Kings Top Pelicans In High-Scoring Affair
The Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 49-39, on Thursday at Orlando.
The Kings (29-39) were coming off three straight defeats in Orlando, and this was a must-win game for them in the race for the elusive eighth-seed in the Western Conference. The Pelicans (29-39) are a direct rival in that race, so this game was massive for both franchises. The Kings got off to a better start, though, and they scored 49 first-quarter points. They wouldn't look behind after establishing a 10-point lead and, even though the Pelicans put up a fight, they weren't close to turning things around. New Orleans came as close as two points midway through the third quarter, but Sacramento pulled away for good in the final minutes. In the end, the Kings cruised their way to a 140-125 win that should keep their playoff chances alive.
De'Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic were Sacramento's best players in this game -- Fox notched 30 points with 10 assists, while Bogdanovic scored a game-high 35 points with four rebounds and three assists. Harrison Barnes delivered 22 points and six rebounds, Nemanja Bjelica had 11 points, and Cory Joseph posted 10 points. The Kings shot 48.5 percent from three-point range and 53.8 percent from the field.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram were the best players for the Pelicans, as both players finished with 24 points. Jrue Holiday contributed 17 points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Lonzo Ball sniffed a double-double after posting nine points with 11 dimes. J.J. Redick had 18 points coming off the bench for the Pelicans, a team that shot an impressive 57.3 percent from the field despite the defeat.
The Kings (29-39) were coming off three straight defeats in Orlando, and this was a must-win game for them in the race for the elusive eighth-seed in the Western Conference. The Pelicans (29-39) are a direct rival in that race, so this game was massive for both franchises. The Kings got off to a better start, though, and they scored 49 first-quarter points. They wouldn't look behind after establishing a 10-point lead and, even though the Pelicans put up a fight, they weren't close to turning things around. New Orleans came as close as two points midway through the third quarter, but Sacramento pulled away for good in the final minutes. In the end, the Kings cruised their way to a 140-125 win that should keep their playoff chances alive.
De'Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic were Sacramento's best players in this game -- Fox notched 30 points with 10 assists, while Bogdanovic scored a game-high 35 points with four rebounds and three assists. Harrison Barnes delivered 22 points and six rebounds, Nemanja Bjelica had 11 points, and Cory Joseph posted 10 points. The Kings shot 48.5 percent from three-point range and 53.8 percent from the field.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram were the best players for the Pelicans, as both players finished with 24 points. Jrue Holiday contributed 17 points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Lonzo Ball sniffed a double-double after posting nine points with 11 dimes. J.J. Redick had 18 points coming off the bench for the Pelicans, a team that shot an impressive 57.3 percent from the field despite the defeat.
Bucks Mount Huge Run To Overcome Heat
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Miami Heat, 130-116, on Thursday at Orlando.
The contest got out to a competitive start, but the Heat pulled ahead with an, 18-8, run, to take a nine-point lead into the second. They kept the momentum going in the second and pushed their lead to 23, with four minutes left in the half, before the Bucks trimmed it to 17, by halftime. The Bucks began to turn the tables in the third, as they rallied to take a one-point lead with five minutes to go in the quarter and kept pushing to cut it to six, heading into the final frame. The Bucks continued the rally through the fourth and topped it off with a, 20-0, run, to secure the comeback win.
The Bucks managed to pull off the impressive win despite Giannis Antetokounmpo facing foul trouble, as Khris Middleton stepped up with 33 points on 9-of-14 shooting, in 34 minutes. Despite being limited to 30 minutes, Antetokounmpo totaled 33 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a block. Brook Lopez chipped in 17 points, while Pat Connaughton added 11 points, off the bench.
Meanwhile, the shorthanded Heat put up a valiant effort, led by Duncan Robinson, who finished with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and Tyler Herro, who added 20 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal, in 33 minutes off the bench. The Heat were limited to 42 percent shooting from the field, but kept themselves in it by shooting, 21-of-46 from long range.
The Heat will look to bounce back as they take on the Suns on Saturday. The Bucks take on the Mavericks on Saturday.
The contest got out to a competitive start, but the Heat pulled ahead with an, 18-8, run, to take a nine-point lead into the second. They kept the momentum going in the second and pushed their lead to 23, with four minutes left in the half, before the Bucks trimmed it to 17, by halftime. The Bucks began to turn the tables in the third, as they rallied to take a one-point lead with five minutes to go in the quarter and kept pushing to cut it to six, heading into the final frame. The Bucks continued the rally through the fourth and topped it off with a, 20-0, run, to secure the comeback win.
The Bucks managed to pull off the impressive win despite Giannis Antetokounmpo facing foul trouble, as Khris Middleton stepped up with 33 points on 9-of-14 shooting, in 34 minutes. Despite being limited to 30 minutes, Antetokounmpo totaled 33 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a block. Brook Lopez chipped in 17 points, while Pat Connaughton added 11 points, off the bench.
