Bucks Topple Pistons, 110-101
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Detroit Pistons, 110-101, at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night.
The Bucks (8-4) appeared to be on their way to a rout if the first quarter was any indication, considering they owned a 27-13 lead after one. However, the Pistons (2-9) woke up on the offensive end in the second quarter, slicing three points from their deficit by intermission with a 34-point second quarter. Milwaukee was able to reclaim that 14-point lead going into the fourth quarter, however, and they were never truly in danger of losing control at any time during the final period.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 22 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and two steals. Jrue Holiday supplied 21 points, six boards, five assists, three steals and one block. Bryn Forbes poured in 13 points, while Khris Middleton supplied 12 points, six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Bobby Portis delivered 11 points, five rebounds and two steals. Brook Lopez and Patrick Connaughton turned in nine points apiece, with Lopez also pulling down 11 rebounds and recording four blocks.
Jerami Grant paced the Pistons with 22 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Svi Mykhailiuk managed 18 points. Blake Griffin registered 12 points, seven boards, six assists and one steal. Josh Jackson and Saddiq Bey posted 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Jackson dishing out three assists and Bey contributing two rebounds.
The Bucks return home to host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday evening, while the Pistons return to the court on the road against the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
The Bucks (8-4) appeared to be on their way to a rout if the first quarter was any indication, considering they owned a 27-13 lead after one. However, the Pistons (2-9) woke up on the offensive end in the second quarter, slicing three points from their deficit by intermission with a 34-point second quarter. Milwaukee was able to reclaim that 14-point lead going into the fourth quarter, however, and they were never truly in danger of losing control at any time during the final period.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 22 points, complementing them with 10 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and two steals. Jrue Holiday supplied 21 points, six boards, five assists, three steals and one block. Bryn Forbes poured in 13 points, while Khris Middleton supplied 12 points, six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Bobby Portis delivered 11 points, five rebounds and two steals. Brook Lopez and Patrick Connaughton turned in nine points apiece, with Lopez also pulling down 11 rebounds and recording four blocks.
Jerami Grant paced the Pistons with 22 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Svi Mykhailiuk managed 18 points. Blake Griffin registered 12 points, seven boards, six assists and one steal. Josh Jackson and Saddiq Bey posted 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Jackson dishing out three assists and Bey contributing two rebounds.
The Bucks return home to host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday evening, while the Pistons return to the court on the road against the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
No recap has been written for this game yet. Please check back later.
Mavericks Cruise For Fourth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Charlotte Hornets, 104-93, at Spectrum Center on Wednesday evening.
The Mavs got out to a great start on the road with a 32-16 lead after one quarter. The Hornets picked up the pace in the second but could not make up any ground, as they trailed by 17, heading into halftime. The Mavs got the jump in the third and pushed their lead up to 22, but the Hornets managed to bring it back to a 15-point game heading into the fourth. The Hornets kept up the fight through the final frame but could not cut the deficit to single digits, as they trailed for the full 48 minutes in the home loss. This marks the fourth straight win for the Mavericks, while it marks the end of the Hornets' four-game win streak.
Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 34 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, four blocks and two steals, in 34 minutes. Tim Hardaway Jr. followed up with 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, while Kristaps Porzingis finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two blocks. The Mavericks shot 42 percent from the field, including 15-of-46 from long range.
Meanwhile, Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 18 points and six rebounds, in 36 minutes. P.J. Washington followed up with 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a steal, while Gordon Hayward tallied 16 points, four rebounds and a block. The Hornets shot 38 percent from the field, including 10-of-38 from deep.
The Hornets (6-6) will look to bounce back as they take on the Raptors on Thursday. The Mavericks (6-4) take on the Bucks on Friday.
The Mavs got out to a great start on the road with a 32-16 lead after one quarter. The Hornets picked up the pace in the second but could not make up any ground, as they trailed by 17, heading into halftime. The Mavs got the jump in the third and pushed their lead up to 22, but the Hornets managed to bring it back to a 15-point game heading into the fourth. The Hornets kept up the fight through the final frame but could not cut the deficit to single digits, as they trailed for the full 48 minutes in the home loss. This marks the fourth straight win for the Mavericks, while it marks the end of the Hornets' four-game win streak.
Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 34 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, four blocks and two steals, in 34 minutes. Tim Hardaway Jr. followed up with 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, while Kristaps Porzingis finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two blocks. The Mavericks shot 42 percent from the field, including 15-of-46 from long range.
Meanwhile, Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 18 points and six rebounds, in 36 minutes. P.J. Washington followed up with 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a steal, while Gordon Hayward tallied 16 points, four rebounds and a block. The Hornets shot 38 percent from the field, including 10-of-38 from deep.
The Hornets (6-6) will look to bounce back as they take on the Raptors on Thursday. The Mavericks (6-4) take on the Bucks on Friday.
Magic-Celtics Postponed Wednesday
The game between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics scheduled for Wednesday night at TD Garden has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
The two teams are once again scheduled to play on Friday night at TD Garden, pending clearance of all required health and safety protocols.
The two teams are once again scheduled to play on Friday night at TD Garden, pending clearance of all required health and safety protocols.
Nets Hold Off Rally, Secure Win Over Knicks
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the New York Knicks, 116-109, at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday evening.
The Nets (7-6) got off to a slow start this season but are trending in the right direction of late, and now they have won four of their last six contests -- they enjoyed a strong start Wednesday and later hold off the Knicks (5-7) as New York attempted a late fourth-quarter rally. Despite the fact that the Nets didn't have Kyrie Irving (personal) or the recently-acquired James Harden via trade, that didn't stop them from going up 26-25 after the end of the first quarter, but they boosted their advantage following an expressive 35-20 score in the final 12 minutes of the first half. The Knicks tightened things up defensively in the second half, tying the third quarter by a 31-31 score and also topped Brooklyn by a nine-point lead in the final 12 minutes of action (33-24), but they fell short in their attempt and Brooklyn ended winning the game. The Nets shot 48.4 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range in the win, while the Knicks shot 47.8 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Kevin Durant was one of seven Brooklyn players that scored in double digits, but he was the unquestionable leader of the offense with 26 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks. Joe Harris and Bruce Brown each contributed 15 points, though Brown also added 14 boards and two dimes. Landry Shamed chipped in with 13 points off the bench, just like Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. Reggie Perry added 11 points off the bench as well.
Julius Randle paced the Knicks with a strong performance and finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Mitchell Robinson posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while R.J. Barrett contributed 20 points, five boards and three assists. Kevin Knox had 13 points off the bench while Immanuel Quickley contributed 19 points across 22 minutes off the bench.
The Nets (7-6) got off to a slow start this season but are trending in the right direction of late, and now they have won four of their last six contests -- they enjoyed a strong start Wednesday and later hold off the Knicks (5-7) as New York attempted a late fourth-quarter rally. Despite the fact that the Nets didn't have Kyrie Irving (personal) or the recently-acquired James Harden via trade, that didn't stop them from going up 26-25 after the end of the first quarter, but they boosted their advantage following an expressive 35-20 score in the final 12 minutes of the first half. The Knicks tightened things up defensively in the second half, tying the third quarter by a 31-31 score and also topped Brooklyn by a nine-point lead in the final 12 minutes of action (33-24), but they fell short in their attempt and Brooklyn ended winning the game. The Nets shot 48.4 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range in the win, while the Knicks shot 47.8 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Kevin Durant was one of seven Brooklyn players that scored in double digits, but he was the unquestionable leader of the offense with 26 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks. Joe Harris and Bruce Brown each contributed 15 points, though Brown also added 14 boards and two dimes. Landry Shamed chipped in with 13 points off the bench, just like Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. Reggie Perry added 11 points off the bench as well.
Julius Randle paced the Knicks with a strong performance and finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Mitchell Robinson posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while R.J. Barrett contributed 20 points, five boards and three assists. Kevin Knox had 13 points off the bench while Immanuel Quickley contributed 19 points across 22 minutes off the bench.
Grizzlies Rally For Road Win
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves, 118-107, at Target Center on Wednesday evening.
The contest got out to a competitive start with the Timberwolves holding a two-point lead after one quarter. The teams played to a standstill through the second, as the Timberwolves hung on to a two-point lead at halftime. The Timberwolves came out strong in the third and pushed their lead to 10 points heading into the final frame. However, the Grizzlies took over in the fourth, where they outscored the hosts by 21 points to charge ahead to the their third straight win and improve to 4-1 on the road.
