Suns Best Cavaliers in OT, 134-118
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime, 134-118, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.
The Suns (47-18) unsurprisingly checked into the contest as double-digit favorites, but they encountered a feisty Cavaliers (21-44) squad that played a competitive first half and trailed by just six at intermission. Cleveland then managed to whittle another four points from its deficit during the third quarter and ultimately forced overtime on an Isaac Okoro bank shot with 24.9 seconds remaining. However, Phoenix then opened the extra period on a 15-0 run over the first 3:14 to seal the victory.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points, adding six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Chris Paul generated a 23-point, 16-assist double-double that also included six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Mikal Bridges furnished 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. Deandre Ayton delivered 15 points, eight boards, one assist, five blocks and one steal. Frank Kaminsky supplied 11 points, six rebounds and one assist.
Okoro paced the Cavaliers with 32 points, complementing them with six assists, three rebounds and one steal. Collin Sexton turned in 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Jarrett Allen registered 17 points, eight boards, five assists, one steal and one block. Cedi Osman compiled 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal.
The Suns remain on the road and visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, while the Cavaliers remain home and host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
The Suns (47-18) unsurprisingly checked into the contest as double-digit favorites, but they encountered a feisty Cavaliers (21-44) squad that played a competitive first half and trailed by just six at intermission. Cleveland then managed to whittle another four points from its deficit during the third quarter and ultimately forced overtime on an Isaac Okoro bank shot with 24.9 seconds remaining. However, Phoenix then opened the extra period on a 15-0 run over the first 3:14 to seal the victory.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points, adding six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Chris Paul generated a 23-point, 16-assist double-double that also included six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Mikal Bridges furnished 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. Deandre Ayton delivered 15 points, eight boards, one assist, five blocks and one steal. Frank Kaminsky supplied 11 points, six rebounds and one assist.
Okoro paced the Cavaliers with 32 points, complementing them with six assists, three rebounds and one steal. Collin Sexton turned in 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Jarrett Allen registered 17 points, eight boards, five assists, one steal and one block. Cedi Osman compiled 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal.
The Suns remain on the road and visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, while the Cavaliers remain home and host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
Hornets Bounce Back From Loss, Defeat Pistons
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Detroit Pistons, 102-99, at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Hornets (32-33) are inching closer towards the .500 mark -- and what seems to be a playoff berth -- following Tuesday's win over a Pistons (19-47) that is clearly thinking about the lottery and the 2021-22 season. Charlotte got off to a better start in this one and jumped out to a 30-28 lead in the first quarter, and they kept extending that advantage even further in both the second (23-21) and third (25-23) quarters. That said, the Pistons made it a tight game all around and they were just six points behind with 12 minutes left on the clock, so a comeback was entirely possible. The Pistons came as close as two points late in the fourth, but they couldn't get the job done. Despite winning the fourth quarter by a 27-24 score, the Hornets held on and secured a huge win on the road against a Pistons team that has now dropped three of their last four games.
LaMelo Ball carried the Hornets in this game, as the rookie point guard ended with 23 points and seven rebounds, while also adding six assists and two steals. Caleb Martin had 17 points, while Terry Rozier mustered 18 points and six assists to go along with two boards. Jalen McDaniels mustered a double-double of 10 points and 12 boards, but he also added three steals. Brad Wanamaker (15 points) and Cody Zeller (11 points, eight rebounds) were productive off the bench.
Hamidou Diallo led the Pistons in this loss after notching a game-high 35 points to go along with seven rebounds, while Sekou Doumbouya chipped in with 20 points and eight rebounds. Saddiq Bey had a rough night from the field and only poured seven points (2-12 FG, 2-10 3Pt) with nine rebounds. Frank Jackson had 14 points and Jahill Okafor added 12 -- both off the bench.
