevin Huerter contributed 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Lou Williams had 22 points off the bench.
Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony each scored 17 points for Orlando -- Carter also added eight rebounds while Anthony mustered eight assists and two steals as well. Gary Harris had 14 points, and Dwayne Bacon finished with 10 points with three boards. Chasson Randle had 10 points coming off the bench. No other Orlando player scored in double digits, though.
Nets Topples Pelicans, 134-129
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 134-129, at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night.
The Pelicans (25-33) checked into the interconference clash with an improved chance at victory considering Kevin Durant (quadriceps) was joining James Harden (hamstring) on the bench for the evening, and New Orleans did manage to forge a two-point halftime lead during a competitive first half. However, Brooklyn was able to eliminate their deficit and take a one-point advantage into the fourth quarter, and a 41-point final period and some key free throws by Kyrie Irving in the closing seconds helped seal a narrow victory for the visitors.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 32 points, adding eight assists, two rebounds and one steal. Joe Harris supplied 24 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Landry Shamet furnished 18 points, eight assists and one rebound. Blake Griffin totaled 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Jeff Green delivered 15 points, nine boards, six assists and one block. Bruce Brown generated an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench.
Zion Williamson paced the Pelicans with 33 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Brandon Ingram supplied 27 points, five assists and four rebounds. Lonzo Ball and Naji Marshall had matching 15-point contributions, with Marshall also offering seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Kira Lewis, Jr. managed 11 points, four assists and one rebound.
The Nets continue on the road and visit the Toronto Raptors in Tampa on Wednesday night, while the Pelicans hit the road as well and pay a visit to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.
The Pelicans (25-33) checked into the interconference clash with an improved chance at victory considering Kevin Durant (quadriceps) was joining James Harden (hamstring) on the bench for the evening, and New Orleans did manage to forge a two-point halftime lead during a competitive first half. However, Brooklyn was able to eliminate their deficit and take a one-point advantage into the fourth quarter, and a 41-point final period and some key free throws by Kyrie Irving in the closing seconds helped seal a narrow victory for the visitors.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 32 points, adding eight assists, two rebounds and one steal. Joe Harris supplied 24 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal. Landry Shamet furnished 18 points, eight assists and one rebound. Blake Griffin totaled 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Jeff Green delivered 15 points, nine boards, six assists and one block. Bruce Brown generated an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench.
Zion Williamson paced the Pelicans with 33 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Brandon Ingram supplied 27 points, five assists and four rebounds. Lonzo Ball and Naji Marshall had matching 15-point contributions, with Marshall also offering seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Kira Lewis, Jr. managed 11 points, four assists and one rebound.
The Nets continue on the road and visit the Toronto Raptors in Tampa on Wednesday night, while the Pelicans hit the road as well and pay a visit to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.
Knicks Close Out Seventh Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 109-97, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening.
The contest got out to a high-scoring start as the Hornets took a, 33-30, lead after one quarter. The Knicks kept it close through the second, but the Hornets took a six-point advantage into halftime. The Knicks picked up the pace in the third and outscored the visitors by 15 points in the quarter, to take a nine-point lead into the final frame. They turned up the defense in the fourth and held the Hornets to just 15 points in the quarter, as they closed out their seventh straight win.
R.J. Barrett led the Knicks with 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting, in 39 minutes. Julius Randle finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Derrick Rose added 17 points and five assists, in 25 minutes off the bench. The Knicks shot 48 percent from the field, including 18-of-45 from long range.
Meanwhile, P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, in 35 minutes off the bench. Terry Rozier totaled 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Miles Bridges logged 15 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Hornets shot 45 percent from the field, including 16-of-39 from long range.
The Hornets (28-29) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Thursday. The Knicks (32-27) play host to the Hawks on Wednesday.
The contest got out to a high-scoring start as the Hornets took a, 33-30, lead after one quarter. The Knicks kept it close through the second, but the Hornets took a six-point advantage into halftime. The Knicks picked up the pace in the third and outscored the visitors by 15 points in the quarter, to take a nine-point lead into the final frame. They turned up the defense in the fourth and held the Hornets to just 15 points in the quarter, as they closed out their seventh straight win.
R.J. Barrett led the Knicks with 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting, in 39 minutes. Julius Randle finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Derrick Rose added 17 points and five assists, in 25 minutes off the bench. The Knicks shot 48 percent from the field, including 18-of-45 from long range.
Meanwhile, P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, in 35 minutes off the bench. Terry Rozier totaled 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Miles Bridges logged 15 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Hornets shot 45 percent from the field, including 16-of-39 from long range.
