Pacers Cruise To 25-Point Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The Indiana Pacers defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 120-95, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday evening.
The Pacers got out to a great start at home, with a 34-26 lead after one quarter. They kept up the pressure in the second, where they outscored the visitors by seven, to take a 56-41 lead by halftime. The Hornets picked it up in the third quarter, as they outscored the Pacers 30-27 in the quarter, but still trailed by 12, heading into the final frame. However, the Pacers put the finishing touches on the contest in the final frame, as they outscored the Hornets by 13 in the quarter, to cruise to their second straight win.
Victor Oladipo led the Pacers with 21 points, seven assists, three steals and two rebounds, in 31 minutes. Darren Collison followed up with 19 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Domantas Sabonis added 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal, in 23 minutes off the bench. The Pacers shot 47 percent from the field, including 14-of-27 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 23 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block, in 36 minutes. Bismack Biyombo finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and one block, while Malik Monk added 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 15 minutes off the bench. The Hornets shot 40 percent from the field, including 12-of-35 from long range.
The Hornets (22-24) will look to bounce back as they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday. The Pacers (31-15) play host to the Raptors on Wednesday.
The Pacers got out to a great start at home, with a 34-26 lead after one quarter. They kept up the pressure in the second, where they outscored the visitors by seven, to take a 56-41 lead by halftime. The Hornets picked it up in the third quarter, as they outscored the Pacers 30-27 in the quarter, but still trailed by 12, heading into the final frame. However, the Pacers put the finishing touches on the contest in the final frame, as they outscored the Hornets by 13 in the quarter, to cruise to their second straight win.
Victor Oladipo led the Pacers with 21 points, seven assists, three steals and two rebounds, in 31 minutes. Darren Collison followed up with 19 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Domantas Sabonis added 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal, in 23 minutes off the bench. The Pacers shot 47 percent from the field, including 14-of-27 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 23 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block, in 36 minutes. Bismack Biyombo finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and one block, while Malik Monk added 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, in 15 minutes off the bench. The Hornets shot 40 percent from the field, including 12-of-35 from long range.
The Hornets (22-24) will look to bounce back as they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday. The Pacers (31-15) play host to the Raptors on Wednesday.
Timberwolves Defeat Suns, 116-114
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 116-114, at Target Center on Sunday.
While Minnesota came into this game as a sizable favorite, it wasn't decided until the final shot. In fact, Derrick Rose hit a fadeaway jumper with 0.6 seconds left to break a tied game, as T.J. Warren missed a three at the buzzer to give Minnesota their victory. There were eight ties and 14 lead changes in total, as neither club led by more than 11 points. Rebounding was big for the Timberwolves, as they outrebounded the Suns, 44-39. Free-throw shooting was also critical, with Minnesota connecting on 32-of-40 and Phoenix hitting 22-of-32.
The Suns (11-37) were led by Warren, as he finished with 21 points, four rebounds and two steals. Devin Booker accumulated 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Dragan Bender started in the absence of DeAndre Ayton (ankle), as he amassed 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. led the bench with 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
The Timberwolves (22-24) were led by Rose, as he provided 32 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench. Karl-Anthony Towns led the starters with 30 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Taj Gibson totaled 17 points and five rebounds while Jeff Teague tallied four points, five rebounds and eight assists.
These teams will have a rematch on Tuesday for their next outing, as that game will be played in Phoenix.
While Minnesota came into this game as a sizable favorite, it wasn't decided until the final shot. In fact, Derrick Rose hit a fadeaway jumper with 0.6 seconds left to break a tied game, as T.J. Warren missed a three at the buzzer to give Minnesota their victory. There were eight ties and 14 lead changes in total, as neither club led by more than 11 points. Rebounding was big for the Timberwolves, as they outrebounded the Suns, 44-39. Free-throw shooting was also critical, with Minnesota connecting on 32-of-40 and Phoenix hitting 22-of-32.
The Suns (11-37) were led by Warren, as he finished with 21 points, four rebounds and two steals. Devin Booker accumulated 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Dragan Bender started in the absence of DeAndre Ayton (ankle), as he amassed 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. led the bench with 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
The Timberwolves (22-24) were led by Rose, as he provided 32 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench. Karl-Anthony Towns led the starters with 30 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Taj Gibson totaled 17 points and five rebounds while Jeff Teague tallied four points, five rebounds and eight assists.
These teams will have a rematch on Tuesday for their next outing, as that game will be played in Phoenix.
Clippers Best Spurs, 103-95
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 103-95, at AT & T Center on Sunday evening.
The Clippers (25-21) were looking to snap a five-game losing streak in a tough environment Sunday, so a fast start was certainly important. It was mission accomplished for Los Angeles after 12 minutes, as they built a 38-26 first-quarter lead. The Spurs (27-21) cut some into their deficit in the second quarter, but they were never able to catch up to the visitors the rest of the way. The Clippers enjoyed a strong effort from their starting five, which featured four double-digit scorers. That included Montrezl Harrell, who entered the first unit for the sidelined Danilo Gallinari (back) and posted 18 points, four rebounds and one steal.
Tobias Harris paced the Clippers with 27 points, adding nine rebounds, nine assists, three steals and one block. Patrick Beverley generated an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included five assists, four steals and one block. Avery Bradley managed 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Johnathan Motley furnished 10 points, four rebounds and one steal.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 30 points and 14 rebounds, adding two assists and two blocks. Rudy Gay delivered 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one block. Marco Belinelli poured in 12 points to lead the bench. Derrick White filled out the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. DeMar DeRozan mustered only eight points on 4-for-16 shooting.
The Clippers remain on the road and take on the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, while the Spurs also travel to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
The Clippers (25-21) were looking to snap a five-game losing streak in a tough environment Sunday, so a fast start was certainly important. It was mission accomplished for Los Angeles after 12 minutes, as they built a 38-26 first-quarter lead. The Spurs (27-21) cut some into their deficit in the second quarter, but they were never able to catch up to the visitors the rest of the way. The Clippers enjoyed a strong effort from their starting five, which featured four double-digit scorers. That included Montrezl Harrell, who entered the first unit for the sidelined Danilo Gallinari (back) and posted 18 points, four rebounds and one steal.
Tobias Harris paced the Clippers with 27 points, adding nine rebounds, nine assists, three steals and one block. Patrick Beverley generated an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included five assists, four steals and one block. Avery Bradley managed 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Johnathan Motley furnished 10 points, four rebounds and one steal.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 30 points and 14 rebounds, adding two assists and two blocks. Rudy Gay delivered 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one block. Marco Belinelli poured in 12 points to lead the bench. Derrick White filled out the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. DeMar DeRozan mustered only eight points on 4-for-16 shooting.
The Clippers remain on the road and take on the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, while the Spurs also travel to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.