Raptors Hold On, Win Tight Battle Against Heat
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Miami Heat, 107-103, on Monday at Orlando.
The Raptors (48-18) and the Heat (42-25) played a tight contest that, at times, resembled a playoff contest due to the intensity and the tight defense on both ends of the court. The first quarter saw both teams go back and forth, but the Raptors ended the first period up by six points and would never look back afterward. Despite the fact Miami won both the second (27-25) and third (36-35) quarters, Toronto still had an edge heading into the final quarter. Miami managed to lead by three points early in the fourth quarter, but they couldn't hold on and the Raptors sealed the win from the charity stripe. The Heat had enough chances to turn things around or, at least, extend the game into overtime. However, Miami committed two costly turnovers in the final 30 seconds of the contest and that doomed their chances of getting the victory. The Raptors sank their free throws down the stretch and secured the win.
Fred VanVleet paced the Raptors offensively in this one, as he finished with 36 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Pascal Siakam chipped in with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Kyle Lowry finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and five dimes. Serge Ibaka delivered a strong effort off the bench, as he ended with 15 points and six boards in 26 minutes of action. OG Anunoby filled the stat sheet with seven points, three boards, one assist, one steal and one block.
Six Miami players scored in double digits in this one, and Goran Dragic led the way off the bench with a 25-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance. Jimmy Butler posted 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Jae Crowder contributed 16 points, six boards and three dimes. Bam Adebayo notched 10 points, eight boards and four assists. Kelly Olynyk contributed 17 points and four rebounds off the bench.
The Raptors (48-18) and the Heat (42-25) played a tight contest that, at times, resembled a playoff contest due to the intensity and the tight defense on both ends of the court. The first quarter saw both teams go back and forth, but the Raptors ended the first period up by six points and would never look back afterward. Despite the fact Miami won both the second (27-25) and third (36-35) quarters, Toronto still had an edge heading into the final quarter. Miami managed to lead by three points early in the fourth quarter, but they couldn't hold on and the Raptors sealed the win from the charity stripe. The Heat had enough chances to turn things around or, at least, extend the game into overtime. However, Miami committed two costly turnovers in the final 30 seconds of the contest and that doomed their chances of getting the victory. The Raptors sank their free throws down the stretch and secured the win.
Fred VanVleet paced the Raptors offensively in this one, as he finished with 36 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Pascal Siakam chipped in with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Kyle Lowry finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and five dimes. Serge Ibaka delivered a strong effort off the bench, as he ended with 15 points and six boards in 26 minutes of action. OG Anunoby filled the stat sheet with seven points, three boards, one assist, one steal and one block.
Six Miami players scored in double digits in this one, and Goran Dragic led the way off the bench with a 25-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance. Jimmy Butler posted 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Jae Crowder contributed 16 points, six boards and three dimes. Bam Adebayo notched 10 points, eight boards and four assists. Kelly Olynyk contributed 17 points and four rebounds off the bench.
Nuggets Top Thunder In OT
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-113, in overtime, on Monday at Orlando.
The contest got out to a competitive start, with the Nuggets taking a one-point lead after one quarter. After a few lead changes early in the second, the Nuggets opened up a 10-point lead, but the Thunder battled back to take a one-point lead by halftime. Neither team could pull away through the third, as the Thunder took a three-point lead into the final quarter. After a couple of lead changes early in the fourth, the Thunder pulled ahead to a seven-point lead with just over three minutes to go, but the Nuggets kept grinding and tied it up at 109, to necessitate overtime. The Nuggets kept the momentum going in the extra frame, as they scored the first bucket and never looked back.
Michael Porter Jr. set a career-high with 37 points on 12-of-16 shooting, to lead the way for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic logged a triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, in 39 minutes, while Monte Morris and Paul Millsap added 17 points each. The Nuggets shot 48 percent from the field, including 7-of-25 from long range.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24 points, five rebounds and two assists, in 38 minutes. Chris Paul added 23 points, eight assists and two rebounds, while Danilo Gallinari tallied 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. The Thunder shot 42 percent from the field, including 15-of-36 from long range.
The Thunder will be back in action on Wednesday, against the Lakers. The Nuggets take on the Spurs on Wednesday.
The contest got out to a competitive start, with the Nuggets taking a one-point lead after one quarter. After a few lead changes early in the second, the Nuggets opened up a 10-point lead, but the Thunder battled back to take a one-point lead by halftime. Neither team could pull away through the third, as the Thunder took a three-point lead into the final quarter. After a couple of lead changes early in the fourth, the Thunder pulled ahead to a seven-point lead with just over three minutes to go, but the Nuggets kept grinding and tied it up at 109, to necessitate overtime. The Nuggets kept the momentum going in the extra frame, as they scored the first bucket and never looked back.
