Nuggets Overcome Feisty Wizards, 113-108
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Washington Wizards, 113-108, at Capital One Arena on Thursday night.
The Nuggets (48-22) figured to have the upper hand in terms of rest coming in, as the Wizards were playing their fifth game in seven nights while Denver was coming off a two-day break since their last contest. The first half more or less played out according to script, with the visitors forging an eight-point advantage. However, Washington erased that deficit during the third quarter and put a scare into the Nuggets in the final period before succumbing. Both teams shot over 50.0 percent in the fast-paced contest, but Denver held a 46.7 percent-28.6 percent advantage from three-point range.
Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray Gary Harris and Torrey Craig co-led the Nuggets with a quintet of 15-point efforts, with Jokic notably adding 11 assists and six rebounds. Millsap and Harris had six and five boards, respectively. Will Barton turned in 13 points, four rebounds and one assist. The reserve guard duo of Monte Morris and Malik Beasley furnished 11 and 10 points each.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 25 points, adding eight assists, two rebounds and three steals. Thomas Bryant totaled 22 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Bobby Portis contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and one assist. Tomas Satoransky delivered a 16-point, 10-assist double-double that also included four rebounds and one steal. Troy Brown, Jr. supplied 13 points, five boards and three assists.
The Nuggets next pay a visit to the New York Knicks on Friday night, while the Wizards remain home and face the Miami Heat on Saturday evening.
The Nuggets (48-22) figured to have the upper hand in terms of rest coming in, as the Wizards were playing their fifth game in seven nights while Denver was coming off a two-day break since their last contest. The first half more or less played out according to script, with the visitors forging an eight-point advantage. However, Washington erased that deficit during the third quarter and put a scare into the Nuggets in the final period before succumbing. Both teams shot over 50.0 percent in the fast-paced contest, but Denver held a 46.7 percent-28.6 percent advantage from three-point range.
Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray Gary Harris and Torrey Craig co-led the Nuggets with a quintet of 15-point efforts, with Jokic notably adding 11 assists and six rebounds. Millsap and Harris had six and five boards, respectively. Will Barton turned in 13 points, four rebounds and one assist. The reserve guard duo of Monte Morris and Malik Beasley furnished 11 and 10 points each.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 25 points, adding eight assists, two rebounds and three steals. Thomas Bryant totaled 22 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Bobby Portis contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and one assist. Tomas Satoransky delivered a 16-point, 10-assist double-double that also included four rebounds and one steal. Troy Brown, Jr. supplied 13 points, five boards and three assists.
The Nuggets next pay a visit to the New York Knicks on Friday night, while the Wizards remain home and face the Miami Heat on Saturday evening.
Hornets Topple Timberwolves, 113-106
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 113-106, at Spectrum Center on Thursday evening.
The Timberwolves (32-40) came into Thursday's contest looking to essentially play spoiler to a Hornets (32-39) squad still hanging on to hopes of an eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Minnesota was effective in its mission, matching Charlotte bucket for bucket in the first and trailing by only three at the half. After another deadlock in the third, the Hornets finally opened up a 10-point lead with 1:42 remaining. Despite a modest late surge by the visitors, the hosts were able to hold off them off for the win.
Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Timberwolves with a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included six assists, two blocks and one steal. Andrew Wiggins delivered 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Dario Saric posted 15 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Tyus Jones furnished 14 points, seven assists, two rebounds and two steals. Gorgui Dieng and Josh Okogie contributed matching 10-point tallies while hauling in five and three rebounds, respectively.
Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 31 points, adding six assists and five rebounds. Malik Monk followed with a bench-leading 14 points and also provided four rebounds. Jeremy Lamb and Marvin Williams offered matching 13-point totals, with Lamb also hauling in 10 rebounds. Miles Bridges finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Willy Hernangomez registered 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
The Timberwolves next pay a visit to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, while the Hornets remain home to face the Boston Celtics on Saturday evening as well.
The Timberwolves (32-40) came into Thursday's contest looking to essentially play spoiler to a Hornets (32-39) squad still hanging on to hopes of an eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Minnesota was effective in its mission, matching Charlotte bucket for bucket in the first and trailing by only three at the half. After another deadlock in the third, the Hornets finally opened up a 10-point lead with 1:42 remaining. Despite a modest late surge by the visitors, the hosts were able to hold off them off for the win.
Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Timberwolves with a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included six assists, two blocks and one steal. Andrew Wiggins delivered 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Dario Saric posted 15 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Tyus Jones furnished 14 points, seven assists, two rebounds and two steals. Gorgui Dieng and Josh Okogie contributed matching 10-point tallies while hauling in five and three rebounds, respectively.
Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 31 points, adding six assists and five rebounds. Malik Monk followed with a bench-leading 14 points and also provided four rebounds. Jeremy Lamb and Marvin Williams offered matching 13-point totals, with Lamb also hauling in 10 rebounds. Miles Bridges finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Willy Hernangomez registered 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
The Timberwolves next pay a visit to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, while the Hornets remain home to face the Boston Celtics on Saturday evening as well.
