76ers Survive, Escape With Win Over Knicks
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks, 108-105, at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
The 76ers (28-16) and the Knicks (10-33) played a surprisingly close contest at The Big Apple and the hosts came quite close to send the game into overtime, but Philadelphia survived when a last-second three-point jumper from Emmanuel Mudiay didn't go in. The 76ers got off to a better start, though, leading 36-24 after the first quarter and extending the gap to 16 points at the break following a 30-26 second quarter. But the Knicks flipped the script admirably in the third, edging their rivals 32-17 and making it a one-point game heading into the fourth. Their rally fell short, however, and Philly ended winning the game on Joel Embiid's return to the starting lineup.
Joel Embiid finished with 26 points and eight rebounds during 32 minutes, but the star of the game for the Sixers was Ben Simmons. The Australian phenom might have fallen short of a triple-double, but he still posted a strong stat line of 20 points, 22 rebounds and nine assists. J.J. Redick also added 22 points, and Jimmy Butler chipped in with 16 points and eight boards. T.J. McConnell had six points and four assists off the bench.
Emmanuel Mudiay might have missed the game-tying three-point shot at the end of regulation, but still had a decent game with 19 points, four assists and four rebounds. The best player for the Knicks was Kevin Knox, however, since he finished with 31 points, seven rebounds, and two steals across 44 minutes of action. Luke Kornet thrived off the bench and chipped in with 23 points, five assists and five rebounds.
The 76ers (28-16) and the Knicks (10-33) played a surprisingly close contest at The Big Apple and the hosts came quite close to send the game into overtime, but Philadelphia survived when a last-second three-point jumper from Emmanuel Mudiay didn't go in. The 76ers got off to a better start, though, leading 36-24 after the first quarter and extending the gap to 16 points at the break following a 30-26 second quarter. But the Knicks flipped the script admirably in the third, edging their rivals 32-17 and making it a one-point game heading into the fourth. Their rally fell short, however, and Philly ended winning the game on Joel Embiid's return to the starting lineup.
Joel Embiid finished with 26 points and eight rebounds during 32 minutes, but the star of the game for the Sixers was Ben Simmons. The Australian phenom might have fallen short of a triple-double, but he still posted a strong stat line of 20 points, 22 rebounds and nine assists. J.J. Redick also added 22 points, and Jimmy Butler chipped in with 16 points and eight boards. T.J. McConnell had six points and four assists off the bench.
Emmanuel Mudiay might have missed the game-tying three-point shot at the end of regulation, but still had a decent game with 19 points, four assists and four rebounds. The best player for the Knicks was Kevin Knox, however, since he finished with 31 points, seven rebounds, and two steals across 44 minutes of action. Luke Kornet thrived off the bench and chipped in with 23 points, five assists and five rebounds.
Raptors Edge Wizards In Thrilling 2OT Contest
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards, 140-138, at Capital One Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Raptors (33-12) and the Wizards (18-26) undoubtedly played one of the best games of the 2018-19 NBA season thus far, as they needed 58 minutes of basketball to find a winner and the game ended with a slim two-point margin. Toronto were in control during most of the game, however, since they won two of the first three quarters (36-21, 25-29, 37-34 on their favor) to enter the fourth with a healthy 14-point lead. But Washington woke up and sent the game to OT with a terrific performance in the final 12 minutes of action (40-26). One overtime wasn't enough, but in the end, Toronto survived this game and clawed back to earn the win on the road.
Kawhi Leonard was the best player for the Raptors since he finished with 41 points and 11 rebounds across 45 minutes. Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam each had double-doubles, too - while the point guard contributed 12 points and 11 assists to the winning cause, Siakam chipped in with 24 points and 19 rebounds. Danny Green had 16 points with eight rebounds. Delon Wright added 17 points off the bench.
Bradley Beal was the game's highest scorer since he finished with a triple-double of 43 points (17-36 shooting), 15 assists and 10 rebounds. Trevor Ariza came quite close of adding a triple-double of his own since he had 23 points, 10 assists and nine boards. Thomas Bryant had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Otto Porter Jr. contributed off the bench with 27 points and eight rebounds in 44 minutes.
The Raptors (33-12) and the Wizards (18-26) undoubtedly played one of the best games of the 2018-19 NBA season thus far, as they needed 58 minutes of basketball to find a winner and the game ended with a slim two-point margin. Toronto were in control during most of the game, however, since they won two of the first three quarters (36-21, 25-29, 37-34 on their favor) to enter the fourth with a healthy 14-point lead. But Washington woke up and sent the game to OT with a terrific performance in the final 12 minutes of action (40-26). One overtime wasn't enough, but in the end, Toronto survived this game and clawed back to earn the win on the road.
