Pistons Blast Magic, 115-98
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic, 115-98, at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday evening.
The Pistons (38-37) came into the battle of Eastern Conference playoff contenders badly in need of a win after a tough stretch on the road. However, the Magic (37-39) were just as motivated, considering they were trying to hold on to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference that they'd just garnered during this week. The first quarter was as competitive as expected given the circumstances, with Detroit forging a narrow three-point advantage. However, the home squad then separated in the second by adding 11 points to their lead going into intermission. The Pistons then took control for good in the pivotal third period by outscoring Orlando, 34-25, during the quarter. The visitors particularly struggled with their shot, draining just 39.4 percent of their attempts.
Aaron Gordon led the way for the Magic with 20 points, adding four assists, three rebounds and one steal. D.J. Augustin offered 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Evan Fournier poured in 13 points and added three assists and one rebound. Nikola Vucevic generated a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included four assists and one steal. Jonathan Isaac provided 10 points, eight rebounds and one steal. Terrance Ross matched Vucevic's scoring total off the bench.
Wayne Ellington paced the Pistons with 25 points, adding three steals. Blake Griffin generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included five assists and one steal. Andre Drummond put up 18 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, six blocks and one steal. Ish Smith paced the Detroit bench with 15 points while also dishing out six assists and hauling in four rebounds. Langston Galloway turned in 12 points, two assists and one steal.
The Magic remains on the road and visits the Indiana Pacers on Saturday evening, while the Pistons remain home and tangle with the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night as well.
The Pistons (38-37) came into the battle of Eastern Conference playoff contenders badly in need of a win after a tough stretch on the road. However, the Magic (37-39) were just as motivated, considering they were trying to hold on to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference that they'd just garnered during this week. The first quarter was as competitive as expected given the circumstances, with Detroit forging a narrow three-point advantage. However, the home squad then separated in the second by adding 11 points to their lead going into intermission. The Pistons then took control for good in the pivotal third period by outscoring Orlando, 34-25, during the quarter. The visitors particularly struggled with their shot, draining just 39.4 percent of their attempts.
Aaron Gordon led the way for the Magic with 20 points, adding four assists, three rebounds and one steal. D.J. Augustin offered 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Evan Fournier poured in 13 points and added three assists and one rebound. Nikola Vucevic generated a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included four assists and one steal. Jonathan Isaac provided 10 points, eight rebounds and one steal. Terrance Ross matched Vucevic's scoring total off the bench.
Wayne Ellington paced the Pistons with 25 points, adding three steals. Blake Griffin generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included five assists and one steal. Andre Drummond put up 18 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, six blocks and one steal. Ish Smith paced the Detroit bench with 15 points while also dishing out six assists and hauling in four rebounds. Langston Galloway turned in 12 points, two assists and one steal.
The Magic remains on the road and visits the Indiana Pacers on Saturday evening, while the Pistons remain home and tangle with the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night as well.
Sixers Defeat Nets, 123-110
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the visiting Brooklyn Nets, 123-110, at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win for the Sixers, it was as close as it gets. In fact, Philly held the lead for the final 45 minutes, as a 38-23 first quarter allowed them to take control for the final three quarters. In fact, Brooklyn never got the game within five points from there and never got within a nine-point margin in the fourth quarter. Three-point shooting was the difference in the game, with the Sixers hitting 12-of-25 and the Nets connecting on just 11-of-32. Philly's defense was also huge, as they recorded 10 steals to Brooklyn's four while winning the turnover differential, 15-9.
The Nets (38-38) were led by Joe Harris, as he tallied 22 points and three rebounds. D'Angelo Russell went just 6-of-19 from the field to finish with 13 points, four rebounds, eight assists and seven turnovers. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was huge off the bench, providing 19 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Caris LeVert accumulated 18 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench as well.
