Pacers Blowout Suns, 131-97
The Indiana Pacers defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 131-97, at Banker's Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
Indiana came into this game as a huge favorite and a 131-97 scoreline vindicates that thought. A 38-19 first quarter really set the tone, as the Pacers won in wire-to-wire fashion. In addition, they won the first, third and fourth quarters by at least 11 points apiece. Defensive rebounding was big for Indiana, as they won that battle, 43-33. The assist-to-turnover differential was also decisive, with the Pacers recording five more assists than the Suns while committing five fewer turnovers. Indiana shot 52 percent from the field, 48 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the free-throw line while Phoenix hit just 42 percent from the field, 30 percent from long range and 50 percent from the charity stripe.
The Suns (11-34) were led by T.J. Warren, as he amassed 19 points and three boards. Devin Booker returned to provide eight points, five rebounds and five assists. DeAndre Ayton totaled 14 points and eight rebounds while Kelly Oubre Jr. led the bench with 16 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Pacers (29-14) were led by Bojan Bogdanovic, as he tallied 20 points, five rebounds and three assists. Myles Turner accrued 18 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Darren Collison finished with 15 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Thaddeus Young totaled 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Victor Oladipo generated eight points, six rebounds and five assists. Tyreke Evans led the bench with 20 points and four rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Pheonix traveling to face the Toronto Raptors and Indiana playing host to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Indiana came into this game as a huge favorite and a 131-97 scoreline vindicates that thought. A 38-19 first quarter really set the tone, as the Pacers won in wire-to-wire fashion. In addition, they won the first, third and fourth quarters by at least 11 points apiece. Defensive rebounding was big for Indiana, as they won that battle, 43-33. The assist-to-turnover differential was also decisive, with the Pacers recording five more assists than the Suns while committing five fewer turnovers. Indiana shot 52 percent from the field, 48 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the free-throw line while Phoenix hit just 42 percent from the field, 30 percent from long range and 50 percent from the charity stripe.
The Suns (11-34) were led by T.J. Warren, as he amassed 19 points and three boards. Devin Booker returned to provide eight points, five rebounds and five assists. DeAndre Ayton totaled 14 points and eight rebounds while Kelly Oubre Jr. led the bench with 16 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Pacers (29-14) were led by Bojan Bogdanovic, as he tallied 20 points, five rebounds and three assists. Myles Turner accrued 18 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Darren Collison finished with 15 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Thaddeus Young totaled 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Victor Oladipo generated eight points, six rebounds and five assists. Tyreke Evans led the bench with 20 points and four rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Pheonix traveling to face the Toronto Raptors and Indiana playing host to the Philadelphia 76ers.
76ers Blast Timberwolves, 149-107
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 149-107, at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday evening.
The 76ers (29-16) demonstrated that they owned an 18-4 home record coming in for good reason, as they jumped out to an early 40-27 lead after 12 minutes. Their advantage was already an insurmountable 83-58 by halftime, and they continued piling on the Timberwolves (21-23) for the blowout victory. All five members of Philadelphia's first unit unsurprisingly hit double digits in the scoring column, and two second-unit members, Jonah Bolden and Landry Shamet, joined in on the fun with some extra minutes. The two biggest disparities on the stat sheet were in the areas of shooting and rebounding. The Sixers drained 59.8 percent of their attempts (including 48.8 percent from distance) while limiting Minnesota to a 38.5 percent success rate. The hosts also won the battle of the boards by a 55-34 margin.
With the Timberwolves starters seeing limited minutes due to the sizable deficit, Derrick Rose led the way with 15 points in 22 minutes off the bench, adding four assists and two rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Andrew Wiggins supplied 12 points, four rebounds, two steals and one block. Jeff Teague, Dario Saric and Luol Deng turned in matching 11-point tallies. Taj Gibson contributed 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with a 31-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one block. Ben Simmons put together a near triple-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, three blocks and one steal. Jimmy Butler delivered 19 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. J.J. Redick poured in 15 points and also contributed three assists. Wilson Chandler and Bolden had 14 points apiece, with Chandler notably adding five boards and four assists. Shamet finished with 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Timberwolves head back home to face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, while the 76ers pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday evening.
The 76ers (29-16) demonstrated that they owned an 18-4 home record coming in for good reason, as they jumped out to an early 40-27 lead after 12 minutes. Their advantage was already an insurmountable 83-58 by halftime, and they continued piling on the Timberwolves (21-23) for the blowout victory. All five members of Philadelphia's first unit unsurprisingly hit double digits in the scoring column, and two second-unit members, Jonah Bolden and Landry Shamet, joined in on the fun with some extra minutes. The two biggest disparities on the stat sheet were in the areas of shooting and rebounding. The Sixers drained 59.8 percent of their attempts (including 48.8 percent from distance) while limiting Minnesota to a 38.5 percent success rate. The hosts also won the battle of the boards by a 55-34 margin.
