76ers Edge Past Hornets, 118-114
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 118-114, at Spectrum Center on Tuesday evening.
The 76ers (46-25) likely figured they'd be in for a wire-to-wire battle against the increasingly desperate Hornets (31-39), which were in desperate need of a win to stay alive for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia was also resting Joel Embiid for the contest, which made their challenge that much greater, and Charlotte had lost the prior three meetings between the teams by a combined total of just six points. True to form, the contest was a back-and-forth-affair until the closing seconds, when Nicolas Batum missed a tip-in that would have tied it at 116 with approximately one second remaining and Tobias Harris drained a pair of subsequent free throws for the win.
Ben Simmons led the way in Embiid's absence with 28 points, adding eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal. J.J. Redick followed with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included eight assists. Jimmy Butler provided 23 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block. Tobias Harris generated a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one steal. James Ennis III led the second unit with 14 points.
Jeremy Lamb paced the Hornets with 26 points and also contributed 11 rebounds and three assists. Kemba Walker turned in 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal. Frank Kaminsky pitched in 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and one block. Dwayne Bacon managed 13 points and three boards. Nicolas Batum supplied nine points, four rebounds, one assist and one block. Miles Bridges furnished eight points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The 76ers return home to face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday evening, while the Hornets remain home to tangle with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
The 76ers (46-25) likely figured they'd be in for a wire-to-wire battle against the increasingly desperate Hornets (31-39), which were in desperate need of a win to stay alive for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia was also resting Joel Embiid for the contest, which made their challenge that much greater, and Charlotte had lost the prior three meetings between the teams by a combined total of just six points. True to form, the contest was a back-and-forth-affair until the closing seconds, when Nicolas Batum missed a tip-in that would have tied it at 116 with approximately one second remaining and Tobias Harris drained a pair of subsequent free throws for the win.
Ben Simmons led the way in Embiid's absence with 28 points, adding eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal. J.J. Redick followed with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included eight assists. Jimmy Butler provided 23 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block. Tobias Harris generated a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one steal. James Ennis III led the second unit with 14 points.
Jeremy Lamb paced the Hornets with 26 points and also contributed 11 rebounds and three assists. Kemba Walker turned in 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal. Frank Kaminsky pitched in 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and one block. Dwayne Bacon managed 13 points and three boards. Nicolas Batum supplied nine points, four rebounds, one assist and one block. Miles Bridges furnished eight points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The 76ers return home to face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday evening, while the Hornets remain home to tangle with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
Rockets Crush Hawks, 121-105
By Oscar Heanue
The Houston Rockets defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 121-105, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday evening.
While Atlanta (24-48) hung tight for much of the game, Houston (45-26) ultimately gained an edge thanks to its superior offensive play. After knocking down 21 three-pointers in their last outing, the Rockets impressed with another 19 makes from deep in Tuesday's win. For the second straight game, too, both James Harden and Chris Paul tallied double digits in the assist column. Everything seemed to be going right for the Rockets, making it difficult for the Hawks to keep up despite their 15 made three-pointers.
On top of his 10 assists, Harden scored a game-high 31 points. With that, Harden is the first player since Michael Jordan in 1987 to score 30 points against every team in a single season. It was just another notch in the belt of an already historic season for Harden, who is leading the league in scoring at 35.9 points per game.
The Rockets also saw 26 points and 11 rebounds from Clint Capela. Danuel House pitched in another 19 points in a true top-to-bottom effort for the surging team.
Budding star Trae Young led the way for Atlanta, scoring 21 points while dishing out 12 assists. It was Young's fourth straight game scoring 20 or more. John Collins added another 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks.
Houston faces the second half of a back-to-back as it visits Memphis on Wednesday. The Hawks, meanwhile, will host the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
While Atlanta (24-48) hung tight for much of the game, Houston (45-26) ultimately gained an edge thanks to its superior offensive play. After knocking down 21 three-pointers in their last outing, the Rockets impressed with another 19 makes from deep in Tuesday's win. For the second straight game, too, both James Harden and Chris Paul tallied double digits in the assist column. Everything seemed to be going right for the Rockets, making it difficult for the Hawks to keep up despite their 15 made three-pointers.
On top of his 10 assists, Harden scored a game-high 31 points. With that, Harden is the first player since Michael Jordan in 1987 to score 30 points against every team in a single season. It was just another notch in the belt of an already historic season for Harden, who is leading the league in scoring at 35.9 points per game.
The Rockets also saw 26 points and 11 rebounds from Clint Capela. Danuel House pitched in another 19 points in a true top-to-bottom effort for the surging team.
Budding star Trae Young led the way for Atlanta, scoring 21 points while dishing out 12 assists. It was Young's fourth straight game scoring 20 or more. John Collins added another 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks.
Houston faces the second half of a back-to-back as it visits Memphis on Wednesday. The Hawks, meanwhile, will host the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
Bucks Handle Lakers, 115-101
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 115-101, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday evening.