The Sixers (48-27) were led by Joel Embiid, as he collected 39 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals. J.J. Redick amassed 18 points, three rebounds and three assists. Ben Simmons accrued 16 points, four rebounds and eight assists while Tobias Harris totaled six points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Brooklyn playing host to the Boston Celtics and Philly traveling to face the injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win for the Sixers, it was as close as it gets. In fact, Philly held the lead for the final 45 minutes, as a 38-23 first quarter allowed them to take control for the final three quarters. In fact, Brooklyn never got the game within five points from there and never got within a nine-point margin in the fourth quarter. Three-point shooting was the difference in the game, with the Sixers hitting 12-of-25 and the Nets connecting on just 11-of-32. Philly's defense was also huge, as they recorded 10 steals to Brooklyn's four while winning the turnover differential, 15-9.
The Nets (38-38) were led by Joe Harris, as he tallied 22 points and three rebounds. D'Angelo Russell went just 6-of-19 from the field to finish with 13 points, four rebounds, eight assists and seven turnovers. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was huge off the bench, providing 19 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Caris LeVert accumulated 18 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench as well.
The Sixers (48-27) were led by Joel Embiid, as he collected 39 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals. J.J. Redick amassed 18 points, three rebounds and three assists. Ben Simmons accrued 16 points, four rebounds and eight assists while Tobias Harris totaled six points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Brooklyn playing host to the Boston Celtics and Philly traveling to face the injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves.
Heat Rally For Crucial Win
By Dan Bruno
The Miami Heat defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 105-99, at American Airlines Arena on Thursday evening.
The Mavs got out to a good start on the road, as the held a three-point lead after one quarter. The Mavs kept it up in the second, outscoring the home team by seven, to take a 10-point lead into halftime. The Heat came out strong in the third quarter and managed to tie it up at 64, just four minutes into the quarter. However, the Mavs gathered themselves though, and were able to reclaim a seven-point lead heading into the final frame. The Heat had another thing in mind to start the fourth, as they rallied to take a one-point lead five minutes into the quarter. The Heat kept the pressure on and outscored the visitors by 13 in the quarter, to earn a crucial win in their hunt for the playoffs.
Goran Dragic led the Heat with 23 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block, in 37 minutes. Bam Adebayo added 11 points, 16 rebounds and three assists, while Dion Waiters finished with 17 points, two rebounds and an assist. The Heat shot 44 percent from the field, including 7-of-30 from deep.
Meanwhile, all five starters scored in double digits for Dallas, led by Luka Doncic, who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, in 30 minutes. Justin Jackson added 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Jalen Brunson and Dirk Nowitzki added 13 points each. The Mavericks shot 40 percent from the field, including 16-of-47 from deep.
The Mavs (29-46) will look to bounce back as they take on the Thunder in OKC on Sunday. The Heat (37-38) take on the Knicks in New York on Saturday.
The Mavs got out to a good start on the road, as the held a three-point lead after one quarter. The Mavs kept it up in the second, outscoring the home team by seven, to take a 10-point lead into halftime. The Heat came out strong in the third quarter and managed to tie it up at 64, just four minutes into the quarter. However, the Mavs gathered themselves though, and were able to reclaim a seven-point lead heading into the final frame. The Heat had another thing in mind to start the fourth, as they rallied to take a one-point lead five minutes into the quarter. The Heat kept the pressure on and outscored the visitors by 13 in the quarter, to earn a crucial win in their hunt for the playoffs.
Goran Dragic led the Heat with 23 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block, in 37 minutes. Bam Adebayo added 11 points, 16 rebounds and three assists, while Dion Waiters finished with 17 points, two rebounds and an assist. The Heat shot 44 percent from the field, including 7-of-30 from deep.
Meanwhile, all five starters scored in double digits for Dallas, led by Luka Doncic, who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, in 30 minutes. Justin Jackson added 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Jalen Brunson and Dirk Nowitzki added 13 points each. The Mavericks shot 40 percent from the field, including 16-of-47 from deep.
The Mavs (29-46) will look to bounce back as they take on the Thunder in OKC on Sunday. The Heat (37-38) take on the Knicks in New York on Saturday.
Raptors Dominate Knicks, 117-92
The Toronto Raptors defeated the New York Knicks, 117-92, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday evening.
