76ers Defeat Cavaliers In Battle Of Contenders
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 118-109, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Wednesday.
The 76ers (46-22) and the Cavaliers (44-28) have been two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference this season. However, Philadelphia looked better in this one and secured the victory against a Cleveland team that was missing a key piece in Jarrett Allen. The Sixers looked good right from the start and jumped out to a 29-24 lead in the first quarter, but the Cavaliers responded and recovered the lead following a 36-26 score in the second quarter. The 76ers had a different attitude in the second half and won the third quarter by a 29-23 score, making it a one-point game for them with just 12 minutes left. The Cavaliers fought hard in the final minutes, but the Sixers closed the game out after winning the final quarter by a 34-26 score. The Sixers moved to 20-12 on the road with the win, while the Cavaliers fell to 28-8 at home.
Joel Embiid led the way for the Sixers with a double-double of 36 points and 18 rebounds, but he also added four blocks and three assists. James Harden notched 28 points and 12 assists while also supplying six rebounds and three steals. Tyrese Maxey recorded 23 points, four rebounds and three assists. Shake Milton notched 11 points coming off the bench. Philadelphia shot 52 percent from the field and 47.2 percent from deep.
Donovan Mitchell notched 21 points for the Cavaliers. He also added six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Evan Mobley recorded a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double while also adding five assists and two blocks. Darius Garland delivered 15 points and five assists. Caris LeVert scored a team-high 24 points.
The 76ers (46-22) and the Cavaliers (44-28) have been two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference this season. However, Philadelphia looked better in this one and secured the victory against a Cleveland team that was missing a key piece in Jarrett Allen. The Sixers looked good right from the start and jumped out to a 29-24 lead in the first quarter, but the Cavaliers responded and recovered the lead following a 36-26 score in the second quarter. The 76ers had a different attitude in the second half and won the third quarter by a 29-23 score, making it a one-point game for them with just 12 minutes left. The Cavaliers fought hard in the final minutes, but the Sixers closed the game out after winning the final quarter by a 34-26 score. The Sixers moved to 20-12 on the road with the win, while the Cavaliers fell to 28-8 at home.
Joel Embiid led the way for the Sixers with a double-double of 36 points and 18 rebounds, but he also added four blocks and three assists. James Harden notched 28 points and 12 assists while also supplying six rebounds and three steals. Tyrese Maxey recorded 23 points, four rebounds and three assists. Shake Milton notched 11 points coming off the bench. Philadelphia shot 52 percent from the field and 47.2 percent from deep.
Donovan Mitchell notched 21 points for the Cavaliers. He also added six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Evan Mobley recorded a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double while also adding five assists and two blocks. Darius Garland delivered 15 points and five assists. Caris LeVert scored a team-high 24 points.
Heat Use Strong Start To Defeat Grizzlies
The Miami Heat defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 138-119, at Miami-Dade Arena on Wednesday.
The Heat (38-33) enjoyed a strong start and dominated from start to finish en route to defeat a Grizzlies (41-27) team that continues to miss their star player, Ja Morant. Miami quickly established the tone of the game and secured a 29-27 lead following the first quarter. They would bolster that advantage even further before the halftime break, as Miami outscored Memphis by 10 points (34-24). Holding a 12-point lead at HT, Miami didn’t step the foot off the gas and also won the third quarter by a 42-26 score, icing the game out with 12 minutes left. The Grizzlies won the fourth quarter by a 42-33 score, but that didn’t matter much since the game was decided way before the final 12 minutes. The Heat moved to 24-13 at home with the win, while Memphis fell to 13-22 on the road.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Heat with 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks across 33 minutes. Jimmy Butler finished with 23 points, eight boards, six dimes and two steals. Tyler Herro recorded 24 points, six assists and four rebounds. Gabe Vincent and Kevin Love each posted 10-point performances. Love also added six rebounds and Vincent dished out six assists. Max Strus had 12 points off the bench.
Jaren Jackson led the way for the Grizzlies with 25 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Tyus Jones and Desmond Bane each had 11-point, four-rebound performances, and Jones also added five assists. Luke Kennard posted 14 points off the bench. Zaire Williams had 12 points and Kenneth Lofton had 10.
