Wizards Pull Upset With Dominant Celtics Win
The Washington Wizards defeated the Boston Celtics, 130-111, at Capital One Arena on Tuesday.
The Wizards (34-42) delivered one of their better performances in recent memory and secured a big win over the Celtics (52-24) to keep their play-in chances alive with only a handful of games left in the schedule. Washington set the tone early and raced out to a 29-23 score in the first quarter. They would bolster that advantage even further in the second quarter and led by double digits at the half-time break following a 35-28 score, giving them a 13-point cushion. The Wizards didn’t step off the gas in the second half and kept increasing their lead, winning the third quarter by a 35-27 score to bolster their lead to 20 points. The game was essentially over at that point, but the Wizards didn’t want any surprises and closed the game out with authority in the final 12 minutes. The Wizards moved to 18-19 at home with the win, while the Celtics fell to 24-15 on the road.
Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Wizards with 32 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Deni Avdija also had a double-double and finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds while also adding five dimes. Corey Kispert had 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Monte Morris finished with 19 points and nine assists, but he also added three rebounds and two blocks. Kendrick Nunn posted 12 points coming off the bench.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart notched 14 points, five assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown finished with 18 points, four assists and three rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon had 13 points, three rebounds and two assists coming off the bench.
The Wizards (34-42) delivered one of their better performances in recent memory and secured a big win over the Celtics (52-24) to keep their play-in chances alive with only a handful of games left in the schedule. Washington set the tone early and raced out to a 29-23 score in the first quarter. They would bolster that advantage even further in the second quarter and led by double digits at the half-time break following a 35-28 score, giving them a 13-point cushion. The Wizards didn’t step off the gas in the second half and kept increasing their lead, winning the third quarter by a 35-27 score to bolster their lead to 20 points. The game was essentially over at that point, but the Wizards didn’t want any surprises and closed the game out with authority in the final 12 minutes. The Wizards moved to 18-19 at home with the win, while the Celtics fell to 24-15 on the road.
Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Wizards with 32 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Deni Avdija also had a double-double and finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds while also adding five dimes. Corey Kispert had 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Monte Morris finished with 19 points and nine assists, but he also added three rebounds and two blocks. Kendrick Nunn posted 12 points coming off the bench.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart notched 14 points, five assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown finished with 18 points, four assists and three rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon had 13 points, three rebounds and two assists coming off the bench.
Hawks Edge Cavaliers, 120-118
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120-118, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday night.
The Hawks (38-38) came into the contest looking to continue solidifying their playoff positioning, but the Cavaliers (48-29), aiming to potentially ascend from their No. 4 seed, matched them bucket for bucket in a first quarter that ended in a 24-24 tie. Atlanta was then able to open up a 10-point advantage by outscoring Cleveland, 70-60, during the middle periods. However, a rollercoaster final period saw the visitors take a couple of late leads, but Trae Young's free throw with three seconds remaining and Donovan Mitchell's missed three-point attempt at the buzzer sealed the narrow victory for the hosts.
Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 44 points, complementing them with five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Darius Garland furnished 27 points, five assists, two rebounds and one block. Evan Mobley generated a 20-point, 15-rebound double-double that included six assists, four blocks and one steal.
Dejounte Murray paced the Hawks with 29 points, supplementing them with five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Onyeka Okongwu offered 21 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Young offered a 16-point, 10-assist double-double that included one rebound and one steal. Clint Capela mustered a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists. John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic managed matching 12-point, two-assist tallies, with Collins also compiling seven rebounds. Saddiq Bey delivered 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Cavaliers return home to take on the New York Knicks on Friday night, while the Hawks hit the road and visit the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night as well.
The Hawks (38-38) came into the contest looking to continue solidifying their playoff positioning, but the Cavaliers (48-29), aiming to potentially ascend from their No. 4 seed, matched them bucket for bucket in a first quarter that ended in a 24-24 tie. Atlanta was then able to open up a 10-point advantage by outscoring Cleveland, 70-60, during the middle periods. However, a rollercoaster final period saw the visitors take a couple of late leads, but Trae Young's free throw with three seconds remaining and Donovan Mitchell's missed three-point attempt at the buzzer sealed the narrow victory for the hosts.
Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 44 points, complementing them with five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Darius Garland furnished 27 points, five assists, two rebounds and one block. Evan Mobley generated a 20-point, 15-rebound double-double that included six assists, four blocks and one steal.
Dejounte Murray paced the Hawks with 29 points, supplementing them with five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Onyeka Okongwu offered 21 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Young offered a 16-point, 10-assist double-double that included one rebound and one steal. Clint Capela mustered a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included two assists. John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic managed matching 12-point, two-assist tallies, with Collins also compiling seven rebounds. Saddiq Bey delivered 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Cavaliers return home to take on the New York Knicks on Friday night, while the Hawks hit the road and visit the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night as well.
Raptors Top Heat For Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Miami Heat, 106-92, at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Raptors led, 24-23, after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, but the hosts kept the lead most of the way and pushed it to a six-point game by halftime. The Raptors picked up momentum in the third and outscored the Heat, 31-20, in the quarter to take a 17-point advantage into the final frame. The Heat put up a fight in the fourth but it was not enough as the Raptors closed out their third straight win. This marks the second straight loss for the Heat.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a block, in 37 minutes. Scottie Barnes totaled 22 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists and three steals, while O.G. Anunoby added 22 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Raptors shot 48.4 percent from the field, including 8-of-36 from deep.
Meanwhile, Tyler Herro led the Heat with 33 points, three rebounds and six assists, in 37 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Caleb Martin chipped in seven points, five rebounds, a steal and a block. The Heat shot 40 percent from the field, including 10-of-33 from long range.
The Heat (40-36) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Knicks in New York on Wednesday. The Raptors (38-38) take on the 76ers in Philly on Friday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Raptors led, 24-23, after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, but the hosts kept the lead most of the way and pushed it to a six-point game by halftime. The Raptors picked up momentum in the third and outscored the Heat, 31-20, in the quarter to take a 17-point advantage into the final frame. The Heat put up a fight in the fourth but it was not enough as the Raptors closed out their third straight win. This marks the second straight loss for the Heat.
Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a block, in 37 minutes. Scottie Barnes totaled 22 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists and three steals, while O.G. Anunoby added 22 points, three rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Raptors shot 48.4 percent from the field, including 8-of-36 from deep.
Meanwhile, Tyler Herro led the Heat with 33 points, three rebounds and six assists, in 37 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Caleb Martin chipped in seven points, five rebounds, a steal and a block. The Heat shot 40 percent from the field, including 10-of-33 from long range.
The Heat (40-36) will look to bounce back as they clash with the Knicks in New York on Wednesday. The Raptors (38-38) take on the 76ers in Philly on Friday.
Hornets Come Up Clutch In OKC
By Dan Bruno
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the host Oklahoma City Thunder, 137-134, at Paycom Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a tight start as the Hornets led, 26-23, after one quarter. The Thunder came out much better in the second and outscored the visitors by 14 points to carry an 11-point advantage into the break. The Hornets brought a better effort in the third but could only cut it to a six-point game heading into the final frame. Both sides picked up the pace in the fourth, but the Hornets maintained the momentum and came up clutch in the end to secure their third straight win.
P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 43 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Theo Maledon followed up with 19 points, four rebounds, nine assists and four blocks, while Svi Mykhailiuk added 18 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks. The Hornets shot 55.3 percent from the field, including 14-of-35 from deep.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Joe led the Thunder with 33 points on 11-of-18 shooting, in 32 minutes. Jalen Williams tallied 31 points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Josh Giddey finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and a block. The Thunder shot 52.1 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from long range.
The Thunder (37-39) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Thunder on Wednesday. The Hornets (26-51) play host to the Bulls on Friday.
The game got out to a tight start as the Hornets led, 26-23, after one quarter. The Thunder came out much better in the second and outscored the visitors by 14 points to carry an 11-point advantage into the break. The Hornets brought a better effort in the third but could only cut it to a six-point game heading into the final frame. Both sides picked up the pace in the fourth, but the Hornets maintained the momentum and came up clutch in the end to secure their third straight win.
P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 43 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Theo Maledon followed up with 19 points, four rebounds, nine assists and four blocks, while Svi Mykhailiuk added 18 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks. The Hornets shot 55.3 percent from the field, including 14-of-35 from deep.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Joe led the Thunder with 33 points on 11-of-18 shooting, in 32 minutes. Jalen Williams tallied 31 points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Josh Giddey finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and a block. The Thunder shot 52.1 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from long range.
