Cavaliers Edge Pistons in OT, 115-112
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons in overtime, 115-112, at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night.
The Pistons (15-24) came into the contest with their usual laundry list of key injuries, making them particularly short-handed in the frontcourt. Detroit was highly efficient in the first half despite their multiple absences, building a 61-50 halftime lead. The Cavaliers (11-27) didn't let the game get away from them, however, shaving nine points off their deficit in the third and ultimately forcing overtime with a pair of clutch Tristan Thompson free throws with 24.5 seconds remaining. In the extra period, buckets from Kevin Love, Darius Garland and Thompson led to a 9-0 run that gave Cleveland a five-point lead with just 16.7 seconds remaining, helping to seal the win.
Thompson led the way for the Cavaliers with a 35-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included three assists, three blocks and one steal. Garland finished with 20 points, seven assists and two rebounds. Collin Sexton contributed 19 points, six boards, one assist, two steals and two blocks. Love totaled 17 points, nine boards, three assists and one steal. Cedi Osman supplied 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Andre Drummond paced the Pistons with a 28-point, 23-rebound double-double that also included one assist, one steal and one block. Derrick Rose furnished 27 points, seven rebounds and five assists, although he missed a would-be game-tying three-pointer as time wound down in overtime. Bruce Brown registered 17 points, eight assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Tony Snell poured in 11 points and also dished out three assists and pulled down one rebound.
The Cavaliers remain on the road and tangle with the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night, while the Pistons remain home and face the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night as well.
The Pistons (15-24) came into the contest with their usual laundry list of key injuries, making them particularly short-handed in the frontcourt. Detroit was highly efficient in the first half despite their multiple absences, building a 61-50 halftime lead. The Cavaliers (11-27) didn't let the game get away from them, however, shaving nine points off their deficit in the third and ultimately forcing overtime with a pair of clutch Tristan Thompson free throws with 24.5 seconds remaining. In the extra period, buckets from Kevin Love, Darius Garland and Thompson led to a 9-0 run that gave Cleveland a five-point lead with just 16.7 seconds remaining, helping to seal the win.
Thompson led the way for the Cavaliers with a 35-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included three assists, three blocks and one steal. Garland finished with 20 points, seven assists and two rebounds. Collin Sexton contributed 19 points, six boards, one assist, two steals and two blocks. Love totaled 17 points, nine boards, three assists and one steal. Cedi Osman supplied 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Andre Drummond paced the Pistons with a 28-point, 23-rebound double-double that also included one assist, one steal and one block. Derrick Rose furnished 27 points, seven rebounds and five assists, although he missed a would-be game-tying three-pointer as time wound down in overtime. Bruce Brown registered 17 points, eight assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Tony Snell poured in 11 points and also dished out three assists and pulled down one rebound.
The Cavaliers remain on the road and tangle with the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night, while the Pistons remain home and face the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night as well.
76ers Rally, Secure Win Over Celtics
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics, 109-98, at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday evening.
Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference went toe to toe in this one, and it was a game that was only decided by the final minutes. The Celtics (25-11) jumped ahead 35-26 after the first quarter, but the 76ers (25-14) began their rally during the second quarter with a 22-20 second quarter. They made things even closer with a 29-25 third quarter, setting up an epic rally down the stretch. Philadelphia won the final 12 minutes 32-18, and closed out a huge win in front of their own crowd.
Josh Richardson led the way for the Sixers with a 29-point performance, but he also added seven assists and three rebounds. Ben Simmons had 19 points and nine boards, while Al Horford chipped in with 17 points, eight boards and six dimes. Tobias Harris had 16 points and also grabbed seven rebounds.
Kemba Walker was undoubtedly the best player for the Celtics, since he ended with 26 points despite shooting just 10 of 20 from the field. Marcus Smart was excellent off the bench, as he ended with 24 points in 31 minutes off the bench. Jayson Tatum chipped in with 15 points and 10 boards. Jaylen Brown disappointed, however, and he also finished with six points while going 2-for-12 from the field.
Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference went toe to toe in this one, and it was a game that was only decided by the final minutes. The Celtics (25-11) jumped ahead 35-26 after the first quarter, but the 76ers (25-14) began their rally during the second quarter with a 22-20 second quarter. They made things even closer with a 29-25 third quarter, setting up an epic rally down the stretch. Philadelphia won the final 12 minutes 32-18, and closed out a huge win in front of their own crowd.
Josh Richardson led the way for the Sixers with a 29-point performance, but he also added seven assists and three rebounds. Ben Simmons had 19 points and nine boards, while Al Horford chipped in with 17 points, eight boards and six dimes. Tobias Harris had 16 points and also grabbed seven rebounds.
