Sixers Topple Heat In Battle Of Short-Handed Teams
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Miami Heat, 125-108, at Wells Fargo Arena on Thursday evening.
The 76ers (9-4) are inching closer to become the first team in the Eastern Conference with 10 wins, and they have left their three-game losing run behind after notching back-to-back wins over the Heat (4-6) this week. This time, Philadelphia used a strong start to take control of the game and, in fact, they won each of the initial three quarters to pull away rather quickly. The 76ers jumped out to a 38-30 lead following the first 12 minutes and boosted that advantage following a 35-28 second quarter, giving Philadelphia a 15-point advantage at the half. The Sixers also won the third quarter by a 25-20 score and, by the time the final quarter arrived, the lead was already 20 points. The Heat won the final 12 minutes by a 30-27 margin, but that wasn't enough to mount a comeback and the Sixers raced to a rather comfortable win. Philadelphia shot 53.7 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from three-point range, while the Heat "only" shot 49.4 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Shake Milton carried the Sixers offensively and posted 31 points despite coming off the bench. Tobias Harris ended with 18 points, four rebounds and two assists, but the real star of the game was Ben Simmons -- he finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, posting his first triple-double of the year. Joel Embiid had a disappointing performance and scored just nine points while adding five rebounds and three turnovers.
Seven of the eight Heat players scored in double digits here and Duncan Robinson was their leading scorer with 22 points while draining four of eight three-point shots. Gabe Vincent registered 21 points and eight assists, while Precious Achiuwa delivered 10 points and 11 boards. Tyler Herro contributed 17 points and six rebounds, while Chris Silva ended with 13 points off the bench.
The 76ers (9-4) are inching closer to become the first team in the Eastern Conference with 10 wins, and they have left their three-game losing run behind after notching back-to-back wins over the Heat (4-6) this week. This time, Philadelphia used a strong start to take control of the game and, in fact, they won each of the initial three quarters to pull away rather quickly. The 76ers jumped out to a 38-30 lead following the first 12 minutes and boosted that advantage following a 35-28 second quarter, giving Philadelphia a 15-point advantage at the half. The Sixers also won the third quarter by a 25-20 score and, by the time the final quarter arrived, the lead was already 20 points. The Heat won the final 12 minutes by a 30-27 margin, but that wasn't enough to mount a comeback and the Sixers raced to a rather comfortable win. Philadelphia shot 53.7 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from three-point range, while the Heat "only" shot 49.4 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Shake Milton carried the Sixers offensively and posted 31 points despite coming off the bench. Tobias Harris ended with 18 points, four rebounds and two assists, but the real star of the game was Ben Simmons -- he finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, posting his first triple-double of the year. Joel Embiid had a disappointing performance and scored just nine points while adding five rebounds and three turnovers.
Seven of the eight Heat players scored in double digits here and Duncan Robinson was their leading scorer with 22 points while draining four of eight three-point shots. Gabe Vincent registered 21 points and eight assists, while Precious Achiuwa delivered 10 points and 11 boards. Tyler Herro contributed 17 points and six rebounds, while Chris Silva ended with 13 points off the bench.
Rockets Topple Spurs, 109-105
The Houston Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 109-105, at AT & T Center on Thursday night.
The Rockets (4-6) came into the contest with the odds significantly stacked against them, considering they'd just traded James Harden to the Nets and were also missing John Wall (knee). However, Houston played the first half as if they were perhaps benefitting from a bit of addition by subtraction, as they owned a 48-45 lead by halftime. However, the Spurs (6-6) were able to not only erase that deficit during the third quarter, but also boasting a four-point advantage. Nevertheless, the visitors battled back, and they finished the game on a 13-4 run over the final 3:13 to secure the win.
Christian Wood led the Rockets with 27 points, adding 15 rebounds, one assist and three blocks. Sterling Brown furnished 23 points, seven boards, three assists and two steals. Jaesean Tate tallied 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and two blocks. P.J. Tucker delivered 10 points, six boards, two assists and one steal. DeMarcus Cousins, David Nwaba and Mason Jones all contributed nine points.
Keldon Johnson paced the Spurs with 29 points, complementing them with six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Lonnie Walker offered 16 points, three boards and two assists. DeMar DeRozan compiled 13 points, seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Devin Vassell managed 12 points, while LaMarcus Aldridge totaled 11 points, two rebounds and one assist. Dejounte Murray supplied 10 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
The Rockets and Spurs reconvene for a rematch on Saturday afternoon.
