Wizards Hold On, Defeat Sixers
The Washington Wizards defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 119-113, at Verizon Center on Thursday.
The Wizards (8-13) and the 76ers (15-8) ended delivering a thrilling, exciting contest between two teams that are currently riding opposite runs of form. While the Wizards are one of the rebuilding sides in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers are bonafide title candidates in the same Conference. Such wasn't the case here, though, as Washington bounced back from an ugly first quarter (25-33) with a stellar second quarter score of 40-22. The third quarter ended in a 26-26 draw, so Philly had one last chance to complete the comeback in the final minutes. But Washington held on, and secured a big win against a Conference rival. With the win, Washington moved to 4-5 at home while Philadelphia fell to 5-8 on the road.
Rookie Rui Hachimura was the top scorer for the Wizards since he ended with 27 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Bradley Beal chipped in with a strong double-double, as he ended with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four dimes. Ish Smith, who started due to Isaiah Thomas' injury woes, ended with 19 points and eight assists. Davis Bertans had a great performance off the bench since he contributed 26 points in 37 minutes whle coming off the bench.
Tobias Harris scored a game-high 33 points, but he also added seven rebounds and three assists. Joel Embiid had a strong double-double since he ended with 26 points and 21 rebounds. Ben Simmnons had 17 points with 10 assists and five rebounds. Al Horford cooperated with 11 points too. Veteran guard Raul Neto scored 11 points.
The Wizards (8-13) and the 76ers (15-8) ended delivering a thrilling, exciting contest between two teams that are currently riding opposite runs of form. While the Wizards are one of the rebuilding sides in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers are bonafide title candidates in the same Conference. Such wasn't the case here, though, as Washington bounced back from an ugly first quarter (25-33) with a stellar second quarter score of 40-22. The third quarter ended in a 26-26 draw, so Philly had one last chance to complete the comeback in the final minutes. But Washington held on, and secured a big win against a Conference rival. With the win, Washington moved to 4-5 at home while Philadelphia fell to 5-8 on the road.
Rookie Rui Hachimura was the top scorer for the Wizards since he ended with 27 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Bradley Beal chipped in with a strong double-double, as he ended with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four dimes. Ish Smith, who started due to Isaiah Thomas' injury woes, ended with 19 points and eight assists. Davis Bertans had a great performance off the bench since he contributed 26 points in 37 minutes whle coming off the bench.
Tobias Harris scored a game-high 33 points, but he also added seven rebounds and three assists. Joel Embiid had a strong double-double since he ended with 26 points and 21 rebounds. Ben Simmnons had 17 points with 10 assists and five rebounds. Al Horford cooperated with 11 points too. Veteran guard Raul Neto scored 11 points.
Nuggets Crush Knicks In New York
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host New York Knicks, 129-92, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday evening.
The Nuggets got out to a good start on the road with a six-point lead after one quarter. They pushed the momentum in the second and outscored the Knicks by 16 in the quarter, to take a 67-45 lead into halftime. The Knicks came out stronger in the third but could not cut into the deficit, as the Nuggets outscored them by one point in the quarter. The Nuggets did not hold back in the fourth as they charged their way to their sixth road win of the season. This marks the eight straight loss for the Knicks.
Eight players scored in double digits for the Nuggets, led by Will Barton who finished with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Jerami Grant finished with 16 points, while Monte Morris added 15, and Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley finished with 14 points each. The Nuggets shot 56 percent from the field, including 21-of-39 from long range.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson led the Knicks with 17 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, in 30 minutes. Bobby Portis and Marcus Morris Sr. were the only other players to score in double digits for the Knicks, as they added 10 points each. The Knicks shot 41 percent from the field, including 9-of-34 from long range.
The Knicks (4-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pacers on Saturday. The Nuggets (14-5) take on the Celtics in Boston on Friday.
The Nuggets got out to a good start on the road with a six-point lead after one quarter. They pushed the momentum in the second and outscored the Knicks by 16 in the quarter, to take a 67-45 lead into halftime. The Knicks came out stronger in the third but could not cut into the deficit, as the Nuggets outscored them by one point in the quarter. The Nuggets did not hold back in the fourth as they charged their way to their sixth road win of the season. This marks the eight straight loss for the Knicks.
Eight players scored in double digits for the Nuggets, led by Will Barton who finished with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Jerami Grant finished with 16 points, while Monte Morris added 15, and Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley finished with 14 points each. The Nuggets shot 56 percent from the field, including 21-of-39 from long range.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson led the Knicks with 17 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, in 30 minutes. Bobby Portis and Marcus Morris Sr. were the only other players to score in double digits for the Knicks, as they added 10 points each. The Knicks shot 41 percent from the field, including 9-of-34 from long range.
