Magic Top Wizards With Fourth-Quarter Comeback
The Orlando Magic defeated the Washington Wizards, 122-112, at Amway Center on Tuesday.
The Magic (30-43) reached the 30-win mark with a convincing performance, as they enjoyed a solid start and a strong finish to get past the Wizards (32-40) at home. Orlando looked like the better team in the game's early stages and raced out to a 26-25 lead in the first quarter. The Magic kept playing intensely and bolstered their lead to four points after a 34-31 score in the second quarter, securing a 60-56 advantage at halftime. The Wizards responded in the second half and grabbed a one-point lead following a 32-27 score in the third quarter, and they looked primed for a comeback. However, the Magic flipped the script in the fourth quarter and outscored their rivals by a 35-24 score in the final 12 minutes. The Magic moved to 17-19 at home with the win, while the Wizards fell to 16-22 on the road.
Gary Harris led the Magic with 22 points and was one of seven players that scored in double digits for Orlando. Paolo Banchero sniffed a triple-double and finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Franz Wagner had 20 points, six assists and four boards. Markelle Fultz recorded 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Wendell Carter Jr. had 14 points and nine rebounds. Cole Anthony chipped in with 16 points, seven boards and five assists.
Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Wizards with 30 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Bradley Beal finished with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Monte Morris contributed 14 points and eight assists, and Daniel Gafford had 13 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while coming off the bench.
The Magic (30-43) reached the 30-win mark with a convincing performance, as they enjoyed a solid start and a strong finish to get past the Wizards (32-40) at home. Orlando looked like the better team in the game's early stages and raced out to a 26-25 lead in the first quarter. The Magic kept playing intensely and bolstered their lead to four points after a 34-31 score in the second quarter, securing a 60-56 advantage at halftime. The Wizards responded in the second half and grabbed a one-point lead following a 32-27 score in the third quarter, and they looked primed for a comeback. However, the Magic flipped the script in the fourth quarter and outscored their rivals by a 35-24 score in the final 12 minutes. The Magic moved to 17-19 at home with the win, while the Wizards fell to 16-22 on the road.
Gary Harris led the Magic with 22 points and was one of seven players that scored in double digits for Orlando. Paolo Banchero sniffed a triple-double and finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Franz Wagner had 20 points, six assists and four boards. Markelle Fultz recorded 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Wendell Carter Jr. had 14 points and nine rebounds. Cole Anthony chipped in with 16 points, seven boards and five assists.
Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Wizards with 30 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Bradley Beal finished with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Monte Morris contributed 14 points and eight assists, and Daniel Gafford had 13 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while coming off the bench.
Hawks Dominate To Defeat Pistons
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Detroit Pistons, 129-107, at StateFarm Arena on Tuesday.
The Hawks (36-36) reached the .500 mark with a dominant performance against the Pistons (16-57) in front of their fans. Atlanta dominated as soon as the game started and raced out to a 38-32 score in the first quarter. The Hawks made it a seven-point game following the second quarter (28-27), but they would pull away for good in the second half. The Hawks won the third quarter by an expressive 33-19 score, and that meant Atlanta held a 21-point lead with only 12 minutes left. Atlanta also won the final quarter by a 30-29 score, and the team closed the game out with ease. The win also means the Hawks swept the season series against the Pistons. Atlanta improved to 20-15 at home with the win, while the Pistons fell to 7-28 on the road with the loss.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 30 points and 12 assists. Clint Capela also had a double-double and ended with 12 points and 16 assists, but he also added two steals and two blocks. Deandre Hunter finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic posted 18 points and three assists. John Collins had 15 points and eight rebounds. Saddiq Bey posted 14 points off the bench against his former team.
Marvin Bagley III led the way for the Pistons with 31 points and eight rebounds. Killian Hayes finished with 21 points and six assists. Jaden Ivey posted 17 points, five assists and four rebounds. Cory Joseph ended with 12 points and four assists off the bench.
The Hawks (36-36) reached the .500 mark with a dominant performance against the Pistons (16-57) in front of their fans. Atlanta dominated as soon as the game started and raced out to a 38-32 score in the first quarter. The Hawks made it a seven-point game following the second quarter (28-27), but they would pull away for good in the second half. The Hawks won the third quarter by an expressive 33-19 score, and that meant Atlanta held a 21-point lead with only 12 minutes left. Atlanta also won the final quarter by a 30-29 score, and the team closed the game out with ease. The win also means the Hawks swept the season series against the Pistons. Atlanta improved to 20-15 at home with the win, while the Pistons fell to 7-28 on the road with the loss.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 30 points and 12 assists. Clint Capela also had a double-double and ended with 12 points and 16 assists, but he also added two steals and two blocks. Deandre Hunter finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic posted 18 points and three assists. John Collins had 15 points and eight rebounds. Saddiq Bey posted 14 points off the bench against his former team.
