Hawks Secure Big Win Over Suns
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Phoenix Suns, 123-110, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday night.
The Hawks (9-32) and the Suns (16-24) are two of the worst teams of their respective Conference and while Phoenix seemed to have an edge on paper, Atlanta came through on the clutch and registered a huge win in front of their own crowd. The Hawks began dominating and they ended on top following both the first (28-25) and the second (28-26) quarters. That five-point lead was transformed into a one-point lead following Phoenix’s 32-28 third-quarter score. However, the Hawks completed the win in the final 12 minutes of action where they won by a 39-27 score. With the win, Atlanta moved to 5-14 at home while the Suns fell to 7-10 on the road.
Trae Young had another impressive performance for the Hawks as he ended with 36 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and two steals. Kevin Huerter extended his strong run of form, and he finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. John Collins ended with 22 points and 10 boards. DeAndre Hunter chipped in with 15 points. Damian Jones had 11 points while adding six boards.
Devin Booker led the way for the Suns since he ended with 39 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 11 points while shooting just 25 percent from the field. DeAndre Ayton came off the bench and had 20 points and 10 boards while going 10-14 from the field. Miles Bridges had some good moments off the bench and chipped in with 15 points.
The Hawks (9-32) and the Suns (16-24) are two of the worst teams of their respective Conference and while Phoenix seemed to have an edge on paper, Atlanta came through on the clutch and registered a huge win in front of their own crowd. The Hawks began dominating and they ended on top following both the first (28-25) and the second (28-26) quarters. That five-point lead was transformed into a one-point lead following Phoenix’s 32-28 third-quarter score. However, the Hawks completed the win in the final 12 minutes of action where they won by a 39-27 score. With the win, Atlanta moved to 5-14 at home while the Suns fell to 7-10 on the road.
Trae Young had another impressive performance for the Hawks as he ended with 36 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and two steals. Kevin Huerter extended his strong run of form, and he finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. John Collins ended with 22 points and 10 boards. DeAndre Hunter chipped in with 15 points. Damian Jones had 11 points while adding six boards.
Devin Booker led the way for the Suns since he ended with 39 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 11 points while shooting just 25 percent from the field. DeAndre Ayton came off the bench and had 20 points and 10 boards while going 10-14 from the field. Miles Bridges had some good moments off the bench and chipped in with 15 points.
Jazz Earn Tenth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz defeated the host Brooklyn Nets, 118-107, at Barclays Center on Tuesday evening.
The Jazz got out to a strong start on the road and took a 30-26 lead after one quarter. They carried the momentum into the second and outscored the hosts by 10 in the quarter, to push their lead to 14 by halftime. The Jazz pushed their lead to 20 mid way through the quarter, but the Nets closed the quarter on a stronger note, to bring it back to a 14-point game to start the fourth. The Nets kept pushing and cut it to single digits, but the Jazz quickly reestablished their hefty lead and held on for their 10th straight win.
Joe Ingles led the Jazz with 27 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal, in 30 minutes. Donovan Mitchell added 25 points, four assists and a steal, while Rudy Gobert added 22 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. The jazz shot 50 percent from the field, including 13-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 32 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block, in 32 minutes. Spencer Dinwiddie added 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan tallied nine assists, 14 rebounds and a block. The Nets shot 50 percent from the field, including 8-of-26 from long range.
The Nets (18-21) will look to bounce back as they take on the 76ers in Philly on Wednesday. The Jazz (28-12) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Thursday.
The Jazz got out to a strong start on the road and took a 30-26 lead after one quarter. They carried the momentum into the second and outscored the hosts by 10 in the quarter, to push their lead to 14 by halftime. The Jazz pushed their lead to 20 mid way through the quarter, but the Nets closed the quarter on a stronger note, to bring it back to a 14-point game to start the fourth. The Nets kept pushing and cut it to single digits, but the Jazz quickly reestablished their hefty lead and held on for their 10th straight win.
Joe Ingles led the Jazz with 27 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal, in 30 minutes. Donovan Mitchell added 25 points, four assists and a steal, while Rudy Gobert added 22 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. The jazz shot 50 percent from the field, including 13-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 32 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block, in 32 minutes. Spencer Dinwiddie added 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan tallied nine assists, 14 rebounds and a block. The Nets shot 50 percent from the field, including 8-of-26 from long range.
The Nets (18-21) will look to bounce back as they take on the 76ers in Philly on Wednesday. The Jazz (28-12) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Thursday.
Bucks Blow Out Visiting Knicks
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting New York Knicks, 128-102, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday evening.
