Kings Topple Nuggets in OT, 100-97
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Denver Nuggets in overtime, 100-97, at Golden 1 Center on Saturday afternoon.
The game ultimately proved to be a tale of two halves, plus one extra period, with the Nuggets (13-4) getting off to an impressive start and building a 57-40 halftime lead. The Kings (8-10) would progressively claw back, however, ultimately outscoring Denver by a 50-33 margin over the final two quarters to force overtime when Richaun Holmes blocked Jamal Murray's 15-foot shot at the buzzer. In the extra period, Buddy Hield's pair of free throws with 9.5 seconds left gave Sacramento some key breathing room after Harrison Barnes brought the Kings back from a 95-94 deficit with two of his own and a seven-foot bucket as well.
Gary Harris led the way for the Nuggets with 25 points, adding three rebounds, one assist, three steals and two blocks. Murray followed with 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Will Barton generated a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included five assists and two steals. Jerian Grant totaled 12 points and five rebounds, while Malik Beasley registered 11 points, three assists and one steal.
Barnes paced the Kings with 30 points and also compiled five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Hield went for 21 points, seven boards, three assists, two steals and one block. Holmes posted 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Nemanja Bjelica and Bogdan Bogdanovic furnished matching 10-point, five-assist tallies, with Bjelica also pulling down 12 rebounds.
The Nuggets head back home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, while the Kings remain home to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
The game ultimately proved to be a tale of two halves, plus one extra period, with the Nuggets (13-4) getting off to an impressive start and building a 57-40 halftime lead. The Kings (8-10) would progressively claw back, however, ultimately outscoring Denver by a 50-33 margin over the final two quarters to force overtime when Richaun Holmes blocked Jamal Murray's 15-foot shot at the buzzer. In the extra period, Buddy Hield's pair of free throws with 9.5 seconds left gave Sacramento some key breathing room after Harrison Barnes brought the Kings back from a 95-94 deficit with two of his own and a seven-foot bucket as well.
Gary Harris led the way for the Nuggets with 25 points, adding three rebounds, one assist, three steals and two blocks. Murray followed with 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Will Barton generated a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included five assists and two steals. Jerian Grant totaled 12 points and five rebounds, while Malik Beasley registered 11 points, three assists and one steal.
Barnes paced the Kings with 30 points and also compiled five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Hield went for 21 points, seven boards, three assists, two steals and one block. Holmes posted 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Nemanja Bjelica and Bogdan Bogdanovic furnished matching 10-point, five-assist tallies, with Bjelica also pulling down 12 rebounds.
The Nuggets head back home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, while the Kings remain home to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
76ers Edge Pacers, 119-116
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Indiana Pacers, 119-116, at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night.
The game shaped up as a potentially low-scoring tussle between two of the NBA's best defensive teams, but it was evident from the first half that points would be piled up. The Pacers (12-7) and 76ers (14-6) alternated strong quarters and went into halftime in a 65-65 deadlock. Each then matched the other bucket for bucket in the third, and the nip-and-tuck battle continued into the closing seconds. Ultimately, Joel Embiid put up the final two points of his 32 on the night in the form of a pair of free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining, and Ben Simmons swiped a T.J. Warren pass to seal the victory for Philadelphia.
Warren led the way for the Pacers with 29 points, adding four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Malcolm Brogdon produced 28 points, six assists, four rebounds and one steal. Jeremy Lamb delivered 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Domantas Sabonis managed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included five assists. Justin Holiday led the bench with 10 points, while Myles Turner contributed just three points, three rebounds, one assist and two steals over 29 minutes.
Embiid added 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block to his aforementioned game-high scoring tally. Tobias Harris registered 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block. Simmons posted a 15-point, 13-assist double-double that also included six rebounds, four steals and one block. Al Horford matched Simmons' point total and also recorded three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Furkan Korkmaz poured in 12 points and also pitched in two steals.
The Pacers remain on the road and face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, while the 76ers remain home and tangle with the Utah Jazz on Monday night as well.
The game shaped up as a potentially low-scoring tussle between two of the NBA's best defensive teams, but it was evident from the first half that points would be piled up. The Pacers (12-7) and 76ers (14-6) alternated strong quarters and went into halftime in a 65-65 deadlock. Each then matched the other bucket for bucket in the third, and the nip-and-tuck battle continued into the closing seconds. Ultimately, Joel Embiid put up the final two points of his 32 on the night in the form of a pair of free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining, and Ben Simmons swiped a T.J. Warren pass to seal the victory for Philadelphia.