The Thunder (37-39) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Thunder on Wednesday. The Hornets (26-51) play host to the Bulls on Friday.
Grizzlies Defeat Magic, 113-108
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the visiting Orlando Magic, 113-108, at FedEx Forum on Tuesday.
A 32-15 first quarter carried Memphis to their easy win, holding the lead for the final three quarters. They got their lead up to 23 points at times and maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half. The Grizzlies shot 48 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range while holding the Magic to 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. Memphis also outscored Orlando in the paint, 54-36, and in fastbreak scoring, 20-5.
The Magic (32-44) were led by Franz Wagner, finishing with 25 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Paolo Banchero provided 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Wendell Carter collected 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Cole Anthony led the bench with 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Grizzlies (48-27) were led by Desmond Bane, tallying 31 points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals. Xavier Tillman shot 10-of-12 from the field to amass 20 points and nine rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr generated 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Tyus Jones totaled seven points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Luke Kennard led the bench with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Memphis has to play a back-to-back on Wednesday, playing host to the Los Angeles Clippers. As for Orlando, they return to action on Friday in a road matchup with the Washington Wizards.
A 32-15 first quarter carried Memphis to their easy win, holding the lead for the final three quarters. They got their lead up to 23 points at times and maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half. The Grizzlies shot 48 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range while holding the Magic to 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from long range. Memphis also outscored Orlando in the paint, 54-36, and in fastbreak scoring, 20-5.
The Magic (32-44) were led by Franz Wagner, finishing with 25 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Paolo Banchero provided 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Wendell Carter collected 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Cole Anthony led the bench with 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Grizzlies (48-27) were led by Desmond Bane, tallying 31 points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals. Xavier Tillman shot 10-of-12 from the field to amass 20 points and nine rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr generated 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Tyus Jones totaled seven points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Luke Kennard led the bench with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Memphis has to play a back-to-back on Wednesday, playing host to the Los Angeles Clippers. As for Orlando, they return to action on Friday in a road matchup with the Washington Wizards.
Warriors Defeat Pelicans, 120-109
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 120-109, at Chase Center on Tuesday.
While New Orleans held the lead for most of this game, Golden State finished the third quarter on an 11-4 run to complete a 39-26 third frame. They were still losing at that point, but that allowed the Warriors to outscore the Pelicans, 35-20, in the fourth quarter to complete their comeback win. That 46-25 run completed a 35-point turnaround from the beginning of the second quarter. With that said, there were 10 lead changes in this game. Golden State shot 52 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range (18-of-40) while holding New Orleans to 47 percent from the field and 44 percent from long range (12-of-27).
The Pelicans (38-38) were led by Brandon Ingram, providing 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Trey Murphy tallied 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Herbert Jones had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jonas Valanciunas amassed 11 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
The Warriors (40-37) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 39 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Klay Thompson compiled 17 points, two rebounds and two steals. Donte DiVincenzo accrued 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Draymond Green finished with eight points, six rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Jordan Poole led the bench with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists.
On deck for New Orleans is a road matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. As for Golden State, they return to action on Friday in a home matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.
While New Orleans held the lead for most of this game, Golden State finished the third quarter on an 11-4 run to complete a 39-26 third frame. They were still losing at that point, but that allowed the Warriors to outscore the Pelicans, 35-20, in the fourth quarter to complete their comeback win. That 46-25 run completed a 35-point turnaround from the beginning of the second quarter. With that said, there were 10 lead changes in this game. Golden State shot 52 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range (18-of-40) while holding New Orleans to 47 percent from the field and 44 percent from long range (12-of-27).
The Pelicans (38-38) were led by Brandon Ingram, providing 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Trey Murphy tallied 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Herbert Jones had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jonas Valanciunas amassed 11 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
The Warriors (40-37) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 39 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Klay Thompson compiled 17 points, two rebounds and two steals. Donte DiVincenzo accrued 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Draymond Green finished with eight points, six rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Jordan Poole led the bench with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists.
On deck for New Orleans is a road matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. As for Golden State, they return to action on Friday in a home matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.