Magic Roll Sixers, 119-98
The Orlando Magic defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 119-98, at Amway Center on Monday.
While there were 10 ties and 23 lead changes in the first 30 minutes of this game., Orlando dominated the second half. In fact, the Magic outscored the Sixers, 63-38, in the second half, holding a double-digit lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Turnovers were the difference in the game, with Orland winning that battle, 15-7. That allowed them to win the points off turnover differential, 23-12. The Magic also out-assisted the Sixers, 28-20 and won the fastbreak scoring differential, 17-4.
The Sixers (47-27) were led by Joel Embiid, as he tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Tobias Harris accrued 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jimmy Butler collected 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Shake Milton was the only other player in double figures, as he led the bench with 13 points.
The Magic (36-38) were led by Nikola Vucevic, as he tallied 28 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Evan Fournier accumulated 24 points, seven assists and two steals. Aaron Gordon totaled 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Michael Carter-Williams led the bench with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Orlando has to play again on Tuesday, as they travel to face the Miami Heat. As for Philadelphia, they return to action on Thursday when they play host to the Brooklyn Nets.
While there were 10 ties and 23 lead changes in the first 30 minutes of this game., Orlando dominated the second half. In fact, the Magic outscored the Sixers, 63-38, in the second half, holding a double-digit lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Turnovers were the difference in the game, with Orland winning that battle, 15-7. That allowed them to win the points off turnover differential, 23-12. The Magic also out-assisted the Sixers, 28-20 and won the fastbreak scoring differential, 17-4.
The Sixers (47-27) were led by Joel Embiid, as he tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Tobias Harris accrued 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jimmy Butler collected 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Shake Milton was the only other player in double figures, as he led the bench with 13 points.
The Magic (36-38) were led by Nikola Vucevic, as he tallied 28 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Evan Fournier accumulated 24 points, seven assists and two steals. Aaron Gordon totaled 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Michael Carter-Williams led the bench with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Orlando has to play again on Tuesday, as they travel to face the Miami Heat. As for Philadelphia, they return to action on Thursday when they play host to the Brooklyn Nets.
Grizzlies Stun Thunder
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-103, at FedEx Forum on Monday evening.
The Grizzlies got out to a good start at home and took a 31-23 lead after one quarter. The Thunder responded to start the second as they rallied to take a slight lead early on. However, the Grizzlies closed the quarter strong and rebuilt to a six-point lead by halftime. The Grizzlies carried the momentum into the third, where they pushed their lead to 13, just minutes into the quarter. The Thunder managed to stop the bleeding, and cut the deficit to eight by the end of the quarter. In the end, the home team remained in control, as the Grizzlies held a near 10-point cushion through the fourth quarter to secure their 20th home win of the season.
Bruno Caboclo led the Grizzlies with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, in 35 minutes. Delon Wright followed up with 18 points, 13 assists, four steals and three rebounds, in 35 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas added 18 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and an assist, while Tyler Dorsey totaled 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, Paul George led the Thunder with 30 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Dennis Schroder added 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, in 36 minutes off the bench. Russell Westbrook finished with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds, in 36 minutes. The Thunder shot 40 percent from the field, including 12-of-36 from deep.
The Thunder (43-31) will look to bounce back, as they play host to the Pacers on Wednesday. The Grizzlies (30-44) play host to the Warriors on Wednesday.
The Grizzlies got out to a good start at home and took a 31-23 lead after one quarter. The Thunder responded to start the second as they rallied to take a slight lead early on. However, the Grizzlies closed the quarter strong and rebuilt to a six-point lead by halftime. The Grizzlies carried the momentum into the third, where they pushed their lead to 13, just minutes into the quarter. The Thunder managed to stop the bleeding, and cut the deficit to eight by the end of the quarter. In the end, the home team remained in control, as the Grizzlies held a near 10-point cushion through the fourth quarter to secure their 20th home win of the season.
Bruno Caboclo led the Grizzlies with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, in 35 minutes. Delon Wright followed up with 18 points, 13 assists, four steals and three rebounds, in 35 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas added 18 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and an assist, while Tyler Dorsey totaled 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, Paul George led the Thunder with 30 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 38 minutes. Dennis Schroder added 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, in 36 minutes off the bench. Russell Westbrook finished with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds, in 36 minutes. The Thunder shot 40 percent from the field, including 12-of-36 from deep.
The Thunder (43-31) will look to bounce back, as they play host to the Pacers on Wednesday. The Grizzlies (30-44) play host to the Warriors on Wednesday.
Jazz Dominate Suns, 125-92
The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Jazz (44-30) began separating after building a modest 26-21 first-quarter lead, as they held a 19-point edge by halftime. While the Suns (17-58) were able to make a five-point dent in their deficit during the third, Utah left no doubt as to the outcome by outscoring Phoenix, 37-18, over the final 12 minutes. Of their multiple statistical advantages, the home squad enjoyed the biggest in the scoring column, as they posted a 55.8 percent success rate while limiting the visitors to 40.8 percent shooting. However, Devin Booker had an eye-popping final line for the Suns, scoring 59 of the team's 92 points while adding four rebounds, four assists and one steal.
