Spurs Batter Pelicans, 126-114
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 126-114, at Smoothie King Center on Saturday night.
The Spurs (27-22) were seemingly catching a break against a short-handed Pelicans (22-27) squad, but that's not exactly the way the game played out in the first half. New Orleans trailed by only three at halftime despite being down Anthony Davis (finger), Julius Randle (ankle) and Nikola Mirotic (ankle). However, San Antonio was able to add eight points to their advantage in the third quarter, giving them a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The visitors shot an impressive 51.6 percent, including 45.8 percent from three-point range, and enjoyed a 51-41 rebounding advantage.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the way for the Spurs with a 28-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Rudy Gay churned out 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Pau Gasol drew the start and managed 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. Derrick White provided 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Bryn Forbes mustered 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. Quincy Pondexter led the bench with 10 points.
Jrue Holiday paced the Pelicans with 29 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists and one block. Jahlil Okafor posted a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included four blocks and one steal. Frank Jackson registered a bench-leading 15 points while also dishing out four assists, hauling in three rebounds and recording three steals. Darius Miller chipped in 11 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Elfrid Payton, Solomon Hill and E'Twaun Moore totaled just 19 points between them.
The Spurs head back home to face the Washington Wizards on Sunday evening, while the Pelicans travel to tangle with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday evening.
The Spurs (27-22) were seemingly catching a break against a short-handed Pelicans (22-27) squad, but that's not exactly the way the game played out in the first half. New Orleans trailed by only three at halftime despite being down Anthony Davis (finger), Julius Randle (ankle) and Nikola Mirotic (ankle). However, San Antonio was able to add eight points to their advantage in the third quarter, giving them a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The visitors shot an impressive 51.6 percent, including 45.8 percent from three-point range, and enjoyed a 51-41 rebounding advantage.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the way for the Spurs with a 28-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Rudy Gay churned out 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Pau Gasol drew the start and managed 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. Derrick White provided 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Bryn Forbes mustered 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. Quincy Pondexter led the bench with 10 points.
Jrue Holiday paced the Pelicans with 29 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists and one block. Jahlil Okafor posted a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included four blocks and one steal. Frank Jackson registered a bench-leading 15 points while also dishing out four assists, hauling in three rebounds and recording three steals. Darius Miller chipped in 11 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Elfrid Payton, Solomon Hill and E'Twaun Moore totaled just 19 points between them.
The Spurs head back home to face the Washington Wizards on Sunday evening, while the Pelicans travel to tangle with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday evening.
Grizzlies Defeat Pacers, 106-103
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers, 106-103, at FedEx Forum on Saturday.
It's rare to see a wire-to-wire win stay so close but that was the case here. In fact, the Grizzlies largest lead in this game was a 14-point margin, as that didn't happen until there were two minutes remaining. In addition, this game stayed within a single-digit margin for all but a few minutes. The first half really set the tone, with Memphis outscoring Indiana, 53-42. The Grizzlies defense was critical, as they held the Pacers to 43 percent from the field while Memphis connected on 48 percent of their shots. Ball movement was a huge part of that, with the Grizzlies out-assisting the Pacers, 29-20 while winning the turnover differential, 17-12.
The Pacers (32-16) were led by Bojan Bogdanovic, as he amassed 21 points and five rebounds. Darren Collison accrued 18 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Myles Turner totaled 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks while Domantas Sabonis led the bench with 11 points and eight boards.
The Grizzlies (20-30) were led by Mike Conley, as he collected 22 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Jaren Jackson Jr. accrued 20 points, six rebounds and two assists. Marc Gasol tallied 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Justin Holiday generated 16 points and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday against elite competition, with Memphis welcoming the Denver Nuggets to FedEx Forum and Indiana playing host to the surging Golden State Warriors.
It's rare to see a wire-to-wire win stay so close but that was the case here. In fact, the Grizzlies largest lead in this game was a 14-point margin, as that didn't happen until there were two minutes remaining. In addition, this game stayed within a single-digit margin for all but a few minutes. The first half really set the tone, with Memphis outscoring Indiana, 53-42. The Grizzlies defense was critical, as they held the Pacers to 43 percent from the field while Memphis connected on 48 percent of their shots. Ball movement was a huge part of that, with the Grizzlies out-assisting the Pacers, 29-20 while winning the turnover differential, 17-12.
The Pacers (32-16) were led by Bojan Bogdanovic, as he amassed 21 points and five rebounds. Darren Collison accrued 18 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Myles Turner totaled 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks while Domantas Sabonis led the bench with 11 points and eight boards.
The Grizzlies (20-30) were led by Mike Conley, as he collected 22 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Jaren Jackson Jr. accrued 20 points, six rebounds and two assists. Marc Gasol tallied 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Justin Holiday generated 16 points and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday against elite competition, with Memphis welcoming the Denver Nuggets to FedEx Forum and Indiana playing host to the surging Golden State Warriors.
Warriors Defeat Celtics, 115-111
The Golden State Warriors defeated the host Boston Celtics, 115-111, at TD Garden on Saturday.
In what many expect to be a Finals preview, this game was full of swings. In fact, there were 14 ties and 21 lead changes in this game, as neither club attained a double-digit lead. Defensive rebounding was huge for the Warriors, as they won that battle, 42-34. Golden State ended up shooting 45 percent from the field while holding Boston to 41 percent shooting. Free-throw shooting was also huge, with the Warriors connecting on 29-of-34 and the Celtics hitting 14-of-15.
