Grizzlies Use Strong Start To Defeat Wizards
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Washington Wizards, 125-111, at Capital One Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Grizzlies (16-15) moved above the .500 mark and inflicted a big loss to the red-hot Wizards (13-20), a team that had won seven of their previous nine contests before Tuesday's action. Memphis quickly jumped out to a 35-33 lead following the first quarter and pulled away for good at the break, as they outscored the Wizards 36-23 in the second 12 minutes of the first half. Memphis pushed their lead even further with a 25-22 score in the third quarter, meaning the game was essentially over heading into the final quarter. The Wizards won the final quarter by a four-point margin (33-29), but that wasn't enough to mount a comeback and the Grizzlies won this game rather comfortably. The Grizzlies shot 49.5 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three-point range in the win, while the Wizards shot an impressive 50.6 percent from the field but a meager 35.5 percent from deep.
Ja Morant carried the Grizzlies with an impressive 35-point, 10-assist double-double, but he also added five rebounds and a steal. Dillon Brooks ended with 20 points, while Brandon Clarke contributed 14 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Jonas Valanciunas had an 11-point, 16-rebound double-double, while Desmond Bane had 10 points. DeAnthony Meton had 20 points off the bench, while Justise Winslow also had 10 points.
Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal both led the Wizards with 23 points -- while Westbrook also had 15 assists and six rebounds, Beal chipped in with five dimes and six boards of his own. No other bench player scored in double digits but the bench had to pick up the slack. Robin Lopez ended with 14 points, Davis Bertans added 11 points and Deni Avdija finished with 10 more.
The Grizzlies (16-15) moved above the .500 mark and inflicted a big loss to the red-hot Wizards (13-20), a team that had won seven of their previous nine contests before Tuesday's action. Memphis quickly jumped out to a 35-33 lead following the first quarter and pulled away for good at the break, as they outscored the Wizards 36-23 in the second 12 minutes of the first half. Memphis pushed their lead even further with a 25-22 score in the third quarter, meaning the game was essentially over heading into the final quarter. The Wizards won the final quarter by a four-point margin (33-29), but that wasn't enough to mount a comeback and the Grizzlies won this game rather comfortably. The Grizzlies shot 49.5 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three-point range in the win, while the Wizards shot an impressive 50.6 percent from the field but a meager 35.5 percent from deep.
Ja Morant carried the Grizzlies with an impressive 35-point, 10-assist double-double, but he also added five rebounds and a steal. Dillon Brooks ended with 20 points, while Brandon Clarke contributed 14 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Jonas Valanciunas had an 11-point, 16-rebound double-double, while Desmond Bane had 10 points. DeAnthony Meton had 20 points off the bench, while Justise Winslow also had 10 points.
Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal both led the Wizards with 23 points -- while Westbrook also had 15 assists and six rebounds, Beal chipped in with five dimes and six boards of his own. No other bench player scored in double digits but the bench had to pick up the slack. Robin Lopez ended with 14 points, Davis Bertans added 11 points and Deni Avdija finished with 10 more.
Pistons-Raptors Postponed Tuesday
The game between the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors scheduled for Tuesday night at Amalie Arena has been postponed due to Toronto's COVID-19 personnel shortages and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Celtics Hold On, Secure Tight Win Over Clippers
The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 117-112, at TD Garden on Tuesday evening.
The Celtics (17-17) moved back to the .500 threshold with a tight win over the Clippers (24-13), though the game was only decided in the final seconds of the final quarter. Boston jumped out to a 35-32 lead following the first quarter, but the Clippers responded and managed to grab a one-point lead following a 31-27 second-quarter score. The third quarter ended with a 26-26 tie, meaning Los Angeles held a one-point advantage heading into the final 12 minutes of the contest. The Celtics responded when it mattered the most, though, and they won the final quarter by a 29-23 score, as they finally edged the Clippers to move back to the .500 mark. Meanwhile, the Clippers are now on a two-game losing streak -- but against two of the strongest rosters in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics shot 48.8 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range in the win. Meanwhile, the Clippers shot 49.4 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from three-point range in the loss.
Six Boston players scored in double digits in this game and Kemba Walker led the offense with 25 points while also adding six assists and four rebounds. Tristan Thompson had 13 points with nine rebounds, while Jayson Tatum chipped in with 14 points, five boards, five dimes and two steals, and Jaylen Brown contributed 18 points with five rebounds. Robert Williams ended with 13 points and eight boards off the bench but also added four assists and three blocks.
Paul George led the Clippers with a 32-point performance while adding five rebounds and four assists, while Reggie Jackson had 25 points and seven assists. Nicolas Batum and Marcus Morris each had 10 points, though the latter added them off the bench. Lou Williams had 12 points and four assists in 22 minutes off the bench.