With the Timberwolves starters seeing limited minutes due to the sizable deficit, Derrick Rose led the way with 15 points in 22 minutes off the bench, adding four assists and two rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Andrew Wiggins supplied 12 points, four rebounds, two steals and one block. Jeff Teague, Dario Saric and Luol Deng turned in matching 11-point tallies. Taj Gibson contributed 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with a 31-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one block. Ben Simmons put together a near triple-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, three blocks and one steal. Jimmy Butler delivered 19 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. J.J. Redick poured in 15 points and also contributed three assists. Wilson Chandler and Bolden had 14 points apiece, with Chandler notably adding five boards and four assists. Shamet finished with 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Timberwolves head back home to face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, while the 76ers pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday evening.
Hawks Defeat Thunder, 142-126
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 142-126, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday.
While Oklahoma City came into this game owning one of the best defenses in the NBA, they allowed a season-worst 142 points here, which also marked a season-best for Atlanta. It was close throughout though, as there were 16 ties and 11 lead changes in total. The Hawks did almost all of their damage in the second and fourth quarters, outscoring the Thunder, 90-56. Atlanta ended up shooting an incredible 62 percent from the field and 49 percent from three-point range. Ball movement played a huge part in that, as they out-assisted Oklahoma City, 36-22. Bench production was also big, with the Hawks bench outscoring the Thunder's bench, 49-30.
The Thunder (26-17) were led by Russell Westbrook, as he collected 31 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and five steals. Paul George tallied 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals. Jerami Grant totaled 21 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks while Dennis Schroder led the bench with 21 points, three rebounds and six assists.
The Hawks (14-30) were led by John Collins, as he accrued 26 points, five rebounds and two assists on 12-of-14 from the field. Trae Young provided 24 points, six rebounds and 11 assists. DeAndre' Bembry generated 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists while Alex Len led the bench with 24 points and 11 boards.
On deck for Oklahoma City is a home matchup versus the lackadaisical Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. As for Atlanta, they return to action on Saturday against the Boston Celtics.
While Oklahoma City came into this game owning one of the best defenses in the NBA, they allowed a season-worst 142 points here, which also marked a season-best for Atlanta. It was close throughout though, as there were 16 ties and 11 lead changes in total. The Hawks did almost all of their damage in the second and fourth quarters, outscoring the Thunder, 90-56. Atlanta ended up shooting an incredible 62 percent from the field and 49 percent from three-point range. Ball movement played a huge part in that, as they out-assisted Oklahoma City, 36-22. Bench production was also big, with the Hawks bench outscoring the Thunder's bench, 49-30.
The Thunder (26-17) were led by Russell Westbrook, as he collected 31 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and five steals. Paul George tallied 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals. Jerami Grant totaled 21 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks while Dennis Schroder led the bench with 21 points, three rebounds and six assists.
The Hawks (14-30) were led by John Collins, as he accrued 26 points, five rebounds and two assists on 12-of-14 from the field. Trae Young provided 24 points, six rebounds and 11 assists. DeAndre' Bembry generated 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists while Alex Len led the bench with 24 points and 11 boards.
On deck for Oklahoma City is a home matchup versus the lackadaisical Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. As for Atlanta, they return to action on Saturday against the Boston Celtics.
Bucks Obliterate Heat, 124-86
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Miami Heat, 124-86, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday.
While there were three ties and three lead changes in the opening quarter, that was the only time this game was competitive. In fact, Milwaukee won all four individual quarters by at least six points apiece, as a 39-22 second quarter allowed the Bucks to lead by at least 19 points for the entirety of the second half. Milwaukee ended up having seven players reach double figures in scoring while Miami had just two players reach that threshold. The Bucks ended up shooting 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range while holding the Heat to 42 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. Milwaukee out-rebounded Miami, 53-43, while out-assisting them, 35-27. They did that while winning the turnover differential, 17-7.
The Heat (21-21) were led by Hassan Whiteside, as he amassed 19 points and eight boards. Justise Winslow accumulated 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks. No other Miami player reached double figures in scoring, as the other three starters combined for just 10 points. Dwyane Wade led the bench with nine points, three rebounds and four assists.
The Bucks (31-12) got a triple-double from Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he collected 12 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Eric Bledsoe led the team in scoring, tallying 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sterling Brown led the bench with 11 points and six assists.
On deck for Milwaukee is a road matchup versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. As for Miami, they return to action on Friday when they travel to face the Detroit Pistons.
While there were three ties and three lead changes in the opening quarter, that was the only time this game was competitive. In fact, Milwaukee won all four individual quarters by at least six points apiece, as a 39-22 second quarter allowed the Bucks to lead by at least 19 points for the entirety of the second half. Milwaukee ended up having seven players reach double figures in scoring while Miami had just two players reach that threshold. The Bucks ended up shooting 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range while holding the Heat to 42 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. Milwaukee out-rebounded Miami, 53-43, while out-assisting them, 35-27. They did that while winning the turnover differential, 17-7.
