Hawks Top Pacers In Pivotal Matchup
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Indiana Pacers, 143-130, at State Farm Arena on Saturday.
The Hawks (37-37) overcame the ejection of Trae Young and took advantage of a lackluster defensive performance from the Pacers (33-42) to secure a massive victory in their attempts to reach the postseason. Atlanta got off to a stronger start and led by four points following the first quarter (39-35). However, Indiana responded and grabbed a two-point lead at the halftime break following a 39-33 score. The Hawks pulled away for good in the third quarter and outscored the Pacers by a 33-24 score despite Young’s ejection from throwing the ball at a referee following a call. The Hawks didn’t allow the Pacers to come back, and Atlanta sealed the win following a 38-32 score in the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, the Hawks moved to 21-15 at home. Meanwhile, the Pacers fell to 14-25 on the road.
John Collins led the Hawks with 21 points, three assists, two rebounds and two blocks. Trae Young had 14 points and five assists before getting ejected. Dejounte Murray finished with a 20-point, 12-assist double-double. Clint Capela also had a double-double thanks to his 17 points and 17 rebounds. Saddiq Bey had 18 points and six rebounds coming off the bench. Garrison Mathews (14), Onyeka Okongwu (12) and A.J. Griffin (11) all scored in double digits coming off the bench as well.
Jordan Nwora led the Pacers off the bench with 33 points. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 19 points and 13 assists, while Isaiah Jackson had 14 points, five rebounds and three steals. Aaron Nesmith had 11 points and three rebounds. Buddy Hield had 16 points, four boards and five assists while coming off the bench.
The Hawks (37-37) overcame the ejection of Trae Young and took advantage of a lackluster defensive performance from the Pacers (33-42) to secure a massive victory in their attempts to reach the postseason. Atlanta got off to a stronger start and led by four points following the first quarter (39-35). However, Indiana responded and grabbed a two-point lead at the halftime break following a 39-33 score. The Hawks pulled away for good in the third quarter and outscored the Pacers by a 33-24 score despite Young’s ejection from throwing the ball at a referee following a call. The Hawks didn’t allow the Pacers to come back, and Atlanta sealed the win following a 38-32 score in the final 12 minutes of action. With the win, the Hawks moved to 21-15 at home. Meanwhile, the Pacers fell to 14-25 on the road.
John Collins led the Hawks with 21 points, three assists, two rebounds and two blocks. Trae Young had 14 points and five assists before getting ejected. Dejounte Murray finished with a 20-point, 12-assist double-double. Clint Capela also had a double-double thanks to his 17 points and 17 rebounds. Saddiq Bey had 18 points and six rebounds coming off the bench. Garrison Mathews (14), Onyeka Okongwu (12) and A.J. Griffin (11) all scored in double digits coming off the bench as well.
Jordan Nwora led the Pacers off the bench with 33 points. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 19 points and 13 assists, while Isaiah Jackson had 14 points, five rebounds and three steals. Aaron Nesmith had 11 points and three rebounds. Buddy Hield had 16 points, four boards and five assists while coming off the bench.
Nets Thump Heat, 129-100
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Miami Heat, 129-100, at Miami-Dade Arena on Saturday night.
The Heat (40-35) checked into the contest as solid home favorites over the struggling Nets (40-34), and early on, it seemed Miami would make good on that status by forging a 36-28 lead through one. However, Brooklyn would change the dynamic of the game in the middle quarters by outscoring its hosts, 76-51, to set up a comfortable road victory.
Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 27 points, adding seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Cameron Johnson furnished 23 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Spencer Dinwiddie supplied 15 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Nic Claxton generated a 14-point, 10 rebound double-double that included four assists and three blocks. Dorian Finney-Smith and Edmond Sumner provided matching 12-point tallies, with Finney-Smith also recording six rebounds.
Tyler Herro and Max Strus co-led the Heat with 23 points while recording three assists and five rebounds, respectively. Jimmy Butler registered 18 points, five assists and one rebound. Bam Adebayo furnished 16 points, seven boards, two assists, one steal and one block.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Sunday evening, while the Heat also hit the road and tangle with the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
The Heat (40-35) checked into the contest as solid home favorites over the struggling Nets (40-34), and early on, it seemed Miami would make good on that status by forging a 36-28 lead through one. However, Brooklyn would change the dynamic of the game in the middle quarters by outscoring its hosts, 76-51, to set up a comfortable road victory.
Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 27 points, adding seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Cameron Johnson furnished 23 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Spencer Dinwiddie supplied 15 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Nic Claxton generated a 14-point, 10 rebound double-double that included four assists and three blocks. Dorian Finney-Smith and Edmond Sumner provided matching 12-point tallies, with Finney-Smith also recording six rebounds.