The Rockets (4-6) came into the contest with the odds significantly stacked against them, considering they'd just traded James Harden to the Nets and were also missing John Wall (knee). However, Houston played the first half as if they were perhaps benefitting from a bit of addition by subtraction, as they owned a 48-45 lead by halftime. However, the Spurs (6-6) were able to not only erase that deficit during the third quarter, but also boasting a four-point advantage. Nevertheless, the visitors battled back, and they finished the game on a 13-4 run over the final 3:13 to secure the win.
Christian Wood led the Rockets with 27 points, adding 15 rebounds, one assist and three blocks. Sterling Brown furnished 23 points, seven boards, three assists and two steals. Jaesean Tate tallied 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and two blocks. P.J. Tucker delivered 10 points, six boards, two assists and one steal. DeMarcus Cousins, David Nwaba and Mason Jones all contributed nine points.
Keldon Johnson paced the Spurs with 29 points, complementing them with six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Lonnie Walker offered 16 points, three boards and two assists. DeMar DeRozan compiled 13 points, seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Devin Vassell managed 12 points, while LaMarcus Aldridge totaled 11 points, two rebounds and one assist. Dejounte Murray supplied 10 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
The Rockets and Spurs reconvene for a rematch on Saturday afternoon.
Raptors Hold On To Top Hornets
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 111-108, at Amalie Center on Thursday evening.
The contest got out to a competitive start, with the Raptors holding a one-point lead after one quarter of play. The Raptors came out stronger in the second and pushed their lead to double digits before the Hornets cut it back to a nine-point game by halftime. The Raptors carried the momentum into the second half and pushed their lead as high as 18 points late in the third, before taking a 13-point lead into the final frame. However, the Raptors froze to start the fourth, as they went scoreless for the first five minutes of the quarter, while the Hornets cut it down to a five-point game. The Raptors woke up just in time, as they pushed their lead back to double digits and managed to stay in front the rest of the way.
Chris Boucher led the way for the Raptors, with 25 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 29 minutes off the bench. Kyle Lowry totaled 16 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and two steals, while Pascal Siakam finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. The Raptors shot 46 percent from the field, including 20-of-50 from long range.
Meanwhile, seven players scored in double digits for the Hornets, led by Terry Rozier, who finished with 22 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block. P.J. Washington added 20 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and a steal, while LaMelo Ball tallied 14 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, three steals and a block.
The Hornets (6-7) and Raptors (3-8) will face off again in Tampa on Saturday.
The contest got out to a competitive start, with the Raptors holding a one-point lead after one quarter of play. The Raptors came out stronger in the second and pushed their lead to double digits before the Hornets cut it back to a nine-point game by halftime. The Raptors carried the momentum into the second half and pushed their lead as high as 18 points late in the third, before taking a 13-point lead into the final frame. However, the Raptors froze to start the fourth, as they went scoreless for the first five minutes of the quarter, while the Hornets cut it down to a five-point game. The Raptors woke up just in time, as they pushed their lead back to double digits and managed to stay in front the rest of the way.
Chris Boucher led the way for the Raptors, with 25 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 29 minutes off the bench. Kyle Lowry totaled 16 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and two steals, while Pascal Siakam finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. The Raptors shot 46 percent from the field, including 20-of-50 from long range.
Meanwhile, seven players scored in double digits for the Hornets, led by Terry Rozier, who finished with 22 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block. P.J. Washington added 20 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and a steal, while LaMelo Ball tallied 14 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, three steals and a block.
The Hornets (6-7) and Raptors (3-8) will face off again in Tampa on Saturday.
Nuggets Defeat Warriors, 114-104
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 114-104, at Ball Arena on Thursday.
A 37-24 first quarter really set the tone for the Nuggets in this game, holding the lead for the final three quarters. In fact, Denver led by at least five points for those final three quarters, despite never leading by more than 13 points in the second half. Defense was key for the Nuggets, recording 11 steals and five blocks while winning the turnover differential, 19-13. In addition, Denver shot 21-of-27 from the free-throw line while Golden State connected on 17-of-24. The Nuggets also outscored the Warriors in the paint, 54-40, and in bench points, 41-20.