Marvin Bagley III led the way for the Pistons with 31 points and eight rebounds. Killian Hayes finished with 21 points and six assists. Jaden Ivey posted 17 points, five assists and four rebounds. Cory Joseph ended with 12 points and four assists off the bench.
Cavs Edge Nets, 115-109
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 115-109, at Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
The Nets (39-33) came into the contest as the team with much more urgency, as they were aiming to snap a three-game losing streak and hold on to their No. 6 standing in the Eastern Conference. They got matters off to a good start in that regard by jumping out to a 30-23 lead through one, but the Cavaliers (46-28) surged back over the middle quarters to outscore Brooklyn, 71-48, and therefore take a 16-point advantage into the final period. The hosts got back within five with just 16 seconds remaining but didn't score another point after that.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31 points, adding five rebounds and three assists. Caris LaVert furnished 18 points, four assists, two boards and two steals. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley generated matching 17-point tallies while adding six assists and four rebounds, respectively. Jarrett Allen mustered a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double that included one assist and two blocks. Cedi Osman supplied 12 points as well while adding four rebounds, three assist and one block.
Day'Ron Sharpe paced the Nets with 20 points, supplementing them with 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Spencer Dinwiddie contributed a 19-point, 11-assist double-double that included five rebounds. Mikal Bridges supplied 18 points, four rebounds and one assist. Cameron Johnson provided 16 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Nic Claxton registered 13 points, eight boards, three assists, one steal and one block. Royce O'Neale managed 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The two teams reconvene for a rematch at Barclays Center on Thursday night.
The Nets (39-33) came into the contest as the team with much more urgency, as they were aiming to snap a three-game losing streak and hold on to their No. 6 standing in the Eastern Conference. They got matters off to a good start in that regard by jumping out to a 30-23 lead through one, but the Cavaliers (46-28) surged back over the middle quarters to outscore Brooklyn, 71-48, and therefore take a 16-point advantage into the final period. The hosts got back within five with just 16 seconds remaining but didn't score another point after that.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31 points, adding five rebounds and three assists. Caris LaVert furnished 18 points, four assists, two boards and two steals. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley generated matching 17-point tallies while adding six assists and four rebounds, respectively. Jarrett Allen mustered a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double that included one assist and two blocks. Cedi Osman supplied 12 points as well while adding four rebounds, three assist and one block.
Day'Ron Sharpe paced the Nets with 20 points, supplementing them with 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Spencer Dinwiddie contributed a 19-point, 11-assist double-double that included five rebounds. Mikal Bridges supplied 18 points, four rebounds and one assist. Cameron Johnson provided 16 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Nic Claxton registered 13 points, eight boards, three assists, one steal and one block. Royce O'Neale managed 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The two teams reconvene for a rematch at Barclays Center on Thursday night.
Pelicans Blow Past Spurs In New Orleans
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 119-84, at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday evening.
The Pelicans jumped out to a great start with a, 27-16, lead after one quarter. The visitors had no answers in the second, as the Pelicans pushed it to a 25-point game by halftime. The Spurs came out better in the third quarter but could not cut into the deficit, as the hosts carried a 26-point cushion into the final frame. The Pelicans had no trouble in the fourth and cruised to their second straight win.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 32 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 31 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas followed up with 19 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, while Trey Murphy totaled 17 points, three rebounds and a block. The Pelicans shot 55.6 percent from the field, including 10-of-24 from deep.
Meanwhile, Sandro Mamukelashvili led the Spurs with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 25 minutes. Devonte' Graham and Tre Jones added 15 points each, while Keita Bates-Diop chipped in 12 points and three rebounds. The Spurs shot 34.5 percent from the field, including 13-of-41 from long range.
The Spurs (19-53) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Wednesday. The Pelicans (35-37) play host to the Hornets on Thursday.