Michael Porter Jr. set a career-high with 37 points on 12-of-16 shooting, to lead the way for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic logged a triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, in 39 minutes, while Monte Morris and Paul Millsap added 17 points each. The Nuggets shot 48 percent from the field, including 7-of-25 from long range.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24 points, five rebounds and two assists, in 38 minutes. Chris Paul added 23 points, eight assists and two rebounds, while Danilo Gallinari tallied 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. The Thunder shot 42 percent from the field, including 15-of-36 from long range.
The Thunder will be back in action on Wednesday, against the Lakers. The Nuggets take on the Spurs on Wednesday.
Pacers Best Wizards, 111-100
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Washington Wizards, 111-100, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Monday afternoon.
The Pacers (41-26) once again came in missing a key backcourt piece, as Victor Oladipo (knee) sat for rest on Monday. That seemed to have an early effect, as the normally defensively challenged Wizards (24-43) managed to forge a 21-20 lead through the first 12 minutes. However, T.J. Warren, who'd just scored a career-best 53 points against the 76ers on Saturday, helped lead a charge in the middle quarters that saw Indiana outscore Washington by a 70-47 margin. That cushion proved important, considering the Wizards were able to shave 12 points off their deficit in the fourth quarter before the comeback fell short.
Warren led the Pacers with a 34-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included four assists, four blocks and three steals. Malcolm Brogdon returned from a one-game absence due to a neck injury and provided 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Myles Turner and Aaron Holiday generated matching 17-point efforts, with Turner also pulling down nine rebounds.
Thomas Bryant paced the Wizards with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one assist and three blocks. Jerome Robinson supplied 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Shabazz Napier registered 16 points, four assists, two rebounds and one block. Ish Smith managed 12 points, four assists and two rebounds. Troy Brown, Jr. collected 10 points, eight assists and seven boards.
The Pacers return to the court Tuesday evening against the Orlando Magic, while the Wizards are back in action Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Pacers (41-26) once again came in missing a key backcourt piece, as Victor Oladipo (knee) sat for rest on Monday. That seemed to have an early effect, as the normally defensively challenged Wizards (24-43) managed to forge a 21-20 lead through the first 12 minutes. However, T.J. Warren, who'd just scored a career-best 53 points against the 76ers on Saturday, helped lead a charge in the middle quarters that saw Indiana outscore Washington by a 70-47 margin. That cushion proved important, considering the Wizards were able to shave 12 points off their deficit in the fourth quarter before the comeback fell short.
Warren led the Pacers with a 34-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included four assists, four blocks and three steals. Malcolm Brogdon returned from a one-game absence due to a neck injury and provided 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Myles Turner and Aaron Holiday generated matching 17-point efforts, with Turner also pulling down nine rebounds.
Thomas Bryant paced the Wizards with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one assist and three blocks. Jerome Robinson supplied 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Shabazz Napier registered 16 points, four assists, two rebounds and one block. Ish Smith managed 12 points, four assists and two rebounds. Troy Brown, Jr. collected 10 points, eight assists and seven boards.
The Pacers return to the court Tuesday evening against the Orlando Magic, while the Wizards are back in action Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Pelicans Handle Grizzlies, 109-99
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 109-99, in an NBA seeding game on Orlando on Monday night.
The Pelicans (29-38) knew Monday's contest had high stakes with respect to their quest to keep their playoff hopes alive. Not only had New Orleans dropped their first two seeding games, but the Pels were also facing the team they're chasing for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference in the Grizzlies (32-36). Coach Alvin Gentry's team got off to a good start by extending their four-point first-quarter lead to seven by halftime. Memphis was able to shave two points off their deficit in the third quarter before the Pelicans managed to close out the game on a 12-6 run over the final 3:41 to seal the much-needed victory. Ziion Williamson notably saw a sharp playing time increase after being limited in his first two games for conditioning reasons, logging 25 minutes and managing 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. led the way for the Grizzlies with 22 points, adding two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Grayson Allen followed with a bench-leading 17 points, while Dillon Brooks offered 15 points, five boards and three assists. Jonas Valanciunas produced a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included four blocks. Ja Morant finished with 11 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 24 points, complementing them with seven boards, five assists and two steals. J.J. Redick poured in 16 points. Jrue Holiday and Josh Hart managed matching 15-point tallies while pulling down four and seven rebounds, respectively.
The Grizzlies are back in action against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday afternoon, while the Pelicans tangle with the Sacramento Kings on Thursday afternoon.
The Pelicans (29-38) knew Monday's contest had high stakes with respect to their quest to keep their playoff hopes alive. Not only had New Orleans dropped their first two seeding games, but the Pels were also facing the team they're chasing for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference in the Grizzlies (32-36). Coach Alvin Gentry's team got off to a good start by extending their four-point first-quarter lead to seven by halftime. Memphis was able to shave two points off their deficit in the third quarter before the Pelicans managed to close out the game on a 12-6 run over the final 3:41 to seal the much-needed victory. Ziion Williamson notably saw a sharp playing time increase after being limited in his first two games for conditioning reasons, logging 25 minutes and managing 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. led the way for the Grizzlies with 22 points, adding two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Grayson Allen followed with a bench-leading 17 points, while Dillon Brooks offered 15 points, five boards and three assists. Jonas Valanciunas produced a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included four blocks. Ja Morant finished with 11 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 24 points, complementing them with seven boards, five assists and two steals. J.J. Redick poured in 16 points. Jrue Holiday and Josh Hart managed matching 15-point tallies while pulling down four and seven rebounds, respectively.