The Heat (38-33) enjoyed a strong start and dominated from start to finish en route to defeat a Grizzlies (41-27) team that continues to miss their star player, Ja Morant. Miami quickly established the tone of the game and secured a 29-27 lead following the first quarter. They would bolster that advantage even further before the halftime break, as Miami outscored Memphis by 10 points (34-24). Holding a 12-point lead at HT, Miami didn’t step the foot off the gas and also won the third quarter by a 42-26 score, icing the game out with 12 minutes left. The Grizzlies won the fourth quarter by a 42-33 score, but that didn’t matter much since the game was decided way before the final 12 minutes. The Heat moved to 24-13 at home with the win, while Memphis fell to 13-22 on the road.
Bam Adebayo led the way for the Heat with 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks across 33 minutes. Jimmy Butler finished with 23 points, eight boards, six dimes and two steals. Tyler Herro recorded 24 points, six assists and four rebounds. Gabe Vincent and Kevin Love each posted 10-point performances. Love also added six rebounds and Vincent dished out six assists. Max Strus had 12 points off the bench.
Jaren Jackson led the way for the Grizzlies with 25 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Tyus Jones and Desmond Bane each had 11-point, four-rebound performances, and Jones also added five assists. Luke Kennard posted 14 points off the bench. Zaire Williams had 12 points and Kenneth Lofton had 10.
Kings Edge Bulls, 117-114
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Chicago Bulls, 117-114, at United Center on Wednesday night.
The Bulls (31-37) came into the contest needing to continue stacking up wins in order to remain in the postseason picture, and they appeared to be on the right track early by jumping out to a 58-48 first-half lead. The Kings (41-27) turned the tide of the game in the third quarter, however, outscoring Chicago by a 37-22 margin in the third quarter to take a five-point advantage into the final period. After the hosts fought back to take as much as a five-point edge just before the midway point of the fourth quarter, the visitors finished on a 23-15 game-ending run they capped off with De'Aaron Fox's buzzer-beating three-pointer for the wild win.
Fox led the Kings with 32 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and two steals. Malik Monk furnished 19 points, four boards, three assists, one steal and one block. Harrison Barnes supplied 17 points, three rebounds and one assist. Kevin Huerter registered 15 points, five assists and three rebounds. Domantas Sabonis generated a 14-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included one steal and one block.
DeMar DeRozan paced the Bulls with 33 points, complementing them with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Zach LaVine delivered 25 points, six assists and five boards. Nikola Vucevic generated a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double that included three assists. Patrick Williams managed 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Coby White pitched in 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night, while the Bulls host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
The Bulls (31-37) came into the contest needing to continue stacking up wins in order to remain in the postseason picture, and they appeared to be on the right track early by jumping out to a 58-48 first-half lead. The Kings (41-27) turned the tide of the game in the third quarter, however, outscoring Chicago by a 37-22 margin in the third quarter to take a five-point advantage into the final period. After the hosts fought back to take as much as a five-point edge just before the midway point of the fourth quarter, the visitors finished on a 23-15 game-ending run they capped off with De'Aaron Fox's buzzer-beating three-pointer for the wild win.
Fox led the Kings with 32 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and two steals. Malik Monk furnished 19 points, four boards, three assists, one steal and one block. Harrison Barnes supplied 17 points, three rebounds and one assist. Kevin Huerter registered 15 points, five assists and three rebounds. Domantas Sabonis generated a 14-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included one steal and one block.
DeMar DeRozan paced the Bulls with 33 points, complementing them with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Zach LaVine delivered 25 points, six assists and five boards. Nikola Vucevic generated a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double that included three assists. Patrick Williams managed 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Coby White pitched in 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Kings remain on the road and visit the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night, while the Bulls host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
Rockets Hold On For Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 114-110, at Toyota Center on Wednesday evening.
The Rockets jumped out to a great start with a, 31-19, lead after one quarter. The Lakers picked up the pace in the second but could not cut into the deficit, as they trailed by 14 points at halftime. The visitors came out stronger in the third and chipped away to make it a nine-point game heading into the final quarter. The Lakers kept up the fight in the fourth, but the Rockets held their ground and closed out their second straight win.