Kemba Walker was undoubtedly the best player for the Celtics, since he ended with 26 points despite shooting just 10 of 20 from the field. Marcus Smart was excellent off the bench, as he ended with 24 points in 31 minutes off the bench. Jayson Tatum chipped in with 15 points and 10 boards. Jaylen Brown disappointed, however, and he also finished with six points while going 2-for-12 from the field.
Timberwolves Top Trail Blazers At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 116-102, at Target Center on Thursday evening.
The Trail Blazers got out to a good start on the road and held a 34-28 lead after one quarter. The Timberwolves turned the tables in the second and outscored the visitors by 18 points in the quarter, to take a 12-point lead by halftime. The Timberwolves carried the momentum into the third, where they poured in 41 points and pushed their lead to 26, heading into the final frame. The Trail Blazers made a push in the fourth, as they outscored the hosts by 12 points in the quarter, but it was not nearly enough. This marks the third win in the last four games for the Timberwolves, while it marks the second loss in the last three games for the Blazers.
Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 23 points, eight assists and three rebounds, in 25 minutes. Gorgui Dieng tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block, while Jeff Teague added 12 points, six assists, three rebounds and a block. The Timberwolves shot 49 percent from the field, including 13-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds, in 30 minutes. Hassan Whiteside added 15 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks, while C.J. McCollum finished with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. The Trail Blazers shot 36 percent from the field, including 11-of-37 from long range.
The Timberwolves (15-22) take on the Rockets in Houston on Saturday. The Trail Blazers (16-23) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bucks on Saturday.
The Trail Blazers got out to a good start on the road and held a 34-28 lead after one quarter. The Timberwolves turned the tables in the second and outscored the visitors by 18 points in the quarter, to take a 12-point lead by halftime. The Timberwolves carried the momentum into the third, where they poured in 41 points and pushed their lead to 26, heading into the final frame. The Trail Blazers made a push in the fourth, as they outscored the hosts by 12 points in the quarter, but it was not nearly enough. This marks the third win in the last four games for the Timberwolves, while it marks the second loss in the last three games for the Blazers.
Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 23 points, eight assists and three rebounds, in 25 minutes. Gorgui Dieng tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block, while Jeff Teague added 12 points, six assists, three rebounds and a block. The Timberwolves shot 49 percent from the field, including 13-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds, in 30 minutes. Hassan Whiteside added 15 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks, while C.J. McCollum finished with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. The Trail Blazers shot 36 percent from the field, including 11-of-37 from long range.
The Timberwolves (15-22) take on the Rockets in Houston on Saturday. The Trail Blazers (16-23) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Bucks on Saturday.
Thunder Roll Rockets, 113-92
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the visiting Houston Rockets, 113-92, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday.
A 37-21 first quarter really set the tone for Oklahoma City in this game, holding a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. In fact, the Thunder led by at least 20 points for the final 15 minutes, getting up to 30 points at times. Oklahoma City ended up shooting 49 percent from the field while holding Houston to just 38 percent shooting. In addition, the Thunder won the rebounding battle, 52-39, while out-assisting the Rockets, 22-16.
The Rockets (25-12) were led by Russell Westbrook, collecting 34 points, two rebounds and five assists. James Harden went just 5-of-17 from the field to accrue 17 points, three rebounds and three assists. Clint Capela amassed eight points and 11 rebounds. Chris Clemons led the bench with 14 points and three boards.
The Thunder (22-16) were led by Danilo Gallinari, who tallied 23 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Chris Paul generated 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander amassed 20 points, three boards and three assists while Steven Adams accumulated 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Dennis Schroder led the bench with 16 points and five rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Houston playing host to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City remaining home to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
A 37-21 first quarter really set the tone for Oklahoma City in this game, holding a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. In fact, the Thunder led by at least 20 points for the final 15 minutes, getting up to 30 points at times. Oklahoma City ended up shooting 49 percent from the field while holding Houston to just 38 percent shooting. In addition, the Thunder won the rebounding battle, 52-39, while out-assisting the Rockets, 22-16.
The Rockets (25-12) were led by Russell Westbrook, collecting 34 points, two rebounds and five assists. James Harden went just 5-of-17 from the field to accrue 17 points, three rebounds and three assists. Clint Capela amassed eight points and 11 rebounds. Chris Clemons led the bench with 14 points and three boards.
The Thunder (22-16) were led by Danilo Gallinari, who tallied 23 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Chris Paul generated 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander amassed 20 points, three boards and three assists while Steven Adams accumulated 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Dennis Schroder led the bench with 16 points and five rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Houston playing host to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City remaining home to face the Los Angeles Lakers.