Thunder Surges Past Nets, 108-96
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 108-96, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday evening.
Early on, the Thunder (42-26) looked like they were suffering from some residual effects of a recent tough schedule, one that was seeing them play their fourth game in seven nights Wednesday while coming off a four-game road trip. The Nets (36-34) forged a 27-19 lead after one quarter, and they'd grown their advantage to 10 points by halftime. However, it was a different OKC coming out of intermission, as they lopped off their entire deficit and managed a two-point edge going into the fourth quarter to boot. The final period may have been their best, as the hosts limited Brooklyn to just 18 points while tacking on 10 more points to their margin of victory. While neither team shot particularly well, the Thunder did win the battle of the boards, 51-43.
Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets off the bench with 25 points, adding five rebounds and two assists. D'Angelo Russell supplied totaled 14 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. Joe Harris poured in 13 points and added six rebounds, two assists and one block. Rodions Kurucs and Jarrett Allen generated matching eight-point, five-rebound tallies.
Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with a 31-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that also included three steals. Paul George followed with 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Jerami Grant delivered 15 points, seven rebounds and one block. Steven Adams contributed 13 points, seven boards, one assist, two steals and one block. Dennis Schroder and Deonte Burton co-led the bench with seven points each.
The Nets continue their trip through the Western Conference with a visit to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, while the Thunder pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday evening.
Early on, the Thunder (42-26) looked like they were suffering from some residual effects of a recent tough schedule, one that was seeing them play their fourth game in seven nights Wednesday while coming off a four-game road trip. The Nets (36-34) forged a 27-19 lead after one quarter, and they'd grown their advantage to 10 points by halftime. However, it was a different OKC coming out of intermission, as they lopped off their entire deficit and managed a two-point edge going into the fourth quarter to boot. The final period may have been their best, as the hosts limited Brooklyn to just 18 points while tacking on 10 more points to their margin of victory. While neither team shot particularly well, the Thunder did win the battle of the boards, 51-43.
Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets off the bench with 25 points, adding five rebounds and two assists. D'Angelo Russell supplied totaled 14 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. Joe Harris poured in 13 points and added six rebounds, two assists and one block. Rodions Kurucs and Jarrett Allen generated matching eight-point, five-rebound tallies.
Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with a 31-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that also included three steals. Paul George followed with 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Jerami Grant delivered 15 points, seven rebounds and one block. Steven Adams contributed 13 points, seven boards, one assist, two steals and one block. Dennis Schroder and Deonte Burton co-led the bench with seven points each.
The Nets continue their trip through the Western Conference with a visit to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, while the Thunder pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday evening.
Wizards Defeat Magic, 100-90
The Washington Wizards defeated the visiting Orlando Magic, 100-90, at Capital One Arena on Wednesday.
These are two teams battling to reach the postseason in the east, as Washington ended the game strong their much-needed victory. In fact, they scored the final six points across the final 2:45, as Orlando missed their final five shots after they trailed by just four points. There were nine ties and 12 lead changes in total though, with neither team leading by more than 12 points. The Wizards did almost all their damage in the second and fourth quarters, outscoring the Magic, 56-41. Washington's bench was critical, as they outscored Orlando's bench, 59-20. The Wizards also killed the Magic down low, outscoring them in the paint, 58-40.
The Magic (31-28) were led by Nikola Vucevic, as he tallied 20 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. D.J. Augustin totaled 16 points and seven assists. Aaron Gordon finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Jonathan Isaac amassed 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Wizards (29-39) were led by Bradley Beal, as he collected 23 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He was actually the only starter in double figures, as Thomas Bryant led the bench with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Jabari Parker also played well off the bench, providing 19 points and nine boards.
On deck for the Magic is a home matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. As for the Wizards, they play host to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday for their next fixture.
These are two teams battling to reach the postseason in the east, as Washington ended the game strong their much-needed victory. In fact, they scored the final six points across the final 2:45, as Orlando missed their final five shots after they trailed by just four points. There were nine ties and 12 lead changes in total though, with neither team leading by more than 12 points. The Wizards did almost all their damage in the second and fourth quarters, outscoring the Magic, 56-41. Washington's bench was critical, as they outscored Orlando's bench, 59-20. The Wizards also killed the Magic down low, outscoring them in the paint, 58-40.
The Magic (31-28) were led by Nikola Vucevic, as he tallied 20 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. D.J. Augustin totaled 16 points and seven assists. Aaron Gordon finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Jonathan Isaac amassed 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Wizards (29-39) were led by Bradley Beal, as he collected 23 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He was actually the only starter in double figures, as Thomas Bryant led the bench with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Jabari Parker also played well off the bench, providing 19 points and nine boards.
On deck for the Magic is a home matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. As for the Wizards, they play host to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday for their next fixture.
