76ers Dominate, Cruise Against Hornets
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 121-82, at Spectrum Center on Friday.
The difference in quality between the 76ers (47-22) and the Hornets (22-50) is abysmal, and the position of each team in the standings backs that up. Philadelphia didn’t have problems getting past Charlotte in this one, as the Sixers dominated the game despite a slow start. The 76ers jumped out to a 31-29 score in the first quarter but began to pull away following a 35-25 score in the second period. Philadelphia didn’t step its foot off the gas in the second half and dominated with ease in the final two quarters. The Sixers outscored the Hornets 26-13 and 29-15 in the third and fourth quarters to secure an easy win. The 76ers moved to 21-12 on the road with the win. Meanwhile, the Hornets reached the 50-loss mark and have gone 11-24 at home.
Joel Embiid had a dominant performance Friday and finished with 38 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four blocks across 29 minutes. James Harden had a triple-double after recording 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists with three steals. Tobias Harris delivered 18 points and five rebounds. Tyrese Maxey finished with 13 points, two rebounds and two assists. Shake Milton had 12 points coming off the bench.
Terry Rozier was the leading scorer for the Hornets with 14 points, and he also added four assists, three steals and two rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 11 points, and P.J. Washington chipped in with 12 points, six rebounds and two steals. Kai Jones finished with 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
The difference in quality between the 76ers (47-22) and the Hornets (22-50) is abysmal, and the position of each team in the standings backs that up. Philadelphia didn’t have problems getting past Charlotte in this one, as the Sixers dominated the game despite a slow start. The 76ers jumped out to a 31-29 score in the first quarter but began to pull away following a 35-25 score in the second period. Philadelphia didn’t step its foot off the gas in the second half and dominated with ease in the final two quarters. The Sixers outscored the Hornets 26-13 and 29-15 in the third and fourth quarters to secure an easy win. The 76ers moved to 21-12 on the road with the win. Meanwhile, the Hornets reached the 50-loss mark and have gone 11-24 at home.
Joel Embiid had a dominant performance Friday and finished with 38 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four blocks across 29 minutes. James Harden had a triple-double after recording 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists with three steals. Tobias Harris delivered 18 points and five rebounds. Tyrese Maxey finished with 13 points, two rebounds and two assists. Shake Milton had 12 points coming off the bench.
Terry Rozier was the leading scorer for the Hornets with 14 points, and he also added four assists, three steals and two rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 11 points, and P.J. Washington chipped in with 12 points, six rebounds and two steals. Kai Jones finished with 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
Hawks Hold On To Defeat Warriors
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Golden State Warriors, 127-119, at StateFarm Arena on Friday.
The Warriors (36-35) have struggled badly on the road this season and suffered another loss, this time against the Hawks (35-35), after failing to recover from a slow start. Atlanta set the tone of the game early and raced out to a 39-31 lead in the first quarter, but the Warriors responded and reduced to deficit to just five points following a 35-32 score in the second quarter. Atlanta restored the eight-point differential with a 33-30 score in the third quarter. Golden State tried to turn things around in the final quarter but could not complete the comeback, and the final 12 minutes ended with a 23-23 tie. The Hawks moved to 19-15 at home with the win, while the Warriors fell to 7-28 on the road.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 25 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. John Collins delivered 22 points and five rebounds. Deandre Hunter notched 14 points and three rebounds. Dejounte Murray stuffed the stat sheet and finished with 10 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu posted 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 14 points, and AJ Griffin delivered 12 points.
Stephen Curry led the way for Golden State with 31 points, six rebounds and five assists. Kevon Looney posted 18 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and three assists. Donte DiVincenzo delivered 18 points and six assists. Klay Thompson had a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double while adding five assists, three steals and two blocks.
The Warriors (36-35) have struggled badly on the road this season and suffered another loss, this time against the Hawks (35-35), after failing to recover from a slow start. Atlanta set the tone of the game early and raced out to a 39-31 lead in the first quarter, but the Warriors responded and reduced to deficit to just five points following a 35-32 score in the second quarter. Atlanta restored the eight-point differential with a 33-30 score in the third quarter. Golden State tried to turn things around in the final quarter but could not complete the comeback, and the final 12 minutes ended with a 23-23 tie. The Hawks moved to 19-15 at home with the win, while the Warriors fell to 7-28 on the road.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 25 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. John Collins delivered 22 points and five rebounds. Deandre Hunter notched 14 points and three rebounds. Dejounte Murray stuffed the stat sheet and finished with 10 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu posted 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 14 points, and AJ Griffin delivered 12 points.