The Bucks got out to a good start at home and held a 29-23 lead after one quarter. They blew the game open in the second, where they outscored the Knicks by 19 points, to push their lead to 25 by halftime. The Knicks put up a fight in the third but the Bucks did not hold back and managed to increase their lead to 32 points by the start of the fourth. The Knicks kept fighting in the fourth but it was too little, too late, as the Bucks walked away with their fourth straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 37 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a block, in 21 minutes. Khris Middleton added 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Ersan Ilyasova chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, a steal and a block. The Bucks shot 49 percent from the field, including 15-of-35 from deep.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle lead the Knicks with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three assists, in 27 minutes. R.J. Barrett followed up with 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, while Bobby Portis tallied 20 points, eight rebounds and a steal. The Knicks shot 35 percent from the field, including 11-of-37 from long range.
The Knicks (11-30) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Thursday. The Bucks (36-6) play host to the Celtics on Thursday.
The Bucks got out to a good start at home and held a 29-23 lead after one quarter. They blew the game open in the second, where they outscored the Knicks by 19 points, to push their lead to 25 by halftime. The Knicks put up a fight in the third but the Bucks did not hold back and managed to increase their lead to 32 points by the start of the fourth. The Knicks kept fighting in the fourth but it was too little, too late, as the Bucks walked away with their fourth straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 37 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a block, in 21 minutes. Khris Middleton added 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Ersan Ilyasova chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, a steal and a block. The Bucks shot 49 percent from the field, including 15-of-35 from deep.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle lead the Knicks with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three assists, in 27 minutes. R.J. Barrett followed up with 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, while Bobby Portis tallied 20 points, eight rebounds and a steal. The Knicks shot 35 percent from the field, including 11-of-37 from long range.
The Knicks (11-30) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Thursday. The Bucks (36-6) play host to the Celtics on Thursday.
Grizzlies Topple Rockets, 121-110
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Houston Rockets, 121-110, at FedEx Forum on Tuesday night.
The Rockets (26-13) opened the contest in typically fine form despite Russell Westbrook sitting out for rest, forging a 37-32 lead through the first 12 minutes. The Grizzlies (19-22) bounced back in strong fashion in the second quarter, however, eliminating their deficit and building a six-point halftime advantage. After Houston staged its own comeback and whittled their deficit down to two going into the final period, Memphis was able to put a final stamp on the home victory by surging over the final several minutes after the visitors had pulled ahead by a 92-91 margin with 9:13 remaining.
James Harden paced the Rockets with 41 points, adding six rebounds and six assists. Eric Gordon provided 23 points while also supplying four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Clint Capela generated a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Ben McLemore turned in 14 points, three rebounds and two steals. Austin Rivers went for 10 points and five boards.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 26 points, complementing them with eight assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Dillon Brooks turned in 24 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Jonas Valanciunas registered 19 points, six boards, two assists and one block. Jaren Jackson, Jr. posted 15 points. Brandon Clarke went for 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. De'Anthony Melton compiled 12 points, six boards, four assists and one block.
The Rockets head back home to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, while the Grizzlies remain home to tangle with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
The Rockets (26-13) opened the contest in typically fine form despite Russell Westbrook sitting out for rest, forging a 37-32 lead through the first 12 minutes. The Grizzlies (19-22) bounced back in strong fashion in the second quarter, however, eliminating their deficit and building a six-point halftime advantage. After Houston staged its own comeback and whittled their deficit down to two going into the final period, Memphis was able to put a final stamp on the home victory by surging over the final several minutes after the visitors had pulled ahead by a 92-91 margin with 9:13 remaining.
James Harden paced the Rockets with 41 points, adding six rebounds and six assists. Eric Gordon provided 23 points while also supplying four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Clint Capela generated a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Ben McLemore turned in 14 points, three rebounds and two steals. Austin Rivers went for 10 points and five boards.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 26 points, complementing them with eight assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Dillon Brooks turned in 24 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Jonas Valanciunas registered 19 points, six boards, two assists and one block. Jaren Jackson, Jr. posted 15 points. Brandon Clarke went for 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. De'Anthony Melton compiled 12 points, six boards, four assists and one block.
The Rockets head back home to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, while the Grizzlies remain home to tangle with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Mavericks Wallop Warriors, 124-97
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 124-97, at Chase Center on Tuesday.
While Dallas didn't necessarily win in wire-to-wire fashion, they held the lead for the final 45 minutes. A 36-26 first quarter really set the tone while a 29-21 second quarter put the game to bed. In fact, that allowed the Mavericks to lead by at least 15 points for the entirety of the second half. Dallas ended up shooting 51 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range while holding Golden State to 45 percent from the field and 28 percent from long range. They did that while winning the rebounding battle, 54-36, and the turnover differential, 14-7.