Kawhi Leonard was the best player for the Raptors since he finished with 41 points and 11 rebounds across 45 minutes. Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam each had double-doubles, too - while the point guard contributed 12 points and 11 assists to the winning cause, Siakam chipped in with 24 points and 19 rebounds. Danny Green had 16 points with eight rebounds. Delon Wright added 17 points off the bench.
Bradley Beal was the game's highest scorer since he finished with a triple-double of 43 points (17-36 shooting), 15 assists and 10 rebounds. Trevor Ariza came quite close of adding a triple-double of his own since he had 23 points, 10 assists and nine boards. Thomas Bryant had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Otto Porter Jr. contributed off the bench with 27 points and eight rebounds in 44 minutes.
Bucks Roll Hawks, 133-114
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the host Atlanta Hawks, 133-114, at State Farm Arena on Sunday.
When you have the best offense in the league play the worst defense, a 133-point outing like this becomes something you expect. Not only did Milwaukee score at least 29 points in each quarter, but they also won all four individual quarters en route to their easy victory. The Bucks offense was unstoppable all day, as they connected on 53 percent of their shots while recording 28 assists. Rebounding was dominated by Atlanta, as they won that battle, 54-39. The assist-to-turnover differential allowed Milwaukee's offense to thrive, as they recorded 28 assists to 14 turnovers while forcing Atlanta to commit 24 turnovers to 19 assists. The 13 steals recorded by Milwaukee played a huge factor in that, as Atlanta had just three on their end.
The Bucks (30-12) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he collected 33 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Eric Bledsoe finished with 24 points, two rebounds, 10 assists and two steals on 9-of-13 shooting. Khris Middleton totaled 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Malcolm Brogdon accrued 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Hawks (13-30) were led by Trae Young, as he tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. DeAndre' Bembry amassed 18 points and seven boards. John Collins finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Alex Len led the bench with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Milwaukee playing host to the surging Miami Heat and Atlanta welcoming the Oklahoma City Thunder to State Farm Arena.
When you have the best offense in the league play the worst defense, a 133-point outing like this becomes something you expect. Not only did Milwaukee score at least 29 points in each quarter, but they also won all four individual quarters en route to their easy victory. The Bucks offense was unstoppable all day, as they connected on 53 percent of their shots while recording 28 assists. Rebounding was dominated by Atlanta, as they won that battle, 54-39. The assist-to-turnover differential allowed Milwaukee's offense to thrive, as they recorded 28 assists to 14 turnovers while forcing Atlanta to commit 24 turnovers to 19 assists. The 13 steals recorded by Milwaukee played a huge factor in that, as Atlanta had just three on their end.
The Bucks (30-12) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he collected 33 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Eric Bledsoe finished with 24 points, two rebounds, 10 assists and two steals on 9-of-13 shooting. Khris Middleton totaled 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Malcolm Brogdon accrued 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Hawks (13-30) were led by Trae Young, as he tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. DeAndre' Bembry amassed 18 points and seven boards. John Collins finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Alex Len led the bench with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Milwaukee playing host to the surging Miami Heat and Atlanta welcoming the Oklahoma City Thunder to State Farm Arena.
Magic Handles Rockets, 116-109
The Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets, 116-109, at Amway Center on Sunday evening.
The Magic (19-24) found themselves in an early hole against a surging Rockets (24-18) squad, falling behind by a 26-18 margin after 12 minutes. The light went on for Orlando at that point, however, as they chipped away over the middle periods by outscoring Houston, 68-62. However, they fell behind by as much as 10 again in the fourth quarter before finishing the game on a momentous 26-9 run from the 7:54 mark on.
James Harden paced the Rockets with a 38-point, 12-assist double-double that also included nine rebounds and four steals. Austin Rivers provided 25 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal. Clint Capela generated a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double and added three assists. Danuel House, Jr. tallied 14 points, two assists and one rebound. P.J. Tucker collected eight points, eight rebounds and two steals.
Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic co-led the Magic with 22-point contributions. Gordon added eight rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Vucevic supplied nine boards, six assists and one steal. Evan Fournier poured in 19 points and also mustered five rebounds and two assists. Terrence Ross registered 17 points to lead the bench, supplementing them with four rebounds, two assists and one steal. D.J. Augustin checked in with a full line of nine points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Rockets head back home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, while the Magic pay a visit to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday evening.