Stephen Curry led the way for Golden State with 31 points, six rebounds and five assists. Kevon Looney posted 18 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and three assists. Donte DiVincenzo delivered 18 points and six assists. Klay Thompson had a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double while adding five assists, three steals and two blocks.
Cavaliers Dominate Wizards, 117-94
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Washington Wizards, 117-94, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Friday night.
The Cavaliers (45-28) came into the contest as big home favorites and wasted no time playing like it, establishing a 31-24 lead through one and expanding their advantage to 17 points by halftime. The Wizards (32-38) played their best quarter of the game in the third and knocked seven points from their deficit in the process, but Cleveland was able to eventually win going away by outscoring Washington by a 33-20 margin in the final 12 minutes.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 22 points, adding eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Kristaps Porzingis turned in 20 points, nine boards, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Corey Kispert supplied 12 points and two rebounds. Monte Morris furnished 10 points, five assists and two rebounds.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 24 points, supplementing them with nine assists and four rebounds. Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell generated matching 20-point tallies while recording eight and six rebounds, respectively. Caris LeVert registered 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block.
The Wizards return home and host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, while the Cavaliers hit the road and visit the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
The Cavaliers (45-28) came into the contest as big home favorites and wasted no time playing like it, establishing a 31-24 lead through one and expanding their advantage to 17 points by halftime. The Wizards (32-38) played their best quarter of the game in the third and knocked seven points from their deficit in the process, but Cleveland was able to eventually win going away by outscoring Washington by a 33-20 margin in the final 12 minutes.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 22 points, adding eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Kristaps Porzingis turned in 20 points, nine boards, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Corey Kispert supplied 12 points and two rebounds. Monte Morris furnished 10 points, five assists and two rebounds.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 24 points, supplementing them with nine assists and four rebounds. Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell generated matching 20-point tallies while recording eight and six rebounds, respectively. Caris LeVert registered 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block.
The Wizards return home and host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, while the Cavaliers hit the road and visit the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
Bulls Outlast Timberwolves, 139-131, in Double-OT Thriller
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 139-131, in double overtime at United Center on Friday night.
A game that had postseason positioning implications for both squads opened with the Timberwolves (35-36) building a five-point lead by halftime. Minnesota doubled up its advantage over the Bulls (32-37) going into the final period, but Chicago ultimately forced overtime with a DeMar DeRozan driving layup with 20.1 seconds remaining. After a nip-and-tuck first extra period that saw Zach LaVine knot matters up at 123-123 via a clutch bucket with 11.1 seconds left, the hosts were able to finish on a 7-2 run over the final 1:02 of the second for the marathon victory.
Mike Conley led the Timberwolves with 28 points, complementing them with six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Jaden McDaniels supplied 25 points, six boards, four assists and one steal. Rudy Gobert generated a 21-point, 19-rebound double-double that included one assist and five blocks. Naz Reid turned in 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Nickeil Alexander-Walker provided 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. Kyle Anderson posted an 11-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that included two blocks and one steal.
DeRozan led the Bulls with 49 points, supplementing them with 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals. LaVine managed 39 points, five assists and four rebounds. Nikola Vucevic generated a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double that included four assists, three blocks and two steals.
The Timberwolves hit the road and visit the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night, while the Bulls remain home and host the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
A game that had postseason positioning implications for both squads opened with the Timberwolves (35-36) building a five-point lead by halftime. Minnesota doubled up its advantage over the Bulls (32-37) going into the final period, but Chicago ultimately forced overtime with a DeMar DeRozan driving layup with 20.1 seconds remaining. After a nip-and-tuck first extra period that saw Zach LaVine knot matters up at 123-123 via a clutch bucket with 11.1 seconds left, the hosts were able to finish on a 7-2 run over the final 1:02 of the second for the marathon victory.
Mike Conley led the Timberwolves with 28 points, complementing them with six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Jaden McDaniels supplied 25 points, six boards, four assists and one steal. Rudy Gobert generated a 21-point, 19-rebound double-double that included one assist and five blocks. Naz Reid turned in 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Nickeil Alexander-Walker provided 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. Kyle Anderson posted an 11-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that included two blocks and one steal.
DeRozan led the Bulls with 49 points, supplementing them with 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals. LaVine managed 39 points, five assists and four rebounds. Nikola Vucevic generated a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double that included four assists, three blocks and two steals.
The Timberwolves hit the road and visit the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night, while the Bulls remain home and host the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
Jabari Smith Lifts Rockets Over Pelicans
The Houston Rockets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 114-112, at Toyota Center on Friday.