Hawks Earn Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, 132-111, at State Farm Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Hawks got out to a good start at home, with an early 19-8 lead, and held a 33-28 lead by the end of the quarter. The Grizzlies kept fighting but couple not get within a couple of possessions before the Hawks pulled ahead again. The Hawks outscored the visitors by seven in the quarter, to take a 72-60 lead by halftime. The Hawks kept the momentum in the third, as they held the lead for the entire quarter, and pushed their lead to 20 by the end of the quarter. The Grizzlies tightened up in the fourth, but could not cut into the deficit, as the Hawks held on for their second straight win.
John Collins led the Hawks with 27 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist, in 25 minutes. Trae Young followed up with 22 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a steal, while Alex Len added 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 22 minutes of the bench. The Hawks shot 50 percent from the field, including 17-of-45 from long range.
Meanwhile, C.J. Miles led the Grizzlies with 33 points on 11-of-16 shooting, in 32 minutes off the bench. Mike Conley followed up with 20 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal, while Delon Wright chipped in 10 points, seven assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. The Grizzlies shot 43 percent from the field, including 14-of-40 from long range.
The Grizzlies (28-41) will look to bounce back as they take on the Wizards in Washington on Saturday. The Hawks (24-45) take on the Celtics in Boston on Saturday.
The Hawks got out to a good start at home, with an early 19-8 lead, and held a 33-28 lead by the end of the quarter. The Grizzlies kept fighting but couple not get within a couple of possessions before the Hawks pulled ahead again. The Hawks outscored the visitors by seven in the quarter, to take a 72-60 lead by halftime. The Hawks kept the momentum in the third, as they held the lead for the entire quarter, and pushed their lead to 20 by the end of the quarter. The Grizzlies tightened up in the fourth, but could not cut into the deficit, as the Hawks held on for their second straight win.
John Collins led the Hawks with 27 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist, in 25 minutes. Trae Young followed up with 22 points, eight assists, three rebounds and a steal, while Alex Len added 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 22 minutes of the bench. The Hawks shot 50 percent from the field, including 17-of-45 from long range.
Meanwhile, C.J. Miles led the Grizzlies with 33 points on 11-of-16 shooting, in 32 minutes off the bench. Mike Conley followed up with 20 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal, while Delon Wright chipped in 10 points, seven assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. The Grizzlies shot 43 percent from the field, including 14-of-40 from long range.
The Grizzlies (28-41) will look to bounce back as they take on the Wizards in Washington on Saturday. The Hawks (24-45) take on the Celtics in Boston on Saturday.
Heat Crush Pistons, 108-74
The Miami Heat defeated the Detroit Pistons, 108-74, on Wednesday at AmericanAirlines Arena.
From start to finish Wdnesday night, it was a dominate defensive effort from the Heat (32-35), as they didn't give an already-struggling Detroit team an inch on that end of the floor and held them to a season-low 75 points. They were able to do so primarily with turnovers, with five different players recording two steals.
Miami still, however, put up a complete offensive performance to go along with it. Seven different Heat players scored in double figures, with Justise Winslow's 16 points leading the way. Dion Waiters was close behind with 14 points of his own, while Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson each added 13. As a team, Miami shot a respectable 39.3 percent from behind the arc and 46.4 percent from the floor overall.
The Pistons (34-33), on the other hand, couldn't put anywhere near a complete performance on offense, and it was the second straight game the team failed to score more than 75 points. It wasn't off to a horrible start for Detroit, as the team scored 49 points in the first half, but the offense shut down over the final 24 minutes, scoring eight points in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth. The Pistons shot an abysmal 35.5 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 17 times. Blake Griffin was the team's high scorer with just 13 points and only two others reached double digits.
From start to finish Wdnesday night, it was a dominate defensive effort from the Heat (32-35), as they didn't give an already-struggling Detroit team an inch on that end of the floor and held them to a season-low 75 points. They were able to do so primarily with turnovers, with five different players recording two steals.
Miami still, however, put up a complete offensive performance to go along with it. Seven different Heat players scored in double figures, with Justise Winslow's 16 points leading the way. Dion Waiters was close behind with 14 points of his own, while Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson each added 13. As a team, Miami shot a respectable 39.3 percent from behind the arc and 46.4 percent from the floor overall.
The Pistons (34-33), on the other hand, couldn't put anywhere near a complete performance on offense, and it was the second straight game the team failed to score more than 75 points. It wasn't off to a horrible start for Detroit, as the team scored 49 points in the first half, but the offense shut down over the final 24 minutes, scoring eight points in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth. The Pistons shot an abysmal 35.5 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 17 times. Blake Griffin was the team's high scorer with just 13 points and only two others reached double digits.
Warriors Take Down Rockets, 106-104, Without Durant
By Oscar Heanue
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets, 106-104, at Toyota Center on Wednesday evening.
