Sixers Hold On, Defeat Pistons
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Detroit Pistons, 110-102, at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday evening.
The 76ers (3-2) surpassed the .500 threshold once again thanks to a solid performance against a winless Pistons (0-4) team, but they had to overcome a slow start and then hold off a late rally to close things out with the win in front of their crowd -- their first home win of the campaign. Detroit jumped out to a 22-21 lead following the first quarter, but Philadelphia responded with a 31-24 score in the second quarter and grabbed a six-point lead entering the break. Philadelphia bolstered that lead even further in the third and outscored their rivals by a 27-21 score, setting up a 12-point lead with only 12 minutes left on the clock. Even though Detroit attempted a comeback and won the final quarter by a 35-31 score, that wasn't enough to flip the script. Detroit came up short and the Sixers ended winning the game rather comfortably.
Joel Embiid led the way for the Sixers with 30 points and 18 rebounds, while Tobias Harris contributed 17 points and six boards. Tyrese Maxey chipped in with 16 points, six boards and six dimes across 31 minutes, while Seth Curry added 12 points and five boards. Shake Milton scored 13 off the bench.
Saddiq Bey was the best scorer for the Pistons since he ended with 19 points and six rebounds, while Jerami Grant chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block in what was a complete performance from him. Kelly Olynyk came off the bench and scored in double digits once again, pouring 14 points while adding five boards, three assists, two steals and a block. Killian Hayes had nine points but shot 4-for-11 from the field.
The 76ers (3-2) surpassed the .500 threshold once again thanks to a solid performance against a winless Pistons (0-4) team, but they had to overcome a slow start and then hold off a late rally to close things out with the win in front of their crowd -- their first home win of the campaign. Detroit jumped out to a 22-21 lead following the first quarter, but Philadelphia responded with a 31-24 score in the second quarter and grabbed a six-point lead entering the break. Philadelphia bolstered that lead even further in the third and outscored their rivals by a 27-21 score, setting up a 12-point lead with only 12 minutes left on the clock. Even though Detroit attempted a comeback and won the final quarter by a 35-31 score, that wasn't enough to flip the script. Detroit came up short and the Sixers ended winning the game rather comfortably.
Joel Embiid led the way for the Sixers with 30 points and 18 rebounds, while Tobias Harris contributed 17 points and six boards. Tyrese Maxey chipped in with 16 points, six boards and six dimes across 31 minutes, while Seth Curry added 12 points and five boards. Shake Milton scored 13 off the bench.
Saddiq Bey was the best scorer for the Pistons since he ended with 19 points and six rebounds, while Jerami Grant chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block in what was a complete performance from him. Kelly Olynyk came off the bench and scored in double digits once again, pouring 14 points while adding five boards, three assists, two steals and a block. Killian Hayes had nine points but shot 4-for-11 from the field.
Wizards Topple Hawks, 122-111
The Washington Wizards defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 122-111, at Capital One Arena on Thursday night.
The Wizards (4-1) checked into the contest having put together an encouraging start to their season but also knowing they faced a big test in the Hawks (3-2), which had also prevailed in three of their first four contests. Washington served early notice it wouldn't back down then they turned a one-point first quarter lead into a nine-point halftime advantage. There was no letdown coming out of intermission, either, as the hosts added another five points to their edge over Atlanta in the third quarter and let the visitors get no closer than seven points in the final period.
John Collins led the way for the Hawks with a 28-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Cam Reddish netted 20 points, three boards, one steal and one block. Trae Young contributed a 15-point, 13-assist double-double that also included three rebounds, two steals and one block. Bogdan Bogdanovic furnished 14 points, six boards, four assists and one steal. Clint Capela tallied 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block. De'Andre Hunter delivered 10 points, four boards and one assist.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 27 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, eight assists and one block. Montrezl Harrell posted a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included five assists, two steals and one block. Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope generated matching 21-point, eight-rebound tallies. Davis Bertans led the bench with 10 points.
The Hawks remain on the road and pay a visit to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, while the Wizards remain home and host the Boston Celtics on Saturday afternoon.
The Wizards (4-1) checked into the contest having put together an encouraging start to their season but also knowing they faced a big test in the Hawks (3-2), which had also prevailed in three of their first four contests. Washington served early notice it wouldn't back down then they turned a one-point first quarter lead into a nine-point halftime advantage. There was no letdown coming out of intermission, either, as the hosts added another five points to their edge over Atlanta in the third quarter and let the visitors get no closer than seven points in the final period.
