Warriors Come From Behind, Defeat Clippers
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 105-90, at Staples Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Warriors (18-2) remain scorching hot and managed to secure a huge win over the Clippers (11-9), securing a 15-point victory on the road. The Clippers got off to a better start, though, leading their opponents by a 24-20 score following the opening 12 minutes. The Warriors responded with a 24-18 lead in the second quarter, though, and held a two-point lead at the break. Golden State kept that momentum going in the second quarter and also won the final two quarters, 31-26 and 30-22, respectively, to cruise their way to a solid victory away from home. The Warriors shot 44.2 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from three-point range, while the Clippers shot 40 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three-point range.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors in this victory, as he ended with 33 points but also added six assists, six steals and five rebounds. Andrew Wiggins contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, and Jordan Poole chipped in with 17 points, three rebounds and two assists. No other starter scored in double digits, but Otto Porter Jr. made his presence felt off the bench with 18 points and 10 rebounds across 26 minutes.
Paul George was the best player for the Clippers since he ended with 30 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Marcus Morris contributed 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Eric Bledsoe ended with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Reggie Jackson ended scoreless (0-5 FG). No other Clippers player scored in double digits in this contest. Ivica Zubac had eight points.
The Warriors (18-2) remain scorching hot and managed to secure a huge win over the Clippers (11-9), securing a 15-point victory on the road. The Clippers got off to a better start, though, leading their opponents by a 24-20 score following the opening 12 minutes. The Warriors responded with a 24-18 lead in the second quarter, though, and held a two-point lead at the break. Golden State kept that momentum going in the second quarter and also won the final two quarters, 31-26 and 30-22, respectively, to cruise their way to a solid victory away from home. The Warriors shot 44.2 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from three-point range, while the Clippers shot 40 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three-point range.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors in this victory, as he ended with 33 points but also added six assists, six steals and five rebounds. Andrew Wiggins contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, and Jordan Poole chipped in with 17 points, three rebounds and two assists. No other starter scored in double digits, but Otto Porter Jr. made his presence felt off the bench with 18 points and 10 rebounds across 26 minutes.
Paul George was the best player for the Clippers since he ended with 30 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Marcus Morris contributed 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Eric Bledsoe ended with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Reggie Jackson ended scoreless (0-5 FG). No other Clippers player scored in double digits in this contest. Ivica Zubac had eight points.
Bucks Charge To Seventh Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the host Indiana Pacers, 118-100, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday evening.
The contest got out to a tight start and the score was tied at 26, after one quarter. The Bucks pulled ahead early in the second and hung on to take a five-point lead into halftime. They carried to momentum into the third and took control, as they outscored the hosts by 12 points in the quarter to push their advantage to 17 points, heading into the final frame. The Pacers had no answers down the stretch, as the Bucks maintained control and closed out their seventh straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 26 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 33 minutes. Jrue Holiday followed up with 23 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a steal, while Khris Middleton chipped in 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. The Bucks shot 51 percent from the field, including 8-of-35 from deep.
Meanwhile, Caris LeVert led the Pacers with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, in 27 minutes. Malcolm Brogdon followed up with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Justin Holiday and T.J. McConnell chipped in 10 points each. The Pacers shot 41 percent from the field, including 12-of-45 from long range.
The Pacers (9-13) will look to bounce back as they take on the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Monday. The Bucks (13-8) play host to the Hornets on Wednesday.
The contest got out to a tight start and the score was tied at 26, after one quarter. The Bucks pulled ahead early in the second and hung on to take a five-point lead into halftime. They carried to momentum into the third and took control, as they outscored the hosts by 12 points in the quarter to push their advantage to 17 points, heading into the final frame. The Pacers had no answers down the stretch, as the Bucks maintained control and closed out their seventh straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 26 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and a block, in 33 minutes. Jrue Holiday followed up with 23 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a steal, while Khris Middleton chipped in 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. The Bucks shot 51 percent from the field, including 8-of-35 from deep.
Meanwhile, Caris LeVert led the Pacers with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, in 27 minutes. Malcolm Brogdon followed up with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Justin Holiday and T.J. McConnell chipped in 10 points each. The Pacers shot 41 percent from the field, including 12-of-45 from long range.
The Pacers (9-13) will look to bounce back as they take on the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Monday. The Bucks (13-8) play host to the Hornets on Wednesday.
Celtics Topple Raptors, 109-97
The Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors, 109-97, at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday evening.
The Celtics (11-10) and Raptors (9-12) both entered the contest battling inconsistency, and each played well on both ends of the floor over the first two quarters. Boston went into intermission with a narrow 54-51 lead, and they still held just a four-point edge going into the final period. However, the visitors were able to pull away with the help of a 9-0 run during the middle of the fourth quarter that set up the double-digit victory.
Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 21 points, complementing them with eight rebounds and six assists. Josh Richardson poured in 18 points. Al Horford generated 17-point, 11-rebound double-double that included two assists. Jaylen Brown supplied 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Grant Williams furnished 15 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
Fred VanVleet paced the Raptors with 27 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Scottie Barnes delivered 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Pascal Siakam managed 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Svi Mykhailiuk turned in 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
The Celtics return home and host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, while the Raptors remain home and host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.
