Wizards Mount Huge Rally, Top Knicks At O2 Arena
The Washington Wizards defeated the New York Knicks, 101-100, at O2 Arena in London on Thursday.
The Wizards (19-26) and the Knicks (10-34) played this game on a neutral arena and there is no doubt they gave fans an unbelieveable showdown that went down to the wire, as this game was decided with a lay-up in the final second of regulation. The Knicks got off to an impressive start, though, winning the first quarter by 10 points (30-20) and extending their lead in the upcoming two quarters (33-33 and 26-24, respectively) so they entered the final 12 minutes of action up by a considerable 12-point margin. However, the Wizards came alive in the final quarter and not only they won that frame by 13 points (24-11) but they also did it in style: the Wizards won this game thanks to a Thomas Bryant lay-up with only 0.4 seconds left on the clock.
Six Washington players ended the game scoring over 10 points and Bradley Beal was the team's top scorer with 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tomas Satoransky had 14 points and five assists, while Trevor Ariza filled the stat sheet thanks to 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Otto Porter Jr. had an impressive effort off the bench since he chipped in with 20 points and 11 boards.
Emmanuel Mudiay led the way for the Knicks with 25 points and seven rebounds. Luke Kornet chipped in with 16 points and five steals, while Noah Vonleh contributed with a strong double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson each had 13 points coming off the bench. Kevin Knox was a disappointment, however, as the rookie only had five points while shooting 2-11 from the field.
The Wizards (19-26) and the Knicks (10-34) played this game on a neutral arena and there is no doubt they gave fans an unbelieveable showdown that went down to the wire, as this game was decided with a lay-up in the final second of regulation. The Knicks got off to an impressive start, though, winning the first quarter by 10 points (30-20) and extending their lead in the upcoming two quarters (33-33 and 26-24, respectively) so they entered the final 12 minutes of action up by a considerable 12-point margin. However, the Wizards came alive in the final quarter and not only they won that frame by 13 points (24-11) but they also did it in style: the Wizards won this game thanks to a Thomas Bryant lay-up with only 0.4 seconds left on the clock.
Six Washington players ended the game scoring over 10 points and Bradley Beal was the team's top scorer with 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tomas Satoransky had 14 points and five assists, while Trevor Ariza filled the stat sheet thanks to 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Otto Porter Jr. had an impressive effort off the bench since he chipped in with 20 points and 11 boards.
Emmanuel Mudiay led the way for the Knicks with 25 points and seven rebounds. Luke Kornet chipped in with 16 points and five steals, while Noah Vonleh contributed with a strong double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson each had 13 points coming off the bench. Kevin Knox was a disappointment, however, as the rookie only had five points while shooting 2-11 from the field.
76ers Dominate Pacers, 120-96
The Philadephia 76ers defeated the Indiana Pacers, 120-96, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday evening.
The Pacers (29-15) came in with a stellar 15-5 home record, while the 76ers (30-16) had limped to a 10-12 mark over their first 22 road contests. However, it was Philadelphia had a different look about them from the opening tip, and they went on to forge a 54-48 halftime lead. It was the third quarter when the visitors truly made their case, as they added nine more points to their advantage. The Sixers would go on to a comfortable victory, leveraging 52.9 percent shooting and a 51-40 rebounding advantage.
Jimmy Butler led the way for the 76ers, posting 27 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals. Joel Embiid shook off a questionable designation due to back tightness to generate a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included eight assists, three blocks and one steal. J.J. Redick poured in 20 points and added five assists and three rebounds. Ben Simmons and Mike Muscala contributed matching 11-point tallies and hauled in eight and seven rebounds, respectively.
Thaddeus Young led the Pacers with 27 points and also supplied six boards, one assist and one steal. Victor Oladipo had an especially rough shooting night, draining just six of 20 attempts on his way to 15 points. He added seven assists and two rebounds. Tyreke Evans followed with a bench-leading 13 points. Bojan Bogdanovic turned in nine points, one rebound and one assist. Myles Turner mustered just eight points but brought down 12 rebounds, recorded three steals and posted three blocks.
The 76ers head back home and take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday afternoon. The Pacers remain home and tangle with the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday evening.
The Pacers (29-15) came in with a stellar 15-5 home record, while the 76ers (30-16) had limped to a 10-12 mark over their first 22 road contests. However, it was Philadelphia had a different look about them from the opening tip, and they went on to forge a 54-48 halftime lead. It was the third quarter when the visitors truly made their case, as they added nine more points to their advantage. The Sixers would go on to a comfortable victory, leveraging 52.9 percent shooting and a 51-40 rebounding advantage.
Jimmy Butler led the way for the 76ers, posting 27 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals. Joel Embiid shook off a questionable designation due to back tightness to generate a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included eight assists, three blocks and one steal. J.J. Redick poured in 20 points and added five assists and three rebounds. Ben Simmons and Mike Muscala contributed matching 11-point tallies and hauled in eight and seven rebounds, respectively.