The Heat (21-21) were led by Hassan Whiteside, as he amassed 19 points and eight boards. Justise Winslow accumulated 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks. No other Miami player reached double figures in scoring, as the other three starters combined for just 10 points. Dwyane Wade led the bench with nine points, three rebounds and four assists.
The Bucks (31-12) got a triple-double from Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he collected 12 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Eric Bledsoe led the team in scoring, tallying 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sterling Brown led the bench with 11 points and six assists.
On deck for Milwaukee is a road matchup versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. As for Miami, they return to action on Friday when they travel to face the Detroit Pistons.
Warriors Blow Out Nuggets, 142-111
By Oscar Heanue
In a battle of the Western Conference's top two teams, the Golden State Warriors took down the Denver Nuggets, 142-111, at Pepsi Center on Tuesday.
Things got off to a historic start as Golden State (30-14) scored a whopping 51 first-quarter points. Despite their opponent's scoring surge, the Nuggets (29-14) held close behind, trailing by only 13 points at the end of the first. However, an incredible first half from Kevin Durant kept Golden State far ahead. Durant finished the first half with 20 points on blisteringly hot 8-of-10 shooting. Durant and the Warriors never slowed down, finishing the night shooting 62 percent from the field and 21-of-40 from three-point range.
18 of the team's three-pointers came from the trio of Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson. The three All-Stars combined to score 89 points, including a team-high 31 from Curry. Draymond Green, meanwhile, scored only four points but added 13 assists and two steals while committing only one turnover.
On the other side of the court, it was a fairly pedestrian night for Nikola Jokic, who tallied just 17 points and three rebounds. The elite big man did, however, lead the team with eight assists. Denver saw a team-high 22 points from Malik Beasley, while Jamal Murray notched another 21.
Golden State will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, while Denver next faces a tilt against the Chicago Bulls this Thursday.
Things got off to a historic start as Golden State (30-14) scored a whopping 51 first-quarter points. Despite their opponent's scoring surge, the Nuggets (29-14) held close behind, trailing by only 13 points at the end of the first. However, an incredible first half from Kevin Durant kept Golden State far ahead. Durant finished the first half with 20 points on blisteringly hot 8-of-10 shooting. Durant and the Warriors never slowed down, finishing the night shooting 62 percent from the field and 21-of-40 from three-point range.
18 of the team's three-pointers came from the trio of Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson. The three All-Stars combined to score 89 points, including a team-high 31 from Curry. Draymond Green, meanwhile, scored only four points but added 13 assists and two steals while committing only one turnover.
On the other side of the court, it was a fairly pedestrian night for Nikola Jokic, who tallied just 17 points and three rebounds. The elite big man did, however, lead the team with eight assists. Denver saw a team-high 22 points from Malik Beasley, while Jamal Murray notched another 21.
Golden State will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, while Denver next faces a tilt against the Chicago Bulls this Thursday.
Lakers Take Down Bulls, 107-100
By Oscar Heanue
The Los Angeles Lakers took down the visiting Chicago Bulls, 107-100, at Staples Center on Tuesday.
The Lakers (24-21) continue to press on without LeBron James (groin) in the lineup. The team had dropped six of its previous nine games, but on Tuesday, they earned a comfortable win over Chicago (10-34). Despite recent struggles, sophomore point guard Lonzo Ball led the team with 19 points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Chicago, meanwhile, saw its offensive struggles continue, shooting just 40 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range. The Bulls entered Tuesday's matchup ranked last in the league in scoring at 100.9 points per game.
In addition to Ball's strong showing, the Lakers enjoyed stellar play from forwards Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma. Ingram scored 16 points and dished seven assists, while Kuzma added an additional 16 points to go with 11 rebounds.
Chicago, meanwhile, saw six different players score in double digits. Unfortunately for the Bulls, no player contributed more than 18 points in the loss. Forward Jabari Parker, whose play had seen him benched in recent games, led the way with 18 points in just 16 minutes on the court in the loss.
On Thursday, the Bulls will visit Denver while the Lakers will travel to Oklahoma City.
The Lakers (24-21) continue to press on without LeBron James (groin) in the lineup. The team had dropped six of its previous nine games, but on Tuesday, they earned a comfortable win over Chicago (10-34). Despite recent struggles, sophomore point guard Lonzo Ball led the team with 19 points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Chicago, meanwhile, saw its offensive struggles continue, shooting just 40 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range. The Bulls entered Tuesday's matchup ranked last in the league in scoring at 100.9 points per game.
In addition to Ball's strong showing, the Lakers enjoyed stellar play from forwards Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma. Ingram scored 16 points and dished seven assists, while Kuzma added an additional 16 points to go with 11 rebounds.
Chicago, meanwhile, saw six different players score in double digits. Unfortunately for the Bulls, no player contributed more than 18 points in the loss. Forward Jabari Parker, whose play had seen him benched in recent games, led the way with 18 points in just 16 minutes on the court in the loss.
On Thursday, the Bulls will visit Denver while the Lakers will travel to Oklahoma City.