The Knicks (4-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pacers on Saturday. The Nuggets (14-5) take on the Celtics in Boston on Friday.
Rockets Topple Raptors, 119-109
The Houston Rockets defeated the Toronto Raptors, 119-109, at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.
The Rockets (14-7) came out of the gates primed for this interconference matchup, taking a 34-28 first-quarter lead that was 63-55 by halftime. The Raptors (15-6) managed to shave two points off their deficit entering the fourth quarter, and they then managed to get as close as 101-100 with 8:39 remaining. However, Houston would finish on an 18-9 run from that point to clinch the hard-fought road victory, one in which they shot just 40.8 percent from the field.
Ben McLemore led the way for the Rockets with 28 points, adding three assists, two rebounds and one steal. James Harden furnished 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, five steals and one block. Russell Westbrook contributed a 19-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that also included two steals. P.J. Tucker generated 18 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal. Danuel House, Jr. led the bench with 16 points.
Pascal Siakam paced the Raptors with 24 points, a total he complemented with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Fred VanVleet contributed 20 points, six boards, five assists, three steals and one block. Kyle Lowry delivered 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds and one steal. Norman Powell led the second unit with 14 points, while Serge Ibaka pitched in 10 points, five boards and two assists.
The Rockets return home and take on the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, while the Raptors hit the road and pay a visit to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday evening.
The Rockets (14-7) came out of the gates primed for this interconference matchup, taking a 34-28 first-quarter lead that was 63-55 by halftime. The Raptors (15-6) managed to shave two points off their deficit entering the fourth quarter, and they then managed to get as close as 101-100 with 8:39 remaining. However, Houston would finish on an 18-9 run from that point to clinch the hard-fought road victory, one in which they shot just 40.8 percent from the field.
Ben McLemore led the way for the Rockets with 28 points, adding three assists, two rebounds and one steal. James Harden furnished 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, five steals and one block. Russell Westbrook contributed a 19-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that also included two steals. P.J. Tucker generated 18 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal. Danuel House, Jr. led the bench with 16 points.
Pascal Siakam paced the Raptors with 24 points, a total he complemented with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Fred VanVleet contributed 20 points, six boards, five assists, three steals and one block. Kyle Lowry delivered 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds and one steal. Norman Powell led the second unit with 14 points, while Serge Ibaka pitched in 10 points, five boards and two assists.
The Rockets return home and take on the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, while the Raptors hit the road and pay a visit to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday evening.
Suns Defeat Pelicans in OT, 139-132
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host New Orleans Pelicans in overtime, 139-132, at Smoothie King Center on Thursday.
While Phoenix did blow a 16-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, they were able to prevail in overtime. In fact, they started the extra session on a 10-4 run and ended up outscoring the Pelicans, 14-7, in total. Despite the fact that the Suns led by 20 late in the third quarter, there were six ties and seven lead changes in total. The key for the Suns was their rebounding, winning that battle, 51-40. In addition, Phoenix recorded 16 steals while winning the turnover differential, 23-18. In addition, the Suns shot 93 percent from the free-throw line on 27 attempts while the Pelicans hit just 77 percent on 35 attempts.
The Suns (10-11) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 44 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Frank Kaminsky amassed 20 points, six rebounds and two steals. Kelly Oubre Jr accrued 14 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and four blocks while Ricky Rubio generated 13 points, six rebounds, 15 assists and four steals.
The Pelicans (6-16) were led by J.J. Redick, who totaled 26 points, four rebounds and two assists. Jrue Holiday collected 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. Brandon Ingram finished with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists while Lonzo Ball accumulated 20 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and two blocks.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with New Orleans traveling to face the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix playing the Houston Rockets on the road as well.
While Phoenix did blow a 16-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, they were able to prevail in overtime. In fact, they started the extra session on a 10-4 run and ended up outscoring the Pelicans, 14-7, in total. Despite the fact that the Suns led by 20 late in the third quarter, there were six ties and seven lead changes in total. The key for the Suns was their rebounding, winning that battle, 51-40. In addition, Phoenix recorded 16 steals while winning the turnover differential, 23-18. In addition, the Suns shot 93 percent from the free-throw line on 27 attempts while the Pelicans hit just 77 percent on 35 attempts.
The Suns (10-11) were led by Devin Booker, who tallied 44 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Frank Kaminsky amassed 20 points, six rebounds and two steals. Kelly Oubre Jr accrued 14 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and four blocks while Ricky Rubio generated 13 points, six rebounds, 15 assists and four steals.
The Pelicans (6-16) were led by J.J. Redick, who totaled 26 points, four rebounds and two assists. Jrue Holiday collected 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. Brandon Ingram finished with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists while Lonzo Ball accumulated 20 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and two blocks.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with New Orleans traveling to face the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix playing the Houston Rockets on the road as well.