The Celtics (11-10) and Raptors (9-12) both entered the contest battling inconsistency, and each played well on both ends of the floor over the first two quarters. Boston went into intermission with a narrow 54-51 lead, and they still held just a four-point edge going into the final period. However, the visitors were able to pull away with the help of a 9-0 run during the middle of the fourth quarter that set up the double-digit victory.
Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 21 points, complementing them with eight rebounds and six assists. Josh Richardson poured in 18 points. Al Horford generated 17-point, 11-rebound double-double that included two assists. Jaylen Brown supplied 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Grant Williams furnished 15 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
Fred VanVleet paced the Raptors with 27 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Scottie Barnes delivered 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Pascal Siakam managed 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Svi Mykhailiuk turned in 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
The Celtics return home and host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, while the Raptors remain home and host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.
Grizzlies Throttle Kings, 128-101
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Sacramento Kings, 128-101, at FedEx Forum on Sunday evening.
The Grizzlies (10-10) came in knowing they'd face an uphill battle in their first full game without Ja Morant, who was lost for an indefinite period Friday night due to a knee strain. However, Memphis set an early tone of dominance, extending a 13-point first-quarter lead to 24 by halftime over the Kings (8-13) on the strength of a 76-point tally during that span. While that advantage would ultimately prove more than enough, the hosts added another eight points to it during the third quarter for good measure to close out the game for all practical purposes.
Buddy Hield led the Kings with 14 points, adding six rebounds and one assist. Terence Davis provided 13 points, four boards and two blocks. De'Aaron Fox and Louis King generated matching 12-point, four-rebound tallies while adding two blocks and two steals, respectively. Davion Mitchell supplied 11 points, six assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
Dillon Brooks paced the Grizzlies with 21 points, complementing them with six rebounds, one assist and two steals. Desmond Bane delivered 18 points, five boards, two assists and one block. Jaren Jackson registered 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Brandon Clarke posted 15 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. De'Anthony Melton totaled 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Kings return home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, while the Grizzlies hit the road and visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
The Grizzlies (10-10) came in knowing they'd face an uphill battle in their first full game without Ja Morant, who was lost for an indefinite period Friday night due to a knee strain. However, Memphis set an early tone of dominance, extending a 13-point first-quarter lead to 24 by halftime over the Kings (8-13) on the strength of a 76-point tally during that span. While that advantage would ultimately prove more than enough, the hosts added another eight points to it during the third quarter for good measure to close out the game for all practical purposes.
Buddy Hield led the Kings with 14 points, adding six rebounds and one assist. Terence Davis provided 13 points, four boards and two blocks. De'Aaron Fox and Louis King generated matching 12-point, four-rebound tallies while adding two blocks and two steals, respectively. Davion Mitchell supplied 11 points, six assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
Dillon Brooks paced the Grizzlies with 21 points, complementing them with six rebounds, one assist and two steals. Desmond Bane delivered 18 points, five boards, two assists and one block. Jaren Jackson registered 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Brandon Clarke posted 15 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. De'Anthony Melton totaled 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Kings return home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, while the Grizzlies hit the road and visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Lakers Defeat Pistons, 110-106
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 110-106, at Staples Center on Sunday.
While there were six ties and 18 lead changes in the first half, Los Angeles never relinquished the lead in the second half. That can be attributed to a 16-0 run by the Lakers at the beginning of the third quarter, outscoring the Pistons, 32-22, in that frame. Detroit was able to get it down to a four-point margin in the final moments but never took a shot to tie or take the lead after that lopsided run. The Lakers shot 50 percent from the field while holding the Pistons to 43 percent from the field. In addition, Los Angeles recorded 11 steals and eight blocks while Detroit had five steals and four blocks.
The Pistons (4-16) were led by Jerami Grant and his 32 points, six rebounds and four assists. Cade Cunningham collected 15 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Killian Hayes had six points, three rebounds and eight assists, while Seddiq Bey amassed six points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Frank Jackson led the bench with 17 points and five assists.
The Lakers (11-11) were led by LeBron James, tallying 33 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Russell Westbrook registered 25 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Anthony Davis accrued 24 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Talen Horton-Tucker led the bench with 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Detroit remaining on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles traveling to play the Sacramento Kings.
While there were six ties and 18 lead changes in the first half, Los Angeles never relinquished the lead in the second half. That can be attributed to a 16-0 run by the Lakers at the beginning of the third quarter, outscoring the Pistons, 32-22, in that frame. Detroit was able to get it down to a four-point margin in the final moments but never took a shot to tie or take the lead after that lopsided run. The Lakers shot 50 percent from the field while holding the Pistons to 43 percent from the field. In addition, Los Angeles recorded 11 steals and eight blocks while Detroit had five steals and four blocks.
The Pistons (4-16) were led by Jerami Grant and his 32 points, six rebounds and four assists. Cade Cunningham collected 15 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Killian Hayes had six points, three rebounds and eight assists, while Seddiq Bey amassed six points, 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Frank Jackson led the bench with 17 points and five assists.
The Lakers (11-11) were led by LeBron James, tallying 33 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Russell Westbrook registered 25 points, six rebounds and nine assists. Anthony Davis accrued 24 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Talen Horton-Tucker led the bench with 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Detroit remaining on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles traveling to play the Sacramento Kings.