The Magic (19-24) found themselves in an early hole against a surging Rockets (24-18) squad, falling behind by a 26-18 margin after 12 minutes. The light went on for Orlando at that point, however, as they chipped away over the middle periods by outscoring Houston, 68-62. However, they fell behind by as much as 10 again in the fourth quarter before finishing the game on a momentous 26-9 run from the 7:54 mark on.
James Harden paced the Rockets with a 38-point, 12-assist double-double that also included nine rebounds and four steals. Austin Rivers provided 25 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal. Clint Capela generated a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double and added three assists. Danuel House, Jr. tallied 14 points, two assists and one rebound. P.J. Tucker collected eight points, eight rebounds and two steals.
Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic co-led the Magic with 22-point contributions. Gordon added eight rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Vucevic supplied nine boards, six assists and one steal. Evan Fournier poured in 19 points and also mustered five rebounds and two assists. Terrence Ross registered 17 points to lead the bench, supplementing them with four rebounds, two assists and one steal. D.J. Augustin checked in with a full line of nine points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Rockets head back home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, while the Magic pay a visit to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday evening.
Warriors Edge Mavericks, 119-114
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 119-114, at American Airlines Center on Sunday night.
The Warriors (29-14) knew they were in for an uphill battle against a home-dominant squad in the Mavericks (20-23), which had notched 16 of their 20 wins coming in at American Airlines Center. Accordingly, the defending champs found themselves down by four coming out of the first quarter, but they'd forged a 62-54 lead by halftime. However, this was a game that wouldn't be decided until the final minute, with Golden State coming back from a five-point deficit with 3:51 remaining to finish the contest on an 11-1 run. Stephen Curry was key to both the comeback and the victory overall, as he tallied a game-high 48 points, including the last seven.
Curry added six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal to his aforementioned scoring haul. Kevin Durant provided 28 points, seven boards, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Klay Thompson mustered 16 points, four rebounds and one assist. Alfonzo McKinnie offered 10 points and five rebounds. Draymond Green mustered just four points but added seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 26 points and supplemented them with six boards, five assists and one steal. Harrison Barnes supplied 22 points and four rebounds. Deandre Jordan generated a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Jalen Brunson managed 12 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block. Wesley Matthews couldn't help make up for the absence of Dennis Smith, Jr. (back), managing just eight points on 3-for-11 shooting.
The Warriors remain on the road and next visit the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday evening, while the Mavericks remain home to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
The Warriors (29-14) knew they were in for an uphill battle against a home-dominant squad in the Mavericks (20-23), which had notched 16 of their 20 wins coming in at American Airlines Center. Accordingly, the defending champs found themselves down by four coming out of the first quarter, but they'd forged a 62-54 lead by halftime. However, this was a game that wouldn't be decided until the final minute, with Golden State coming back from a five-point deficit with 3:51 remaining to finish the contest on an 11-1 run. Stephen Curry was key to both the comeback and the victory overall, as he tallied a game-high 48 points, including the last seven.
Curry added six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal to his aforementioned scoring haul. Kevin Durant provided 28 points, seven boards, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Klay Thompson mustered 16 points, four rebounds and one assist. Alfonzo McKinnie offered 10 points and five rebounds. Draymond Green mustered just four points but added seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block.
Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 26 points and supplemented them with six boards, five assists and one steal. Harrison Barnes supplied 22 points and four rebounds. Deandre Jordan generated a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Jalen Brunson managed 12 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block. Wesley Matthews couldn't help make up for the absence of Dennis Smith, Jr. (back), managing just eight points on 3-for-11 shooting.
The Warriors remain on the road and next visit the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday evening, while the Mavericks remain home to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
Nuggets Edge Out Blazers, 116-113
By Oscar Heanue
The Denver Nuggets took down the Portland Trail Blazers, 116-113, at Pepsi Center on Sunday evening.
A 40-point night from Nikola Jokic propelled Denver (29-13) to another win on Sunday, allowing the Nuggets to hold first place in the Western Conference. Jokic capped off his season-high night with a pair of free-throws to make it a two-possession game with only 55 seconds remaining. Portland (26-18), however, answered back with a jump shot from C.J. McCollum. Still, the Nuggets managed to hold on to the lead until the final buzzer. Denver was aided by a wildly efficient offensive performance, as the team shot 55.6 percent from the field.