Hawks End Jazz's Five-Game Winning Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Utah Jazz, 117-114, at State Farm Arena on Thursday evening.
The contest got out to a competitive start, as the teams traded the lead through the first quarter, before the Hawks took a 29-28 lead into the second. The Hawks turned it up in the second, as they started the quarter on a 13-5 run. The Hawks led for the entire quarter and took an 11-point lead into halftime. The Jazz turned the tables in the third quarter, as they rallied to tie it up at 71, halfway through the quarter. The Jazz went on to outscore the Hawks by 16 points in the quarter, to take a five-point lead into the fourth. The Hawks started chipping away to start the fourth and made it a one-point game with just over seven minutes to go. The Jazz responded and pulled ahead by a couple of possessions, however, the Hawks outscored the visitors 19-8 through the final five minutes, to snap a three-game losing streak. For the Jazz, it marks the end of a five-game winning streak.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 23 points, 11 assists and two rebounds, in 34 minutes. Dewayne Dedmon followed up with 18 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two assists, while Kevin Heurter added 14 points, two assists and a rebound. The Hawks shot 47 percent from the field, including 19-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 34 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 35 minutes. Derrick Favors added 15 points, 15 rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist, while Ricky Rubio tallied 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals. The Jazz shot 43-of-94 from the field, including 10-of-32 from deep.
The Jazz (42-30) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday. The Hawks (25-48) play host to the 76ers on Saturday.
The contest got out to a competitive start, as the teams traded the lead through the first quarter, before the Hawks took a 29-28 lead into the second. The Hawks turned it up in the second, as they started the quarter on a 13-5 run. The Hawks led for the entire quarter and took an 11-point lead into halftime. The Jazz turned the tables in the third quarter, as they rallied to tie it up at 71, halfway through the quarter. The Jazz went on to outscore the Hawks by 16 points in the quarter, to take a five-point lead into the fourth. The Hawks started chipping away to start the fourth and made it a one-point game with just over seven minutes to go. The Jazz responded and pulled ahead by a couple of possessions, however, the Hawks outscored the visitors 19-8 through the final five minutes, to snap a three-game losing streak. For the Jazz, it marks the end of a five-game winning streak.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 23 points, 11 assists and two rebounds, in 34 minutes. Dewayne Dedmon followed up with 18 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two assists, while Kevin Heurter added 14 points, two assists and a rebound. The Hawks shot 47 percent from the field, including 19-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 34 points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal, in 35 minutes. Derrick Favors added 15 points, 15 rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist, while Ricky Rubio tallied 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals. The Jazz shot 43-of-94 from the field, including 10-of-32 from deep.
The Jazz (42-30) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday. The Hawks (25-48) play host to the 76ers on Saturday.
Pistons Crush Suns, 118-98
The Detroit Pistons defeated the Phoenix Suns, 118-98, at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Thursday.
It was a close contest through the first 24 minutes, with the Suns (17-56) taking a narrow two-point lead into halftime, but from that point on, it was all Pistons (37-34). More specifically, the fourth quarter was all Detroit, as the team wasted no time rattling off a 17-2 run over the course of four minutes to put the game away.
It was a complete team effort from the Pistons, with seven different players scoring in double figures Thursday night. Wayne Ellington led the way with a team-high 23 points after the sharp-shooter went 6-of-10 from behind the arc. Blake Griffin put together yet another terrific all-around performance with 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in 31 minutes while Andre Drummond posted a monster double-double of 16 points and 19 rebounds. Luke Kennard matched Drummond's 16 points in 25 minutes off the bench.
As for the Suns, it was their second straight loss and fourth in five games. They shot a decent percentage from the field Thursday, going 47.9 percent from the field, but they committed a staggering 19 turnovers. That, combined with giving up 19 offensive rebounds, led to Detroit getting 17 more shooting possessions. Devin Booker lead the way with a game-high 26 points, while DeAndre Ayton posted 20 points and eight rebounds. Mikal Bridges and Richaun Holmes were the only other Suns players to reach double figures, scoring 13 and 10 points, respectively.
It was a close contest through the first 24 minutes, with the Suns (17-56) taking a narrow two-point lead into halftime, but from that point on, it was all Pistons (37-34). More specifically, the fourth quarter was all Detroit, as the team wasted no time rattling off a 17-2 run over the course of four minutes to put the game away.
It was a complete team effort from the Pistons, with seven different players scoring in double figures Thursday night. Wayne Ellington led the way with a team-high 23 points after the sharp-shooter went 6-of-10 from behind the arc. Blake Griffin put together yet another terrific all-around performance with 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in 31 minutes while Andre Drummond posted a monster double-double of 16 points and 19 rebounds. Luke Kennard matched Drummond's 16 points in 25 minutes off the bench.