The Raptors (53-23) came into Thursday's game looking to avoid a trap against the hapless Knicks (14-61). Toronto made sure that wouldn't be the case with a strong start, jumping out to a 55-36 halftime lead. The visitors wouldn't take their foot off of the gas in the second half, either, as they "won" the final two quarters as well by a 62-56 margin. As the final score implied, New York faltered in all aspects, as they shot just 36.5 percent and committed 16 turnovers.
Pascal Siakam led the way with 31 points, adding five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Danny Green supplied 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Fred VanVleet and Jeremy Lin generated matching 12-point tallies while dishing out eight assists and bringing down five rebounds, respectively. Norman Powell poured in 11 points. Serge Ibaka contributed a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist and two blocks.
Mitchell Robinson paced the Knicks with a 19-point, 21-rebound double-double that also included two blocks and one steal. Kadeem Allen totaled 18 points, two assists, one rebound and one block. Emmanuel Mudiay delivered 11 points, four boards and one assist. Dewayne Dotson and Kevin Knox pitched in nine points apiece and hauled in five and three rebounds, respectively.
The Raptors next pay a visit to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, while the Knicks remain home and take on the Miami Heat on Saturday evening.
The Raptors (53-23) came into Thursday's game looking to avoid a trap against the hapless Knicks (14-61). Toronto made sure that wouldn't be the case with a strong start, jumping out to a 55-36 halftime lead. The visitors wouldn't take their foot off of the gas in the second half, either, as they "won" the final two quarters as well by a 62-56 margin. As the final score implied, New York faltered in all aspects, as they shot just 36.5 percent and committed 16 turnovers.
Pascal Siakam led the way with 31 points, adding five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Danny Green supplied 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Fred VanVleet and Jeremy Lin generated matching 12-point tallies while dishing out eight assists and bringing down five rebounds, respectively. Norman Powell poured in 11 points. Serge Ibaka contributed a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist and two blocks.
Mitchell Robinson paced the Knicks with a 19-point, 21-rebound double-double that also included two blocks and one steal. Kadeem Allen totaled 18 points, two assists, one rebound and one block. Emmanuel Mudiay delivered 11 points, four boards and one assist. Dewayne Dotson and Kevin Knox pitched in nine points apiece and hauled in five and three rebounds, respectively.
The Raptors next pay a visit to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, while the Knicks remain home and take on the Miami Heat on Saturday evening.
Pelicans Hold Off Kings, 121-118
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings, 121-118, at Smoothie King Center on Thursday.
It was essentially a wire-to-wire victory for the Pelicans (32-45), as while the Kings (37-38) managed to take back the lead a few times during Thursday's contest, New Orleans did a terrific job of closing out quarters in an effort to maintain their distance. Julius Randle was again sensational in the absence of Anthony Davis (back), posting another double-double with 34 points and 11 rebounds across 31 minutes. Meanwhile, the newest Pelican, Christian Wood, continues to be productive since getting picked up by the team, as he came off the bench to post 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting and nine rebounds across 28 minutes. With Randle and Wood leading the way with efficient shots inside the paint, New Orleans put together a stellar performance from the floor, shooting an impressive 49-of-96 (51 percent).
For the Kings, they fall back below .500 with the loss, as they have been unable to put together a good stretch of games here as the regular season draws to an end. The starting backcourt of De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield was very effective in the losing effort, as Hield scored a team-high 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting while Fox posted a double-double of 25 points on 11-of-22 shooting and 12 assists in 37 minutes. The two, however, couldn't get anything going from behind the arc, combining to go 2-of-11 from deep. But the poor shooting wasn't necessarily contagious, as Sacramento still managed to go 10-of-23 (43.5 percent) from behind the arc.
It was essentially a wire-to-wire victory for the Pelicans (32-45), as while the Kings (37-38) managed to take back the lead a few times during Thursday's contest, New Orleans did a terrific job of closing out quarters in an effort to maintain their distance. Julius Randle was again sensational in the absence of Anthony Davis (back), posting another double-double with 34 points and 11 rebounds across 31 minutes. Meanwhile, the newest Pelican, Christian Wood, continues to be productive since getting picked up by the team, as he came off the bench to post 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting and nine rebounds across 28 minutes. With Randle and Wood leading the way with efficient shots inside the paint, New Orleans put together a stellar performance from the floor, shooting an impressive 49-of-96 (51 percent).
