Hornets Dominate Second Half, Defeat Pistons
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Detroit Pistons, 113-103, at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Hornets (7-6) and the Pistons (6-6) played what it seemed to be a tight encounter in the early going, but Charlotte pulled away for good in the second half to secure a huge win that puts them over .500 and, even though the season is quite young, it looks as if the Hornets can definitively contend for a playoff berth this season. Detroit jumped ahead to a 27-24 lead in the first quarter, but Charlotte stormed back to take a 51-49 lead at the break. From then, it was all Hornets since they won the remaining two quarters (32-26 and 30-28, respectively) to win the game comfortably by a 10-point margin.
Charlotte's two point guards carried the team in this game, as both Kemba Walker and Tony Parker finished with 24 points each. The French came off the bench to add four assists and three boards, while Walker chipped in with eight assists and three boards of his own. Cody Zeller contributed with 14 points and six rebounds, and both Marvin Williams and Jeremy Lamb delivered 10 points. The latter, though, also added six rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Andre Drummond led the way for the Pistons and he filled the stat sheet admirably since he ended the game with 23 points, 22 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Reggie Jackson contributed with 19 points and seven assists, while Langston Galloway added 10 points off the bench. Blake Griffin, however, only had 10 points while going 4-of-16 from the field, but added six rebounds and five assists.
The Hornets (7-6) and the Pistons (6-6) played what it seemed to be a tight encounter in the early going, but Charlotte pulled away for good in the second half to secure a huge win that puts them over .500 and, even though the season is quite young, it looks as if the Hornets can definitively contend for a playoff berth this season. Detroit jumped ahead to a 27-24 lead in the first quarter, but Charlotte stormed back to take a 51-49 lead at the break. From then, it was all Hornets since they won the remaining two quarters (32-26 and 30-28, respectively) to win the game comfortably by a 10-point margin.
Charlotte's two point guards carried the team in this game, as both Kemba Walker and Tony Parker finished with 24 points each. The French came off the bench to add four assists and three boards, while Walker chipped in with eight assists and three boards of his own. Cody Zeller contributed with 14 points and six rebounds, and both Marvin Williams and Jeremy Lamb delivered 10 points. The latter, though, also added six rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Andre Drummond led the way for the Pistons and he filled the stat sheet admirably since he ended the game with 23 points, 22 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Reggie Jackson contributed with 19 points and seven assists, while Langston Galloway added 10 points off the bench. Blake Griffin, however, only had 10 points while going 4-of-16 from the field, but added six rebounds and five assists.
Rockets Defeat Pacers, 115-103
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers, 115-103, at Toyota Center on Sunday.
It's rare to see a team score 13 points in the fourth quarter and win by a double-digit margin but that was the case here for Houston. In fact, they rode a 44-23 second quarter to victory, as they held a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half. Three-point shooting was the difference for the Rockets, as they connected on 20-of-47 from long range while holding the Pacers to 11-of-29. Points off turnovers was also a big factor, with Houston winning that battle, 21-11.
The Pacers (8-6) were led by Victor Oladipo, as he tallied 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Bojan Bogdanovic accrued 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Thaddeus Young and Darren Collison scored 13 points apiece. Domantas Sabonis led the bench with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Rockets (5-7) got a gem out of James Harden, as he collected 40 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Chris Paul totaled 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Clint Capela totaled 18 points and seven boards on 8-of-9 shooting. P.J. Tucker finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
Houston returns to action on Tuesday, as they travel to face the Denver Nuggets. As for Indiana, they don't play again until Friday, when they play host to the Miami Heat.
It's rare to see a team score 13 points in the fourth quarter and win by a double-digit margin but that was the case here for Houston. In fact, they rode a 44-23 second quarter to victory, as they held a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half. Three-point shooting was the difference for the Rockets, as they connected on 20-of-47 from long range while holding the Pacers to 11-of-29. Points off turnovers was also a big factor, with Houston winning that battle, 21-11.
The Pacers (8-6) were led by Victor Oladipo, as he tallied 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Bojan Bogdanovic accrued 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Thaddeus Young and Darren Collison scored 13 points apiece. Domantas Sabonis led the bench with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Rockets (5-7) got a gem out of James Harden, as he collected 40 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Chris Paul totaled 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Clint Capela totaled 18 points and seven boards on 8-of-9 shooting. P.J. Tucker finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
Houston returns to action on Tuesday, as they travel to face the Denver Nuggets. As for Indiana, they don't play again until Friday, when they play host to the Miami Heat.
Magic Dominate Knicks, 115-89
The Orlando Magic defeated the host New York Knicks, 115-89, at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
It's rare to see a home team dominated so thoroughly in the NBA but that's just what the Magic did here to the Knicks. In fact, Orlando took advantage of a 30-10 first quarter, as they held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. In addition, the Knicks never got the game within a 20-point margin in the second half. Orlando's defense was stifling, as they held New York to just 35 percent from the field and 18 percent from three-point range. The assist-to-turnover ratio was also huge, with the Magic recording 31 assists to nine turnovers while New York committed 19 turnovers to 13 assists. The 10 steals recorded by the Magic was a big part of that, as the Knicks recorded just two steals on their end.