Jonas Valanciunas led the Grizzlies with 24 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks, in 30 minutes. Grayson Allen added 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting, off the bench, while Brandon Clarke totaled 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Grizzlies shot 47 percent from the field, including 8-of-25 from long range.
Meanwhile, Malik Beasley was the high-point man for the Timberwolves, with 28 points on 11-of-23 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns added 25 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while D'Angelo Russell tallied 25 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals. The Timberwolves shot 43 percent from the field, including 9-of-37 from deep.
The Timberwolves (3-8) and Grizzlies (5-6) will face off again in Minnesota on Friday.
The contest got out to a competitive start with the Timberwolves holding a two-point lead after one quarter. The teams played to a standstill through the second, as the Timberwolves hung on to a two-point lead at halftime. The Timberwolves came out strong in the third and pushed their lead to 10 points heading into the final frame. However, the Grizzlies took over in the fourth, where they outscored the hosts by 21 points to charge ahead to the their third straight win and improve to 4-1 on the road.
Jonas Valanciunas led the Grizzlies with 24 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks, in 30 minutes. Grayson Allen added 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting, off the bench, while Brandon Clarke totaled 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Grizzlies shot 47 percent from the field, including 8-of-25 from long range.
Meanwhile, Malik Beasley was the high-point man for the Timberwolves, with 28 points on 11-of-23 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns added 25 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while D'Angelo Russell tallied 25 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals. The Timberwolves shot 43 percent from the field, including 9-of-37 from deep.
The Timberwolves (3-8) and Grizzlies (5-6) will face off again in Minnesota on Friday.
Lakers Throttle Thunder, 128-99
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 128-99, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday night
The Lakers (10-3) set an early tone of dominance on both ends of the floor, extending a nine-point lead over the Thunder (5-6) after one quarter to 12 by halftime. When Los Angeles added 10 more points to its edge during the third quarter, there was essentially no remaining doubt about the outcome. As their final point tally implies, the defending champions were exceedingly sharp from the field; L.A. boasted a 49.5 percent success rate from the floor, including 45.9 percent from three-point range.
LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 26 points, complementing them with seven assists and six rebounds. Montrezl Harrell provided 21 points, six boards and one block. Anthony Davis compiled 18 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Dennis Schroder offered 14 points, five boards, five assists and one steal. Markieff Morris supplied 11 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope managed 10 points, three boards, one assist and one steal.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 17 points, adding two rebounds and one assist. Isaiah Roby furnished 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists. George Hill and Aleksej Pokusevski generated 10-point tallies and recorded four and two rebounds, respectively. Luguentz Dort poured in nine points, while both Kenrich Williams and Hamidou Diallo matched Dort's scoring tally and pulled down four boards apiece.
The Lakers head back home to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, while the Thunder remain home to face the Chicago Bulls on Friday night as well.
The Lakers (10-3) set an early tone of dominance on both ends of the floor, extending a nine-point lead over the Thunder (5-6) after one quarter to 12 by halftime. When Los Angeles added 10 more points to its edge during the third quarter, there was essentially no remaining doubt about the outcome. As their final point tally implies, the defending champions were exceedingly sharp from the field; L.A. boasted a 49.5 percent success rate from the floor, including 45.9 percent from three-point range.
LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 26 points, complementing them with seven assists and six rebounds. Montrezl Harrell provided 21 points, six boards and one block. Anthony Davis compiled 18 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Dennis Schroder offered 14 points, five boards, five assists and one steal. Markieff Morris supplied 11 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope managed 10 points, three boards, one assist and one steal.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 17 points, adding two rebounds and one assist. Isaiah Roby furnished 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists. George Hill and Aleksej Pokusevski generated 10-point tallies and recorded four and two rebounds, respectively. Luguentz Dort poured in nine points, while both Kenrich Williams and Hamidou Diallo matched Dort's scoring tally and pulled down four boards apiece.
The Lakers head back home to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, while the Thunder remain home to face the Chicago Bulls on Friday night as well.
The Hawks and Suns game has been postponed.
Clippers Defeat Shorthanded Pelicans, 111-106
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the host New Orleans Pelicans, 111-106, at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday.