As for the Suns, it was their second straight loss and fourth in five games. They shot a decent percentage from the field Thursday, going 47.9 percent from the field, but they committed a staggering 19 turnovers. That, combined with giving up 19 offensive rebounds, led to Detroit getting 17 more shooting possessions. Devin Booker lead the way with a game-high 26 points, while DeAndre Ayton posted 20 points and eight rebounds. Mikal Bridges and Richaun Holmes were the only other Suns players to reach double figures, scoring 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Kings Rout Mavericks, 116-100
By Oscar Heanue
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 116-100, at Golden 1 Center on Thursday evening.
The Mavericks (28-44) saw their offensive woes continue on Thursday, as the team shot a dismal 39.1 percent en route to the double-digit loss. While Dallas hung tight in the first half, Sacramento (35-36) delivered a strong 63 second-half points to secure the victory. Buddy Hield set the tone with his game-high 29 points, which included seven of Sacramento's 13 made three-pointers. The loss drops Dallas to just 2-13 since the All-Star break, while Sacramento now sits 5.5 games back from the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
Marvin Bagley III also impressed for the Kings, finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. The rookie star shot 8-of-16 and blocked four shots in the compelling win. Bagley and Hield were two of the five Sacramento players to score in double figures in Thursday's tilt.
Dallas's own rookie star, Luka Doncic, did not fare nearly as well. The Rookie of the Year hopeful shot just 4-of-19 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line on Thursday. Doncic did, however, make an impact with his rebounding, as he grabbed 10 boards despite the poor offensive showing. Justin Jackson led the way for the Mavs with 19 points.
The Mavericks will remain in California to take on the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The Kings, meanwhile, will gear up for a tilt with the last-place Phoenix Suns.
The Mavericks (28-44) saw their offensive woes continue on Thursday, as the team shot a dismal 39.1 percent en route to the double-digit loss. While Dallas hung tight in the first half, Sacramento (35-36) delivered a strong 63 second-half points to secure the victory. Buddy Hield set the tone with his game-high 29 points, which included seven of Sacramento's 13 made three-pointers. The loss drops Dallas to just 2-13 since the All-Star break, while Sacramento now sits 5.5 games back from the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
Marvin Bagley III also impressed for the Kings, finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. The rookie star shot 8-of-16 and blocked four shots in the compelling win. Bagley and Hield were two of the five Sacramento players to score in double figures in Thursday's tilt.
Dallas's own rookie star, Luka Doncic, did not fare nearly as well. The Rookie of the Year hopeful shot just 4-of-19 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line on Thursday. Doncic did, however, make an impact with his rebounding, as he grabbed 10 boards despite the poor offensive showing. Justin Jackson led the way for the Mavs with 19 points.
The Mavericks will remain in California to take on the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The Kings, meanwhile, will gear up for a tilt with the last-place Phoenix Suns.
Warriors Dust Pacers, 112-89
By Oscar Heanue
The Golden State Warriors demolished the Indiana Pacers, 112-89, at Oracle Arena on Thursday.
After a slow start for both squads, Golden State (49-22) took control of the game by scoring 10 points in the final two minutes of the first half. The Warriors began to pile it on in the third quarter, going on a quick 11-0 run to bring their lead to 22. Indiana (44-29) struggled to string together offense, shooting just 38.5 percent from the field and 6-of-23 from three-point range. Thaddeus Young was the only Pacers starter to score in double digits in the tough loss.
For Golden State, however, offense came easy. All five Warriors starters scored in double digits as the team shot 49.4 percent from the floor. DeMarcus Cousins led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while two-time MVP Steph Curry chipped in another 15 points and seven assists. The Warriors knocked down 13 three-pointers on just over 36 percent from deep.
Indiana's leading scorer was Tyreke Evans, who poured in 20 points off the bench. Young also offered a bright spot for the Pacers, shooting 7-of-13 for 18 points and seven rebounds. However, the remainder of Indiana's starting lineup combined for just 18 points, leading to a stagnant offensive night for the Pacers.
Golden State will host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, while Indiana will return home to take on the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
After a slow start for both squads, Golden State (49-22) took control of the game by scoring 10 points in the final two minutes of the first half. The Warriors began to pile it on in the third quarter, going on a quick 11-0 run to bring their lead to 22. Indiana (44-29) struggled to string together offense, shooting just 38.5 percent from the field and 6-of-23 from three-point range. Thaddeus Young was the only Pacers starter to score in double digits in the tough loss.
For Golden State, however, offense came easy. All five Warriors starters scored in double digits as the team shot 49.4 percent from the floor. DeMarcus Cousins led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while two-time MVP Steph Curry chipped in another 15 points and seven assists. The Warriors knocked down 13 three-pointers on just over 36 percent from deep.
Indiana's leading scorer was Tyreke Evans, who poured in 20 points off the bench. Young also offered a bright spot for the Pacers, shooting 7-of-13 for 18 points and seven rebounds. However, the remainder of Indiana's starting lineup combined for just 18 points, leading to a stagnant offensive night for the Pacers.
Golden State will host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, while Indiana will return home to take on the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.