Tyler Herro and Max Strus co-led the Heat with 23 points while recording three assists and five rebounds, respectively. Jimmy Butler registered 18 points, five assists and one rebound. Bam Adebayo furnished 16 points, seven boards, two assists, one steal and one block.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Sunday evening, while the Heat also hit the road and tangle with the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Nuggets Topple Bucks, 129-106
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 129-106, at Ball Arena on Saturday night.
The two top-seeded teams in the league unsurprisingly opened the game in highly competitive fashion, with the Bucks forging a 66-63 lead through the first two quarters. However, the narrowly favored Nuggets (50-24) began to exert their home-court edge via a dominant 34-19 advantage in the third quarter, and they sealed the comfortable victory by outscoring Milwaukee, 32-21, in the final 12 minutes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points, adding nine rebounds, four assists and four steals. Khris Middleton supplied 13 points, eight boards, five assists and two steals. Grayson Allen and Brook Lopez posted matching 13-point, one-assist tallies while pulling down four and two rebounds, respectively. Bobby Portis delivered 11 points and six boards.
Nikola Jokic paced the Nuggets with a 31-point, 11-assist double-double that included six rebounds and one steal. Jamal Murray registered 26 points, nine assists, six rebounds and one block. Michael Porter furnished 19 point and seven rebounds. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown produced matching 11-point, one-assist, one-steal tallies while recording eight and five rebounds, respectively.
The Bucks remain on the road and visit the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, while the Nuggets remain home and welcome in the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night as well.
The two top-seeded teams in the league unsurprisingly opened the game in highly competitive fashion, with the Bucks forging a 66-63 lead through the first two quarters. However, the narrowly favored Nuggets (50-24) began to exert their home-court edge via a dominant 34-19 advantage in the third quarter, and they sealed the comfortable victory by outscoring Milwaukee, 32-21, in the final 12 minutes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points, adding nine rebounds, four assists and four steals. Khris Middleton supplied 13 points, eight boards, five assists and two steals. Grayson Allen and Brook Lopez posted matching 13-point, one-assist tallies while pulling down four and two rebounds, respectively. Bobby Portis delivered 11 points and six boards.
Nikola Jokic paced the Nuggets with a 31-point, 11-assist double-double that included six rebounds and one steal. Jamal Murray registered 26 points, nine assists, six rebounds and one block. Michael Porter furnished 19 point and seven rebounds. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown produced matching 11-point, one-assist, one-steal tallies while recording eight and five rebounds, respectively.
The Bucks remain on the road and visit the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, while the Nuggets remain home and welcome in the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night as well.
Suns Outlast Sixers In Phoenix
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 125-105, at Footprint Center on Sunday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Suns led, 26-24, after one quarter. The score stayed close through the second, but the hosts maintained the edge with a five-point lead at the break. The Sixers rallied to a brief lead early in the third, but the Suns regained control and pushed ahead to a six-point advantage heading into the fourth. The Suns picked up momentum in the final frame and outscored the visitors, 36-22, to close out the home win. This marks the second straight loss for the 76ers.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 29 points, three rebounds, five assists and a block, in 32 minutes. Bismack Biyombo was dominant in the starting role, with 17 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and five blocks, while Deandre Ayton (hip) was sidelined. T.J. Warren added 16 points, eight rebounds, a steal and a block. The Suns shot 50.5 percent from the field, including 15-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the the 76ers with 37 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Joel Embiid followed up with 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Tobias Harris added 13 points, two rebounds and three assists. The Sixers shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 13-of-31 from deep..
The 76ers (49-25) will look to bounce back as they face the Nuggets in Denver on Monday. The Suns (39-25) take on the Jazz in Utah on Monday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Suns led, 26-24, after one quarter. The score stayed close through the second, but the hosts maintained the edge with a five-point lead at the break. The Sixers rallied to a brief lead early in the third, but the Suns regained control and pushed ahead to a six-point advantage heading into the fourth. The Suns picked up momentum in the final frame and outscored the visitors, 36-22, to close out the home win. This marks the second straight loss for the 76ers.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 29 points, three rebounds, five assists and a block, in 32 minutes. Bismack Biyombo was dominant in the starting role, with 17 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and five blocks, while Deandre Ayton (hip) was sidelined. T.J. Warren added 16 points, eight rebounds, a steal and a block. The Suns shot 50.5 percent from the field, including 15-of-32 from long range.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the the 76ers with 37 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 36 minutes. Joel Embiid followed up with 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Tobias Harris added 13 points, two rebounds and three assists. The Sixers shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 13-of-31 from deep..
