Thunder Cruise, Secure Win Over Struggling Wizards
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Washington Wizards, 121-103, on Sunday at Orlando.
The Thunder (43-26) were clear favorites ahead of Sunday's contest against the Wizards (24-46) and didn't have problems to establish a comfortable win with a dominant performance. In fact, OKC dominated from the start of the game and never looked back, as Washington didn't even hold a one-point slim lead at one point during this contest. The Thunder quickly built a double-digit lead midway into the first quarter and were up by as much as 22 points in the third quarter. Washington attempted a second-half comeback, but they fell short once again. The Thunder controlled the game with no issues on route to a comfortable 18-point victory.
Darius Bazley led the Thunder in scoring with a 23-point, seven-rebound performance in 27 minutes off the bench. Danilo Gallinari contributed 20 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in with 18 points, seven assists and six boards. Chris Paul had 13 points, nine assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Mike Muscala, who got the starting nod over Steven Adams (lower leg), chipped in with 14 points and three boards.
Six Washington players scored in double figures, and Jerome Robinson was Washington's top scorer with 19 points in 30 minutes off the bench. Rui Hachimura had 11 points with eight rebounds, and Isaac Bonga ended with 14 points and eight boards. Troy Brown filled the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Moritz Wagner added 12 points off the bench.
The Thunder (43-26) were clear favorites ahead of Sunday's contest against the Wizards (24-46) and didn't have problems to establish a comfortable win with a dominant performance. In fact, OKC dominated from the start of the game and never looked back, as Washington didn't even hold a one-point slim lead at one point during this contest. The Thunder quickly built a double-digit lead midway into the first quarter and were up by as much as 22 points in the third quarter. Washington attempted a second-half comeback, but they fell short once again. The Thunder controlled the game with no issues on route to a comfortable 18-point victory.
Darius Bazley led the Thunder in scoring with a 23-point, seven-rebound performance in 27 minutes off the bench. Danilo Gallinari contributed 20 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in with 18 points, seven assists and six boards. Chris Paul had 13 points, nine assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Mike Muscala, who got the starting nod over Steven Adams (lower leg), chipped in with 14 points and three boards.
Six Washington players scored in double figures, and Jerome Robinson was Washington's top scorer with 19 points in 30 minutes off the bench. Rui Hachimura had 11 points with eight rebounds, and Isaac Bonga ended with 14 points and eight boards. Troy Brown filled the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Moritz Wagner added 12 points off the bench.
Raptors Overcome Slow Start To Defeat Grizzlies, Clinch Second Seed
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 108-99, on Sunday at Orlando.
The Raptors (50-19) have managed to clinch the second seed of the Eastern Conference with the win over the Grizzlies (33-38) on Sunday, although it wasn't an easy win as the scoreline indicates. Memphis got off to a better start and led by as much as eight points in the first quarter, edging the Raptors by five points after the 12 minutes of action. Toronto would mount a comeback just before the break, however, and were up by six points by half time. The reigning NBA champions had no problems to dominate the second half and pushed their lead by as much as 18 points early in the fourth quarter before allowing Memphis to pull back. The Western Conference franchise wouldn't complete the comeback, though, and Toronto closed the game with ease to win by a 108-99 score.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors offensively with 26 points and three rebounds in 36 minutes, while Serge Ibaka posted a strong 12-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench. Kyle Lowry filled the stat sheet with 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and his backcourt partner, Fred VanVleet, chipped in with 14 points, five assists, four steals and three boards. Marc Gasol had 10 points with eight rebounds. Norman Powell added 16 off the bench.
Ja Morant had 17 points and 10 assists for the Grizzlies, while Dillon Brooks was the team's leading scorer with a 25-point, six-rebound performance. Grayson Allen had 20 points off the bench, and Brandon Clarke contributed 16 points with nine boards in 27 minutes despite not being a starter. Jonas Valanciunas couldn't score a single point, but he pulled down 10 rebounds in 28 minutes.