The Pelicans jumped out to a great start with a, 27-16, lead after one quarter. The visitors had no answers in the second, as the Pelicans pushed it to a 25-point game by halftime. The Spurs came out better in the third quarter but could not cut into the deficit, as the hosts carried a 26-point cushion into the final frame. The Pelicans had no trouble in the fourth and cruised to their second straight win.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 32 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a block, in 31 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas followed up with 19 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, while Trey Murphy totaled 17 points, three rebounds and a block. The Pelicans shot 55.6 percent from the field, including 10-of-24 from deep.
Meanwhile, Sandro Mamukelashvili led the Spurs with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, in 25 minutes. Devonte' Graham and Tre Jones added 15 points each, while Keita Bates-Diop chipped in 12 points and three rebounds. The Spurs shot 34.5 percent from the field, including 13-of-41 from long range.
The Spurs (19-53) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bucks in Milwaukee on Wednesday. The Pelicans (35-37) play host to the Hornets on Thursday.
Celtics Roll Kings, 132-109
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 132-109, at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday.
While Sacramento held the lead for the majority of the first half, Boston rode a 30-22 second quarter to a halftime lead and never relinquished the lead after that. In fact, they outscored the Kings in the second half, 72-55, getting their lead up to 27 points at times. They also maintained a double-digit lead for the closing 15 minutes. The Celtics shot 53 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Kings to 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from long range. Boston also recorded 32 assists to five turnovers, while Sacramento had 25 assists to 14 turnovers.
The Celtics (50-23) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 36 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown finished with 27 points, five rebounds and four assists. Derrick White had 20 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks, while Marcus Smart accrued 17 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
The Kings (43-29) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 18 points and three assists. Domantas Sabonis collected 16 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. Keegan Murray amassed 15 points, five rebounds and two assists. Davion Mitchell led the bench with 13 points and two boards, while Terence Davis totaled 12 points and four boards.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Sacramento playing host to the Phoenix Suns and Boston returning home to play the Indiana Pacers.
While Sacramento held the lead for the majority of the first half, Boston rode a 30-22 second quarter to a halftime lead and never relinquished the lead after that. In fact, they outscored the Kings in the second half, 72-55, getting their lead up to 27 points at times. They also maintained a double-digit lead for the closing 15 minutes. The Celtics shot 53 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range while holding the Kings to 48 percent from the field and 39 percent from long range. Boston also recorded 32 assists to five turnovers, while Sacramento had 25 assists to 14 turnovers.
The Celtics (50-23) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 36 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown finished with 27 points, five rebounds and four assists. Derrick White had 20 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks, while Marcus Smart accrued 17 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
The Kings (43-29) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 18 points and three assists. Domantas Sabonis collected 16 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. Keegan Murray amassed 15 points, five rebounds and two assists. Davion Mitchell led the bench with 13 points and two boards, while Terence Davis totaled 12 points and four boards.
Both teams return to action on Friday, with Sacramento playing host to the Phoenix Suns and Boston returning home to play the Indiana Pacers.
Thunder Defeat Clippers, 101-100
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers. 101-100, at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
There were 11 ties and 10 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than five points after the opening 10 minutes. The Clippers had the final possession of the game but never got up a shot in the final 23 seconds. Oklahoma City shot 10-of-37 from three-point range and 93 percent from the free-throw line, while Los Angeles shot 6-of-31 from long range and 57 percent from the charity stripe. The Thunder also outscored the Clippers in points off of turnovers, 20-12.
The Thunder (36-36) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, collecting 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jalen Williams amassed 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Josh Giddey generated 13 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Isaiah Joe led the bench with 12 points and three rebounds.
The Clippers (38-35) were led by Kawhi Leonard, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Paul George suffered a leg injury in the fourth quarter but still had 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Russell Westbrook registered 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Mason Plumlee led the bench with six points and 12 rebounds.
These teams will have a rematch on Thursday for their next outing.
There were 11 ties and 10 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than five points after the opening 10 minutes. The Clippers had the final possession of the game but never got up a shot in the final 23 seconds. Oklahoma City shot 10-of-37 from three-point range and 93 percent from the free-throw line, while Los Angeles shot 6-of-31 from long range and 57 percent from the charity stripe. The Thunder also outscored the Clippers in points off of turnovers, 20-12.
The Thunder (36-36) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, collecting 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jalen Williams amassed 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Josh Giddey generated 13 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Isaiah Joe led the bench with 12 points and three rebounds.
The Clippers (38-35) were led by Kawhi Leonard, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Paul George suffered a leg injury in the fourth quarter but still had 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Russell Westbrook registered 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Mason Plumlee led the bench with six points and 12 rebounds.
These teams will have a rematch on Thursday for their next outing.