Clippers Rally Late To Top Blazers
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 122-117, on Saturday at Orlando.
The Clippers (47-22) came from behind in this one to defeat the Blazers (32-39), and they moved closer to clinching the second seed in the Western Conference, while Portland suffered a massive hit on their quest to make the playoffs as the West's eighth seed. Portland dominated the game from start to finish, but they couldn't execute down the stretch and paid a steep price for that. Los Angeles led by one point early in the fourth quarter, but they were only able to grab the advantage on a three-pointer from Rodney McGruder with less than 40 seconds left in the clock. Everything went downhill for Portland after that three, as Damian Lillard missed two clutch free throws while Jusuf Nurkic was fouled out. The Clippers held on, and they won the contest despite being down during most of the matchup.
Six Clippers scored in double digits in this contest, although Paul George led the team with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes. Landry Shamet registered 19 points, Reggie Jackson added 17 points with five dimes, and Marcus Morris chipped in with 15 points and eight boards. Lou Williams (12 points) and JaMychal Green (13 points, eight boards) contributed off the bench.
C.J. McCollum led the Blazers with 29 points and eight assists, while Jusuf Nurkic came close to a triple-double (10 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists) before fouling out. Damian Lillard might have missed two clutch free throws down the stretch but contributed 22 points, five assists and three boards. Carmelo Anthony chipped in with 21 points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes. Gary Trent added 22 points off the bench.
The Clippers (47-22) came from behind in this one to defeat the Blazers (32-39), and they moved closer to clinching the second seed in the Western Conference, while Portland suffered a massive hit on their quest to make the playoffs as the West's eighth seed. Portland dominated the game from start to finish, but they couldn't execute down the stretch and paid a steep price for that. Los Angeles led by one point early in the fourth quarter, but they were only able to grab the advantage on a three-pointer from Rodney McGruder with less than 40 seconds left in the clock. Everything went downhill for Portland after that three, as Damian Lillard missed two clutch free throws while Jusuf Nurkic was fouled out. The Clippers held on, and they won the contest despite being down during most of the matchup.
Six Clippers scored in double digits in this contest, although Paul George led the team with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes. Landry Shamet registered 19 points, Reggie Jackson added 17 points with five dimes, and Marcus Morris chipped in with 15 points and eight boards. Lou Williams (12 points) and JaMychal Green (13 points, eight boards) contributed off the bench.
C.J. McCollum led the Blazers with 29 points and eight assists, while Jusuf Nurkic came close to a triple-double (10 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists) before fouling out. Damian Lillard might have missed two clutch free throws down the stretch but contributed 22 points, five assists and three boards. Carmelo Anthony chipped in with 21 points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes. Gary Trent added 22 points off the bench.
Nuggets Top Jazz After Two Grueling OT Periods
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Utah Jazz after two overtime periods, 134-132, on Saturday at Orlando.
The Nuggets (46-24) and the Jazz (43-26) delivered one of the most intense games in the Orlando bubble since the NBA restarted July 30, as Denver needed two overtime periods to get past a resilient Utah side. The Jazz started better, though, winning the first quarter by 14 points and holding the lead comfortably until the end of the third period. Denver couldn't close things out in the fourth, however, and two late buckets from Donovan Mitchell forced an overtime period. Both teams ended tied at 105-105 at regulation, but in the end, they needed not one, but two overtime periods to find a winner. Denver survived, though, and they escaped with a two-point win.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven dimes, while Jamal Murray chipped in with 23 points, 12 boards and eight assists. Michael Porter contributed 23 points with 11 boards, and the rookie power forward continues to be one of the best players for Denver since the resumption of the league. Jerami Grant and Monte Morris impressed off the bench, as they contributed with 21 and 15 points, respectively.
Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 35 points, and he also added eight assists with six rebounds. Rudy Gobert had a double-double after posting 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Joe Ingles dished out a season-high 13 assists while also adding 11 points. Mike Conley had 20 points, five boards and five dimes. Jordan Clarkson operated as a weapon off the bench and added 19 points in only 26 minutes.