New Orleans had to play this game without Zion Williamson, Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball, allowing Los Angeles to take advantage with a win. A 33-15 second quarter really set the foundation for the Clippers, holding the lead for the final three quarters. Los Angeles connected on 18-of-37 from three-point range while New Orleans hit just 10-of-28. They did that while out-assisting the Pelicans, 26-18. With that said, New Orleans outscored Los Angeles in the paint, 52-20.
The Clippers (8-4) were led by Kawhi Leonard and his 28 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Paul George finished with 27 points, six rebounds and six assists. Serge Ibaka generated 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks while Ivica Zubac led the bench with nine points and seven boards.
The Pelicans (4-6) got a career game from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who provided 37 points and eight rebounds on 15-of-23 from the field. Brandon Ingram collected 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Steven Adams had 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jaxson Hayes came off the bench to provide four points and 10 boards.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Los Angeles remaining on the road to face the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans traveling to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
New Orleans had to play this game without Zion Williamson, Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball, allowing Los Angeles to take advantage with a win. A 33-15 second quarter really set the foundation for the Clippers, holding the lead for the final three quarters. Los Angeles connected on 18-of-37 from three-point range while New Orleans hit just 10-of-28. They did that while out-assisting the Pelicans, 26-18. With that said, New Orleans outscored Los Angeles in the paint, 52-20.
The Clippers (8-4) were led by Kawhi Leonard and his 28 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Paul George finished with 27 points, six rebounds and six assists. Serge Ibaka generated 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks while Ivica Zubac led the bench with nine points and seven boards.
The Pelicans (4-6) got a career game from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who provided 37 points and eight rebounds on 15-of-23 from the field. Brandon Ingram collected 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Steven Adams had 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jaxson Hayes came off the bench to provide four points and 10 boards.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Los Angeles remaining on the road to face the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans traveling to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
Trail Blazers Defeat Kings, 132-126
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 132-126, at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday.
While Sacramento led by 20 points at times in the first half, this game wasn't decided until the final seconds. In fact, there were five ties and 12 lead changes in this game, with nine of those lead changes coming in the fourth quarter. Portland made the run that mattered most, finishing on a 16-9 across the final 5:30. Defense was the difference for Portland, recording eight blocks and nine steals while winning the turnover battle, 13-8. In fact, the Kings had just four steals and two blocks. The Trail Blazers won despite losing the rebounding and assists battles while being outshot from both the field and from three-point range.
The Trail Blazers (7-4) were led by Damian Lillard, who tallied 40 points, 13 assists and three steals. C.J. McCollum totaled 28 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, Jusuf Nurkic generated 18 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and three blocks on 6-of-8 shooting. Gary Trent Jr led the bench with 16 points, four assists and two steals.
The Kings (5-7) were led by De'Aaron Fox and his 29 points, six rebounds and six assists. Buddy Hield amassed 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. Richaun Holmes collected 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 6-of-6 from the field. Tyler Haliburton led the bench with 17 points, five rebounds and nine assists.
On deck for Sacramento is a home game versus the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. As for Portland, they return home to play the Indiana Pacers on Thursday for their next fixture.
While Sacramento led by 20 points at times in the first half, this game wasn't decided until the final seconds. In fact, there were five ties and 12 lead changes in this game, with nine of those lead changes coming in the fourth quarter. Portland made the run that mattered most, finishing on a 16-9 across the final 5:30. Defense was the difference for Portland, recording eight blocks and nine steals while winning the turnover battle, 13-8. In fact, the Kings had just four steals and two blocks. The Trail Blazers won despite losing the rebounding and assists battles while being outshot from both the field and from three-point range.
The Trail Blazers (7-4) were led by Damian Lillard, who tallied 40 points, 13 assists and three steals. C.J. McCollum totaled 28 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, Jusuf Nurkic generated 18 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and three blocks on 6-of-8 shooting. Gary Trent Jr led the bench with 16 points, four assists and two steals.
The Kings (5-7) were led by De'Aaron Fox and his 29 points, six rebounds and six assists. Buddy Hield amassed 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. Richaun Holmes collected 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 6-of-6 from the field. Tyler Haliburton led the bench with 17 points, five rebounds and nine assists.
On deck for Sacramento is a home game versus the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. As for Portland, they return home to play the Indiana Pacers on Thursday for their next fixture.