Kevin Porter led the Rockets with 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 39 minutes. Jabari Smith followed up with 18 points, six rebounds and a block, while Kenyon Martin tallied 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Rockets shot 52.2 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from long range.
Meanwhile, Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 24 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 27 minutes. D'Angelo Russell followed up with 18 points, seven assists, a steal and a block, while Jarred Vanderbilt totaled 13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. The Lakers shot 37.8 percent from the field, including 11-of-44 from deep.
The Lakers (34-36) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Mavericks on Friday. The Rockets (17-52) play host to the Pelicans on Friday.
The Rockets jumped out to a great start with a, 31-19, lead after one quarter. The Lakers picked up the pace in the second but could not cut into the deficit, as they trailed by 14 points at halftime. The visitors came out stronger in the third and chipped away to make it a nine-point game heading into the final quarter. The Lakers kept up the fight in the fourth, but the Rockets held their ground and closed out their second straight win.
Kevin Porter led the Rockets with 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 39 minutes. Jabari Smith followed up with 18 points, six rebounds and a block, while Kenyon Martin tallied 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Rockets shot 52.2 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from long range.
Meanwhile, Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 24 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in 27 minutes. D'Angelo Russell followed up with 18 points, seven assists, a steal and a block, while Jarred Vanderbilt totaled 13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. The Lakers shot 37.8 percent from the field, including 11-of-44 from deep.
The Lakers (34-36) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Mavericks on Friday. The Rockets (17-52) play host to the Pelicans on Friday.
Celtics Hang On In Minnesota
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves, 104-102, at Target Center on Wednesday evening.
The game got out to a tight start and was tied at 23, after one quarter. Neither side could break away through the second, as the Celtics held a one-point edge at halftime. The visitors picked up momentum in the third and rallied to a 14-point advantage, before the Timberwolves cut it back to a six-point game heading into the final quarter. The hosts kept pressing in the fourth, but the Celtics did not back down and maintained the upper hand to close out the road win.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 35 points, 10 rebounds and a steal, in 37 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 22 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Malcolm Brogdon added 12 points, six rebounds and two assists. The Celtics shot 40.5 percent from the field, including 12-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, in 38 minutes. Kyle Anderson tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two blocks, while Rudy Gobert finished with 15 points, six rebounds and a steal. The Timberwolves shot 44 percent from the field, including 12-of-36 from deep.
The Timberwolves (35-35) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Bulls in Chicago on Friday. The Celtics (48-22) take on the Trail Blazers in Portland on Friday.
The game got out to a tight start and was tied at 23, after one quarter. Neither side could break away through the second, as the Celtics held a one-point edge at halftime. The visitors picked up momentum in the third and rallied to a 14-point advantage, before the Timberwolves cut it back to a six-point game heading into the final quarter. The hosts kept pressing in the fourth, but the Celtics did not back down and maintained the upper hand to close out the road win.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 35 points, 10 rebounds and a steal, in 37 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 22 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Malcolm Brogdon added 12 points, six rebounds and two assists. The Celtics shot 40.5 percent from the field, including 12-of-40 from long range.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, in 38 minutes. Kyle Anderson tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two blocks, while Rudy Gobert finished with 15 points, six rebounds and a steal. The Timberwolves shot 44 percent from the field, including 12-of-36 from deep.
The Timberwolves (35-35) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Bulls in Chicago on Friday. The Celtics (48-22) take on the Trail Blazers in Portland on Friday.
Mavs Defeat Spurs in OT, 137-128
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host San Antonio Spurs in OT, 137-128, at AT-And-T Center on Wednesday.
There were 14 ties and 24 lead changes in this game, taking an overtime session to determine a winner. Neither team led by more than nine points in regulation, but Dallas grabbed a game-high 12-point lead thanks to a 13-0 run in the overtime session. The Mavericks shot 51 percent from the field, 52 percent from three-point range and 87 percent from the free-throw line, while the Spurs shot 46 percent from the field, 44 percent from long range and 58 percent from the charity stripe. Dallas also outscored San Antonio in the paint, 60-44.