The 76ers (49-25) will look to bounce back as they face the Nuggets in Denver on Monday. The Suns (39-25) take on the Jazz in Utah on Monday.
Kings Earn Second Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Sacramento Kings defeated the visiting Utah Jazz, 121-113, at Golden 1 Center on Sunday evening.
The Kings got out to a strong start and led by seven points after one quarter. The Jazz tuned the tide in the second and outscored the hosts, 35-23, to claim a six-point lead at the break. The Kings regained control through the third, where they outscored the visitors, 35-17, to take a 12-point cushion in the final frame. The Jazz kept up the fight in the fourth, but the Kings maintained control the rest of their way and closed out their second straight win. This marks the third straight loss for the Jazz.
Kevin Huerter led the Kings with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals, in 38 minutes. Keegan Murray followed up with 22 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Harrison Barnes added 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Kings shot 46.3 percent from the field, including 16-of-43 from deep.
Meanwhile, Walker Kessler led the Jazz with 31 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, in 34 minutes. Ochai Agbaji followed up with 20 points, three rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while Kelly Olynyk tallied 17 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and a steal. The Jazz shot 51.6 percent from the field, including 9-of-28 from long range.
The Jazz (35-39) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Monday. The Kings (45-29) play host to the Timberwolves on Monday.
The Kings got out to a strong start and led by seven points after one quarter. The Jazz tuned the tide in the second and outscored the hosts, 35-23, to claim a six-point lead at the break. The Kings regained control through the third, where they outscored the visitors, 35-17, to take a 12-point cushion in the final frame. The Jazz kept up the fight in the fourth, but the Kings maintained control the rest of their way and closed out their second straight win. This marks the third straight loss for the Jazz.
Kevin Huerter led the Kings with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals, in 38 minutes. Keegan Murray followed up with 22 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Harrison Barnes added 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Kings shot 46.3 percent from the field, including 16-of-43 from deep.
Meanwhile, Walker Kessler led the Jazz with 31 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, in 34 minutes. Ochai Agbaji followed up with 20 points, three rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while Kelly Olynyk tallied 17 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and a steal. The Jazz shot 51.6 percent from the field, including 9-of-28 from long range.
The Jazz (35-39) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Monday. The Kings (45-29) play host to the Timberwolves on Monday.
Pelicans Defeat Clippers, 131-110
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the host Los Angeles Clippers, 131-110, at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
New Orleans won all four individual quarters in this game, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. A 37-26 first quarter set the foundation, with the Pelicans maintaining a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. They got their lead up to 25 points at times. The Pelicans shot 53 percent from the field and 62 percent from three-point range (21-of-34). New Orleans out-rebounded Los Angeles, 52-34, while out-assisting them, 36-29. The Pelicans also outscored the Clippers in the paint, 54-38, and in second-chance points, 20-4.
The Pelicans (37-37) were led by Brandon Ingram, collecting 32 points, four rebounds and 13 assists. Trey Murphy totaled 32 points, two rebounds and two steals on 10-of-12 from long range. CJ McCollum compiled 21 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals, while Jonas Valanciunas amassed 17 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.
The Clippers (39-36) were led by Bones Hyland, providing 18 points, two rebounds and seven assists off the bench. Eric Gordon led the starters with 15 points and three boards. Russell Westbrook finished with 14 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Kawhi Leonard accrued 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals on 4-of-16 shooting.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with New Orleans staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers and LA remaining home to face the Chicago Bulls.
New Orleans won all four individual quarters in this game, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. A 37-26 first quarter set the foundation, with the Pelicans maintaining a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. They got their lead up to 25 points at times. The Pelicans shot 53 percent from the field and 62 percent from three-point range (21-of-34). New Orleans out-rebounded Los Angeles, 52-34, while out-assisting them, 36-29. The Pelicans also outscored the Clippers in the paint, 54-38, and in second-chance points, 20-4.
The Pelicans (37-37) were led by Brandon Ingram, collecting 32 points, four rebounds and 13 assists. Trey Murphy totaled 32 points, two rebounds and two steals on 10-of-12 from long range. CJ McCollum compiled 21 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals, while Jonas Valanciunas amassed 17 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.
The Clippers (39-36) were led by Bones Hyland, providing 18 points, two rebounds and seven assists off the bench. Eric Gordon led the starters with 15 points and three boards. Russell Westbrook finished with 14 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Kawhi Leonard accrued 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals on 4-of-16 shooting.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with New Orleans staying on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers and LA remaining home to face the Chicago Bulls.