John Collins led the way for the Hawks with a 28-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Cam Reddish netted 20 points, three boards, one steal and one block. Trae Young contributed a 15-point, 13-assist double-double that also included three rebounds, two steals and one block. Bogdan Bogdanovic furnished 14 points, six boards, four assists and one steal. Clint Capela tallied 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block. De'Andre Hunter delivered 10 points, four boards and one assist.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 27 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, eight assists and one block. Montrezl Harrell posted a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included five assists, two steals and one block. Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope generated matching 21-point, eight-rebound tallies. Davis Bertans led the bench with 10 points.
The Hawks remain on the road and pay a visit to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, while the Wizards remain home and host the Boston Celtics on Saturday afternoon.
Knicks Edge Bulls, 104-103
The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls, 104-103, at United Center on Thursday night.
The Knicks (4-1) came into the Windy City looking to put the first blemish on the Bulls' (4-1) record, and their solid play on both ends of the floor resulted in a four-point halftime lead. New York then seemed to take control during the third quarter by extending their advantage to nine points, but they ultimately had to hang on when Chicago mounted a furious rally late that just fell short when DeMar DeRozan missed a would-be game-winning 15-foot pullup jumper.
Kemba Walker led the way for the Knicks with 21 points, complementing them with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. R.J. Barrett furnished 20 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Julius Randle produced a 13-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included nine assists and one steal. Derrick Rose delivered 12 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Zach LaVine paced the Bulls with 25 points, adding six rebounds, three assists and one block. Nikola Vucevic turned in 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one steal. DeMar DeRozan supplied 20 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Alex Caruso provided 10 points and six assists off the bench.
The Knicks remain on the road and pay a visit to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, while the Bulls remain home and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night as well.
The Knicks (4-1) came into the Windy City looking to put the first blemish on the Bulls' (4-1) record, and their solid play on both ends of the floor resulted in a four-point halftime lead. New York then seemed to take control during the third quarter by extending their advantage to nine points, but they ultimately had to hang on when Chicago mounted a furious rally late that just fell short when DeMar DeRozan missed a would-be game-winning 15-foot pullup jumper.
Kemba Walker led the way for the Knicks with 21 points, complementing them with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. R.J. Barrett furnished 20 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Julius Randle produced a 13-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included nine assists and one steal. Derrick Rose delivered 12 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Zach LaVine paced the Bulls with 25 points, adding six rebounds, three assists and one block. Nikola Vucevic turned in 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one steal. DeMar DeRozan supplied 20 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Alex Caruso provided 10 points and six assists off the bench.
The Knicks remain on the road and pay a visit to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, while the Bulls remain home and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night as well.
Jazz Dominant In Houston
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the host Houston Rockets, 122-91, at Toyota Center on Thursday evening.
The Jazz jumped out to a great start on the road with a, 32-18, lead after one quarter. They maintained control in the second and pushed their lead to 21 points by halftime. The young Rockets team had no answers in the third, as the Jazz pushed their lead up to a game-high 36 points late in the quarter. However, the Rockets kept up the fight and rallied to cut it back down to a 20-point game heading into the final frame. The Jazz would not lose focus though, and reclaimed the momentum in the fourth in order to cruise to their fourth consecutive win to start the season, while this marks the third straight loss for the Rockets.
Bojan Bogdanovic led the Jazz with 19 points, in 25 minutes of action. Rudy Gobert added 16 points, 14 rebounds and a block, while Jordan Clarkson chipped in 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, off the bench.
Meanwhile, only three players scored in double digits for the Rockets, led by Christian Wood, who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, in 27 minutes. Alperen Sengun followed up with 14 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Jalen Green chipped in 13 points on 3-of-16 shooting. Kevin Porter Jr. left the game after 19 minutes of action with a sprained ankle.
The Rockets (1-4) will look to bounce back as they take on the Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday. The Jazz (4-0) will face the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday.
The Jazz jumped out to a great start on the road with a, 32-18, lead after one quarter. They maintained control in the second and pushed their lead to 21 points by halftime. The young Rockets team had no answers in the third, as the Jazz pushed their lead up to a game-high 36 points late in the quarter. However, the Rockets kept up the fight and rallied to cut it back down to a 20-point game heading into the final frame. The Jazz would not lose focus though, and reclaimed the momentum in the fourth in order to cruise to their fourth consecutive win to start the season, while this marks the third straight loss for the Rockets.
Bojan Bogdanovic led the Jazz with 19 points, in 25 minutes of action. Rudy Gobert added 16 points, 14 rebounds and a block, while Jordan Clarkson chipped in 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, off the bench.
Meanwhile, only three players scored in double digits for the Rockets, led by Christian Wood, who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, in 27 minutes. Alperen Sengun followed up with 14 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Jalen Green chipped in 13 points on 3-of-16 shooting. Kevin Porter Jr. left the game after 19 minutes of action with a sprained ankle.
The Rockets (1-4) will look to bounce back as they take on the Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday. The Jazz (4-0) will face the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday.