The Raptors (50-19) have managed to clinch the second seed of the Eastern Conference with the win over the Grizzlies (33-38) on Sunday, although it wasn't an easy win as the scoreline indicates. Memphis got off to a better start and led by as much as eight points in the first quarter, edging the Raptors by five points after the 12 minutes of action. Toronto would mount a comeback just before the break, however, and were up by six points by half time. The reigning NBA champions had no problems to dominate the second half and pushed their lead by as much as 18 points early in the fourth quarter before allowing Memphis to pull back. The Western Conference franchise wouldn't complete the comeback, though, and Toronto closed the game with ease to win by a 108-99 score.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors offensively with 26 points and three rebounds in 36 minutes, while Serge Ibaka posted a strong 12-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench. Kyle Lowry filled the stat sheet with 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and his backcourt partner, Fred VanVleet, chipped in with 14 points, five assists, four steals and three boards. Marc Gasol had 10 points with eight rebounds. Norman Powell added 16 off the bench.
Ja Morant had 17 points and 10 assists for the Grizzlies, while Dillon Brooks was the team's leading scorer with a 25-point, six-rebound performance. Grayson Allen had 20 points off the bench, and Brandon Clarke contributed 16 points with nine boards in 27 minutes despite not being a starter. Jonas Valanciunas couldn't score a single point, but he pulled down 10 rebounds in 28 minutes.
Spurs Topple Pelicans, 122-113
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 122-113, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Sunday afternoon.
The Spurs (31-38) appeared to set a dominant tone early, expanding an eight-point first-quarter lead to 17 points by halftime. However, the Pelicans (30-40) came out of the halftime locker room a different team, erasing 13 points from their deficit to head into the final period behind by a very manageable four points. An 11-4 run by San Antonio over the first 3:21 of the fourth quarter helped to re-establish some distance, but New Orleans would get back to within three points as late as the 3:01 mark before the Spurs finished on a 17-11 run to secure the victory.
DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 27 points, complementing them with four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Rudy Gay followed with 19 points, five boards, three assists, three steals and one block. Dejounte Murray furnished 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Derrick White compiled 16 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Marco Belinelli poured in 14 points.
J.J. Redick led the Pelicans with 31 points and added five boards, three assists and one steal. Zion Williamson turned in 25 points, seven boards and one assist. Brandon Ingram supplied 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Derrick Favors generated a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one block.
The Spurs next take on the Houston Rockets in a Tuesday afternoon battle, while the Pelicans tangle with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.
The Spurs (31-38) appeared to set a dominant tone early, expanding an eight-point first-quarter lead to 17 points by halftime. However, the Pelicans (30-40) came out of the halftime locker room a different team, erasing 13 points from their deficit to head into the final period behind by a very manageable four points. An 11-4 run by San Antonio over the first 3:21 of the fourth quarter helped to re-establish some distance, but New Orleans would get back to within three points as late as the 3:01 mark before the Spurs finished on a 17-11 run to secure the victory.
DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 27 points, complementing them with four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Rudy Gay followed with 19 points, five boards, three assists, three steals and one block. Dejounte Murray furnished 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Derrick White compiled 16 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Marco Belinelli poured in 14 points.
J.J. Redick led the Pelicans with 31 points and added five boards, three assists and one steal. Zion Williamson turned in 25 points, seven boards and one assist. Brandon Ingram supplied 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Derrick Favors generated a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one block.
The Spurs next take on the Houston Rockets in a Tuesday afternoon battle, while the Pelicans tangle with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.
Celtics Come Up Clutch In OT Win
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic, 122-119, in overtime, on Sunday at Orlando.
The contest got out to a competitive start, as the Magic held the edge through the first but the Celtics kept it close and trailed by just one point heading into the second. The score stayed tight through the second, with multiple ties, but the Celtics closed the quarter strong to grab a four-point lead by halftime. Both teams came out for a high-scoring third, as the Magic outscored the Celtics, 35-32, in the quarter, to make it a one-point game heading into the fourth. Neither team could pull away in the fourth, with multiple lead changes, before Jayson Tatum came up clutch with a turnaround jumper to tie the game at 112, with three seconds left and send it to overtime. The Magic grabbed the first lead in overtime, but the Celtics outscored them, 10-5, the rest of the way to come out on top. This marks the fourth straight loss for Orlando and the third straight win for Boston.