In addition to his team-high scoring performance, Jokic recorded 10 rebounds and eight assists. The big man shot 15-of-23 from the floor en route to his big night. Jamal Murray added an additional 24 points and four rebounds. As a team, Denver totaled nine three-pointers and shot 17-of-20 from the free-throw line.
Portland, meanwhile, saw a strong night from its own superstar. Damian Lillard dropped 26 points and dished out seven assists. The team as a whole, though, struggled to match Denver's offensive output. The Blazers shot only 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range.
The Trail Blazers will visit Sacramento on Monday evening, while Denver will host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
A 40-point night from Nikola Jokic propelled Denver (29-13) to another win on Sunday, allowing the Nuggets to hold first place in the Western Conference. Jokic capped off his season-high night with a pair of free-throws to make it a two-possession game with only 55 seconds remaining. Portland (26-18), however, answered back with a jump shot from C.J. McCollum. Still, the Nuggets managed to hold on to the lead until the final buzzer. Denver was aided by a wildly efficient offensive performance, as the team shot 55.6 percent from the field.
In addition to his team-high scoring performance, Jokic recorded 10 rebounds and eight assists. The big man shot 15-of-23 from the floor en route to his big night. Jamal Murray added an additional 24 points and four rebounds. As a team, Denver totaled nine three-pointers and shot 17-of-20 from the free-throw line.
Portland, meanwhile, saw a strong night from its own superstar. Damian Lillard dropped 26 points and dished out seven assists. The team as a whole, though, struggled to match Denver's offensive output. The Blazers shot only 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range.
The Trail Blazers will visit Sacramento on Monday evening, while Denver will host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
Cavaliers Edge Out Lakers, 101-95
By Oscar Heanue
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 101-95, at Staples Center on Sunday evening.
As the Lakers (23-21) continued to forge ahead without LeBron James (groin) in the lineup, they found an unlikely obstacle in his former team. Cleveland (9-35) owns the league's worst record and had dropped 12 straight heading into Sunday's matchup. Sunday's tilt with the Lakers ended the Cavaliers' skid, though, as all five starters scored in double figures en route to the win. The Cavaliers held a multiple-possession lead for much of the second half and managed to stave off a late-game comeback effort from LA. For the Lakers, the loss dropped the team to just 3-6 without James.
Forward Cedi Osman showed flashes of the talent he showcased early in the season, scoring a team-high 20 points to lead the Cavaliers. Big man Tristan Thompson, recently returned from injury, finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Nearly matching Thompson's effort on the boards was Alec Burks, who tallied 13 rebounds to go with 18 points in Sunday's bounce-back win.
LA, meanwhile, saw 29 points from sophomore forward Kyle Kuzma. The Utah product continued to excel in LeBron's absence, improving upon his season average of 18.6 points per game. As a team, though, the Lakers were not as impressive. LA shot just 39.6 percent and hit only seven threes in a loss that put the team in a tie with Utah for eighth in the Western Conference.
LA will host another of the Eastern Conference's struggling teams when the Chicago Bulls come to town on Tuesday. Cleveland, meanwhile, will continue its West Coast trip with a visit to Portland on Wednesday.
As the Lakers (23-21) continued to forge ahead without LeBron James (groin) in the lineup, they found an unlikely obstacle in his former team. Cleveland (9-35) owns the league's worst record and had dropped 12 straight heading into Sunday's matchup. Sunday's tilt with the Lakers ended the Cavaliers' skid, though, as all five starters scored in double figures en route to the win. The Cavaliers held a multiple-possession lead for much of the second half and managed to stave off a late-game comeback effort from LA. For the Lakers, the loss dropped the team to just 3-6 without James.
Forward Cedi Osman showed flashes of the talent he showcased early in the season, scoring a team-high 20 points to lead the Cavaliers. Big man Tristan Thompson, recently returned from injury, finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Nearly matching Thompson's effort on the boards was Alec Burks, who tallied 13 rebounds to go with 18 points in Sunday's bounce-back win.
LA, meanwhile, saw 29 points from sophomore forward Kyle Kuzma. The Utah product continued to excel in LeBron's absence, improving upon his season average of 18.6 points per game. As a team, though, the Lakers were not as impressive. LA shot just 39.6 percent and hit only seven threes in a loss that put the team in a tie with Utah for eighth in the Western Conference.
LA will host another of the Eastern Conference's struggling teams when the Chicago Bulls come to town on Tuesday. Cleveland, meanwhile, will continue its West Coast trip with a visit to Portland on Wednesday.