Mavs Finish Strong To Earn Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 104-99, at American Airlines Center on Thursday evening.
The Spurs got out to a strong start on the road with a, 25-15, lead after one quarter, but the Mavs woke up in the second and managed to cut it down to a two-point game by halftime. The contest stayed tight through the third, where the Spurs maintained a small advantage for most of the quarter, before the Mavs were able to tie it up by the end of the frame. The Mavs picked up some momentum in the fourth and rallied to an 11-point lead mid way through the quarter. The Spurs kept up the fight and cut it back to a three-point game with one minute left, but the Mavs held on to close out their third straight win. This marks the fourth consecutive loss for the Spurs.
Luka Doncic got out to a slow start but led the way for the Mavericks with 25 points, five assists, three rebounds and a block, in 34 minutes. Jalen Brunson followed up with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Dorian Finney-Smith totaled 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals. The Mavs shot 46 percent from the field, including 18-of-45 from long range.
Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray led the Spurs with 23 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Jakob Poeltl totaled 14 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and a steal, while Bryn Forbes chipped in 15 points off the bench. The Spurs shot 44 percent from the field, including 12-of-30 from deep.
The Spurs (1-4) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Saturday. Mavs (3-1) take on the Nuggets in Denver on Friday.
The Spurs got out to a strong start on the road with a, 25-15, lead after one quarter, but the Mavs woke up in the second and managed to cut it down to a two-point game by halftime. The contest stayed tight through the third, where the Spurs maintained a small advantage for most of the quarter, before the Mavs were able to tie it up by the end of the frame. The Mavs picked up some momentum in the fourth and rallied to an 11-point lead mid way through the quarter. The Spurs kept up the fight and cut it back to a three-point game with one minute left, but the Mavs held on to close out their third straight win. This marks the fourth consecutive loss for the Spurs.
Luka Doncic got out to a slow start but led the way for the Mavericks with 25 points, five assists, three rebounds and a block, in 34 minutes. Jalen Brunson followed up with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Dorian Finney-Smith totaled 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals. The Mavs shot 46 percent from the field, including 18-of-45 from long range.
Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray led the Spurs with 23 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Jakob Poeltl totaled 14 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and a steal, while Bryn Forbes chipped in 15 points off the bench. The Spurs shot 44 percent from the field, including 12-of-30 from deep.
The Spurs (1-4) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Saturday. Mavs (3-1) take on the Nuggets in Denver on Friday.
Grizzlies Defeat Warriors in OT, 104-101
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the host Golden State Warriors in overtime, 104-101, at Chase Center on Thursday.
While Golden State led for the first 40 minutes of this game, it took an overtime session to determine a winner. In fact, there were four ties and five lead changes across the final eight minutes and the overtime session. Memphis' defense was critical, scoring the final four points across the final 3:59. They held the Warriors 0-of-7 shooting in that span. The Grizzlies shot 14-of-14 from the free-throw line while holding the Warriors to 9-of-12. Memphis also recorded 17 steals and nine blocks while forcing 22 turnovers from Golden State.
The Grizzlies (3-2) were led by Ja Morant, tallying 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Desmond Bane amassed 19 points, six rebounds and two assists. Jaren Jackson Jr generated 15 points and eight rebounds while De'Anthony Melton collected seven points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks.
The Warriors (4-1) were led by Stephen Curry and his 37 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. With that said, he didn't score in the fourth quarter or overtime. Andrew Wiggins totaled 16 points and four rebounds. Draymond Green finished with four points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and five blocks, while Damion Lee led the bench with 14 points and six boards.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Memphis returning home to play the Miami Heat and Golden State staying home to play the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While Golden State led for the first 40 minutes of this game, it took an overtime session to determine a winner. In fact, there were four ties and five lead changes across the final eight minutes and the overtime session. Memphis' defense was critical, scoring the final four points across the final 3:59. They held the Warriors 0-of-7 shooting in that span. The Grizzlies shot 14-of-14 from the free-throw line while holding the Warriors to 9-of-12. Memphis also recorded 17 steals and nine blocks while forcing 22 turnovers from Golden State.
The Grizzlies (3-2) were led by Ja Morant, tallying 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Desmond Bane amassed 19 points, six rebounds and two assists. Jaren Jackson Jr generated 15 points and eight rebounds while De'Anthony Melton collected seven points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks.
The Warriors (4-1) were led by Stephen Curry and his 37 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. With that said, he didn't score in the fourth quarter or overtime. Andrew Wiggins totaled 16 points and four rebounds. Draymond Green finished with four points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and five blocks, while Damion Lee led the bench with 14 points and six boards.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Memphis returning home to play the Miami Heat and Golden State staying home to play the Oklahoma City Thunder.