Both teams announced prior to the game that their respective elite-level stars would sit, with Giannis Antetokounmpo nursing an ankle injury and LeBron James simply being given the night off for rest purposes. Even with those two absences essentially negating the other, the difference in talent between the two clubs was too much for the Lakers (31-40) to overcome. The Bucks (53-18) jumped out to an 11-point first-quarter lead and that Los Angeles did whittle down to three by halftime. However, the home squad reasserted its dominance in the third period by extending their advantage back out to 15, allowing them to comfortably cruise to victory during a low-scoring final period. The visitors did a poor job with both shooting and ball security, draining only 38.4 percent of their attempts while giving the ball away on 19 occasions.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope paced the Lakers with 35 points, adding three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Kyle Kuzma supplied 17 points, five boards, three assists and one steal. Rajon Rondo and Reggie Bullock pitched in matching 13-point tallies, with Rondo also dishing out 10 assists and pulling down six rebounds. JaVale McGee mustered six points but hauled in 11 boards.
As is usually the case when Antetokoumpo sits, Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks with 30 points, adding 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal. Brook Lopez tallied 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and three steals. Nikola Mirotic registered 23 points, six rebounds and one assist. Eric Bledsoe managed 14 points, eight boards, seven assists and four steals. Patrick Connaughton finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists off the bench.
The Lakers head back home to face the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, while the Bucks pay a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday evening.
Both teams announced prior to the game that their respective elite-level stars would sit, with Giannis Antetokounmpo nursing an ankle injury and LeBron James simply being given the night off for rest purposes. Even with those two absences essentially negating the other, the difference in talent between the two clubs was too much for the Lakers (31-40) to overcome. The Bucks (53-18) jumped out to an 11-point first-quarter lead and that Los Angeles did whittle down to three by halftime. However, the home squad reasserted its dominance in the third period by extending their advantage back out to 15, allowing them to comfortably cruise to victory during a low-scoring final period. The visitors did a poor job with both shooting and ball security, draining only 38.4 percent of their attempts while giving the ball away on 19 occasions.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope paced the Lakers with 35 points, adding three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Kyle Kuzma supplied 17 points, five boards, three assists and one steal. Rajon Rondo and Reggie Bullock pitched in matching 13-point tallies, with Rondo also dishing out 10 assists and pulling down six rebounds. JaVale McGee mustered six points but hauled in 11 boards.
As is usually the case when Antetokoumpo sits, Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks with 30 points, adding 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal. Brook Lopez tallied 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and three steals. Nikola Mirotic registered 23 points, six rebounds and one assist. Eric Bledsoe managed 14 points, eight boards, seven assists and four steals. Patrick Connaughton finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists off the bench.
The Lakers head back home to face the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, while the Bucks pay a visit to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday evening.
Warrios Beat Timberwolves, 117-107, Behind Curry's Big Night
By Oscar Heanue
The Golden State Warriors took down the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-107, at Target Center on Tuesday evening.
In what proved to be a quintessential Golden State win, Steph Curry scored 22 third-quarter points to elevate the Warriors (48-22) to victory. Curry's offensive outburst helped contribute to a barrage of three-pointers hit by the Warriors. Golden State finished with 19 makes from beyond the arc in the win. Minnesota (32-39), meanwhile, stayed competitive thanks to its tenacity on the glass. That was primarily fueled by star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who delivered 26 points and 21 rebounds on the night.
Curry finished with a team-high 36 points, including eight three-pointers. He was joined by a strong night from Klay Thompson, who poured in 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The Warriors were without star center DeMarcus Cousins, who was sidelined by a mild ankle injury.
All five starters scored in double figures for Minnesota, but that was not enough to get the job done. The Timberwolves shot just 40.4 percent from the field and 9-of-36 from three-point range. Andrew Wiggins turned in a strong performance, though, finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
On Thursday, Golden State will host the Indiana Pacers while Minnesota will visit the Charlotte Hornets.
In what proved to be a quintessential Golden State win, Steph Curry scored 22 third-quarter points to elevate the Warriors (48-22) to victory. Curry's offensive outburst helped contribute to a barrage of three-pointers hit by the Warriors. Golden State finished with 19 makes from beyond the arc in the win. Minnesota (32-39), meanwhile, stayed competitive thanks to its tenacity on the glass. That was primarily fueled by star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who delivered 26 points and 21 rebounds on the night.
Curry finished with a team-high 36 points, including eight three-pointers. He was joined by a strong night from Klay Thompson, who poured in 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The Warriors were without star center DeMarcus Cousins, who was sidelined by a mild ankle injury.
All five starters scored in double figures for Minnesota, but that was not enough to get the job done. The Timberwolves shot just 40.4 percent from the field and 9-of-36 from three-point range. Andrew Wiggins turned in a strong performance, though, finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
On Thursday, Golden State will host the Indiana Pacers while Minnesota will visit the Charlotte Hornets.