The Warriors (6-6) were led by Stephen Curry, who tallied 35 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals on 14-of-23 from the field. Andrew Wiggins generated 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. James Wiseman accrued 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks while Kelly Oubre Jr had 14 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Nuggets (6-6) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, collecting 23 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Will Barton amassed 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jamal Murray compiled 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. JaMychal Green led the bench with 15 points and nine rebounds. Paul Millsap also provided 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Golden State was supposed to play the Phoenix Suns on Friday for their next game but they'll now be off until Monday when they travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers. As for Denver, they remain home to face the Utah Jazz on Sunday for their next outing.
A 37-24 first quarter really set the tone for the Nuggets in this game, holding the lead for the final three quarters. In fact, Denver led by at least five points for those final three quarters, despite never leading by more than 13 points in the second half. Defense was key for the Nuggets, recording 11 steals and five blocks while winning the turnover differential, 19-13. In addition, Denver shot 21-of-27 from the free-throw line while Golden State connected on 17-of-24. The Nuggets also outscored the Warriors in the paint, 54-40, and in bench points, 41-20.
The Warriors (6-6) were led by Stephen Curry, who tallied 35 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals on 14-of-23 from the field. Andrew Wiggins generated 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. James Wiseman accrued 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks while Kelly Oubre Jr had 14 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Nuggets (6-6) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, collecting 23 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. Will Barton amassed 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. Jamal Murray compiled 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. JaMychal Green led the bench with 15 points and nine rebounds. Paul Millsap also provided 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Golden State was supposed to play the Phoenix Suns on Friday for their next game but they'll now be off until Monday when they travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers. As for Denver, they remain home to face the Utah Jazz on Sunday for their next outing.
Pacers Pummell Trail Blazers, 111-87
The Indiana Pacers defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 111-87, at Moda Center on Thursday.
While there were six ties and three lead changes in the first quarter of this game, Indiana rode a 33-10 second quarter to their victory. That allowed them to hold a double-digit lead for the final 30 minutes of play. The Pacers ended up shooting 48 percent from the field while holding the Blazers to just 37 percent shooting. In addition, Indiana out-assisted Portland, 29-16, while out-rebounding them, 50-43. The Pacers also won the points in the paint battle, 62-28, while outscoring the Trail Blazers in fastbreak points, 27-13.
The Pacers (8-4) were led by Malcolm Brogdon and his 25 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Domantas Sabonis totaled 23 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Myles Turner amassed 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Doug McDermott led the bench with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. T.J. McConnell also provided four points, five rebounds, eight assists and three steals off the bench as well.
The Trail Blazers (7-5) were led by Damian Lillard, who collected 22 points, six rebounds and four assists. C.J. McCollum generated 22 points, three rebounds and four assists. Jusuf Nurkic suffered a broken wrist and finished with five points, eight rebounds and two assists. Carmelo Anthony led the bench with 10 points, two rebounds and two steals.
On deck for Portland is another hone game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Indiana was scheduled to face the Phoenix Suns on Saturday but that game has been postponed. They'll return on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
While there were six ties and three lead changes in the first quarter of this game, Indiana rode a 33-10 second quarter to their victory. That allowed them to hold a double-digit lead for the final 30 minutes of play. The Pacers ended up shooting 48 percent from the field while holding the Blazers to just 37 percent shooting. In addition, Indiana out-assisted Portland, 29-16, while out-rebounding them, 50-43. The Pacers also won the points in the paint battle, 62-28, while outscoring the Trail Blazers in fastbreak points, 27-13.
The Pacers (8-4) were led by Malcolm Brogdon and his 25 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Domantas Sabonis totaled 23 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Myles Turner amassed 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Doug McDermott led the bench with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. T.J. McConnell also provided four points, five rebounds, eight assists and three steals off the bench as well.
The Trail Blazers (7-5) were led by Damian Lillard, who collected 22 points, six rebounds and four assists. C.J. McCollum generated 22 points, three rebounds and four assists. Jusuf Nurkic suffered a broken wrist and finished with five points, eight rebounds and two assists. Carmelo Anthony led the bench with 10 points, two rebounds and two steals.
On deck for Portland is another hone game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Indiana was scheduled to face the Phoenix Suns on Saturday but that game has been postponed. They'll return on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.