Raptors Overcome Slow Start, Get Past Mavericks
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 105-100, at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday evening.
The Raptors (10-9) had to grind this one out and waited until the final seconds to close things out, but ultimately, they managed to defeat a Mavericks (9-9) team that has lost three games in a row now. Dallas enjoyed a better start, however, and they raced out to a 29-24 lead in the first quarter before Toronto erased that advantage with a strong defensive effort in the second quarter. Toronto was leading by a 54-52 after the first half, and they’d pull away for good with a 27-21 score in the third quarter, but that eight-point deficit was not something that closed out the game. Things were tight until the very last minute and Dallas kept trying to mount a comeback, but in the end, they fell short. The Mavericks won the final quarter by a 27-24 score, but they couldn’t turn things around and the Raptors closed the game in the final seconds with a steal and two free throws from OG Anunoby. With the win, the Raptors have now won two in a row.
OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet led the way for the Raptors, as both posted matching 26-point tallies to pace the Canadian franchise to victory here. Anunoby also added nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, while VanVleet chipped in with seven assists and six boards. Juancho Hernangomez was the only other starter who scored in double digits thanks to his 10-point performance. Chris Boucher looked impressive off the bench once again and posted 22 points and 13 rebounds across 36 minutes.
Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but his efforts were not enough. Spencer Dinwiddie posted 15 points and seven assists, and Dorian Finney-Smith recorded 16 points, four boards, two assists and two steals. Maxi Kleber had 11 points coming off the bench.
The Raptors (10-9) had to grind this one out and waited until the final seconds to close things out, but ultimately, they managed to defeat a Mavericks (9-9) team that has lost three games in a row now. Dallas enjoyed a better start, however, and they raced out to a 29-24 lead in the first quarter before Toronto erased that advantage with a strong defensive effort in the second quarter. Toronto was leading by a 54-52 after the first half, and they’d pull away for good with a 27-21 score in the third quarter, but that eight-point deficit was not something that closed out the game. Things were tight until the very last minute and Dallas kept trying to mount a comeback, but in the end, they fell short. The Mavericks won the final quarter by a 27-24 score, but they couldn’t turn things around and the Raptors closed the game in the final seconds with a steal and two free throws from OG Anunoby. With the win, the Raptors have now won two in a row.
OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet led the way for the Raptors, as both posted matching 26-point tallies to pace the Canadian franchise to victory here. Anunoby also added nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, while VanVleet chipped in with seven assists and six boards. Juancho Hernangomez was the only other starter who scored in double digits thanks to his 10-point performance. Chris Boucher looked impressive off the bench once again and posted 22 points and 13 rebounds across 36 minutes.
Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but his efforts were not enough. Spencer Dinwiddie posted 15 points and seven assists, and Dorian Finney-Smith recorded 16 points, four boards, two assists and two steals. Maxi Kleber had 11 points coming off the bench.
Rockets Notch Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, 118-105, at Toyota Center on Saturday evening.
The Rockets jumped out to a quick 10-point lead but the Thunder rallied back to make it a one-point game heading into the second. The Rockets picked up their play in the second and outscored the visitors 42-22, to take a 21-point advantage at the break. The Rockets kept control in the third and increased their cushion to 22, heading into the final frame. The Thunder put up a fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Rockets cruised to their second straight win.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 28 points, two rebounds and nine assists, in 34 minutes. Alperen Sengun followed up with 21 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks, while Jabari Smith totaled 15 points, 13 rebounds and a block. The Rockets shot 52 percent from the field, including 18-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 28 minutes. Josh Giddey followed up with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Aaron Wiggins added 15 points, two rebounds and three steals. The Thunder shot 39 percent from the field, including 10-of-44 from deep.
The Thunder (8-12) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Monday. The Rockets (5-14) take on the Nuggets in Denver on Monday.
The Rockets jumped out to a quick 10-point lead but the Thunder rallied back to make it a one-point game heading into the second. The Rockets picked up their play in the second and outscored the visitors 42-22, to take a 21-point advantage at the break. The Rockets kept control in the third and increased their cushion to 22, heading into the final frame. The Thunder put up a fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Rockets cruised to their second straight win.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 28 points, two rebounds and nine assists, in 34 minutes. Alperen Sengun followed up with 21 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks, while Jabari Smith totaled 15 points, 13 rebounds and a block. The Rockets shot 52 percent from the field, including 18-of-36 from long range.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 28 minutes. Josh Giddey followed up with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Aaron Wiggins added 15 points, two rebounds and three steals. The Thunder shot 39 percent from the field, including 10-of-44 from deep.