The Nuggets (46-24) and the Jazz (43-26) delivered one of the most intense games in the Orlando bubble since the NBA restarted July 30, as Denver needed two overtime periods to get past a resilient Utah side. The Jazz started better, though, winning the first quarter by 14 points and holding the lead comfortably until the end of the third period. Denver couldn't close things out in the fourth, however, and two late buckets from Donovan Mitchell forced an overtime period. Both teams ended tied at 105-105 at regulation, but in the end, they needed not one, but two overtime periods to find a winner. Denver survived, though, and they escaped with a two-point win.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven dimes, while Jamal Murray chipped in with 23 points, 12 boards and eight assists. Michael Porter contributed 23 points with 11 boards, and the rookie power forward continues to be one of the best players for Denver since the resumption of the league. Jerami Grant and Monte Morris impressed off the bench, as they contributed with 21 and 15 points, respectively.
Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 35 points, and he also added eight assists with six rebounds. Rudy Gobert had a double-double after posting 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Joe Ingles dished out a season-high 13 assists while also adding 11 points. Mike Conley had 20 points, five boards and five dimes. Jordan Clarkson operated as a weapon off the bench and added 19 points in only 26 minutes.
Pacers Edge Lakers, 116-111
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 116-111, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Saturday evening.
The Lakers (51-18) already enjoy the luxury of having secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but they came into Saturday still looking to build some momentum heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Pacers (43-27) were not only looking to maintain their edge, but potentially improve their postseason positioning as well in the Eastern Conference standings. Indiana looked like the much sharper team early while building a 10-point first-quarter lead, but Los Angeles bounced back to eradicate that deficit and build a five-point halftime advantage. The contest continued as a back-and-forth affair throughout the second half and wasn't decided until T.J. Warren's 27-footer with 10.6 seconds remaining and a pair of Victor Oladipo free throws at the 4.2-second mark.
LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 31 points, adding eight rebounds, seven assists and one block. Quinn Cook followed with 21 points off the bench. Kyle Kuzma provided 11 points, five boards, one assist, three steals and one block. Dwight Howard generated a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one steal and one block. Talen Horton-Tucker matched Howard's scoring total, while Anthony Davis mustered just eight points on 3-for-14 shooting, although he also recorded eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
Warren once again paced Indiana in scoring with 39 points, complementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Malcolm Brogdon turned in 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Oladipo contributed 22 points, seven boards, five assists and one steal. Aaron Holiday and Myles Turner had matching seven-point tallies, with Holiday adding seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and one block.
The Lakers return to the floor Monday night against the Denver Nuggets, while the Pacers face the Miami Heat on Monday night as well.
The Lakers (51-18) already enjoy the luxury of having secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but they came into Saturday still looking to build some momentum heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Pacers (43-27) were not only looking to maintain their edge, but potentially improve their postseason positioning as well in the Eastern Conference standings. Indiana looked like the much sharper team early while building a 10-point first-quarter lead, but Los Angeles bounced back to eradicate that deficit and build a five-point halftime advantage. The contest continued as a back-and-forth affair throughout the second half and wasn't decided until T.J. Warren's 27-footer with 10.6 seconds remaining and a pair of Victor Oladipo free throws at the 4.2-second mark.
LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 31 points, adding eight rebounds, seven assists and one block. Quinn Cook followed with 21 points off the bench. Kyle Kuzma provided 11 points, five boards, one assist, three steals and one block. Dwight Howard generated a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one steal and one block. Talen Horton-Tucker matched Howard's scoring total, while Anthony Davis mustered just eight points on 3-for-14 shooting, although he also recorded eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
Warren once again paced Indiana in scoring with 39 points, complementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Malcolm Brogdon turned in 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Oladipo contributed 22 points, seven boards, five assists and one steal. Aaron Holiday and Myles Turner had matching seven-point tallies, with Holiday adding seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and one block.
The Lakers return to the floor Monday night against the Denver Nuggets, while the Pacers face the Miami Heat on Monday night as well.
Suns Defeat Heat, 119-112
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Miami Heat, 119-112, in Orlando on Saturday.
While there were only six ties and 11 lead changes in this game, no team led by more than 11 points. In fact, Miami got out to a 32-25 lead after the first quarter and Phoenix responded with a 35-28 second quarter. The Suns then rode a 59-52 second half to their victory, holding the lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Phoenix ended up out-rebounding Miami, 52-37. In addition, the Suns shot 38 percent from three and 95 percent from the free-throw line while the Heat hit 31 percent from long range and 86 percent from the charity stripe.