The Hornets (32-33) are inching closer towards the .500 mark -- and what seems to be a playoff berth -- following Tuesday's win over a Pistons (19-47) that is clearly thinking about the lottery and the 2021-22 season. Charlotte got off to a better start in this one and jumped out to a 30-28 lead in the first quarter, and they kept extending that advantage even further in both the second (23-21) and third (25-23) quarters. That said, the Pistons made it a tight game all around and they were just six points behind with 12 minutes left on the clock, so a comeback was entirely possible. The Pistons came as close as two points late in the fourth, but they couldn't get the job done. Despite winning the fourth quarter by a 27-24 score, the Hornets held on and secured a huge win on the road against a Pistons team that has now dropped three of their last four games.
LaMelo Ball carried the Hornets in this game, as the rookie point guard ended with 23 points and seven rebounds, while also adding six assists and two steals. Caleb Martin had 17 points, while Terry Rozier mustered 18 points and six assists to go along with two boards. Jalen McDaniels mustered a double-double of 10 points and 12 boards, but he also added three steals. Brad Wanamaker (15 points) and Cody Zeller (11 points, eight rebounds) were productive off the bench.
Hamidou Diallo led the Pistons in this loss after notching a game-high 35 points to go along with seven rebounds, while Sekou Doumbouya chipped in with 20 points and eight rebounds. Saddiq Bey had a rough night from the field and only poured seven points (2-12 FG, 2-10 3Pt) with nine rebounds. Frank Jackson had 14 points and Jahill Okafor added 12 -- both off the bench.
Bucks Best Nets Again, 124-118
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 124-118, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night.
The Bucks (41-24) knew they'd have a tall order in their quest to topple the Nets (43-23) twice in 48 hours, but they impressively clawed their way to an eight-point halftime lead. Brooklyn came out of intermission a more focused squad, however, eradicating their deficit altogether and establishing a two-point edge heading into the final period. It was then Milwaukee's turn, with their 18-1 run over a 4:08 period of the fourth quarter turning the tide back in their favor for good.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 38 points, adding five assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Kevin Durant followed with 32 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal. Joe Harris supplied 12 points, two boards and one steal. Jeff Green and Mike James generated matching 10-point tallies, with Green pulling down five rebounds and James dishing out three assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with a 36-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included four assists and one steal. Jrue Holiday posted 23 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Khris Middleton matched Holiday's scoring total and added seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Bryn Forbes poured in 14 points, while Donte DiVincenzo furnished 10 points, 15 rebounds and two assists.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, while the Bucks remain home and visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
The Bucks (41-24) knew they'd have a tall order in their quest to topple the Nets (43-23) twice in 48 hours, but they impressively clawed their way to an eight-point halftime lead. Brooklyn came out of intermission a more focused squad, however, eradicating their deficit altogether and establishing a two-point edge heading into the final period. It was then Milwaukee's turn, with their 18-1 run over a 4:08 period of the fourth quarter turning the tide back in their favor for good.
Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 38 points, adding five assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Kevin Durant followed with 32 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal. Joe Harris supplied 12 points, two boards and one steal. Jeff Green and Mike James generated matching 10-point tallies, with Green pulling down five rebounds and James dishing out three assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with a 36-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included four assists and one steal. Jrue Holiday posted 23 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Khris Middleton matched Holiday's scoring total and added seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Bryn Forbes poured in 14 points, while Donte DiVincenzo furnished 10 points, 15 rebounds and two assists.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, while the Bucks remain home and visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Pelicans Rally Back, Secure Win Over Warriors
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Golden State Warriors, 108-103, at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday evening.
The Pelicans (30-36) seemed to be in line for a second straight loss against the Warriors (33-33), but they mounted a huge comeback in the final 12 minutes to come away with the victory. The Warriors got off to a better start and jumped out to a 34-32 lead in the first quarter, but the Pelicans made it a one-point game following a 24-23 score in the second quarter. Golden State didn't want any surprises and raced out to a four-point edge after securing a 22-19 score in the third quarter, but the Pelicans came out with everything in the final 12 minutes of the contest. New Orleans outscored Golden State 33-24 in the final 12 minutes of action and walked away with the win here.
Zion Williamson registered 23 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four steals, but the scoring leader was Lonzo Ball -- he finished with 33 points, six rebounds and four assists while going 7-for-13 from three-point range. Eric Bledsoe had 14 points, and Brandon Ingram added 13 points with five assists. Naji Marshall had 10 points.
Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins carried the Warriors in this game, but their efforts were not enough for a Golden State team that shot just 42.4 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three-point range -- while Curry ended with 37 points, nine rebounds and three steals, Wiggins chipped in with 26 points, six boards and three dimes. Draymond Green only had seven points, but he added 12 rebounds and nine assists. No other Golden State player scored in double digits.
The Pelicans (30-36) seemed to be in line for a second straight loss against the Warriors (33-33), but they mounted a huge comeback in the final 12 minutes to come away with the victory. The Warriors got off to a better start and jumped out to a 34-32 lead in the first quarter, but the Pelicans made it a one-point game following a 24-23 score in the second quarter. Golden State didn't want any surprises and raced out to a four-point edge after securing a 22-19 score in the third quarter, but the Pelicans came out with everything in the final 12 minutes of the contest. New Orleans outscored Golden State 33-24 in the final 12 minutes of action and walked away with the win here.
Zion Williamson registered 23 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four steals, but the scoring leader was Lonzo Ball -- he finished with 33 points, six rebounds and four assists while going 7-for-13 from three-point range. Eric Bledsoe had 14 points, and Brandon Ingram added 13 points with five assists. Naji Marshall had 10 points.
Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins carried the Warriors in this game, but their efforts were not enough for a Golden State team that shot just 42.4 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three-point range -- while Curry ended with 37 points, nine rebounds and three steals, Wiggins chipped in with 26 points, six boards and three dimes. Draymond Green only had seven points, but he added 12 rebounds and nine assists. No other Golden State player scored in double digits.
Mavs Come Up Big In Road Win
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Miami Heat, 127-113, at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Heat got out to a strong start with a 39-30, lead after one quarter. The Mavs took it up a notch in the second and outscored the hosts by 18 points, to take a nine-point lead into halftime. They carried the momentum into the third quarter and added another 12 points to their lead, to take a 21-point advantage into the final frame. The Mavs pushed it to a game-high 26-point lead early in the fourth and cruised to the impressive road win, while this marks the end of a three-game streak for the Heat.
Tim Hardaway Jr. was the high-point man for the Mavericks, with 36 points on 13-of-24 shooting, in 33 minutes. Luka Doncic totaled 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Jalen Brunson added 19 points, off the bench. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field, including 22-of-48 from long range.
Meanwhile, Duncan Robinson tallied 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Goran Dragic finished with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal, to lead the Heat. Bam Adebayo totaled 11 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds and two steals. The Heat shot 46 percent from the field, including 18-of-41 from long range.
The Heat (35-31) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Timberwolves on Friday. The Mavericks (37-28) play host to the Nets on Thursday.
The Heat got out to a strong start with a 39-30, lead after one quarter. The Mavs took it up a notch in the second and outscored the hosts by 18 points, to take a nine-point lead into halftime. They carried the momentum into the third quarter and added another 12 points to their lead, to take a 21-point advantage into the final frame. The Mavs pushed it to a game-high 26-point lead early in the fourth and cruised to the impressive road win, while this marks the end of a three-game streak for the Heat.
Tim Hardaway Jr. was the high-point man for the Mavericks, with 36 points on 13-of-24 shooting, in 33 minutes. Luka Doncic totaled 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Jalen Brunson added 19 points, off the bench. The Mavericks shot 52 percent from the field, including 22-of-48 from long range.
Meanwhile, Duncan Robinson tallied 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Goran Dragic finished with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal, to lead the Heat. Bam Adebayo totaled 11 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds and two steals. The Heat shot 46 percent from the field, including 18-of-41 from long range.
The Heat (35-31) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Timberwolves on Friday. The Mavericks (37-28) play host to the Nets on Thursday.