Gordon Hayward led the Celtics with 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a block, in 39 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block, while Jaylen Brown added 19 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a block. The Celtics shot 44 percent from the field, including 12-of-40 from deep.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 26 points and 11 rebounds, in 37 minutes. Markelle Fultz tallied 16 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, two steals and a block, in 32 minutes off the bench, while Terrence Ross added 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal, off the bench.
The Magic will look to bounce back as they take on Nets on Tuesday. The Celtics play the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
The contest got out to a competitive start, as the Magic held the edge through the first but the Celtics kept it close and trailed by just one point heading into the second. The score stayed tight through the second, with multiple ties, but the Celtics closed the quarter strong to grab a four-point lead by halftime. Both teams came out for a high-scoring third, as the Magic outscored the Celtics, 35-32, in the quarter, to make it a one-point game heading into the fourth. Neither team could pull away in the fourth, with multiple lead changes, before Jayson Tatum came up clutch with a turnaround jumper to tie the game at 112, with three seconds left and send it to overtime. The Magic grabbed the first lead in overtime, but the Celtics outscored them, 10-5, the rest of the way to come out on top. This marks the fourth straight loss for Orlando and the third straight win for Boston.
Gordon Hayward led the Celtics with 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a block, in 39 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block, while Jaylen Brown added 19 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a block. The Celtics shot 44 percent from the field, including 12-of-40 from deep.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 26 points and 11 rebounds, in 37 minutes. Markelle Fultz tallied 16 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, two steals and a block, in 32 minutes off the bench, while Terrence Ross added 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal, off the bench.
The Magic will look to bounce back as they take on Nets on Tuesday. The Celtics play the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Lillard Lifts Blazers Over Sixers
By Dan Bruno
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 124-121, on Sunday at Orlando.
The Trail Blazers got out to a blistering start, as they outscored the Sixers, 33-19, in the first quarter. They stayed in control through the second, where they led by double digits for much of the quarter, but the Sixers managed to stay within range, as they cut it to a nine-point game by halftime. The Sixers came out strong in the second half and outscored the Trail Blazers by 10 points in the third quarter to take a one-point lead into the final frame. They held the edge through the fourth and opened up a six-point lead, with just over four minutes to go, but Damian Lillard took over in crunch time, as he scored nine straight points, to help fuel a, 16-7, run by the Trail Blazers, which put them on top for the win.
Lillard finished with 51 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 4-of-12 from long range. Carmelo Anthony added 20 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, while C.J. McCollum added 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Trail Blazers shot 47 percent from the field, including 11-of-35 from long range.
Meanwhile, Josh Richardson led the 76ers with 34 points on 13-of-20 shooting, six assists and five rebounds, in 38 minutes of action. Alec Burks chipped in 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, in 23 minutes off the bench, while Tobias Harris added 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Joel Embiid was forced to leave the contest after just five minutes of action, as he suffered an ankle injury.
The 76ers will be back in action on Tuesday against the Suns. The Trail Blazers take on the Mavs on Tuesday.
The Trail Blazers got out to a blistering start, as they outscored the Sixers, 33-19, in the first quarter. They stayed in control through the second, where they led by double digits for much of the quarter, but the Sixers managed to stay within range, as they cut it to a nine-point game by halftime. The Sixers came out strong in the second half and outscored the Trail Blazers by 10 points in the third quarter to take a one-point lead into the final frame. They held the edge through the fourth and opened up a six-point lead, with just over four minutes to go, but Damian Lillard took over in crunch time, as he scored nine straight points, to help fuel a, 16-7, run by the Trail Blazers, which put them on top for the win.
Lillard finished with 51 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 4-of-12 from long range. Carmelo Anthony added 20 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, while C.J. McCollum added 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Trail Blazers shot 47 percent from the field, including 11-of-35 from long range.
Meanwhile, Josh Richardson led the 76ers with 34 points on 13-of-20 shooting, six assists and five rebounds, in 38 minutes of action. Alec Burks chipped in 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, in 23 minutes off the bench, while Tobias Harris added 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Joel Embiid was forced to leave the contest after just five minutes of action, as he suffered an ankle injury.