The Warriors (35-14) were led by Kevin Durant, as he collected 33 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Stephen Curry accumulated 24 points, three rebounds and three assists. Klay Thompson amassed 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. Draymond Green tallied five points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
The Celtics (30-19) were led by Kyrie Irving, as he accrued 32 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Al Horford finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Jayson Tatum totaled 20 points, five rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart generated 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Golden State traveling to face the Indiana Pacers and Boston playing host to the surging Brooklyn Nets.
In what many expect to be a Finals preview, this game was full of swings. In fact, there were 14 ties and 21 lead changes in this game, as neither club attained a double-digit lead. Defensive rebounding was huge for the Warriors, as they won that battle, 42-34. Golden State ended up shooting 45 percent from the field while holding Boston to 41 percent shooting. Free-throw shooting was also huge, with the Warriors connecting on 29-of-34 and the Celtics hitting 14-of-15.
The Warriors (35-14) were led by Kevin Durant, as he collected 33 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Stephen Curry accumulated 24 points, three rebounds and three assists. Klay Thompson amassed 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. Draymond Green tallied five points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
The Celtics (30-19) were led by Kyrie Irving, as he accrued 32 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Al Horford finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Jayson Tatum totaled 20 points, five rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart generated 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Golden State traveling to face the Indiana Pacers and Boston playing host to the surging Brooklyn Nets.
Jokic Leads Nuggets With Triple-Double
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 126-110, at Pepsi Center on Saturday evening.
The contest got out to a high-paced start, as the Nuggets led 41-37 after one quarter. The Sixers battled through the second, but the Nuggets closed the quarter strong, to extend their lead to nine by halftime. The Nuggets stayed in control through the third and managed to push their lead to double digits by the start of the fourth. They pushed their lead to 16 mid way though the fourth and cruised to their second straight win.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 32 points on 12-of-22 shooting, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal, in 33 minutes. Mason Plumlee followed up with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and one block, while Torrey Craig added 15 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. The Nuggets shot 52 percent from the field, including 8-of-24 from long range.
Meanwhile, J.J. Redick led the 76ers with 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting, three assists and two rebounds, in 27 minutes. Corey Brewer followed up with 20 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assist, while Ben Simmons finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. The Sixers shot 42 percent from the field, including 14-of-36 from long range.
The 76ers (32-18) will look to bounce back as they take on the Lakers in L.A. on Tuesday. The Nuggets (33-15) take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Monday.
The contest got out to a high-paced start, as the Nuggets led 41-37 after one quarter. The Sixers battled through the second, but the Nuggets closed the quarter strong, to extend their lead to nine by halftime. The Nuggets stayed in control through the third and managed to push their lead to double digits by the start of the fourth. They pushed their lead to 16 mid way though the fourth and cruised to their second straight win.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 32 points on 12-of-22 shooting, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal, in 33 minutes. Mason Plumlee followed up with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and one block, while Torrey Craig added 15 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. The Nuggets shot 52 percent from the field, including 8-of-24 from long range.
Meanwhile, J.J. Redick led the 76ers with 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting, three assists and two rebounds, in 27 minutes. Corey Brewer followed up with 20 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assist, while Ben Simmons finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. The Sixers shot 42 percent from the field, including 14-of-36 from long range.
The 76ers (32-18) will look to bounce back as they take on the Lakers in L.A. on Tuesday. The Nuggets (33-15) take on the Grizzlies in Memphis on Monday.
Trail Blazers Hold On For Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 120-111, at Moda Center on Saturday evening.
The Trail Blazers go out to a great start at home, as they built a 10-point lead through the first quarter. The Hawks battled back in the second, where they outscored the home team by 11, to take a 64-63 lead by halftime. The Trail Blazers reclaimed the lead early in the third and held the edge to take a three-point lead into the final frame. The Hawks kept battling and trailed by just one points halfway though the fourth, but the Trail Blazers closed the contest on a 19-11 run, to earn their second straight win.
C.J. McCollum led the Trail Blazers with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal, in 37 minutes. Seth Curry followed up with 22 points, three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal, while Al-Farouq Aminu added 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. The Trail Blazers shot 50 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from long range.
Meanwhile, Trae Young led the Hawks with 30 points, eight assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block, in 31 minutes. John Collins followed up with 21 points, six rebounds and one assist, while Tauren Prince added 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Hawks shot 46 percent from the field, including 12-of-33 from long range.
The Hawks (15-33) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Clippers on Monday. The Trail Blazers (31-20) play host to the Jazz on Wednesday.
The Trail Blazers go out to a great start at home, as they built a 10-point lead through the first quarter. The Hawks battled back in the second, where they outscored the home team by 11, to take a 64-63 lead by halftime. The Trail Blazers reclaimed the lead early in the third and held the edge to take a three-point lead into the final frame. The Hawks kept battling and trailed by just one points halfway though the fourth, but the Trail Blazers closed the contest on a 19-11 run, to earn their second straight win.
C.J. McCollum led the Trail Blazers with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal, in 37 minutes. Seth Curry followed up with 22 points, three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal, while Al-Farouq Aminu added 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. The Trail Blazers shot 50 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from long range.
Meanwhile, Trae Young led the Hawks with 30 points, eight assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block, in 31 minutes. John Collins followed up with 21 points, six rebounds and one assist, while Tauren Prince added 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Hawks shot 46 percent from the field, including 12-of-33 from long range.
The Hawks (15-33) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Clippers on Monday. The Trail Blazers (31-20) play host to the Jazz on Wednesday.