Kings Close Out Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Sacramento Kings defeated the host Oklahoma City Thunder, 103-99, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Kings got out to a solid start with a five-point lead after one quarter. The Thunder tied it up early in the second, but the Kings rallied to regain a five-point lead by halftime. The Kings held the lead through the third and pushed their lead to a game-high 17 points, before the Thunder cut it back to a 12-point game heading into the final frame. The Thunder picked up the momentum in the fourth and chipped away until they made it a one-point game, with a minute left. However, the Kings came up clutch to hang on and close out their third straight win, while this marks the fourth straight loss for the Thunder.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Kings, led by Buddy HIeld, who finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, and Terence Davis, who totaled 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Delon Wright added 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and four blocks, while Richaun Holmes totaled 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block.
Meanwhile, Darius Bazley led the Thunder with 24 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, in 31 minutes. Moses Brown totaled six points, 17 rebounds and two steals, while Gabriel Deck tallied 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Thunder shot 35 percent from the field, including 11-of-36 from deep.
The Thunder (21-45) will look to. bounce back as they take on the Warriors on Thursday. The Kings (28-37) take on the Pacers in Indiana on Wednesday.
The Kings got out to a solid start with a five-point lead after one quarter. The Thunder tied it up early in the second, but the Kings rallied to regain a five-point lead by halftime. The Kings held the lead through the third and pushed their lead to a game-high 17 points, before the Thunder cut it back to a 12-point game heading into the final frame. The Thunder picked up the momentum in the fourth and chipped away until they made it a one-point game, with a minute left. However, the Kings came up clutch to hang on and close out their third straight win, while this marks the fourth straight loss for the Thunder.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Kings, led by Buddy HIeld, who finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, and Terence Davis, who totaled 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Delon Wright added 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and four blocks, while Richaun Holmes totaled 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a block.
Meanwhile, Darius Bazley led the Thunder with 24 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, in 31 minutes. Moses Brown totaled six points, 17 rebounds and two steals, while Gabriel Deck tallied 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Thunder shot 35 percent from the field, including 11-of-36 from deep.
The Thunder (21-45) will look to. bounce back as they take on the Warriors on Thursday. The Kings (28-37) take on the Pacers in Indiana on Wednesday.
Clippers Defeat Raptors, 105-100
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 105-100, at Staples Center on Tuesday.
It took 13 ties and 21 lead changes to determine a winner in this game, with neither team ever leading by more than seven points. The Clippers ended the game on an 8-1 run across the final 2:30 to prevail, which actually gave them a game-high five-point lead. Los Angeles shot 52 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 92 percent from the free-throw line while holding Toronto to 46 percent from the field, 34 percent from long range and 62 percent from the charity stripe. The Clippers also out-assisted the Raptors, 28-22.
The Raptors (27-39) were led by Fred VanVleet, tallying 27 points, two rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Pascal Siakam amassed 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. Khem Birch totaled 13 points and eight rebounds while Jalen Harris led the bench with 11 points. No other player had more than seven points.
The Clippers (44-22) were led by Paul George, collecting 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Marcus Morris generated 22 points, six rebounds and two assists. Reggie Jackson had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kawhi Leonard finished with 13 points, three rebounds and five assists while Ivica Zubac compiled eight points and eight rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Los Angeles remaining home to face the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto returning to Tamps to host the Washington Wizards.
It took 13 ties and 21 lead changes to determine a winner in this game, with neither team ever leading by more than seven points. The Clippers ended the game on an 8-1 run across the final 2:30 to prevail, which actually gave them a game-high five-point lead. Los Angeles shot 52 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 92 percent from the free-throw line while holding Toronto to 46 percent from the field, 34 percent from long range and 62 percent from the charity stripe. The Clippers also out-assisted the Raptors, 28-22.
The Raptors (27-39) were led by Fred VanVleet, tallying 27 points, two rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Pascal Siakam amassed 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. Khem Birch totaled 13 points and eight rebounds while Jalen Harris led the bench with 11 points. No other player had more than seven points.
The Clippers (44-22) were led by Paul George, collecting 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Marcus Morris generated 22 points, six rebounds and two assists. Reggie Jackson had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kawhi Leonard finished with 13 points, three rebounds and five assists while Ivica Zubac compiled eight points and eight rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Los Angeles remaining home to face the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto returning to Tamps to host the Washington Wizards.