Houston (42-26) nearly pulled off a memorable comeback, cutting the deficit to just one point after trailing by as much as 14 earlier in the fourth quarter. Golden State (45-21), though, was able to pull off the win despite the absence of star forward Kevin Durant (ankle). Two-time MVP Steph Curry knocked down a pair of free-throws with 8.0 second remaining to make it a three-point game. The Warriors then sent Houston's James Harden to the line in the final seconds, where he made a shot before missing the second free-throw and failing to secure the offensive board. The loss snapped a league-best nine-game winning streak for the Rockets.
Klay Thompson was the game's leading scorer with 30 points. Thompson shot 12-of-23 from the field and also knocked down five three-pointers. DeMarcus Cousins also delivered a strong showing, finishing with 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Curry was the third Warriors to eclipse 20 points, finishing with 24 in the much-needed win.
Harden was Houston's leading scorer with 29 points on the night. The MVP hopeful added 10 assists and three steals. Clint Capela also had a double-double, tallying 13 points and 13 rebounds. The two strong showings were not enough for the Rockets, though, as the team was sunk by its 28.6 percent three-point shooting.
Houston will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, while the Warriors will travel to Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Houston (42-26) nearly pulled off a memorable comeback, cutting the deficit to just one point after trailing by as much as 14 earlier in the fourth quarter. Golden State (45-21), though, was able to pull off the win despite the absence of star forward Kevin Durant (ankle). Two-time MVP Steph Curry knocked down a pair of free-throws with 8.0 second remaining to make it a three-point game. The Warriors then sent Houston's James Harden to the line in the final seconds, where he made a shot before missing the second free-throw and failing to secure the offensive board. The loss snapped a league-best nine-game winning streak for the Rockets.
Klay Thompson was the game's leading scorer with 30 points. Thompson shot 12-of-23 from the field and also knocked down five three-pointers. DeMarcus Cousins also delivered a strong showing, finishing with 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Curry was the third Warriors to eclipse 20 points, finishing with 24 in the much-needed win.
Harden was Houston's leading scorer with 29 points on the night. The MVP hopeful added 10 assists and three steals. Clint Capela also had a double-double, tallying 13 points and 13 rebounds. The two strong showings were not enough for the Rockets, though, as the team was sunk by its 28.6 percent three-point shooting.
Houston will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, while the Warriors will travel to Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Jazz Shellack Suns, 114-97
By Oscar Heanue
The Utah Jazz took down the Phoenix Suns, 114-97, at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday.
After allowing Phoenix (16-52) to cut the difference to a single possession, the Jazz (38-29) ran away with Wednesday's game in the fourth quarter. Sophomore sensation Donovan Mitchell had seven points in 90 seconds to help seal the win for Utah late in the game. The biggest advantage for the Jazz came on the glass, where Utah held a 53-35 advantage over Phoenix. Utah also had a nice night shooting the ball, knocking down 12 three-pointers while limiting Phoenix to just seven.
The star tandem of Mitchell and Rudy Gobert helped get the job done for the Jazz on Wednesday. Mitchell finished with a team-high 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Gobert, meanwhile, logged a double-double with 18 points and a whopping 20 rebounds. As a team, Utah shot over 46 percent and saw five double-digit scoring performances.
For Phoenix, star shooting guard Devin Booker led the way with 27 points. Rookie big man DeAndre Ayton struggled to deal with Gobert's defense, going just 1-of-9 for two points in the loss. As a team, Phoenix was not particularly active from three-point range, attempting just 19 shots from beyond the arc.
Utah will face the second half of a back-to-back as it takes on the Timberwolves on Thursday. The Suns, meanwhile, will visit Houston on Friday.
After allowing Phoenix (16-52) to cut the difference to a single possession, the Jazz (38-29) ran away with Wednesday's game in the fourth quarter. Sophomore sensation Donovan Mitchell had seven points in 90 seconds to help seal the win for Utah late in the game. The biggest advantage for the Jazz came on the glass, where Utah held a 53-35 advantage over Phoenix. Utah also had a nice night shooting the ball, knocking down 12 three-pointers while limiting Phoenix to just seven.
The star tandem of Mitchell and Rudy Gobert helped get the job done for the Jazz on Wednesday. Mitchell finished with a team-high 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Gobert, meanwhile, logged a double-double with 18 points and a whopping 20 rebounds. As a team, Utah shot over 46 percent and saw five double-digit scoring performances.
For Phoenix, star shooting guard Devin Booker led the way with 27 points. Rookie big man DeAndre Ayton struggled to deal with Gobert's defense, going just 1-of-9 for two points in the loss. As a team, Phoenix was not particularly active from three-point range, attempting just 19 shots from beyond the arc.
Utah will face the second half of a back-to-back as it takes on the Timberwolves on Thursday. The Suns, meanwhile, will visit Houston on Friday.