Nets Dominate, Secure Comfortable Win Over Magic
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Orlando Magic, 108-96, on Tuesday at Orlando.
Between resting purposes and injury-management reasons, the Nets (35-36) only employed a nine-player rotation for Tuesday's matchup against the Magic (32-40), but the approach worked as Brooklyn earned another win -- one that puts an even greater hold into the seventh seed of the Eastern Conference standings. Brooklyn got control of the game in the first quarter and quickly established a 12-point advantage, one that they'd never relinquish the rest of the way. Brooklyn, in fact, made it a 17-point game by half time and Orlando simply didn't have the tools to mount a comeback. Even though the Magic won the remaining two quarters, it was too much for them to overcome and the Nets cruised their way to a comfortable victory. With the win, Brooklyn has now moved to 5-2 in the Orlando bubble, while the Magic pushed their losing streak to five games and are now 5-5 in their last 10 contests.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Nets with 24 points in 24 minutes, while Jeremiah Martin also chipped in with 24 points coming off the bench -- Martin also added six assists, two rebounds and one steal in 27 minutes. Chris Chiozza notched three points and five assists before leaving with an injury. Tyler Johnson had 10 points and five assists, while Dzanan Musa impressed with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists off the bench.
Wes Iwundu got a surprising start and led the Magic with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes, although Markelle Fultz also chipped in with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes off the bench. Nikola Vucevic had 12 points with 10 rebounds, while James Ennis III contributed 12 points and five boards. Khem Birch had 12 points and nine boards in 27 minutes off the bench.
Between resting purposes and injury-management reasons, the Nets (35-36) only employed a nine-player rotation for Tuesday's matchup against the Magic (32-40), but the approach worked as Brooklyn earned another win -- one that puts an even greater hold into the seventh seed of the Eastern Conference standings. Brooklyn got control of the game in the first quarter and quickly established a 12-point advantage, one that they'd never relinquish the rest of the way. Brooklyn, in fact, made it a 17-point game by half time and Orlando simply didn't have the tools to mount a comeback. Even though the Magic won the remaining two quarters, it was too much for them to overcome and the Nets cruised their way to a comfortable victory. With the win, Brooklyn has now moved to 5-2 in the Orlando bubble, while the Magic pushed their losing streak to five games and are now 5-5 in their last 10 contests.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Nets with 24 points in 24 minutes, while Jeremiah Martin also chipped in with 24 points coming off the bench -- Martin also added six assists, two rebounds and one steal in 27 minutes. Chris Chiozza notched three points and five assists before leaving with an injury. Tyler Johnson had 10 points and five assists, while Dzanan Musa impressed with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists off the bench.
Wes Iwundu got a surprising start and led the Magic with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes, although Markelle Fultz also chipped in with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes off the bench. Nikola Vucevic had 12 points with 10 rebounds, while James Ennis III contributed 12 points and five boards. Khem Birch had 12 points and nine boards in 27 minutes off the bench.
Spurs Dominate, Secure Win Over Rockets
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Houston Rockets, 123-105, on Tuesday at Orlando.
The Rockets (44-26) got off to a better start in the game and led by as much as five points early in the first quarter, but the Spurs (32-38) didn't have problems to turn things around before the end of the first 12 minutes, edging them by a 31-25 score. From there, it was all San Antonio. The Spurs annulled the Rockets -- who didn't have James Harden -- and won the second and third quarters with ease. In fact, San Antonio led by as much as 29 points in the fourth quarter before Houston attempted a late comeback. Needless to say, it wasn't enough and the Spurs steamrolled past the Rockets en route to a 123-105 victory. With the win, San Antonio moved to 5-2 in the Orlando bubble and kept their playoff chances alive. Meanwhile, the Rockets are now 5-2 in their last seven games and remain a team to watch come playoff time despite dropping Tuesday's matchup to their state rivals.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs in scoring, as he finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes off the bench. DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 23 points, six boards and four assists, while Jakob Poeltl registered 14 points and 12 boards off the bench. Dejounte Murray notched 11 points with seven assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Lonnie Walker IV added 12 points, seven rebounds and three dimes in 30 minutes.
Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 20 points, five rebounds and six assists despite playing just 28 minutes. Ben McLemore contributed 16 points in 28 minutes, while Jeff Green notched 17 points, four rebounds and two assists in a team-high 32 minutes. Chris Clemons made an impact off the bench with 13 points and three rebounds, while Austin Rivers delivered 13 points and six boards.