Nets Overcome 25-Point Fourth Quarter Deficit to Defeat Kings, 123-121
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 123-121, at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday.
It's extremely rare to see a team blow a 25-point fourth quarter lead but that was the case here. Brooklyn ended up outscoring Sacramento, 45-18, in the fourth quarter to pull off their comeback victory. Their only lead after the first quarter came with 0.8 seconds left in the game, as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson hit a game-winning lay-up to break a tied game. The Kings simply couldn't shoot in the fourth quarter, as they went 0-of-15 on shots outside of three feet. The Nets countered that by going 7-of-10 from three-point range in the fourth quarter to cap off their epic comeback.
The Nets (37-36) got a career performance from D'Angelo Russell, as he finished with 44 points, four rebounds, 12 assists and four steals. Jarrett Allen amassed 13 points and seven boards. Hollis-Jefferson led the bench with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Caris LeVert started and accrued six points, three rebounds and six assists.
The Kings (34-36) were led by Marvin Bagley III, as he provided 28 points, seven rebounds and two assists on 12-of-15 from the field. De'Aaron Fox led the starters with 27 points, four rebounds and nine assists. Harrison Barnes totaled 17 points and seven rebounds. Nemanja Bjelica generated 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Sacramento is a home matchup versus the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. As for Brooklyn, they're off until Friday when they travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
It's extremely rare to see a team blow a 25-point fourth quarter lead but that was the case here. Brooklyn ended up outscoring Sacramento, 45-18, in the fourth quarter to pull off their comeback victory. Their only lead after the first quarter came with 0.8 seconds left in the game, as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson hit a game-winning lay-up to break a tied game. The Kings simply couldn't shoot in the fourth quarter, as they went 0-of-15 on shots outside of three feet. The Nets countered that by going 7-of-10 from three-point range in the fourth quarter to cap off their epic comeback.
The Nets (37-36) got a career performance from D'Angelo Russell, as he finished with 44 points, four rebounds, 12 assists and four steals. Jarrett Allen amassed 13 points and seven boards. Hollis-Jefferson led the bench with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Caris LeVert started and accrued six points, three rebounds and six assists.
The Kings (34-36) were led by Marvin Bagley III, as he provided 28 points, seven rebounds and two assists on 12-of-15 from the field. De'Aaron Fox led the starters with 27 points, four rebounds and nine assists. Harrison Barnes totaled 17 points and seven rebounds. Nemanja Bjelica generated 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Sacramento is a home matchup versus the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. As for Brooklyn, they're off until Friday when they travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
Clippers Defeat Shorthanded Pacers, 115-109
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers, 115-109, at Staples Center on Tuesday.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win for the Clippers, they held the lead for the final 46 minutes. It was a 25-16 first quarter that really set the tone, as a 34-26 third quarter was simply too much for Indiana to overcome. Turnovers were the difference in the game, with Los Angeles winning that battle, 20-13. That allowed the Clippers to win the points off turnover differential, 22-9. Los Angeles also did a ton of damage through transition, outscoring Indiana in fastbreak scoring, 19-6.
The Pacers (44-28) were led by Bojan Bogdanovic, as he tallied 19 points, five rebounds and two assists. Myles Turner finished with 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and five blocks. Tyreke Evans was huge off the bench, providing 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Domantas Sabonis also played well off the bench, amassing 13 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.
The Clippers (42-30) were led by Danilo Gallinari, as he collected 24 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Montrezl Harrell led the bench with 20 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Lou Williams amassed 11 points and nine assists off the bench as well.
The Pacers will continue their West Coast road trip on Thursday, as they travel to face the Golden State Warriors. As for the Clippers, they return to action on Friday in a road matchup versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.
While this wasn't a wire-to-wire win for the Clippers, they held the lead for the final 46 minutes. It was a 25-16 first quarter that really set the tone, as a 34-26 third quarter was simply too much for Indiana to overcome. Turnovers were the difference in the game, with Los Angeles winning that battle, 20-13. That allowed the Clippers to win the points off turnover differential, 22-9. Los Angeles also did a ton of damage through transition, outscoring Indiana in fastbreak scoring, 19-6.
The Pacers (44-28) were led by Bojan Bogdanovic, as he tallied 19 points, five rebounds and two assists. Myles Turner finished with 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and five blocks. Tyreke Evans was huge off the bench, providing 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Domantas Sabonis also played well off the bench, amassing 13 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.
The Clippers (42-30) were led by Danilo Gallinari, as he collected 24 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Montrezl Harrell led the bench with 20 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Lou Williams amassed 11 points and nine assists off the bench as well.
The Pacers will continue their West Coast road trip on Thursday, as they travel to face the Golden State Warriors. As for the Clippers, they return to action on Friday in a road matchup versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.