The Hornets (28-29) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Thursday. The Knicks (32-27) play host to the Hawks on Wednesday.
Clippers Defeat Trail Blazers, 113-112
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 113-112, at Moda Center on Tuesday.
There were 13 ties and 19 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. The Clippers actually finished the game on a 10-3 run across the final two minutes to cap off their comeback win. Paul George was the hero, knocking down two free-trows with 4.8 seconds left. The key for Los Angeles was their shooting, hitting 50 percent from the field while holding Portland below 45 percent. In addition, the Clippers outscored the Trail Blazers in the paint, 54-42.
The Clippers (41-19) were led by Paul George and his 33 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Marcus Morris amassed 16 points and six rebounds. Reggie Jackson accrued nine points, five rebounds and six assists. Nicolas Batum and DeMarcus Cousins led the bench with 11 points apiece while Rajon Rondo provided nine points, six rebounds and seven assists.
The Trail Blazers (32-25) were led by C.J. McCollum, tallying 28 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Norman Powell generated 23 points and three assists. Enes Kanter had nine points and nine boards. Carmelo Anthony led the bench with 18 points, three rebounds and four assists while Naz Little had seven points, 10 boards and three assists.
Both teams have to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, with Portland remaining home to play the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles returning home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
There were 13 ties and 19 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. The Clippers actually finished the game on a 10-3 run across the final two minutes to cap off their comeback win. Paul George was the hero, knocking down two free-trows with 4.8 seconds left. The key for Los Angeles was their shooting, hitting 50 percent from the field while holding Portland below 45 percent. In addition, the Clippers outscored the Trail Blazers in the paint, 54-42.
The Clippers (41-19) were led by Paul George and his 33 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Marcus Morris amassed 16 points and six rebounds. Reggie Jackson accrued nine points, five rebounds and six assists. Nicolas Batum and DeMarcus Cousins led the bench with 11 points apiece while Rajon Rondo provided nine points, six rebounds and seven assists.
The Trail Blazers (32-25) were led by C.J. McCollum, tallying 28 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Norman Powell generated 23 points and three assists. Enes Kanter had nine points and nine boards. Carmelo Anthony led the bench with 18 points, three rebounds and four assists while Naz Little had seven points, 10 boards and three assists.
Both teams have to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, with Portland remaining home to play the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles returning home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
T'Wolves Defeat Kings, 134-120
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 134-120, at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday.
The 14-point final margin is not a good indicator of how this matchup was played, with that being the largest lead in the game. In fact, it took 13 ties and 21 lead changes to determine a winner, with neither club grabbing a double-digit lead until the final moments. The Timberwolves closing the game on a 20-5 run across the final six minutes to cap off that victory. The Timberwolves ended up shooting 57 percent from the field while holding the Kings to 45 percent shooting. Minnesota also out-assisted Sacramento, 34-28, while out-rebounding them, 50-39. All of that allowed them to outscore the Kings in the paint, 60-48.
The Timberwolves (16-43) were led by Anthony Edwards and his 28 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Karl-Anthony Towns collected 26 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. Jaden McDaniels had 13 points and six boards while Ricky Rubio generated six points, four rebounds and 11 assists. D'Angelo Russell led the bench with 28 points, three rebounds and six assists.
The Kings (23-35) were led by Harrison Barnes, totaling 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Mo Harkless accrued 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals. De'Aaron Fox shot just 5-of-17 from the field to finish with 14 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals. Delon Wright provided 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals off the bench.
These teams will have a rematch on Wednesday in the second half of a back-to-back set.
The 14-point final margin is not a good indicator of how this matchup was played, with that being the largest lead in the game. In fact, it took 13 ties and 21 lead changes to determine a winner, with neither club grabbing a double-digit lead until the final moments. The Timberwolves closing the game on a 20-5 run across the final six minutes to cap off that victory. The Timberwolves ended up shooting 57 percent from the field while holding the Kings to 45 percent shooting. Minnesota also out-assisted Sacramento, 34-28, while out-rebounding them, 50-39. All of that allowed them to outscore the Kings in the paint, 60-48.
The Timberwolves (16-43) were led by Anthony Edwards and his 28 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Karl-Anthony Towns collected 26 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. Jaden McDaniels had 13 points and six boards while Ricky Rubio generated six points, four rebounds and 11 assists. D'Angelo Russell led the bench with 28 points, three rebounds and six assists.
The Kings (23-35) were led by Harrison Barnes, totaling 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Mo Harkless accrued 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals. De'Aaron Fox shot just 5-of-17 from the field to finish with 14 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals. Delon Wright provided 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals off the bench.
These teams will have a rematch on Wednesday in the second half of a back-to-back set.