For the Kings, they fall back below .500 with the loss, as they have been unable to put together a good stretch of games here as the regular season draws to an end. The starting backcourt of De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield was very effective in the losing effort, as Hield scored a team-high 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting while Fox posted a double-double of 25 points on 11-of-22 shooting and 12 assists in 37 minutes. The two, however, couldn't get anything going from behind the arc, combining to go 2-of-11 from deep. But the poor shooting wasn't necessarily contagious, as Sacramento still managed to go 10-of-23 (43.5 percent) from behind the arc.
Rockets Roll Over Nuggets, 112-85
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 112-85, at Toyota Center on Thursday.
While Denver got out to a lead in the first quarter, Houston dominated from there. In fact, a 40-19 second quarter really put separation between the two teams, as Houston held a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half while leading by at least 15 points for the whole of the fourth quarter. The Rockets went 40-of-87 from the field and 15-of-40 from three-point range while holding the Nuggets to 31-of-84 from the field and 4-of-24 from long range. Houston also outrebounded Denver, 46-38
The Nuggets (50-24) were led by Jamal Murray, as he amassed 20 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Nikola Jokic finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Gary Harris totaled 11 points, two rebounds and three assists while Monte' Morris led the bench with 16 points, three rebounds and four assists.
The Rockets (48-28) were led by James Harden, as he tallied 38 points, six rebounds and six assists. Eric Gordon amassed 18 points and one rebound on 7-of-11 from the field. Clint Capela finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds while Chris Paul accrued nine points, four rebounds, nine assists and two steals.
Denver will have to play again on Friday, as they travel to face the struggling Oklahoma City Thunder. As for Houston, they're off until Saturday when they play host to the Sacramento Kings.
While Denver got out to a lead in the first quarter, Houston dominated from there. In fact, a 40-19 second quarter really put separation between the two teams, as Houston held a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half while leading by at least 15 points for the whole of the fourth quarter. The Rockets went 40-of-87 from the field and 15-of-40 from three-point range while holding the Nuggets to 31-of-84 from the field and 4-of-24 from long range. Houston also outrebounded Denver, 46-38
The Nuggets (50-24) were led by Jamal Murray, as he amassed 20 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Nikola Jokic finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Gary Harris totaled 11 points, two rebounds and three assists while Monte' Morris led the bench with 16 points, three rebounds and four assists.
The Rockets (48-28) were led by James Harden, as he tallied 38 points, six rebounds and six assists. Eric Gordon amassed 18 points and one rebound on 7-of-11 from the field. Clint Capela finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds while Chris Paul accrued nine points, four rebounds, nine assists and two steals.
Denver will have to play again on Friday, as they travel to face the struggling Oklahoma City Thunder. As for Houston, they're off until Saturday when they play host to the Sacramento Kings.
Bucks End Clippers Six-Game Winning Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 128-118, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday evening.
The contest got out to a competitive start, with multiple lead changes in the first quarter, before the Bucks emerged with a three-point lead heading into the second. The Bucks turned it up a notch in the second, and outscored the visitors by 18 in the quarter, to take a 67-46 lead by halftime. The Clippers came out fighting in the third but could not make a dent in the deficit, as the Bucks actually outscored them by two in the quarter, to push the lead to 23, heading into the final frame. However, the Clippers did not give up and made an impressive rally in the fourth, as they made it a 10-point game with five minutes to go. However, the Bucks cut it off there, as they locked down an ensured their fourth straight win, and ended the Clippers' six-game winning streak.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 39 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal, in 33 minutes. Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Eric Bledsoe added 15 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and a steal. The bucks shot 53 percent from the field, including 16-of-37 from deep.