The Rockets (44-26) got off to a better start in the game and led by as much as five points early in the first quarter, but the Spurs (32-38) didn't have problems to turn things around before the end of the first 12 minutes, edging them by a 31-25 score. From there, it was all San Antonio. The Spurs annulled the Rockets -- who didn't have James Harden -- and won the second and third quarters with ease. In fact, San Antonio led by as much as 29 points in the fourth quarter before Houston attempted a late comeback. Needless to say, it wasn't enough and the Spurs steamrolled past the Rockets en route to a 123-105 victory. With the win, San Antonio moved to 5-2 in the Orlando bubble and kept their playoff chances alive. Meanwhile, the Rockets are now 5-2 in their last seven games and remain a team to watch come playoff time despite dropping Tuesday's matchup to their state rivals.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs in scoring, as he finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes off the bench. DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 23 points, six boards and four assists, while Jakob Poeltl registered 14 points and 12 boards off the bench. Dejounte Murray notched 11 points with seven assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Lonnie Walker IV added 12 points, seven rebounds and three dimes in 30 minutes.
Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 20 points, five rebounds and six assists despite playing just 28 minutes. Ben McLemore contributed 16 points in 28 minutes, while Jeff Green notched 17 points, four rebounds and two assists in a team-high 32 minutes. Chris Clemons made an impact off the bench with 13 points and three rebounds, while Austin Rivers delivered 13 points and six boards.
Suns Defeat Sixers, 130-117
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 130-117, in Orlando on Tuesday.
There were nine ties and 12 lead changes in total and Phoenix was able to prevail to keep their perfect record going in the Orlando bubble. They did almost all of their damage in the second and fourth quarters, outscoring Philly 75-58. That second quarter allowed the Suns to hold the lead for the entirety of the second half. Phoenix shot 55 percent from the field and 95 percent from the free-throw line while Philadelphia hit 50 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free-throw line. They also won the rebounding battle 44-34.
The Suns (33-39) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 35 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Mikal Bridges amassed 24 points, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Ricky Rubio collected 16 points, five rebounds and 10 assists while Deandre Ayton amassed eight points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Dario Saric led the bench with 18 points, nine boards and four assists.
The Sixers (42-29) were led by Alec Burks and his 23 points, two rebounds and four assists. Kyle O'Quinn flirted with a triple-double, accumulating nine points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Mike Scott totaled 17 points and four boards. Raul Neto led the bench with 22 points, two rebounds and four assists.
Phoenix will look to finish off the Orlando bubble with a perfect record in their final matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Philly's last game is Wednesday against the Miami Heat.
There were nine ties and 12 lead changes in total and Phoenix was able to prevail to keep their perfect record going in the Orlando bubble. They did almost all of their damage in the second and fourth quarters, outscoring Philly 75-58. That second quarter allowed the Suns to hold the lead for the entirety of the second half. Phoenix shot 55 percent from the field and 95 percent from the free-throw line while Philadelphia hit 50 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free-throw line. They also won the rebounding battle 44-34.
The Suns (33-39) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 35 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Mikal Bridges amassed 24 points, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Ricky Rubio collected 16 points, five rebounds and 10 assists while Deandre Ayton amassed eight points, 12 rebounds and two assists. Dario Saric led the bench with 18 points, nine boards and four assists.
The Sixers (42-29) were led by Alec Burks and his 23 points, two rebounds and four assists. Kyle O'Quinn flirted with a triple-double, accumulating nine points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Mike Scott totaled 17 points and four boards. Raul Neto led the bench with 22 points, two rebounds and four assists.
Phoenix will look to finish off the Orlando bubble with a perfect record in their final matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Philly's last game is Wednesday against the Miami Heat.
Celtics Defeat Grizzlies 122-107
The Boston Celtics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 122-107 in Orlando on Tuesday.
While Boston didn't necessarily win in wire-to-wire fashion, they held the lead for the final 45 minutes. In fact, they led by seven points after the first quarter and carried a 16-point lead into the half. Memphis actually never got the game within seven points after that opening quarter. The Celtics shot 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range while holding the Grizzlies to 39 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. Boston also won the defensive rebounding battle, 36-30.
The Celtics (48-23) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 29 points, six rebounds and two assists on 10-of-13 shooting. Gordon Hayward totaled 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kemba Walker finished with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart led the bench with 11 points, three rebounds and nine assists.
The Grizzlies (33-39) were led by Ja Morant and his 26 points, four rebounds, 13 assists and two blocks in 42 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas amassed 14 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Dillon Brooks accrued 14 points, two rebounds and three assists while Brandon Clarke led the bench with 15 points and six boards.