Warren led the way for the Pacers with 29 points, adding four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Malcolm Brogdon produced 28 points, six assists, four rebounds and one steal. Jeremy Lamb delivered 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Domantas Sabonis managed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included five assists. Justin Holiday led the bench with 10 points, while Myles Turner contributed just three points, three rebounds, one assist and two steals over 29 minutes.
Embiid added 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block to his aforementioned game-high scoring tally. Tobias Harris registered 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block. Simmons posted a 15-point, 13-assist double-double that also included six rebounds, four steals and one block. Al Horford matched Simmons' point total and also recorded three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Furkan Korkmaz poured in 12 points and also pitched in two steals.
The Pacers remain on the road and face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, while the 76ers remain home and tangle with the Utah Jazz on Monday night as well.
Rockets Roll Hawks, 158-111
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 158-111, at Toyota Center on Saturday.
A 38-21 first quarter really set the tone in this game for Houston while a 43-31 second quarter put the game to bed. In fact, that gave the Rockets a 29-point lead at the half which turned into a 56-point lead after a 46-21 third quarter. Houston's largest lead was 58 points midway through the fourth quarter. The Rockets ended up shooting 58 percent from the field and 49 percent from three-point range while holding the Hawks to 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. In addition, Houston won the rebounding battle, 52-29.
The Hawks (4-16) were led by Trae Young, who tallied 37 points, three rebounds and seven assists. DeAndre' Hunter amassed 14 points and five boards. Jabari Parker accrued 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. DeAndre' Bembry was their best bench player, providing five points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Rockets (13-6) were led by James Harden, who tallied 60 points, three rebounds, eight assists and three steals in 30 minutes of play. Russell Westbrook accumulated 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Ben McLemore amassed 24 points and 13 boards while Austin Rivers led the bench with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.
On deck for Atlanta is a home matchup versus the Golden State Warriors on Monday. As for Houston, they travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday for their next fixture.
A 38-21 first quarter really set the tone in this game for Houston while a 43-31 second quarter put the game to bed. In fact, that gave the Rockets a 29-point lead at the half which turned into a 56-point lead after a 46-21 third quarter. Houston's largest lead was 58 points midway through the fourth quarter. The Rockets ended up shooting 58 percent from the field and 49 percent from three-point range while holding the Hawks to 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. In addition, Houston won the rebounding battle, 52-29.
The Hawks (4-16) were led by Trae Young, who tallied 37 points, three rebounds and seven assists. DeAndre' Hunter amassed 14 points and five boards. Jabari Parker accrued 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. DeAndre' Bembry was their best bench player, providing five points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Rockets (13-6) were led by James Harden, who tallied 60 points, three rebounds, eight assists and three steals in 30 minutes of play. Russell Westbrook accumulated 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Ben McLemore amassed 24 points and 13 boards while Austin Rivers led the bench with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.
On deck for Atlanta is a home matchup versus the Golden State Warriors on Monday. As for Houston, they travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday for their next fixture.
Bucks Bludgeon Hornets, 137-96
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 137-96, at Fiserv Forum on Saturday.
It's rare to see a team win all four individual quarters, let alone each one by at least seven points apiece. That gave the Bucks a wire-to-wire win, leading by double-digits for the whole of the second half and by at least 20 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Milwaukee shot 56 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range while holding Charlotte to 37 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. They also out-assisted them, 41-21 while winning the turnover battle, 12-7.
The Hornets (8-13) were led by Devonte' Graham, who tallied 24 points, four rebounds and five assists. Terry Rozier accrued 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Miles Bridges totaled 15 points, eight rebounds and two assists. P.J. Washington amassed seven points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Bucks (17-3) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who collected 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists in just 19 minutes of action. Robin Lopez totaled 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Eric Bledsoe scored just two points but dished out 10 assists. Khris Middleton led the bench with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Milwaukee playing host to the New York Knicks and Charlotte welcoming the Phoenix Suns to Spectrum Center.
It's rare to see a team win all four individual quarters, let alone each one by at least seven points apiece. That gave the Bucks a wire-to-wire win, leading by double-digits for the whole of the second half and by at least 20 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Milwaukee shot 56 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range while holding Charlotte to 37 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. They also out-assisted them, 41-21 while winning the turnover battle, 12-7.
The Hornets (8-13) were led by Devonte' Graham, who tallied 24 points, four rebounds and five assists. Terry Rozier accrued 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Miles Bridges totaled 15 points, eight rebounds and two assists. P.J. Washington amassed seven points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Bucks (17-3) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who collected 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists in just 19 minutes of action. Robin Lopez totaled 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Eric Bledsoe scored just two points but dished out 10 assists. Khris Middleton led the bench with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Milwaukee playing host to the New York Knicks and Charlotte welcoming the Phoenix Suns to Spectrum Center.