The Suns (31-39) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 35 points, three rebounds and six assists. Deandre Ayton amassed 18 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Ricky Rubio flirted with a triple-double, collecting seven points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Jevon Carter led the bench with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Heat (43-27) were led by Tyler Herro, totaling 25 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Duncan Robinson matched those 25 points, providing three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Bam Adebayo finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and three blocks while Andre Iguodala led the bench with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Both clubs will return to action on Monday, with Phoenix looking to remain undefeated against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami facing off with the Indiana Pacers.
While there were only six ties and 11 lead changes in this game, no team led by more than 11 points. In fact, Miami got out to a 32-25 lead after the first quarter and Phoenix responded with a 35-28 second quarter. The Suns then rode a 59-52 second half to their victory, holding the lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Phoenix ended up out-rebounding Miami, 52-37. In addition, the Suns shot 38 percent from three and 95 percent from the free-throw line while the Heat hit 31 percent from long range and 86 percent from the charity stripe.
The Suns (31-39) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 35 points, three rebounds and six assists. Deandre Ayton amassed 18 points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Ricky Rubio flirted with a triple-double, collecting seven points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Jevon Carter led the bench with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Heat (43-27) were led by Tyler Herro, totaling 25 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Duncan Robinson matched those 25 points, providing three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Bam Adebayo finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and three blocks while Andre Iguodala led the bench with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Both clubs will return to action on Monday, with Phoenix looking to remain undefeated against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami facing off with the Indiana Pacers.
Mavs Top Bucks In OT Thriller
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 136-132, in overtime, on Saturday night in Orlando.
The contest got out to a hot start, as the Mavs built a nine-point lead early in the first and pushed it to 11, with two minutes left in the quarter, but the Bucks rallied back to make it a three-point game by the end of the quarter. The Mavs reclaimed control early in the second, but the Bucks outscored them by 12 points through the quarter to take a nine-point lead by halftime. Both teams came out strong in the third, where the Bucks held the edge until the final few minutes of the quarter, but the Mavs used an, 8-1, run to grab a two-point lead heading into the final frame. The score stayed tight through the fourth and after a couple lead changes, Luka Doncic came up clutch with two free throws to tie it at 119, and send the contest to overtime. The Mavs jumped out with a, 9-0, run to start in the extra period, which was enough to stay a step ahead the rest of the way and pull off the impressive win.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 36 points, 19 assists, 14 rebounds and a steal. The impressive line made him the youngest player since Magic Johnson to lead the league in triple-doubles. Dorian Finney-Smith followed up with 27 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a block, while Kristaps Porzingis totaled 26 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a block. The Mavs shot 42 percent from the field, including 17-of-53 from long range.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 34 points each. Khris Middleton added 21 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, while Eric Bledsoe tallied 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Bucks shot 48 percent from the field, including 15-of-44 from deep.
The Bucks will be back in action on Monday, when they take on the Raptors. The Mavs take on the Jazz on Monday.
The contest got out to a hot start, as the Mavs built a nine-point lead early in the first and pushed it to 11, with two minutes left in the quarter, but the Bucks rallied back to make it a three-point game by the end of the quarter. The Mavs reclaimed control early in the second, but the Bucks outscored them by 12 points through the quarter to take a nine-point lead by halftime. Both teams came out strong in the third, where the Bucks held the edge until the final few minutes of the quarter, but the Mavs used an, 8-1, run to grab a two-point lead heading into the final frame. The score stayed tight through the fourth and after a couple lead changes, Luka Doncic came up clutch with two free throws to tie it at 119, and send the contest to overtime. The Mavs jumped out with a, 9-0, run to start in the extra period, which was enough to stay a step ahead the rest of the way and pull off the impressive win.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 36 points, 19 assists, 14 rebounds and a steal. The impressive line made him the youngest player since Magic Johnson to lead the league in triple-doubles. Dorian Finney-Smith followed up with 27 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a block, while Kristaps Porzingis totaled 26 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a block. The Mavs shot 42 percent from the field, including 17-of-53 from long range.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 34 points each. Khris Middleton added 21 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, while Eric Bledsoe tallied 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Bucks shot 48 percent from the field, including 15-of-44 from deep.
The Bucks will be back in action on Monday, when they take on the Raptors. The Mavs take on the Jazz on Monday.