Both teams will play their final game of the regular season on Thursday, with Memphis facing the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston playing the Washington Wizards.
While Boston didn't necessarily win in wire-to-wire fashion, they held the lead for the final 45 minutes. In fact, they led by seven points after the first quarter and carried a 16-point lead into the half. Memphis actually never got the game within seven points after that opening quarter. The Celtics shot 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range while holding the Grizzlies to 39 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range. Boston also won the defensive rebounding battle, 36-30.
The Celtics (48-23) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 29 points, six rebounds and two assists on 10-of-13 shooting. Gordon Hayward totaled 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kemba Walker finished with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart led the bench with 11 points, three rebounds and nine assists.
The Grizzlies (33-39) were led by Ja Morant and his 26 points, four rebounds, 13 assists and two blocks in 42 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas amassed 14 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Dillon Brooks accrued 14 points, two rebounds and three assists while Brandon Clarke led the bench with 15 points and six boards.
Both teams will play their final game of the regular season on Thursday, with Memphis facing the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston playing the Washington Wizards.
Lillard Leads Blazers With 61-Point Show
By Dan Bruno
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 134-131, on Tuesday at Orlando.
Damian Lillard was at it again as he tied his career-high with 61 points, including two clutch three-pointers and an assist on the go-ahead bucket, with 59 seconds left. The Mavs led for much of the first quarter, but the Trail Blazers closed the quarter on a 15-0 run to take a seven-point lead into the second. The Blazers held the edge through the second and took an eight-point lead by the end of the quarter. They hung on to the lead through most of the third, but the Mavs closed in late in the quarter and cut it to a three-point game heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter was a showdown, where the Mavs kept the momentum going and held a small lead most of the way, but Lillard and the Blazers kept it close and came out on top in the clutch.
Lillard shot an impressive 17-of-32 from the field, including 9-of-17 from long range, and added eight assists, five rebounds and a steal in 41 minutes of action. Carmelo Anthony came up huge as well, with 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep. C.J. McCollum had a rough night, as he finished with eight points on 2-of-14 shooting.
Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis led the Mavericks with 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting in 35 minutes. Luka Doncic added 25 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and a block, while Tim Hardaway Jr. tallied 24 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field, including 20-of-44 from deep.
The Mavericks will look to bounce back as they take on the Suns on Thursday. The Trail Blazers face the Nets on Thursday.
Damian Lillard was at it again as he tied his career-high with 61 points, including two clutch three-pointers and an assist on the go-ahead bucket, with 59 seconds left. The Mavs led for much of the first quarter, but the Trail Blazers closed the quarter on a 15-0 run to take a seven-point lead into the second. The Blazers held the edge through the second and took an eight-point lead by the end of the quarter. They hung on to the lead through most of the third, but the Mavs closed in late in the quarter and cut it to a three-point game heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter was a showdown, where the Mavs kept the momentum going and held a small lead most of the way, but Lillard and the Blazers kept it close and came out on top in the clutch.
Lillard shot an impressive 17-of-32 from the field, including 9-of-17 from long range, and added eight assists, five rebounds and a steal in 41 minutes of action. Carmelo Anthony came up huge as well, with 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep. C.J. McCollum had a rough night, as he finished with eight points on 2-of-14 shooting.
Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis led the Mavericks with 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting in 35 minutes. Luka Doncic added 25 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and a block, while Tim Hardaway Jr. tallied 24 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field, including 20-of-44 from deep.
The Mavericks will look to bounce back as they take on the Suns on Thursday. The Trail Blazers face the Nets on Thursday.
Kings Prevail Over Pelicans 112-106
The Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 112-106, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Tuesday night.
This was a matchup of two squads that have already been officially eliminated from postseason contention, but that didn't stop them from putting on a highly competitive matchup. A back-and-forth first half saw the Kings (30-41) enter halftime with a one-point lead, and they seemingly took command by adding nine points to their advantage during the third quarter. To their credit, the Pelicans (30-41) never stopped fighting, getting as close as within four points with 31.4 seconds remaining thanks to a couple of different runs in the final period.
Jahlil Okafor paced the Pelicans with 21 points, complementing them with four rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Frank Jackson furnished 18 points, four assists, one rebound and one steal. Lonzo Ball supplied 16 points, four assists, three rebounds and two blocks. E'Twaun Moore registered 14 points, four boards, three assists and one steal. Jaxon Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker generated matching nine-point tallies, with Hayes pulling down five rebounds and Alexander-Walker dishing out six assists.
Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 25 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Bogdan Bogdanovic followed with 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Nemanja Bjelica turned in 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Harry Giles and Jabari Parker posted matching 12-point contributions, with Parker also hauling in 11 rebounds. Buddy Hield compiled 11 points, three assists and two rebounds.
The Pelicans finish off their season with a matchup against the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, while the Kings face the Los Angeles Lakers in Sacramento's finale on Thursday afternoon.
This was a matchup of two squads that have already been officially eliminated from postseason contention, but that didn't stop them from putting on a highly competitive matchup. A back-and-forth first half saw the Kings (30-41) enter halftime with a one-point lead, and they seemingly took command by adding nine points to their advantage during the third quarter. To their credit, the Pelicans (30-41) never stopped fighting, getting as close as within four points with 31.4 seconds remaining thanks to a couple of different runs in the final period.
Jahlil Okafor paced the Pelicans with 21 points, complementing them with four rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Frank Jackson furnished 18 points, four assists, one rebound and one steal. Lonzo Ball supplied 16 points, four assists, three rebounds and two blocks. E'Twaun Moore registered 14 points, four boards, three assists and one steal. Jaxon Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker generated matching nine-point tallies, with Hayes pulling down five rebounds and Alexander-Walker dishing out six assists.
Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 25 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Bogdan Bogdanovic followed with 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Nemanja Bjelica turned in 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Harry Giles and Jabari Parker posted matching 12-point contributions, with Parker also hauling in 11 rebounds. Buddy Hield compiled 11 points, three assists and two rebounds.
The Pelicans finish off their season with a matchup against the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, while the Kings face the Los Angeles Lakers in Sacramento's finale on Thursday afternoon.
Bucks Best Wizards, 126-113
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Washington Wizards, 126-113, in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Tuesday night.
The Bucks (56-16) checked into Tuesday's game looking to do some further tuning up for the postseason against a team that was already eliminated in the Wizards (24-47), but neither club was going through the motions early. After a competitive first quarter that Milwaukee emerged from with a 24-21 lead, Giannis Antetokunmpo, who'd started the day questionable due to his mouth injury, was ejected at the 8:50 mark of the second quarter for headbutting Washington's Moritz Wagner. The star big man still provided 12 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal in just 10 minutes, and the Bucks would go on to score 75 points overall in the middle periods to take a commanding 15-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
Brook Lopez paced the Bucks with 24 points ,adding three rebounds. Sterling Brown followed with 23 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 30 minutes off the bench. Frank Mason registered 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. D.J. Wilson managed 11 points and five rebounds, while Patrick Connaughton finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Rui Hachimura led the Wizards with 20 points, supplementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Ish Smith went for 19 points, five assists and three rebounds. Jerome Robinson drew the start and collected 15 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Thomas Bryant generated 13 points, eight boards, one assist and one block. Isaac Bonga and Anzejs Pasecniks posted matching 10-point tallies, with Pasecniks adding six rebounds.
The Bucks finish their seeding game schedule with a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday afternoon, while the Wizards finish up their regular season with the first game of the day Thursday against the Boston Celtics.
The Bucks (56-16) checked into Tuesday's game looking to do some further tuning up for the postseason against a team that was already eliminated in the Wizards (24-47), but neither club was going through the motions early. After a competitive first quarter that Milwaukee emerged from with a 24-21 lead, Giannis Antetokunmpo, who'd started the day questionable due to his mouth injury, was ejected at the 8:50 mark of the second quarter for headbutting Washington's Moritz Wagner. The star big man still provided 12 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal in just 10 minutes, and the Bucks would go on to score 75 points overall in the middle periods to take a commanding 15-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
Brook Lopez paced the Bucks with 24 points ,adding three rebounds. Sterling Brown followed with 23 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 30 minutes off the bench. Frank Mason registered 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. D.J. Wilson managed 11 points and five rebounds, while Patrick Connaughton finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Rui Hachimura led the Wizards with 20 points, supplementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Ish Smith went for 19 points, five assists and three rebounds. Jerome Robinson drew the start and collected 15 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Thomas Bryant generated 13 points, eight boards, one assist and one block. Isaac Bonga and Anzejs Pasecniks posted matching 10-point tallies, with Pasecniks adding six rebounds.
The Bucks finish their seeding game schedule with a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday afternoon, while the Wizards finish up their regular season with the first game of the day Thursday against the Boston Celtics.