Meanwhile, seven players scored in double digits for the Clippers, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 31 minutes. JaMychal Green added 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Danilo Gallinari tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Clippers shot 46 percent from the field, including 17-of-33 from long range. Lou Williams (rest) did not play.
The Clippers (45-31) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Cavs on Saturday. The Bucks (57-19) take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday.
The contest got out to a competitive start, with multiple lead changes in the first quarter, before the Bucks emerged with a three-point lead heading into the second. The Bucks turned it up a notch in the second, and outscored the visitors by 18 in the quarter, to take a 67-46 lead by halftime. The Clippers came out fighting in the third but could not make a dent in the deficit, as the Bucks actually outscored them by two in the quarter, to push the lead to 23, heading into the final frame. However, the Clippers did not give up and made an impressive rally in the fourth, as they made it a 10-point game with five minutes to go. However, the Bucks cut it off there, as they locked down an ensured their fourth straight win, and ended the Clippers' six-game winning streak.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 39 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal, in 33 minutes. Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 34 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Eric Bledsoe added 15 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and a steal. The bucks shot 53 percent from the field, including 16-of-37 from deep.
Meanwhile, seven players scored in double digits for the Clippers, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 31 minutes. JaMychal Green added 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Danilo Gallinari tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Clippers shot 46 percent from the field, including 17-of-33 from long range. Lou Williams (rest) did not play.
The Clippers (45-31) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Cavs on Saturday. The Bucks (57-19) take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday.
Spurs Narrowly Escape Cavaliers, 116-110
By Oscar Heanue
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 116-110, at AT&T Center on Thursday evening.
The Spurs (44-32) celebrated the career of Manu Ginobili on Thursday, as the team held a ceremony for the retirement of his jersey. San Antonio nearly had the night spoiled, though, as it escaped a late challenge by the Cavaliers (19-57), dealing Cleveland its fourth straight win. The Spurs benefited from a highly efficient offensive night, shooting 52.9 percent from the field in the win. Cleveland, however, countered with a tough challenge on the glass. The Cavaliers out-rebounded San Antonio 49-33 despite coming up short. In the end, Patty Mills was able to seal the win for San Antonio by sinking a three-pointer to make it a two-possession game with just 14 seconds remaining.
The clinching shot gave Mills 11 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench. All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan was the team's leading scorer with 25 points on the night. The Spurs saw an additional 19 points from Bryn Forbes, who contributed three steals on the defensive end to round out his strong showing. With the win, San Antonio is now just one win shy of clinching a playoff berth for the 22nd straight season.
Cleveland, meanwhile, was led by 24 points from Colin Sexton. The performance brings Sexton's average to 21 points per game since the All-Star Break. Star big man Kevin Love also excelled, tallying 18 points to go with eight rebounds.
The Cavaliers will continue their road trip with a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. San Antonio, meanwhile, will host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday afternoon.
The Spurs (44-32) celebrated the career of Manu Ginobili on Thursday, as the team held a ceremony for the retirement of his jersey. San Antonio nearly had the night spoiled, though, as it escaped a late challenge by the Cavaliers (19-57), dealing Cleveland its fourth straight win. The Spurs benefited from a highly efficient offensive night, shooting 52.9 percent from the field in the win. Cleveland, however, countered with a tough challenge on the glass. The Cavaliers out-rebounded San Antonio 49-33 despite coming up short. In the end, Patty Mills was able to seal the win for San Antonio by sinking a three-pointer to make it a two-possession game with just 14 seconds remaining.
The clinching shot gave Mills 11 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench. All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan was the team's leading scorer with 25 points on the night. The Spurs saw an additional 19 points from Bryn Forbes, who contributed three steals on the defensive end to round out his strong showing. With the win, San Antonio is now just one win shy of clinching a playoff berth for the 22nd straight season.
Cleveland, meanwhile, was led by 24 points from Colin Sexton. The performance brings Sexton's average to 21 points per game since the All-Star Break. Star big man Kevin Love also excelled, tallying 18 points to go with eight rebounds.
The Cavaliers will continue their road trip with a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. San Antonio, meanwhile, will host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday afternoon.