The Mavericks (35-35) were led by Christian Wood, providing 28 points, 13 rebounds and three assists off the bench. Dwight Powell led the starters with 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Jaden Hardy had 22 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Josh Green generated 21 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Reggie Bullock totaled 20 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
The Spurs (18-51) were led by Keldon Johnson, collecting 27 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Romeo Langford finished with 17 points and four boards. DeVonte Graham tallied 13 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Malaki Branham led the bench with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Dallas staying on the road to play the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio remaining home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
There were 14 ties and 24 lead changes in this game, taking an overtime session to determine a winner. Neither team led by more than nine points in regulation, but Dallas grabbed a game-high 12-point lead thanks to a 13-0 run in the overtime session. The Mavericks shot 51 percent from the field, 52 percent from three-point range and 87 percent from the free-throw line, while the Spurs shot 46 percent from the field, 44 percent from long range and 58 percent from the charity stripe. Dallas also outscored San Antonio in the paint, 60-44.
The Mavericks (35-35) were led by Christian Wood, providing 28 points, 13 rebounds and three assists off the bench. Dwight Powell led the starters with 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Jaden Hardy had 22 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Josh Green generated 21 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Reggie Bullock totaled 20 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
The Spurs (18-51) were led by Keldon Johnson, collecting 27 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Romeo Langford finished with 17 points and four boards. DeVonte Graham tallied 13 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Malaki Branham led the bench with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Dallas staying on the road to play the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio remaining home to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
Clippers Defeat Warriors, 134-126
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 134-126, at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.
There were six ties and 11 lead changes through the opening 30 minutes of this game, but Los Angeles never relinquished the lead after that. They actually went on a 14-0 run in the middle of the third quarter, and Golden State never had a game-tying shot after that run. The Clippers shot 26-of-32 from the free-throw line, while the Warriors connected on just 11-of-15. Los Angeles also recorded 11 steals to Golden State's five, winning the turnover battle, 16-7. The Clips out-rebounded the Dubs, 57-42, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 27-11.
The Warriors (36-34) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 50 points, two rebounds, six assists and two steals on 20-of-28 from the field. Klay Thompson totaled 15 points, three rebounds and two assists. Donte DiVincenzo had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Draymond Green generated eight points, eight rebounds and five assists. Kevon Looney led the team with 13 rebounds, while Jordan Poole led the bench with 19 points and five assists.
The Clippers (37-33) were led by Kawhi Leonard, finishing with 30 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Paul George provided 24 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Ivica Zubac amassed 19 points, 16 rebounds and two assists, while Russell Westbrook accumulated 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Terance Mann led the bench with 17 points, four rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Golden State is a road matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. As for Los Angeles, they return to action on Saturday in a home meeting with the Orlando Magic.
There were six ties and 11 lead changes through the opening 30 minutes of this game, but Los Angeles never relinquished the lead after that. They actually went on a 14-0 run in the middle of the third quarter, and Golden State never had a game-tying shot after that run. The Clippers shot 26-of-32 from the free-throw line, while the Warriors connected on just 11-of-15. Los Angeles also recorded 11 steals to Golden State's five, winning the turnover battle, 16-7. The Clips out-rebounded the Dubs, 57-42, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 27-11.
The Warriors (36-34) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 50 points, two rebounds, six assists and two steals on 20-of-28 from the field. Klay Thompson totaled 15 points, three rebounds and two assists. Donte DiVincenzo had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Draymond Green generated eight points, eight rebounds and five assists. Kevon Looney led the team with 13 rebounds, while Jordan Poole led the bench with 19 points and five assists.
The Clippers (37-33) were led by Kawhi Leonard, finishing with 30 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Paul George provided 24 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Ivica Zubac amassed 19 points, 16 rebounds and two assists, while Russell Westbrook accumulated 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Terance Mann led the bench with 17 points, four rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Golden State is a road matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. As for Los Angeles, they return to action on Saturday in a home meeting with the Orlando Magic.