Grizzlies Come From Behind, Top Clippers
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 123-108, at Crypto.com Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Grizzlies (27-14) had to work hard and came from behind to escape with the win here despite the excellent start from the Clippers (19-21). The Clippers got off to a strong start and jumped out to a 36-28 lead in the first quarter, but the Grizzlies turned things around with a 38-20 score in the second quarter - that set the tone of the contest the rest of the way. The third quarter ended with a 28-28 score, and the Grizzlies closed things out with a 29-24 score in the fourth. It was an excellent win for Memphis, and the Grizzlies tied a franchise-high record with eight straight wins.
Jaren Jackson led the way for Memphis with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Desmond Bane had another excellent game with 23 points, seven boards and four assists. Tyus Jones replaced Ja Morant and notched 18 points, five rebounds and five assists. No other Memphis starter scored in double digits, but Brandon Clarke looked impressive off the bench since he had 18 points, 15 boards and three assists. Memphis shot 44 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from the field.
Marcus Morris Sr. ended with 29 points and eight rebounds to lead the Clippers in this loss, while Reggie Jackson ended with 18 points in this contest. No other Los Angeles player scored in double digits in this game, but Brandon Boston Jr. had 13 points and three boards. Terrence Mann had nine points.
The Grizzlies (27-14) had to work hard and came from behind to escape with the win here despite the excellent start from the Clippers (19-21). The Clippers got off to a strong start and jumped out to a 36-28 lead in the first quarter, but the Grizzlies turned things around with a 38-20 score in the second quarter - that set the tone of the contest the rest of the way. The third quarter ended with a 28-28 score, and the Grizzlies closed things out with a 29-24 score in the fourth. It was an excellent win for Memphis, and the Grizzlies tied a franchise-high record with eight straight wins.
Jaren Jackson led the way for Memphis with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Desmond Bane had another excellent game with 23 points, seven boards and four assists. Tyus Jones replaced Ja Morant and notched 18 points, five rebounds and five assists. No other Memphis starter scored in double digits, but Brandon Clarke looked impressive off the bench since he had 18 points, 15 boards and three assists. Memphis shot 44 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from the field.
Marcus Morris Sr. ended with 29 points and eight rebounds to lead the Clippers in this loss, while Reggie Jackson ended with 18 points in this contest. No other Los Angeles player scored in double digits in this game, but Brandon Boston Jr. had 13 points and three boards. Terrence Mann had nine points.
Pistons Top Magic In Battle Of Struggling Teams
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic, 97-92, at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday night.
The Pistons (8-30) and the Magic (7-33) played a tight contest, and while neither team was able to dominate the other, at the end of the day, Detroit was far more effective when it mattered the most and that was enough to get the job done. Detroit grabbed a 31-26 lead following the first quarter and that was enough to set the tone of the contest the rest of the way. The Pistons won the second quarter by a 21-19 lead and held a seven-point edge with two quarters left to go. Even though Orlando managed to put up a fight following a 28-21 score in the third quarter, that was not enough to mount a comeback. Detroit won the final quarter by a 24-19 score and that was enough to get the job done.
Hamidou Diallo was the leading scorer for the Pistons since he ended with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Saddiq Bey chipped in with 16 points, six boards and three dimes. Cade Cunningham filled the stat sheet and contributed 12 points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal. No other starter scored in double digits for Detroit, though Trey Lyles had an impressive game off the bench with 16 points and 13 rebounds while also adding two assists and two blocks.
Gary Harris was the leading scorer for the Magic since he delivered 28 points and six rebounds, while Cole Anthony stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Terrence Ross had a strong game off the bench and contributed 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. No other Orlando player scored in double digits.
The Pistons (8-30) and the Magic (7-33) played a tight contest, and while neither team was able to dominate the other, at the end of the day, Detroit was far more effective when it mattered the most and that was enough to get the job done. Detroit grabbed a 31-26 lead following the first quarter and that was enough to set the tone of the contest the rest of the way. The Pistons won the second quarter by a 21-19 lead and held a seven-point edge with two quarters left to go. Even though Orlando managed to put up a fight following a 28-21 score in the third quarter, that was not enough to mount a comeback. Detroit won the final quarter by a 24-19 score and that was enough to get the job done.
Hamidou Diallo was the leading scorer for the Pistons since he ended with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Saddiq Bey chipped in with 16 points, six boards and three dimes. Cade Cunningham filled the stat sheet and contributed 12 points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal. No other starter scored in double digits for Detroit, though Trey Lyles had an impressive game off the bench with 16 points and 13 rebounds while also adding two assists and two blocks.