The Thunder (8-12) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Monday. The Rockets (5-14) take on the Nuggets in Denver on Monday.
Lakers Defeat Spurs, 143-138
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the host San Antonio Spurs, 143-138, at AT&T Center on Saturday.
There were seven ties and 11 lead changes in this shootout, with Los Angeles riding a 36-29 third quarter to their victory. That allowed them to maintain the lead for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 17 points at times in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles shot 58 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding San Antonio to 51 percent from the field and 49 percent from long range. The Lakers also shot 32-of-37 from the free-throw line, while the Spurs connected on just 14-of-20.
The Lakers (7-11) were led by LeBron James, collecting 39 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Dennis Schroder amassed 21 points, three rebounds and six assists. Lonnie Walker totaled 19 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Austin Reaves led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Wenyen Gabriel also scored 15 points off the bench, while Russell Westbrook provided 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
The Spurs (6-15) were led by Keldon Johnson, compiling 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Tre Jones tallied 23 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Devin Vassell generated 20 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Doug McDermott led the bench with 15 points, two rebounds and three assists. Jakob Poeltl played just nine minutes due to injury but still had 12 points and nine boards.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Monday. As for San Antonio, they're off until Wednesday, traveling to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
There were seven ties and 11 lead changes in this shootout, with Los Angeles riding a 36-29 third quarter to their victory. That allowed them to maintain the lead for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 17 points at times in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles shot 58 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range while holding San Antonio to 51 percent from the field and 49 percent from long range. The Lakers also shot 32-of-37 from the free-throw line, while the Spurs connected on just 14-of-20.
The Lakers (7-11) were led by LeBron James, collecting 39 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Dennis Schroder amassed 21 points, three rebounds and six assists. Lonnie Walker totaled 19 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Austin Reaves led the bench with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Wenyen Gabriel also scored 15 points off the bench, while Russell Westbrook provided 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
The Spurs (6-15) were led by Keldon Johnson, compiling 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Tre Jones tallied 23 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Devin Vassell generated 20 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Doug McDermott led the bench with 15 points, two rebounds and three assists. Jakob Poeltl played just nine minutes due to injury but still had 12 points and nine boards.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Monday. As for San Antonio, they're off until Wednesday, traveling to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Suns Defeat Jazz, 113-112
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Utah Jazz, 113-112, at Footprint Center on Saturday.
There were 16 ties and 11 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. That was Utah early in the first half, but Phoenix responded with a 29-22 second quarter and a 35-31 fourth quarter to complete their comeback win. They actually held the lead for the final eight minutes, despite never leading by more than six points in this game. The Suns out-rebounded the Jazz, 54-47, while out-assisting them, 23-20. They also won the turnover battle, 12-6.
The Jazz (12-10) were led by Jordan Clarkson, collecting 22 points, five rebounds and five assists. Collin Sexton compiled 20 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lauri Markkanen amassed 15 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, while Kelly Olynyk had 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Malik Beasley led the bench with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Suns (12-6) were led by Deandre Ayton, accruing 29 points, 21 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Devin Booker missed 19 of his 27 shots but still finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Mikal Bridges generated 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Cameron Payne totaled 11 points and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Phoenix traveling to face the Sacramento Kings and Utah returning home to play the Chicago Bulls.
There were 16 ties and 11 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points. That was Utah early in the first half, but Phoenix responded with a 29-22 second quarter and a 35-31 fourth quarter to complete their comeback win. They actually held the lead for the final eight minutes, despite never leading by more than six points in this game. The Suns out-rebounded the Jazz, 54-47, while out-assisting them, 23-20. They also won the turnover battle, 12-6.
The Jazz (12-10) were led by Jordan Clarkson, collecting 22 points, five rebounds and five assists. Collin Sexton compiled 20 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lauri Markkanen amassed 15 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, while Kelly Olynyk had 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Malik Beasley led the bench with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Suns (12-6) were led by Deandre Ayton, accruing 29 points, 21 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Devin Booker missed 19 of his 27 shots but still finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Mikal Bridges generated 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Cameron Payne totaled 11 points and six assists.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Phoenix traveling to face the Sacramento Kings and Utah returning home to play the Chicago Bulls.