The Mavericks (25-15) got a perfect game from Dwight Powell, who totaled 21 points, six rebounds and two assists on 9-of-9 from the field. Luke Doncic amassed 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Tim Hardaway Jr generated 12 points, three rebounds and four assists while Boban Marjanovic led the bench with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Warriors (9-33) were led by D'Angelo Russell and his 13 points, three rebounds and nine assists. Glenn Robinson also had 13 points, adding seven rebounds and two assists to his tally. Jordan Poole led the bench with 17 points, two rebounds and five assists. Alec Burks accumulated 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Dallas has to play again on Wednesday, remaining on the road to face the Sacramento Kings. As for Golden State, they remain at home to face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday for their next fixture.
While Dallas didn't necessarily win in wire-to-wire fashion, they held the lead for the final 45 minutes. A 36-26 first quarter really set the tone while a 29-21 second quarter put the game to bed. In fact, that allowed the Mavericks to lead by at least 15 points for the entirety of the second half. Dallas ended up shooting 51 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range while holding Golden State to 45 percent from the field and 28 percent from long range. They did that while winning the rebounding battle, 54-36, and the turnover differential, 14-7.
The Mavericks (25-15) got a perfect game from Dwight Powell, who totaled 21 points, six rebounds and two assists on 9-of-9 from the field. Luke Doncic amassed 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Tim Hardaway Jr generated 12 points, three rebounds and four assists while Boban Marjanovic led the bench with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Warriors (9-33) were led by D'Angelo Russell and his 13 points, three rebounds and nine assists. Glenn Robinson also had 13 points, adding seven rebounds and two assists to his tally. Jordan Poole led the bench with 17 points, two rebounds and five assists. Alec Burks accumulated 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Dallas has to play again on Wednesday, remaining on the road to face the Sacramento Kings. As for Golden State, they remain at home to face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday for their next fixture.
Clippers Defeat Cavaliers, 128-103
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers, 128-103, at Staples Center on Tuesday.
Los Angeles won this game in dominating fashion, leading by double-digits for the final 30 minutes of action. In fact, they rode a 35-24 second quarter to a 16-point halftime lead and then took a 35-point lead into the fourth quarter thanks to a 40-21 third quarter. The Clippers ended up shooting 52 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Cavaliers to 42 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. In addition, Los Angeles won the rebounding battle, 53-40.
The Cavaliers (12-29) were led by Collin Sexton, who amassed 25 points and two steals. Cedi Osman accrued 21 points and three rebounds. Darius Garland dropped 14 points and handed out 10 assists. John Henson led the bench with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Tristan Thompson had eight rebounds and literally no other stat besides five missed shots.
The Clippers (28-13) got 43 points out of Kawhi Leonard, also providing three rebounds, four assists and two steals across 28 minutes. Ivica Zubac totaled 12 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and four blocks. Patrick Beverley accumulated 10 points, seven rebounds and nine assists while Lou Williams led the bench with 24 points and four assists. Moe Harkless also had six points and 11 boards.
On deck for Los Angeles was a home matchup versus the Orlando Magic on Thursday. As for Cleveland, they return to action on Friday against a resurgent Memphis Grizzlies team.
Los Angeles won this game in dominating fashion, leading by double-digits for the final 30 minutes of action. In fact, they rode a 35-24 second quarter to a 16-point halftime lead and then took a 35-point lead into the fourth quarter thanks to a 40-21 third quarter. The Clippers ended up shooting 52 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Cavaliers to 42 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. In addition, Los Angeles won the rebounding battle, 53-40.
The Cavaliers (12-29) were led by Collin Sexton, who amassed 25 points and two steals. Cedi Osman accrued 21 points and three rebounds. Darius Garland dropped 14 points and handed out 10 assists. John Henson led the bench with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Tristan Thompson had eight rebounds and literally no other stat besides five missed shots.
The Clippers (28-13) got 43 points out of Kawhi Leonard, also providing three rebounds, four assists and two steals across 28 minutes. Ivica Zubac totaled 12 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and four blocks. Patrick Beverley accumulated 10 points, seven rebounds and nine assists while Lou Williams led the bench with 24 points and four assists. Moe Harkless also had six points and 11 boards.
On deck for Los Angeles was a home matchup versus the Orlando Magic on Thursday. As for Cleveland, they return to action on Friday against a resurgent Memphis Grizzlies team.