Meanwhile, the shorthanded Heat put up a valiant effort, led by Duncan Robinson, who finished with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and Tyler Herro, who added 20 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal, in 33 minutes off the bench. The Heat were limited to 42 percent shooting from the field, but kept themselves in it by shooting, 21-of-46 from long range.
The Heat will look to bounce back as they take on the Suns on Saturday. The Bucks take on the Mavericks on Saturday.
Suns Roll On Against Pacers, 114-99
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Indiana Pacers, 114-99, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Thursday afternoon.
The Suns (30-39) had been one of the biggest surprises of the bubble in their first three games, but Thursday, they faced a Pacers (42-27) squad that had been just as successful in the restart to the season. Phoenix proved it was up to the task in their ongoing chase for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, jumping out to a four-point halftime lead and then extending it to 11 during a critical third quarter. The Suns didn't rest on their laurels in the final period, either, putting another four points of distance between them and Indiana for the final margin of victory. Balance was the key for coach Monty Williams' squad, with all five starters, along with two second-unit players, scoring in double digits.
Malcolm Brogdon overcame a questionable designation due to a neck injury to lead the Pacers with 25 points, a total he supplemented with six rebounds, six assists and one block. Myles Turner followed with 17 points, eight boards, two assists, three blocks and one steal. T.J. Warren and Victor Oladipo finished with matching 16-point tallies, with Warren also pulling down 11 rebounds. T.J. McConnell led the bench with eight points.
Deandre Ayton paced the Suns with a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, four blocks and two steals. Devin Booker supplied 20 points, 10 assists and three rebounds. Dario Saric managed 16 points, eight rebounds and one assist off the bench. Cameron Payne registered 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Cameron Johnson contributed a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one steal. Ricky Rubio and Mikal Bridges posted 13 and 10 points, respectively, while also totaling four rebounds apiece.
The Pacers return to the floor Saturday evening against the Lakers, while the Suns tangle with the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
The Suns (30-39) had been one of the biggest surprises of the bubble in their first three games, but Thursday, they faced a Pacers (42-27) squad that had been just as successful in the restart to the season. Phoenix proved it was up to the task in their ongoing chase for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, jumping out to a four-point halftime lead and then extending it to 11 during a critical third quarter. The Suns didn't rest on their laurels in the final period, either, putting another four points of distance between them and Indiana for the final margin of victory. Balance was the key for coach Monty Williams' squad, with all five starters, along with two second-unit players, scoring in double digits.
Malcolm Brogdon overcame a questionable designation due to a neck injury to lead the Pacers with 25 points, a total he supplemented with six rebounds, six assists and one block. Myles Turner followed with 17 points, eight boards, two assists, three blocks and one steal. T.J. Warren and Victor Oladipo finished with matching 16-point tallies, with Warren also pulling down 11 rebounds. T.J. McConnell led the bench with eight points.
Deandre Ayton paced the Suns with a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, four blocks and two steals. Devin Booker supplied 20 points, 10 assists and three rebounds. Dario Saric managed 16 points, eight rebounds and one assist off the bench. Cameron Payne registered 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Cameron Johnson contributed a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one steal. Ricky Rubio and Mikal Bridges posted 13 and 10 points, respectively, while also totaling four rebounds apiece.
The Pacers return to the floor Saturday evening against the Lakers, while the Suns tangle with the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
Clippers Separate Late, Topple Mavericks by 126-111 score
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 126-111, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Thursday evening.
The Clippers (46-22) came in looking to atone for a couple of narrow losses in their first three games of the restart to the season, but they found an equally determined foe in the Mavericks (41-30) early in the contest. Los Angeles took a slim one-point lead into intermission after both clubs nearly matched each other bucket for bucket in the first half. The three-point advantage coach Doc Rivers' squad subsequently carried into the final period ultimately evaporated when Maxi Kleber drained a three-pointer for Dallas with 6:41 remaining, but the Clippers then finished on a torrid 25-10 run the rest of the way to seal the win.
Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 29 points, adding six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Paul George followed with 24 points that he complemented with seven rebounds and six assists. Ivica Zubac provided a 21-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one block. Marcus Morris poured in 16 points and also managed five rebounds, one assist and two steals.
Kristaps Porzingis paced the Mavericks with 30 points, a total he complemented with nine rebounds, five assists and one block. Luka Doncic registered 29 points, six assists and three rebounds. Dorian Finney-Smith checked in with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Trey Burke and Kleber furnished 11 and 10 points off the bench, respectively, while also pulling down four rebounds apiece.
The Clippers are back on the floor Saturday afternoon against the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Mavericks take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
The Clippers (46-22) came in looking to atone for a couple of narrow losses in their first three games of the restart to the season, but they found an equally determined foe in the Mavericks (41-30) early in the contest. Los Angeles took a slim one-point lead into intermission after both clubs nearly matched each other bucket for bucket in the first half. The three-point advantage coach Doc Rivers' squad subsequently carried into the final period ultimately evaporated when Maxi Kleber drained a three-pointer for Dallas with 6:41 remaining, but the Clippers then finished on a torrid 25-10 run the rest of the way to seal the win.
Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Clippers with 29 points, adding six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Paul George followed with 24 points that he complemented with seven rebounds and six assists. Ivica Zubac provided a 21-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one block. Marcus Morris poured in 16 points and also managed five rebounds, one assist and two steals.
Kristaps Porzingis paced the Mavericks with 30 points, a total he complemented with nine rebounds, five assists and one block. Luka Doncic registered 29 points, six assists and three rebounds. Dorian Finney-Smith checked in with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block. Trey Burke and Kleber furnished 11 and 10 points off the bench, respectively, while also pulling down four rebounds apiece.
The Clippers are back on the floor Saturday afternoon against the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Mavericks take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
Trail Blazers Defeat Nuggets, 125-115
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets, 125-115, in Orlando on Thursday.
A 35-23 second quarter really buoyed Portland to their victory, leading for all but a few minutes over the final three quarters. With that said, there were 11 lead changes in total. The Trail Blazers ended up shooting 47 percent from the field and 59 percent from three-point range (23-of-39). Denver shot 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from long range. The Trail Blazers forced the Nuggets to commit 16 turnovers while Portland had just nine on their end.
The Nuggets (45-24) were led by Michael Porter Jr, who tallied 27 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Nikola Jokic had just eight points but provided five points and 13 assists. Jerami Grant amassed 18 points. three rebounds and two assists. Mason Plumlee led the bench with 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Trail Blazers (32-38) were led by Damian Lillard, who collected 45 points, four rebounds, 12 assists and three steals. Jusuf Nurkic totaled 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. C.J, McCollum generated 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. Gary Trent Jr led the bench with 27 points, three rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Portland facing the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver playing the Utah Jazz.
A 35-23 second quarter really buoyed Portland to their victory, leading for all but a few minutes over the final three quarters. With that said, there were 11 lead changes in total. The Trail Blazers ended up shooting 47 percent from the field and 59 percent from three-point range (23-of-39). Denver shot 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from long range. The Trail Blazers forced the Nuggets to commit 16 turnovers while Portland had just nine on their end.
The Nuggets (45-24) were led by Michael Porter Jr, who tallied 27 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Nikola Jokic had just eight points but provided five points and 13 assists. Jerami Grant amassed 18 points. three rebounds and two assists. Mason Plumlee led the bench with 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Trail Blazers (32-38) were led by Damian Lillard, who collected 45 points, four rebounds, 12 assists and three steals. Jusuf Nurkic totaled 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks. C.J, McCollum generated 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. Gary Trent Jr led the bench with 27 points, three rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Portland facing the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver playing the Utah Jazz.
Rockets Roll Lakers, 113-97
The Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 113-97, in Orlando on Thursday.
A 33-26 first quarter really set the tone for Houston in this game, holding the lead for the final three quarters. In fact, they won all four individual quarters, leading by at least five points for the final 30 minutes. The Rockets ended up shooting 21-of-57 from three-point range while the Lakers hit just 2-of-19. That's a 57-point advantage in three's alone. Houston also out-assisted Los Angeles, 26-18, while winning the turnover battle, 24-19. The Lakers did win the rebounding battle, 47-34.
The Lakers (51-27) were led by Kyle Kuzma, who amassed 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Anthony Davis finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three assists but committed seven turnovers. Dwight Howard was the best bench player, providing eight points and 15 boards. LeBron James sat out because of a groin issue.
The Rockets (43-25) were led by James Harden, who tallied 39 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists and three steals. Ben McLemore started and generated 20 points and four boards. Danuel House had 14 points and three rebounds, Jeff Green and Austin Rivers combined for 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists off the bench. Russell Westbrook sat because of an injury too,
Los Angeles will return to action on Saturday, facing the Indiana Pacers. As for Houston, they return to action on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.
A 33-26 first quarter really set the tone for Houston in this game, holding the lead for the final three quarters. In fact, they won all four individual quarters, leading by at least five points for the final 30 minutes. The Rockets ended up shooting 21-of-57 from three-point range while the Lakers hit just 2-of-19. That's a 57-point advantage in three's alone. Houston also out-assisted Los Angeles, 26-18, while winning the turnover battle, 24-19. The Lakers did win the rebounding battle, 47-34.
The Lakers (51-27) were led by Kyle Kuzma, who amassed 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Anthony Davis finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three assists but committed seven turnovers. Dwight Howard was the best bench player, providing eight points and 15 boards. LeBron James sat out because of a groin issue.
The Rockets (43-25) were led by James Harden, who tallied 39 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists and three steals. Ben McLemore started and generated 20 points and four boards. Danuel House had 14 points and three rebounds, Jeff Green and Austin Rivers combined for 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists off the bench. Russell Westbrook sat because of an injury too,
Los Angeles will return to action on Saturday, facing the Indiana Pacers. As for Houston, they return to action on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.