The Grizzlies are back in action against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday afternoon, while the Pelicans tangle with the Sacramento Kings on Thursday afternoon.
Sixers Defeat Spurs, 132-130
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 132-130, in Orlando on Monday.
It took 11 ties and eight lead changes to determine a winner in this game, with Shake Milton hitting a game-winning three with less than 10 seconds remaining. The Spurs actually overcame a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to grab the lead with less than a minute remaining but couldn't hold on. The Sixers ended up out-assisting the Spurs, 26-21. That allowed them to shoot 53 percent from the field and 49 percent from three-point range while holding San Antonio to 49 percent from the field and 46 percent from long range.
The Sixers (40-27) were led by Joel Embiid, who tallied 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Tobias Harris totaled 25 points, six rebounds and four assists. Josh Richardson accrued 19 points and two assists while Milton generated 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. Ben Simmons played just 25 minutes, providing eight points and five assists before fouling out.
The Spurs (29-37) were led by DeMar DeRozan, who collected 30 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Derrick White had 20 points, two rebounds and three assists. Dejounte Murray accumulated 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals while Rudy Gay led the bench with 24 points and four rebounds.
Both teams will return to action on Wednesday, with San Antonio playing the Denver Nuggets and Philly facing the Washington Wizards.
It took 11 ties and eight lead changes to determine a winner in this game, with Shake Milton hitting a game-winning three with less than 10 seconds remaining. The Spurs actually overcame a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to grab the lead with less than a minute remaining but couldn't hold on. The Sixers ended up out-assisting the Spurs, 26-21. That allowed them to shoot 53 percent from the field and 49 percent from three-point range while holding San Antonio to 49 percent from the field and 46 percent from long range.
The Sixers (40-27) were led by Joel Embiid, who tallied 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Tobias Harris totaled 25 points, six rebounds and four assists. Josh Richardson accrued 19 points and two assists while Milton generated 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. Ben Simmons played just 25 minutes, providing eight points and five assists before fouling out.
The Spurs (29-37) were led by DeMar DeRozan, who collected 30 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Derrick White had 20 points, two rebounds and three assists. Dejounte Murray accumulated 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals while Rudy Gay led the bench with 24 points and four rebounds.
Both teams will return to action on Wednesday, with San Antonio playing the Denver Nuggets and Philly facing the Washington Wizards.
Lakers Defeat Jazz, 116-108
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz, 116-108, in Orlando on Monday.
While the first three quarters were close, a 19-5 run across the final 6:12 of the third quarter decided things for Los Angeles. In fact, that gave the Lakers a game-high 13-point lead, never surrendering the lead in the fourth quarter. Prior to that, there were 12 ties and nine lead changes in total, with neither club leading by more than seven points. The Lakers ended up shooting 50 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range while holding the Jazz to 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. In addition, Los Angeles recorded 12 steals and won the turnover differential, 21-14.
The Lakers (50-15) were led by Anthony Davis, who tallied 42 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. LeBron James totaled 22 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Those two guys combined for 44 of the team's 82 shots. No other player on the roster had more than 11 points, five rebounds or three assists.
The Jazz (42-24) were led by Donovan Mitchell, who amassed 33 points, five rebounds and four assists. Mike Conley generated 24 points, two rebounds and eight assists. Rudy Gobert finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. Royce O'Neale had just five points but provided 13 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Both teams will return to action on Wednesday, with Los Angeles playing the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah facing the Memphis Grizzlies.
While the first three quarters were close, a 19-5 run across the final 6:12 of the third quarter decided things for Los Angeles. In fact, that gave the Lakers a game-high 13-point lead, never surrendering the lead in the fourth quarter. Prior to that, there were 12 ties and nine lead changes in total, with neither club leading by more than seven points. The Lakers ended up shooting 50 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range while holding the Jazz to 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. In addition, Los Angeles recorded 12 steals and won the turnover differential, 21-14.
The Lakers (50-15) were led by Anthony Davis, who tallied 42 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. LeBron James totaled 22 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Those two guys combined for 44 of the team's 82 shots. No other player on the roster had more than 11 points, five rebounds or three assists.
The Jazz (42-24) were led by Donovan Mitchell, who amassed 33 points, five rebounds and four assists. Mike Conley generated 24 points, two rebounds and eight assists. Rudy Gobert finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. Royce O'Neale had just five points but provided 13 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Both teams will return to action on Wednesday, with Los Angeles playing the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah facing the Memphis Grizzlies.