Gary Harris was the leading scorer for the Magic since he delivered 28 points and six rebounds, while Cole Anthony stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Terrence Ross had a strong game off the bench and contributed 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. No other Orlando player scored in double digits.
Pacers Finish Strong In Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The Indiana Pacers defeated the visiting Utah Jazz, 125-113, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday evening.
The Pacers got out to a good start at home and led, 33-27, after one quarter. They kept control through the second and pushed their lead to nine, by halftime. The Jazz came out stronger in the third and cut it down to a one-point game, before the Pacers regained a four-point lead, heading into the final frame. The Jazz put up a fight early in the fourth, but the Pacers turned it up a notch and outscored the visitors, 35-27, in the quarter to secure the much-needed win, ending a six-game slide.
Domantas Sabonis led the way for the Pacers, with 42 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, in 38 minutes. Duane Washington and Lance Stephenson chipped in 16 points each, while Justin Holiday totaled 15 points and four rebounds. The Pacers shot 55 percent from the field, including 14-of-29 from deep.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 36 points, nine assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Bojan Bogdanovic followed up with 21 points and six rebounds, while Jordan Clarkson chipped in 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, off the bench. The Jazz shot 48 percent from the field, including 15-of-35 from long range.
The Jazz (28-12) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Monday. The Pacers (15-25) take on the Celtics in Boston on Monday.
The Pacers got out to a good start at home and led, 33-27, after one quarter. They kept control through the second and pushed their lead to nine, by halftime. The Jazz came out stronger in the third and cut it down to a one-point game, before the Pacers regained a four-point lead, heading into the final frame. The Jazz put up a fight early in the fourth, but the Pacers turned it up a notch and outscored the visitors, 35-27, in the quarter to secure the much-needed win, ending a six-game slide.
Domantas Sabonis led the way for the Pacers, with 42 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, in 38 minutes. Duane Washington and Lance Stephenson chipped in 16 points each, while Justin Holiday totaled 15 points and four rebounds. The Pacers shot 55 percent from the field, including 14-of-29 from deep.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 36 points, nine assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Bojan Bogdanovic followed up with 21 points and six rebounds, while Jordan Clarkson chipped in 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, off the bench. The Jazz shot 48 percent from the field, including 15-of-35 from long range.
The Jazz (28-12) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pistons in Detroit on Monday. The Pacers (15-25) take on the Celtics in Boston on Monday.
Hornets Top Bucks In Charlotte
By Dan Bruno
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 114-106, at Spectrum Center on Saturday evening.
The Bucks jumped out to a good start and led by 11, before the Hornets cut it down to a two-point game heading into the second quarter. The hosts carried the momentum into the second, where they outscored the Bucks, 20-12, to take a six-point advantage by halftime. Both teams were strong in the third, but the Hornets outscored the visitors, 42-34, in the frame to push their lead to 14 points. The Bucks kept up the fight in the fourth, but the Hornets stayed in control and closed out the home win.
Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 28 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 34 minutes. Miles Bridges followed up with 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal, while LaMelo Ball tallied 19 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and a steal. The Hornets shot 44 percent from the field, including 16-of-48 from long range.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 43 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, in 37 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while Bobby Portis totaled 19 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. The Bucks shot 39 percent from the field, including 12-of-37 from deep.
The Hornets (21-19) and Bucks (26-16) face off again in Charlotte on Monday.
The Bucks jumped out to a good start and led by 11, before the Hornets cut it down to a two-point game heading into the second quarter. The hosts carried the momentum into the second, where they outscored the Bucks, 20-12, to take a six-point advantage by halftime. Both teams were strong in the third, but the Hornets outscored the visitors, 42-34, in the frame to push their lead to 14 points. The Bucks kept up the fight in the fourth, but the Hornets stayed in control and closed out the home win.
Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 28 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 34 minutes. Miles Bridges followed up with 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal, while LaMelo Ball tallied 19 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and a steal. The Hornets shot 44 percent from the field, including 16-of-48 from long range.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 43 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, in 37 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while Bobby Portis totaled 19 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. The Bucks shot 39 percent from the field, including 12-of-37 from deep.
The Hornets (21-19) and Bucks (26-16) face off again in Charlotte on Monday.
Celtics Clobber Knicks, 99-75
The Boston Celtics defeated the visiting New York Knicks, 99-75, at TD Garden on Saturday.