The Celtics (17-17) moved back to the .500 threshold with a tight win over the Clippers (24-13), though the game was only decided in the final seconds of the final quarter. Boston jumped out to a 35-32 lead following the first quarter, but the Clippers responded and managed to grab a one-point lead following a 31-27 second-quarter score. The third quarter ended with a 26-26 tie, meaning Los Angeles held a one-point advantage heading into the final 12 minutes of the contest. The Celtics responded when it mattered the most, though, and they won the final quarter by a 29-23 score, as they finally edged the Clippers to move back to the .500 mark. Meanwhile, the Clippers are now on a two-game losing streak -- but against two of the strongest rosters in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics shot 48.8 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range in the win. Meanwhile, the Clippers shot 49.4 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from three-point range in the loss.
Six Boston players scored in double digits in this game and Kemba Walker led the offense with 25 points while also adding six assists and four rebounds. Tristan Thompson had 13 points with nine rebounds, while Jayson Tatum chipped in with 14 points, five boards, five dimes and two steals, and Jaylen Brown contributed 18 points with five rebounds. Robert Williams ended with 13 points and eight boards off the bench but also added four assists and three blocks.
Paul George led the Clippers with a 32-point performance while adding five rebounds and four assists, while Reggie Jackson had 25 points and seven assists. Nicolas Batum and Marcus Morris each had 10 points, though the latter added them off the bench. Lou Williams had 12 points and four assists in 22 minutes off the bench.
Hawks Topple Heat, 94-80
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Miami Heat, 94-80, at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night.
The Hawks (15-20) checked into Tuesday night's contest looking to atone for a Sunday loss to the Heat (17-18) that cost coach Lloyd Pierce his job, and they got off to an excellent start in that regard by forging a 23-17 lead through one. Atlanta added another point to its lead before intermission, but Miami turned the tables in the third quarter by eliminating its deficit and building a three-point edge going into the fourth quarter. However, the visitors wouldn't be denied, finishing on a 28-11 run over the final 10:13 to secure a comfortable victory.
Trae Young led the Hawks with an 18-point, 10-assist double-double that also included three rebounds and one steal. John Collins followed with 17 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Kevin Huerter furnished 16 points, five assists and two rebounds. Tony Snell poured in 11 points, while Clint Capela generated a 10-point, 17-rebound double-double that also included one block.
Goran Dragic and Duncan Robinson co-led the Heat with 14 points apiece, with Dragic also dishing out four assists and recording three rebounds. Bam Adebayo delivered 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. Kelly Olynyk provided seven points, six boards, two assists and four steals.
The Hawks remain on the road make the short trip upstate to take on the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, while the Heat head to New Orleans and face the Pelicans on Thursday night.
The Hawks (15-20) checked into Tuesday night's contest looking to atone for a Sunday loss to the Heat (17-18) that cost coach Lloyd Pierce his job, and they got off to an excellent start in that regard by forging a 23-17 lead through one. Atlanta added another point to its lead before intermission, but Miami turned the tables in the third quarter by eliminating its deficit and building a three-point edge going into the fourth quarter. However, the visitors wouldn't be denied, finishing on a 28-11 run over the final 10:13 to secure a comfortable victory.
Trae Young led the Hawks with an 18-point, 10-assist double-double that also included three rebounds and one steal. John Collins followed with 17 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Kevin Huerter furnished 16 points, five assists and two rebounds. Tony Snell poured in 11 points, while Clint Capela generated a 10-point, 17-rebound double-double that also included one block.
Goran Dragic and Duncan Robinson co-led the Heat with 14 points apiece, with Dragic also dishing out four assists and recording three rebounds. Bam Adebayo delivered 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. Kelly Olynyk provided seven points, six boards, two assists and four steals.
The Hawks remain on the road make the short trip upstate to take on the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, while the Heat head to New Orleans and face the Pelicans on Thursday night.
Spurs Confident In Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting New York Knicks, 119-93, at AT&T Center on Tuesday evening.
The contest got out to a competitive start, with the Spurs holding a, 25-23, lead after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, while the Spurs added another two points to their lead by halftime. The Knicks came out flat in the third and the Spurs took advantage, outscoring the visitors by 15 points in the quarter to take a, 87-68, lead into the final frame. The Spurs stayed in control in the fourth and pushed their lead as high as 27 points on the way to the home win, ending the Knicks' three-game win streak.
Trey Lyles was the high-point man for the Spurs, with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, in 30 minutes of action. DeMar DeRozan tallied 10 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and four steals, while Patty Mills and Luka Samanic chipped in 14 points each. The Spurs shot 48 percent from the field, including 18-of-42 from long range.
Meanwhile, Immanuel Quickley led the Knicks with 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 29 minutes off the bench. Julius Randle totaled 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a block, while R.J. Barrett finished with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. The Knicks shot 40 percent from the field, including 15-of-36 from deep.
The Knicks (18-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pistons on Thursday. The Spurs (18-13) play host to the Thunder on Thursday.
The contest got out to a competitive start, with the Spurs holding a, 25-23, lead after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, while the Spurs added another two points to their lead by halftime. The Knicks came out flat in the third and the Spurs took advantage, outscoring the visitors by 15 points in the quarter to take a, 87-68, lead into the final frame. The Spurs stayed in control in the fourth and pushed their lead as high as 27 points on the way to the home win, ending the Knicks' three-game win streak.
Trey Lyles was the high-point man for the Spurs, with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, in 30 minutes of action. DeMar DeRozan tallied 10 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and four steals, while Patty Mills and Luka Samanic chipped in 14 points each. The Spurs shot 48 percent from the field, including 18-of-42 from long range.
Meanwhile, Immanuel Quickley led the Knicks with 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 29 minutes off the bench. Julius Randle totaled 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a block, while R.J. Barrett finished with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. The Knicks shot 40 percent from the field, including 15-of-36 from deep.
The Knicks (18-18) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pistons on Thursday. The Spurs (18-13) play host to the Thunder on Thursday.
Nuggets Blow Out Bucks, 128-97
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Milwaukee Bucks, 128-97, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday.
A 37-23 first quarter really set the tone for Denver in this game, holding a double-digit lead for the final three quarters after that. They actually outscored the Bucks in the second half, 66-47, to complete their blowout win. The Nuggets shot 56 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range and 92 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Bucks to 41 percent from the field, 28 percent from long range and 71 percent from the charity stripe. In addition, Denver outscored Milwaukee in the paint, 56-32.
The Nuggets (20-15) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, collecting 37 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Jamal Murray totaled 24 points, three rebounds, six assists and two steals. Will Barton generated 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. P.J. Dozier led the bench with 19 points and two rebounds.
The Bucks (21-14) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Khris Middleton generated 20 points, four rebounds and six assists. Brook Lopez accrued 12 points and five rebounds. No other player reached double figures in scoring or handed out more than three assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Denver traveling to face the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee facing the Memphis Grizzlies on the road as well. That is the final night before the All-Star break.
A 37-23 first quarter really set the tone for Denver in this game, holding a double-digit lead for the final three quarters after that. They actually outscored the Bucks in the second half, 66-47, to complete their blowout win. The Nuggets shot 56 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range and 92 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Bucks to 41 percent from the field, 28 percent from long range and 71 percent from the charity stripe. In addition, Denver outscored Milwaukee in the paint, 56-32.
The Nuggets (20-15) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, collecting 37 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. Jamal Murray totaled 24 points, three rebounds, six assists and two steals. Will Barton generated 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. P.J. Dozier led the bench with 19 points and two rebounds.
The Bucks (21-14) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Khris Middleton generated 20 points, four rebounds and six assists. Brook Lopez accrued 12 points and five rebounds. No other player reached double figures in scoring or handed out more than three assists.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with Denver traveling to face the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee facing the Memphis Grizzlies on the road as well. That is the final night before the All-Star break.
Suns Defeat Lakers, 114-104
The Phoenix Suns defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 114-104, at Staples Center on Tuesday
While there were 12 lead changes, Phoenix led for all but a couple of minutes in this game. In fact, they got out to a 29-21 lead after the first quarter and never relinquished the lead in the second half. The Suns shot 16-of-29 from three-point range and 22-of-25 from the free-throw line while the Lakers hit just 11-of-31 from long range and 13-of-17 from the charity stripe. In addition, Phoenix out-assisted Los Angeles, 30-18, while outscoring their bench, 38-27. Both clubs shot over 49 percent from the field.
The Suns (23-11) were led by Dario Saric, providing 21 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench. Mikal Bridges led the starters with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Devin Booker got ejected in the third quarter but still had 17 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals. Deandre Ayton also had 17 points while Chris Paul generated eight points, five rebounds and 10 assists.
The Lakers (24-12) were led by LeBron James and his 38 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals. Dennis Schroder compiled 17 points, three rebounds and six assists. Markieff Morris totaled 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Talen Horton-Tucker led the bench with 16 points and three rebounds.
Los Angeles has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, traveling to face the Sacramento Kings. As for Phoenix, they host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday in their final game before the All-Star break.
While there were 12 lead changes, Phoenix led for all but a couple of minutes in this game. In fact, they got out to a 29-21 lead after the first quarter and never relinquished the lead in the second half. The Suns shot 16-of-29 from three-point range and 22-of-25 from the free-throw line while the Lakers hit just 11-of-31 from long range and 13-of-17 from the charity stripe. In addition, Phoenix out-assisted Los Angeles, 30-18, while outscoring their bench, 38-27. Both clubs shot over 49 percent from the field.
The Suns (23-11) were led by Dario Saric, providing 21 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench. Mikal Bridges led the starters with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Devin Booker got ejected in the third quarter but still had 17 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals. Deandre Ayton also had 17 points while Chris Paul generated eight points, five rebounds and 10 assists.
The Lakers (24-12) were led by LeBron James and his 38 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals. Dennis Schroder compiled 17 points, three rebounds and six assists. Markieff Morris totaled 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Talen Horton-Tucker led the bench with 16 points and three rebounds.
Los Angeles has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, traveling to face the Sacramento Kings. As for Phoenix, they host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday in their final game before the All-Star break.