The 76ers will be back in action on Tuesday against the Suns. The Trail Blazers take on the Mavs on Tuesday.
Rockets Defeat Kings, 129-112
The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings, 129-112, in Orlando on Sunday.
While Sacramento led by 13 points after the first quarter, Houston responded with a 38-20 second quarter. That wasn't all though, they took control thanks to a 32-15 third quarter, carrying a game-high 24-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Kings never got within 14 points after that. The Rockets ended up out-rebounding the Kings, 48-41. Houston also connected on 18-of-57 from three-point range while Sacramento hit just 10-of-37. Both clubs shot 47 percent from the field.
The Rockets (44-25) got a career-best 41 points from Austin Rivers, who also provided six rebounds, four assists and two steals off the bench. James Harden led the starters with 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Ben McLemore had 20 points while Robert Covington totaled 12 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Kings (29-41) were led by De'Aaron Fox, who tallied 26 points, two rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Bogdan Bogdanovic amassed 13 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Harrison Barnes generated 11 points and 10 rebounds. Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker and DaQuan Jeffries all reached double figures in scoring off the bench,
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Houston facing the San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento playing the New Orleans Pelicans.
While Sacramento led by 13 points after the first quarter, Houston responded with a 38-20 second quarter. That wasn't all though, they took control thanks to a 32-15 third quarter, carrying a game-high 24-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Kings never got within 14 points after that. The Rockets ended up out-rebounding the Kings, 48-41. Houston also connected on 18-of-57 from three-point range while Sacramento hit just 10-of-37. Both clubs shot 47 percent from the field.
The Rockets (44-25) got a career-best 41 points from Austin Rivers, who also provided six rebounds, four assists and two steals off the bench. James Harden led the starters with 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Ben McLemore had 20 points while Robert Covington totaled 12 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Kings (29-41) were led by De'Aaron Fox, who tallied 26 points, two rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Bogdan Bogdanovic amassed 13 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Harrison Barnes generated 11 points and 10 rebounds. Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker and DaQuan Jeffries all reached double figures in scoring off the bench,
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Houston facing the San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento playing the New Orleans Pelicans.
Nets Defeat Clippers, 129-120
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 129-120, in Orlando on Sunday.
Brooklyn got out to a 45-24 lead after the first quarter, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. While Los Angeles tied the game twice, they could never recapture the lead after that 21-point hole. The Nets ended up shooting 55 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range while holding the Clippers to 48 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. The Nets also won the defensive rebounding battle, 38-29, while out-assisting the Clippers, 32-23.
The Nets (34-36) were led by Caris LeVert, who tallied 27 points, four rebounds and 13 assists. Joe Harris totaled 25 points and two rebounds. Jarrett Allen collected 16 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Those three combined to shoot 27-of-42 from the field. Tyler Johnson led the bench with 21 points and four boards.
The Clippers (46-23) were led by Kawhi Leonard, who generated 39 points, two rebounds, six assists and four steals. Marcus Morris amassed 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. Ivica Zubac accumulated eight points, 15 rebounds and two assists. Lou Williams led the bench with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
On deck for Brooklyn is a matchup with the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. As for Los Angeles, they return to action on Wednesday against a tough Denver Nuggets team.
Brooklyn got out to a 45-24 lead after the first quarter, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. While Los Angeles tied the game twice, they could never recapture the lead after that 21-point hole. The Nets ended up shooting 55 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range while holding the Clippers to 48 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. The Nets also won the defensive rebounding battle, 38-29, while out-assisting the Clippers, 32-23.
The Nets (34-36) were led by Caris LeVert, who tallied 27 points, four rebounds and 13 assists. Joe Harris totaled 25 points and two rebounds. Jarrett Allen collected 16 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Those three combined to shoot 27-of-42 from the field. Tyler Johnson led the bench with 21 points and four boards.
The Clippers (46-23) were led by Kawhi Leonard, who generated 39 points, two rebounds, six assists and four steals. Marcus Morris amassed 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. Ivica Zubac accumulated eight points, 15 rebounds and two assists. Lou Williams led the bench with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
On deck for Brooklyn is a matchup with the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. As for Los Angeles, they return to action on Wednesday against a tough Denver Nuggets team.