While there were six ties and four lead changes through the first 20 minutes of this game, Boston rode a 23-16 second quarter to a dominating win. In fact, they outscored the Knicks, 55-33, in the second half, getting their lead up to 24 points at times. They actually led by at least 15 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Boston's bench outscored New York's bench, 33-6. In addition, the Celtics doubled up the Knicks in assists, 26-13. That led to Boston shooting 47 percent from the field, 41 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw line while holding NY to 37 percent from the field, 36 percent from long range and 40 percent from the charity stripe.
The Knicks (19-21) were led by R.J. Barrett and his 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Immanuel Quickley collected 18 points and four assists. Julius Randle compiled 13 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Mitchell Robinson amassed 11 points and eight rebounds. They had six players come off the bench to combine for six points and no assists.
The Celtics (19-21) got a triple-double from Jaylen Brown, tallying 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Jayson Tatum totaled 19 points and three rebounds. Robert Williams registered 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and four blocks, while Marcus Smart had 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and four steals. Josh Richardson led the bench with 17 points.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Boston remaining home to play the struggling Indiana Pacers and New York returning home to play the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs.
While there were six ties and four lead changes through the first 20 minutes of this game, Boston rode a 23-16 second quarter to a dominating win. In fact, they outscored the Knicks, 55-33, in the second half, getting their lead up to 24 points at times. They actually led by at least 15 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Boston's bench outscored New York's bench, 33-6. In addition, the Celtics doubled up the Knicks in assists, 26-13. That led to Boston shooting 47 percent from the field, 41 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw line while holding NY to 37 percent from the field, 36 percent from long range and 40 percent from the charity stripe.
The Knicks (19-21) were led by R.J. Barrett and his 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Immanuel Quickley collected 18 points and four assists. Julius Randle compiled 13 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Mitchell Robinson amassed 11 points and eight rebounds. They had six players come off the bench to combine for six points and no assists.
The Celtics (19-21) got a triple-double from Jaylen Brown, tallying 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Jayson Tatum totaled 19 points and three rebounds. Robert Williams registered 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and four blocks, while Marcus Smart had 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and four steals. Josh Richardson led the bench with 17 points.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Boston remaining home to play the struggling Indiana Pacers and New York returning home to play the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs.
Heat Defeat Suns, 123-100
The Miami Heat defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 123-100, at Footprint Center on Saturday.
While there were three ties and three lead changes in the first 10 minutes, Miami never relinquished the lead after a 33-29 first quarter. In fact, they rode a 38-21 second quarter to a 21-point halftime lead, holding a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. They got their lead up to 27 points at times in this lopsided win. The Heat's bench outscored the Suns bench, 65-30. In addition, Miami shot 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range while holding Phoenix to 38 percent from the field and 41 percent from long range. They also out-rebounded Phoenix, 49-35, while out-assisting them, 33-24.
The Heat (25-15) had to play without Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo but were led by Tyler Herro and his 33 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals off the bench. Duncan Robinson also played well off the bench, amassing 27 points and four rebounds. Kyle Lowry led the starters with 14 points, two rebounds and 13 assists, while Omer Yurtseven tallied seven points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
The Suns (29-9) were led by Devin Booker, generating 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Mikal Bridges totaled 20 points and six assists. Deandre Ayton accrued 12 points and eight rebounds, while Chris Paul compiled nine points, two rebounds and seven assists. Cameron Johnson led the bench with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists.
On deck for Phoenix is a road matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. As for Miami, they return to action on Wednesday in a road matchup with the Atlanta Hawks.
While there were three ties and three lead changes in the first 10 minutes, Miami never relinquished the lead after a 33-29 first quarter. In fact, they rode a 38-21 second quarter to a 21-point halftime lead, holding a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. They got their lead up to 27 points at times in this lopsided win. The Heat's bench outscored the Suns bench, 65-30. In addition, Miami shot 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range while holding Phoenix to 38 percent from the field and 41 percent from long range. They also out-rebounded Phoenix, 49-35, while out-assisting them, 33-24.
The Heat (25-15) had to play without Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo but were led by Tyler Herro and his 33 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals off the bench. Duncan Robinson also played well off the bench, amassing 27 points and four rebounds. Kyle Lowry led the starters with 14 points, two rebounds and 13 assists, while Omer Yurtseven tallied seven points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
The Suns (29-9) were led by Devin Booker, generating 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Mikal Bridges totaled 20 points and six assists. Deandre Ayton accrued 12 points and eight rebounds, while Chris Paul compiled nine points, two rebounds and seven assists. Cameron Johnson led the bench with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists.
On deck for Phoenix is a road matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. As for Miami, they return to action on Wednesday in a road matchup with the Atlanta Hawks.