The Rockets (18-52) and the Pelicans (33-37) played a game that went down to the wire. Ultimately, the contest was decided in the final seconds thanks to a three-pointer from Jabari Smith. The Rockets looked good in the early stages of the contest and jumped out to a 31-26 score in the first quarter. However, the Pelicans flipped the script and grabbed the lead following a 28-18 score in the second quarter. New Orleans jumped out to a 36-31 score in the third quarter, leading by 10 points with just 12 minutes left. The Rockets turned things around in the fourth and had the final saying when Jabari Smith won the game with a three-pointer with only 0.1 seconds left. The Rockets moved to 12-14 at home with the win, while the Pelicans fell to 11-24 on the road.
Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Kevin Porter ended with 20 points, six assists and four rebounds. Jabari Smith drained the game-winning shot and finished with 11 points and eight boards. Alperen Sengun had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Martin recorded 14 points and six rebounds. Jae’Sean Tate delivered 12 points, six rebounds and five assists off the bench.
Brandon Ingram was the leading scorer for the Pelicans with 31 points and six assists. Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double of 22 points and 17 rebounds, but he also added four blocks. CJ McCollum recorded 14 points, six assists and five rebounds. Trey Murphy ended with 13 points.
The Rockets (18-52) and the Pelicans (33-37) played a game that went down to the wire. Ultimately, the contest was decided in the final seconds thanks to a three-pointer from Jabari Smith. The Rockets looked good in the early stages of the contest and jumped out to a 31-26 score in the first quarter. However, the Pelicans flipped the script and grabbed the lead following a 28-18 score in the second quarter. New Orleans jumped out to a 36-31 score in the third quarter, leading by 10 points with just 12 minutes left. The Rockets turned things around in the fourth and had the final saying when Jabari Smith won the game with a three-pointer with only 0.1 seconds left. The Rockets moved to 12-14 at home with the win, while the Pelicans fell to 11-24 on the road.
Jalen Green led the way for the Rockets with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Kevin Porter ended with 20 points, six assists and four rebounds. Jabari Smith drained the game-winning shot and finished with 11 points and eight boards. Alperen Sengun had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Martin recorded 14 points and six rebounds. Jae’Sean Tate delivered 12 points, six rebounds and five assists off the bench.
Brandon Ingram was the leading scorer for the Pelicans with 31 points and six assists. Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double of 22 points and 17 rebounds, but he also added four blocks. CJ McCollum recorded 14 points, six assists and five rebounds. Trey Murphy ended with 13 points.
Grizzlies Topple Spurs in OT, 126-120
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs in 126-120, in overtime at AT and T Center on Friday night.
The Spurs (18-52) came into the contest playing improved ball and wasted no time establishing a confident tone against the Grizzlies (42-27), jumping out to a 35-26 lead through one and building a 23-point advantage by halftime. However, Memphis turned the tables after intermission, outscoring San Antonio by a 63-40 margin over the final two quarters, ultimately forcing overtime with a Dillon Brooks three-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation. The visitors subsequently fell behind by one in the extra period before closing out the win with a 9-1 run in the final 2:14.
Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 28 points, adding five rebounds, one assist, four blocks and one steal. Desmond Bane totaled 21 points, eight boards, seven assists, three steals and one block. Tyus Jones furnished a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals. Brooks contributed 16 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block. Luke Kennard poured in 13 points. Xavier Tillman and Kenneth Lofton, Jr. posted 12-point, six rebound and 11-point, seven-rebound efforts, respectively.
Devin Vassell paced the Spurs with 25 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, five assists and one steal. Zach Collins delivered 24 points, eight boards, four assists and one block. Keldon Johnson posted 21 points, five rebounds and three steals. Malaki Branham supplied 18 points, six boards, two assists and one steal. Keita Bates-Diop managed 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Grizzlies return home and host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, while the Spurs remain home and welcome in the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday afternoon.
The Spurs (18-52) came into the contest playing improved ball and wasted no time establishing a confident tone against the Grizzlies (42-27), jumping out to a 35-26 lead through one and building a 23-point advantage by halftime. However, Memphis turned the tables after intermission, outscoring San Antonio by a 63-40 margin over the final two quarters, ultimately forcing overtime with a Dillon Brooks three-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation. The visitors subsequently fell behind by one in the extra period before closing out the win with a 9-1 run in the final 2:14.
Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 28 points, adding five rebounds, one assist, four blocks and one steal. Desmond Bane totaled 21 points, eight boards, seven assists, three steals and one block. Tyus Jones furnished a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals. Brooks contributed 16 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block. Luke Kennard poured in 13 points. Xavier Tillman and Kenneth Lofton, Jr. posted 12-point, six rebound and 11-point, seven-rebound efforts, respectively.