No other Suns player even scored in double digits, with Deandre Ayton coming closest with nine points and adding seven rebounds, two steals and one block. Troy Daniels compiled seven points, five rebounds and one steal. Jimmer Fredette furnished six points, one rebound, one assist and one steal. Dragan Bender and Elie Okobo each posted four points.
Rudy Gobert paced the Jazz with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two blocks. Derrick Favors and Ricky Rubio posted matching 18-point tallies while posting eight rebounds and six assists, respectively. Joe Ingles supplied 14 points, seven assists, one rebound and one steal. Donovan Mitchell registered 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Suns next pay a visit to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday evening, while the Jazz remain home to tangle with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night as well.
The Jazz (44-30) began separating after building a modest 26-21 first-quarter lead, as they held a 19-point edge by halftime. While the Suns (17-58) were able to make a five-point dent in their deficit during the third, Utah left no doubt as to the outcome by outscoring Phoenix, 37-18, over the final 12 minutes. Of their multiple statistical advantages, the home squad enjoyed the biggest in the scoring column, as they posted a 55.8 percent success rate while limiting the visitors to 40.8 percent shooting. However, Devin Booker had an eye-popping final line for the Suns, scoring 59 of the team's 92 points while adding four rebounds, four assists and one steal.
No other Suns player even scored in double digits, with Deandre Ayton coming closest with nine points and adding seven rebounds, two steals and one block. Troy Daniels compiled seven points, five rebounds and one steal. Jimmer Fredette furnished six points, one rebound, one assist and one steal. Dragan Bender and Elie Okobo each posted four points.
Rudy Gobert paced the Jazz with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two blocks. Derrick Favors and Ricky Rubio posted matching 18-point tallies while posting eight rebounds and six assists, respectively. Joe Ingles supplied 14 points, seven assists, one rebound and one steal. Donovan Mitchell registered 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Suns next pay a visit to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday evening, while the Jazz remain home to tangle with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night as well.
Trail Blazers Take Down Nets, 148-144, in Double Overtime
By Oscar Heanue
The Portland Trail Blazers took down the Brooklyn Nets, 148-144, in double overtime at Moda Center on Monday evening.
Portland's (46-27) dramatic win was overshadowed by a gruesome injury to star big man Jusuf Nurkic in double overtime. Nurkic went down with a serious lower leg injury with just over two minutes remaining in the period. He was carted off by Portland's medical staff. Nurkic exited the game with a team-high 32 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks.
Despite the horrific injury, the Trail Blazers were able to pull out the tough win. Portland had the chance to go up with 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation after the Nets' (38-37) D'Angelo Russell committed a turnover that led to Seth Curry drawing a foul on the other end. However, Curry went just 1-of-2 on his pair of free-throws to force the first overtime. After a back-and-forth throughout the first OT, Portland saw five points from Rodney Hood to help pull ahead and earn the win.
On top of Nurkic's strong performance, Damian Lillard had 31 points for the Trail Blazers. Curry added another 20 off the bench for Portland, while Enes Kanter notched a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
For Brooklyn, Russell had a team-high 39 points to go with nine rebounds and eight assists. Caris LeVert had 16 points and seven assists off the bench, while Spencer Dinwiddie added another 22.
Next on the agenda for the Trail Blazers is a trip to Chicago on Wednesday. Brooklyn, meanwhile, will visit Philadelphia on Thursday.
Portland's (46-27) dramatic win was overshadowed by a gruesome injury to star big man Jusuf Nurkic in double overtime. Nurkic went down with a serious lower leg injury with just over two minutes remaining in the period. He was carted off by Portland's medical staff. Nurkic exited the game with a team-high 32 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks.
Despite the horrific injury, the Trail Blazers were able to pull out the tough win. Portland had the chance to go up with 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation after the Nets' (38-37) D'Angelo Russell committed a turnover that led to Seth Curry drawing a foul on the other end. However, Curry went just 1-of-2 on his pair of free-throws to force the first overtime. After a back-and-forth throughout the first OT, Portland saw five points from Rodney Hood to help pull ahead and earn the win.
On top of Nurkic's strong performance, Damian Lillard had 31 points for the Trail Blazers. Curry added another 20 off the bench for Portland, while Enes Kanter notched a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
For Brooklyn, Russell had a team-high 39 points to go with nine rebounds and eight assists. Caris LeVert had 16 points and seven assists off the bench, while Spencer Dinwiddie added another 22.
Next on the agenda for the Trail Blazers is a trip to Chicago on Wednesday. Brooklyn, meanwhile, will visit Philadelphia on Thursday.