The Magic (6-7) were led by Nikola Vucevic, as he totaled 21 points and 14 boards on 10-of-17 from the field. Evan Fournier collected 12 points, two rebounds and four assists. Terrence Ross led the bench with 22 points, three assists and two blocks. Mo Bamba also played well off the bench, amassing 15 points and eight boards.
The Knicks (4-10) had no starters reach double figures in scoring, as Tim Hardaway Jr. led them with seven points and six boards on 2-of-12 shooting. Kevin Knox led the team in scoring off the bench, as he tallied 17 points and three boards. Enes Kanter was their best player, as he provided 16 points and 15 rebounds off the bench as well.
On deck for Orlando is a road matchup versus the Washington Wizards on Monday. As for New York, they travel to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday for their next outing.
It's rare to see a home team dominated so thoroughly in the NBA but that's just what the Magic did here to the Knicks. In fact, Orlando took advantage of a 30-10 first quarter, as they held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. In addition, the Knicks never got the game within a 20-point margin in the second half. Orlando's defense was stifling, as they held New York to just 35 percent from the field and 18 percent from three-point range. The assist-to-turnover ratio was also huge, with the Magic recording 31 assists to nine turnovers while New York committed 19 turnovers to 13 assists. The 10 steals recorded by the Magic was a big part of that, as the Knicks recorded just two steals on their end.
The Magic (6-7) were led by Nikola Vucevic, as he totaled 21 points and 14 boards on 10-of-17 from the field. Evan Fournier collected 12 points, two rebounds and four assists. Terrence Ross led the bench with 22 points, three assists and two blocks. Mo Bamba also played well off the bench, amassing 15 points and eight boards.
The Knicks (4-10) had no starters reach double figures in scoring, as Tim Hardaway Jr. led them with seven points and six boards on 2-of-12 shooting. Kevin Knox led the team in scoring off the bench, as he tallied 17 points and three boards. Enes Kanter was their best player, as he provided 16 points and 15 rebounds off the bench as well.
On deck for Orlando is a road matchup versus the Washington Wizards on Monday. As for New York, they travel to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday for their next outing.
Bucks Outscore Nuggets, 121-114
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Denver Nuggets, 121-114, at Pepsi Center on Sunday evening.
The game had the feel of a heavyweight fight, as it featured two of the elite squads from each conference. The Bucks (10-3) established that they'd be able to hang in the challenging environment of Pepsi Center from the opening tip, as they essentially matched the Nuggets (9-4) basket for basket during the first quarter. Milwaukee then forged ahead in the middle periods, outscoring Denver by a 66-53 margin that allowed them to create enough cushion to head into the fourth quarter with an 11-point advantage. The visitors got it done with some sharp shooting, as they drained 57.1 percent of their attempts, including 50.0 percent of their tries from distance.
Brook Lopez led the way for the Bucks with 28 points, a total he supplemented with four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Giannis Antetokounmpo filled out the stat sheet with 22 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block. Khris Middleton supplied 21 points, five rebounds and two assists. Malcolm Brogdon totaled 20 points, six boards, five assists and two steals. Eric Bledsoe contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.
Paul Millsap paced the Nuggets with 25 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Nikola Jokic delivered 20 points, six rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Trey Lyles managed 16 points and five rebounds. Gary Harris registered 15 points, four boards and three steals. Jamal Murray provided 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Malik Beasley poured in 10 points off the bench.
The Bucks head back home to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday evening, while the Nuggets remain home for a conference showdown with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.
The game had the feel of a heavyweight fight, as it featured two of the elite squads from each conference. The Bucks (10-3) established that they'd be able to hang in the challenging environment of Pepsi Center from the opening tip, as they essentially matched the Nuggets (9-4) basket for basket during the first quarter. Milwaukee then forged ahead in the middle periods, outscoring Denver by a 66-53 margin that allowed them to create enough cushion to head into the fourth quarter with an 11-point advantage. The visitors got it done with some sharp shooting, as they drained 57.1 percent of their attempts, including 50.0 percent of their tries from distance.
Brook Lopez led the way for the Bucks with 28 points, a total he supplemented with four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Giannis Antetokounmpo filled out the stat sheet with 22 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block. Khris Middleton supplied 21 points, five rebounds and two assists. Malcolm Brogdon totaled 20 points, six boards, five assists and two steals. Eric Bledsoe contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.
Paul Millsap paced the Nuggets with 25 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Nikola Jokic delivered 20 points, six rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Trey Lyles managed 16 points and five rebounds. Gary Harris registered 15 points, four boards and three steals. Jamal Murray provided 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Malik Beasley poured in 10 points off the bench.
The Bucks head back home to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday evening, while the Nuggets remain home for a conference showdown with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.
Trail Blazers Clinch Fourth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the visiting Boston Celtics, 100-94, at Moda Center on Sunday evening.