Devin Vassell paced the Spurs with 25 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, five assists and one steal. Zach Collins delivered 24 points, eight boards, four assists and one block. Keldon Johnson posted 21 points, five rebounds and three steals. Malaki Branham supplied 18 points, six boards, two assists and one steal. Keita Bates-Diop managed 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Grizzlies return home and host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, while the Spurs remain home and welcome in the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday afternoon.
Celtics Defeat Trail Blazers, 126-112
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 126-112, at Moda Center on Friday.
A 32-24 first quarter carried the Celtics to an easy win, maintaining the lead for the final three quarters. They also led by 15 points at the half and got their lead up to 21 points at times, leading by at least seven points for the final three quarters. Boston out-rebounded Portland, 58-44, while out-assisting them, 29-20. The Celtics also outscored the Blazers in the paint, 50-38, and in second-chance points, 14-4.
The Celtics (49-22) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jaylen Brown amassed 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Marcus Smart amassed 15 points, two rebounds, six assists and four steals, while Al Horford had 12 points, five rebounds and 10 assists.
The Trail Blazers (31-39) were led by Damian Lillard, finishing with 41 points, four rebounds and five assists. Anfernee Simons accrued 17 points and four assists. Matisse Thybulle totaled 12 points and two steals, while Trendon Watford generated 10 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Cam Reddish and Jusuf Nurkic had 10 points apiece.
Boston has to play a back-to-back on Saturday, traveling to face the Utah Jazz. As for Portland, they play host to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday for their next outing.
A 32-24 first quarter carried the Celtics to an easy win, maintaining the lead for the final three quarters. They also led by 15 points at the half and got their lead up to 21 points at times, leading by at least seven points for the final three quarters. Boston out-rebounded Portland, 58-44, while out-assisting them, 29-20. The Celtics also outscored the Blazers in the paint, 50-38, and in second-chance points, 14-4.
The Celtics (49-22) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jaylen Brown amassed 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Marcus Smart amassed 15 points, two rebounds, six assists and four steals, while Al Horford had 12 points, five rebounds and 10 assists.
The Trail Blazers (31-39) were led by Damian Lillard, finishing with 41 points, four rebounds and five assists. Anfernee Simons accrued 17 points and four assists. Matisse Thybulle totaled 12 points and two steals, while Trendon Watford generated 10 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Cam Reddish and Jusuf Nurkic had 10 points apiece.
Boston has to play a back-to-back on Saturday, traveling to face the Utah Jazz. As for Portland, they play host to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday for their next outing.
Mavs Defeat Lakers, 111-110
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Los Angeles Lakers, 111-110, at Crypto.com Arena on Friday.
While there were only five ties and seven lead changes in this game, the lead changed hands at the buzzer. Maxi Kleber was the hero for the Mavericks, knocking down a game-winning three for Dallas. The long-distance shooting was the difference all night long, with the Mavericks connecting on 16-of-34 while the Lakers shot just 5-of-20. Dallas also outscored Los Angeles in fastbreak points, 17-8.
The Mavericks (36-35) were led by Kyrie Irving, collecting 38 points, six rebounds and six assists. No other starter had more than 10 points, but Kleber finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. He scored six of those 10 points in the final 10 seconds. Christian Wood led the bench with 12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
The Lakers (34-37) were led by Anthony Davis, accruing 26 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. D'Angelo Russell totaled 11 points, two rebounds and 11 assists. Malik Beasley generated 10 points and six rebounds, while Austin Reaves led the bench with 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Dennis Schroder had 15 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Wenyen Gabriel generated nine points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Orlando Magic on Sunday. As for Dallas, they're off until Monday, traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
While there were only five ties and seven lead changes in this game, the lead changed hands at the buzzer. Maxi Kleber was the hero for the Mavericks, knocking down a game-winning three for Dallas. The long-distance shooting was the difference all night long, with the Mavericks connecting on 16-of-34 while the Lakers shot just 5-of-20. Dallas also outscored Los Angeles in fastbreak points, 17-8.
The Mavericks (36-35) were led by Kyrie Irving, collecting 38 points, six rebounds and six assists. No other starter had more than 10 points, but Kleber finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. He scored six of those 10 points in the final 10 seconds. Christian Wood led the bench with 12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
The Lakers (34-37) were led by Anthony Davis, accruing 26 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. D'Angelo Russell totaled 11 points, two rebounds and 11 assists. Malik Beasley generated 10 points and six rebounds, while Austin Reaves led the bench with 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Dennis Schroder had 15 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Wenyen Gabriel generated nine points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Orlando Magic on Sunday. As for Dallas, they're off until Monday, traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies.