Clippers Stop Skid With Home Win Over Mavericks
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 97-91, at Staples Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Clippers (10-7) and the Mavericks (9-7) tangled in a battle that didn’t feature two of the biggest superstars in the league, Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic, due to injury. Dallas jumped out to a 22-19 lead after the first quarter, however, and they attempted to gain control of the contest early on. The Mavericks responded with a 27-25 score in the second quarter, and both teams went into the halftime break separated by just one point. The Clippers flipped the script completely with a 25-15 score in the third quarter and somehow found themselves up by nine points with just 12 minutes left, and they wouldn’t let that lead slip away. Dallas won the final quarter by a 29-26 score, but that wasn’t enough and the Clippers closed things out effectively.
Paul George carried the Clippers in this one and finished with a game-high 29 points while adding six assists and four rebounds, while Ivica Zubac posted a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. Reggie Jackson had 23 points while adding four dimes. No other Clipper scored in double digits. Los Angeles shot 48 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from deep.
The Mavericks had Kristaps Porzingis as their main scorer with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Jalen Brunson chipped in with 20 points and eight assists. However, the team struggled so much on offense that no other player scored in double digits. In fact, Dallas shot just 41 percent from the field and 20 percent from three-point range. Dwight Powell had nine points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. had eight points, six boards and five dimes.
The Clippers (10-7) and the Mavericks (9-7) tangled in a battle that didn’t feature two of the biggest superstars in the league, Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic, due to injury. Dallas jumped out to a 22-19 lead after the first quarter, however, and they attempted to gain control of the contest early on. The Mavericks responded with a 27-25 score in the second quarter, and both teams went into the halftime break separated by just one point. The Clippers flipped the script completely with a 25-15 score in the third quarter and somehow found themselves up by nine points with just 12 minutes left, and they wouldn’t let that lead slip away. Dallas won the final quarter by a 29-26 score, but that wasn’t enough and the Clippers closed things out effectively.
Paul George carried the Clippers in this one and finished with a game-high 29 points while adding six assists and four rebounds, while Ivica Zubac posted a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. Reggie Jackson had 23 points while adding four dimes. No other Clipper scored in double digits. Los Angeles shot 48 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from deep.
The Mavericks had Kristaps Porzingis as their main scorer with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Jalen Brunson chipped in with 20 points and eight assists. However, the team struggled so much on offense that no other player scored in double digits. In fact, Dallas shot just 41 percent from the field and 20 percent from three-point range. Dwight Powell had nine points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. had eight points, six boards and five dimes.
Lakers Topple Pistons, 121-116
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons, 121-116, at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday evening.
The Lakers (9-9) entered Sunday's game looking to put an ugly 22-point loss to the Celtics on Friday night behind them, a defeat that was their third straight. Los Angeles emerged from the first quarter with a slim four-point edge, but the Pistons (4-12) surged back in the second quarter to wipe out their deficit and enter halftime with a seven-point lead. Detroit continued its strong play on either side of the floor during a third period in which another eight points were added to its advantage, but there was a significant development with 9:18 remaining in the quarter when a post-free-throw tussle between Isaiah Stewart and LeBron James became especially heated and ultimately resulted in the Pistons' big man ending up bloodied and both he and James ejected. The entire incident may have also had a delayed effect on the visitors, which outscored their hosts by a 37-17 margin in the fourth quarter for the narrow comeback win.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included six assists, five blocks and four steals. Russell Westbrook followed with 26 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and two steals. Carmelo Anthony furnished 18 points, two rebounds and two blocks. Dwight Howard supplied 13 points and five rebounds. James finished with 10 points, five assists and one rebound in 21 minutes.
Jerami Grant paced the Pistons with 36 points, complementing them with four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Hamidou Diallo managed 17 points, six boards, one assist, two steals and one block. Frank Jackson netted 15 points, while Saddiq Bey turned in 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Cade Cunningham generated a 13-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double with two steals.
The Lakers remain on the road and visit the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, while the Pistons host the Miami Heat on Tuesday night as well.
The Lakers (9-9) entered Sunday's game looking to put an ugly 22-point loss to the Celtics on Friday night behind them, a defeat that was their third straight. Los Angeles emerged from the first quarter with a slim four-point edge, but the Pistons (4-12) surged back in the second quarter to wipe out their deficit and enter halftime with a seven-point lead. Detroit continued its strong play on either side of the floor during a third period in which another eight points were added to its advantage, but there was a significant development with 9:18 remaining in the quarter when a post-free-throw tussle between Isaiah Stewart and LeBron James became especially heated and ultimately resulted in the Pistons' big man ending up bloodied and both he and James ejected. The entire incident may have also had a delayed effect on the visitors, which outscored their hosts by a 37-17 margin in the fourth quarter for the narrow comeback win.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included six assists, five blocks and four steals. Russell Westbrook followed with 26 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and two steals. Carmelo Anthony furnished 18 points, two rebounds and two blocks. Dwight Howard supplied 13 points and five rebounds. James finished with 10 points, five assists and one rebound in 21 minutes.
Jerami Grant paced the Pistons with 36 points, complementing them with four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Hamidou Diallo managed 17 points, six boards, one assist, two steals and one block. Frank Jackson netted 15 points, while Saddiq Bey turned in 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Cade Cunningham generated a 13-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double with two steals.
The Lakers remain on the road and visit the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, while the Pistons host the Miami Heat on Tuesday night as well.
Bulls Hold Off Knicks In Chicago
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting New York Knicks, 109-103, at United Center on Sunday evening.
The Bulls got out to a strong start with an early nine-point lead, before the Knicks cut it back to a five-point game heading into the second. The Knicks kept it up in the second, but the Bulls maintained the advantage and pushed it to a six-point game by halftime. The Knicks came out much better in the third, overtaking the lead mid way through the quarter, and they were able to maintain a two-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Bulls responded with force in the fourth and closed the contest on a, 13-9, run to secure their second straight win.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 31 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. Zach LaVine followed up with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Coby White chipped in 14 points, off the bench. The Bulls shot 42 percent from the field, including 11-of-29 from long range.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle led the Knicks with 34 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, in 39 minutes. Alec Burks followed up with 13 points on 3-of-6 shooting, while Immanuel Quickley chipped in 12 points. The Knicks shot 42 percent from the field, including 7-of-27 from deep.
The Knicks (9-8) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Lakers on Tuesday. The Bulls (12-5) play host to the Pacers on Monday.
The Bulls got out to a strong start with an early nine-point lead, before the Knicks cut it back to a five-point game heading into the second. The Knicks kept it up in the second, but the Bulls maintained the advantage and pushed it to a six-point game by halftime. The Knicks came out much better in the third, overtaking the lead mid way through the quarter, and they were able to maintain a two-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Bulls responded with force in the fourth and closed the contest on a, 13-9, run to secure their second straight win.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 31 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. Zach LaVine followed up with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Coby White chipped in 14 points, off the bench. The Bulls shot 42 percent from the field, including 11-of-29 from long range.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle led the Knicks with 34 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, in 39 minutes. Alec Burks followed up with 13 points on 3-of-6 shooting, while Immanuel Quickley chipped in 12 points. The Knicks shot 42 percent from the field, including 7-of-27 from deep.
The Knicks (9-8) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Lakers on Tuesday. The Bulls (12-5) play host to the Pacers on Monday.
Suns Blowout Nuggets In Phoenix
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 126-97, at Footprint Center on Sunday evening.
The Suns came out on fire with a, 48-28, lead after one quarter. The Nuggets came out stronger in the second and managed to trim seven-points off the deficit, making it a 13-point game by halftime. The Suns reclaimed dominance in the second half and outscored the visitors, 53-37, through the final two quarters to complete the blowout win at home and push their winning streak to 12 games. This marks the fourth straight loss for the Nuggets.
Deandre Ayton led the way for the Suns with 21 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal, in 26 minutes. Devin Booker followed up with 17 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal, while Chris Paul tallied nine points, three rebounds and 10 assists. The Suns shot 53 percent from the field, including 11-of-36 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jeff Green was the high-point man for the Nuggets with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting, in 30 minutes. Aaron Gordon totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals, while JaMychal Green chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The Nuggets shot 37 percent from the field, including 11-of-38 from long range.
The Nuggets (9-8) will look to end the slide as they take on the Trail Blazers in Portland on Tuesday. The Suns (13-3) take on the Spurs in San Antonio on Monday.
The Suns came out on fire with a, 48-28, lead after one quarter. The Nuggets came out stronger in the second and managed to trim seven-points off the deficit, making it a 13-point game by halftime. The Suns reclaimed dominance in the second half and outscored the visitors, 53-37, through the final two quarters to complete the blowout win at home and push their winning streak to 12 games. This marks the fourth straight loss for the Nuggets.
Deandre Ayton led the way for the Suns with 21 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal, in 26 minutes. Devin Booker followed up with 17 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal, while Chris Paul tallied nine points, three rebounds and 10 assists. The Suns shot 53 percent from the field, including 11-of-36 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jeff Green was the high-point man for the Nuggets with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting, in 30 minutes. Aaron Gordon totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals, while JaMychal Green chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The Nuggets shot 37 percent from the field, including 11-of-38 from long range.
The Nuggets (9-8) will look to end the slide as they take on the Trail Blazers in Portland on Tuesday. The Suns (13-3) take on the Spurs in San Antonio on Monday.
Warriors Defeat Raptors, 119-104
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Toronto Raptors, 119-104, at Chase Center on Sunday.
Golden State got out to a 36-24 lead after the first quarter, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. In fact, they won all four individual quarters, leading by at least nine points for the final three quarters. The Warriors shot 49 percent from the field and 49 percent from three-point range while holding the Raptors to 40 percent from the field and 41 percent from long range. In addition, Golden State out-assisted Toronto, 31-25.
The Raptors (8-10) were led by Pascal Siakam, tallying 21 points, five rebounds and two assists. Fred VanVleet amassed 17 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Scottie Barnes collected 10 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Precious Achiwua led the bench with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
The Warriors (15-2) were led by Jordan Poole and his 33 points, four rebounds and four assists on 10-of-13 from the field. Andrew Wiggins accumulated 32 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Stephen Curry had 12 points, two rebounds and eight assists, while Draymond Green compiled four points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Otto Porter Jr led the bench with 15 points and five rebounds.
Both teams are off until Wednesday, with Toronto traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State remaining home to play the struggling Philadelphia 76ers.
Golden State got out to a 36-24 lead after the first quarter, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. In fact, they won all four individual quarters, leading by at least nine points for the final three quarters. The Warriors shot 49 percent from the field and 49 percent from three-point range while holding the Raptors to 40 percent from the field and 41 percent from long range. In addition, Golden State out-assisted Toronto, 31-25.
The Raptors (8-10) were led by Pascal Siakam, tallying 21 points, five rebounds and two assists. Fred VanVleet amassed 17 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Scottie Barnes collected 10 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Precious Achiwua led the bench with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
The Warriors (15-2) were led by Jordan Poole and his 33 points, four rebounds and four assists on 10-of-13 from the field. Andrew Wiggins accumulated 32 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Stephen Curry had 12 points, two rebounds and eight assists, while Draymond Green compiled four points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Otto Porter Jr led the bench with 15 points and five rebounds.
Both teams are off until Wednesday, with Toronto traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State remaining home to play the struggling Philadelphia 76ers.