The Trail Blazers got out to a great start at home, with a quick 5-0 lead, which helped them maintain the advantage through the whole quarter, as they built a 10-point lead, before settling on a, 26-21, lead heading into the second. The Blazers continued their press into the second, where they outscored the Celtics 28-16 in the quarter, to take a 54-37 lead into halftime. The Celtics woke up a bit in the third, as they cut the deficit to nine halfway through the quarter. However, the Trail Blazers did not lose focus and pushed the lead back to 13 by the end of the quarter. The Celtics were not done yet, as they flew out of the gates to start the fourth and cut the deficit to two points. Nonetheless, the Trail Blazers managed to keep the edge, even as the Celtics made it a one-point game with 2:55 to go, Portland answered with a three by Al-Farouq Aminu. Aminu hit one more three in the clutch to help seal the fourth straight win for the Trail Blazers.
Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 19 points, 12 assists and five rebounds, in 35 minutes. Jusuf Nurkic followed up with 18 points, 17 rebounds and three assists, in 27 minutes. C.J. McCollum chipped in 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block, in 34 minutes. The Blazers shot 45 percent from the field, including 14-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 27 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, in 34 minutes. Kyrie Irving followed up with 21 points, six assists, five steals and two rebounds, in 32 minutes.
The Celtics (7-6) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers (10-3) take on the Lakers in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The Trail Blazers got out to a great start at home, with a quick 5-0 lead, which helped them maintain the advantage through the whole quarter, as they built a 10-point lead, before settling on a, 26-21, lead heading into the second. The Blazers continued their press into the second, where they outscored the Celtics 28-16 in the quarter, to take a 54-37 lead into halftime. The Celtics woke up a bit in the third, as they cut the deficit to nine halfway through the quarter. However, the Trail Blazers did not lose focus and pushed the lead back to 13 by the end of the quarter. The Celtics were not done yet, as they flew out of the gates to start the fourth and cut the deficit to two points. Nonetheless, the Trail Blazers managed to keep the edge, even as the Celtics made it a one-point game with 2:55 to go, Portland answered with a three by Al-Farouq Aminu. Aminu hit one more three in the clutch to help seal the fourth straight win for the Trail Blazers.
Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 19 points, 12 assists and five rebounds, in 35 minutes. Jusuf Nurkic followed up with 18 points, 17 rebounds and three assists, in 27 minutes. C.J. McCollum chipped in 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block, in 34 minutes. The Blazers shot 45 percent from the field, including 14-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 27 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, in 34 minutes. Kyrie Irving followed up with 21 points, six assists, five steals and two rebounds, in 32 minutes.
The Celtics (7-6) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bulls on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers (10-3) take on the Lakers in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Lakers Narrowly Defeat Hawks, 107-106
By Oscar Heanue
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 107-106, in a last-second thriller at Staples Center on Sunday evening.
LeBron James won his team the game after almost giving it up, scoring the go-ahead basket on a put-back dunk with 15 seconds remaining after going 0-of-2 at the free-throw line. Atlanta, meanwhile, had the opportunity to answer on the final possession, putting the ball in the hands of rookie point guard Trae Young. Young drove to the basket and put up a lay-up as time expired, but was blocked by veteran center Tyson Chandler to end the game.
In addition to his game-winning dunk, James led the Lakers (7-6) with 26 points. He added seven rebounds and four assists in the winning effort. Kyle Kuzma scored another 18 points and pulled down eight rebounds. The Lakers also enjoyed strong defense from their platoon of big men, as JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler combined for six blocks on the night. LA is now 3-0 since signing Chandler as a free agent last week.
Atlanta (3-10) found itself on the losing side once again, despite a number of stellar performances. Young had a team-high 12 assists while also scoring 20 points. Taurean Prince led the team with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Big man Alex Len also posted a double-double, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Hawks will continue their West Coast road trip with a visit to Golden State on Tuesday. LA, meanwhile, will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
LeBron James won his team the game after almost giving it up, scoring the go-ahead basket on a put-back dunk with 15 seconds remaining after going 0-of-2 at the free-throw line. Atlanta, meanwhile, had the opportunity to answer on the final possession, putting the ball in the hands of rookie point guard Trae Young. Young drove to the basket and put up a lay-up as time expired, but was blocked by veteran center Tyson Chandler to end the game.
In addition to his game-winning dunk, James led the Lakers (7-6) with 26 points. He added seven rebounds and four assists in the winning effort. Kyle Kuzma scored another 18 points and pulled down eight rebounds. The Lakers also enjoyed strong defense from their platoon of big men, as JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler combined for six blocks on the night. LA is now 3-0 since signing Chandler as a free agent last week.
Atlanta (3-10) found itself on the losing side once again, despite a number of stellar performances. Young had a team-high 12 assists while also scoring 20 points. Taurean Prince led the team with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Big man Alex Len also posted a double-double, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Hawks will continue their West Coast road trip with a visit to Golden State on Tuesday. LA, meanwhile, will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.