Thaddeus Young led the Pacers with 27 points and also supplied six boards, one assist and one steal. Victor Oladipo had an especially rough shooting night, draining just six of 20 attempts on his way to 15 points. He added seven assists and two rebounds. Tyreke Evans followed with a bench-leading 13 points. Bojan Bogdanovic turned in nine points, one rebound and one assist. Myles Turner mustered just eight points but brought down 12 rebounds, recorded three steals and posted three blocks.
The 76ers head back home and take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday afternoon. The Pacers remain home and tangle with the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday evening.
Hornets Defeat Kings, 114-95
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 114-95, at Spectrum Center on Thursday.
A 43-25 second quarter really decided this game, as that allowed Charlotte to hold the lead for the entirety of the second half. In fact, the Hornets led by at least seven points for the final two quarters, as a 39-13 run at the end of the second quarter really decided this game. Getting to the free-throw line was the difference in the game, with Charlotte connecting on 25-of-29 and Sacramento hitting just 6-of-13. The Hornets also did a ton of damage down low, outscoring the Kings in the paint, 52-38. In addition, Charlotte's bench outscored Sacramento's bench, 60-42.
The Kings (23-22) were led by Buddy Hield as he amassed 24 points and two steals. De'Aaron Fox accrued 10 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic led the bench with 17 points and two assists. Marvin Bagley also played well off the bench, collecting 15 points and eight boards.
The Hornets (21-23) were led by Kemba Walker, as he tallied 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. Marvin Williams totaled 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Wily Hernangomez was huge off the bench, providing 11 points and 16 rebounds. Tony Parker, Miles Bridges and Michel Kidd-Gilchrist all reached double figures in scoring off the bench as well.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Sacramento traveling to face the struggling Detroit Pistons and Charlotte playing host to the Phoenix Suns.
A 43-25 second quarter really decided this game, as that allowed Charlotte to hold the lead for the entirety of the second half. In fact, the Hornets led by at least seven points for the final two quarters, as a 39-13 run at the end of the second quarter really decided this game. Getting to the free-throw line was the difference in the game, with Charlotte connecting on 25-of-29 and Sacramento hitting just 6-of-13. The Hornets also did a ton of damage down low, outscoring the Kings in the paint, 52-38. In addition, Charlotte's bench outscored Sacramento's bench, 60-42.
The Kings (23-22) were led by Buddy Hield as he amassed 24 points and two steals. De'Aaron Fox accrued 10 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic led the bench with 17 points and two assists. Marvin Bagley also played well off the bench, collecting 15 points and eight boards.
The Hornets (21-23) were led by Kemba Walker, as he tallied 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. Marvin Williams totaled 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Wily Hernangomez was huge off the bench, providing 11 points and 16 rebounds. Tony Parker, Miles Bridges and Michel Kidd-Gilchrist all reached double figures in scoring off the bench as well.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Sacramento traveling to face the struggling Detroit Pistons and Charlotte playing host to the Phoenix Suns.
Siakam Sinks Game-Winner For Toronto
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 111-109, at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday evening.
The Raptors got out to a great start at home, with a 32-20 lead after one quarter. The Suns picked it up in the second and chipped away at the deficit, so that they trailed by eight at halftime. The Suns carried the momentum into the second half, as they outscored the Raptors by nine in the third quarter to take a 78-77 lead into the final frame. The score stayed close through the fourth, as the teams exchanged baskets. The score was tied at 109 with 13 seconds left, and the Raptors went to Pascal Siakam out of the timeout. Siakam managed to convert the game-winning bucket on an isolation drive to the basket.
Siakam finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal, in 33 minutes. Serge Ibaka led the Raptors with 22 points on 11-of-19 shooting, six rebounds, one assist and a block, while Kyle Lowry tallied 16 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals. The Raptors shot 50 percent from the field, including 7-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker led the Suns with 30 points on 10-of-21 shooting, eight assists and two rebounds, in 35 minutes. Kelly Oubre Jr. followed up with 18 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Deandre Ayton tallied 15 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Suns (11-35) will look to bounce back as they take on the Hornets in Charlotte on Saturday. The Raptors (34-13) play host to the Grizzlies on Saturday.
The Raptors got out to a great start at home, with a 32-20 lead after one quarter. The Suns picked it up in the second and chipped away at the deficit, so that they trailed by eight at halftime. The Suns carried the momentum into the second half, as they outscored the Raptors by nine in the third quarter to take a 78-77 lead into the final frame. The score stayed close through the fourth, as the teams exchanged baskets. The score was tied at 109 with 13 seconds left, and the Raptors went to Pascal Siakam out of the timeout. Siakam managed to convert the game-winning bucket on an isolation drive to the basket.
Siakam finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal, in 33 minutes. Serge Ibaka led the Raptors with 22 points on 11-of-19 shooting, six rebounds, one assist and a block, while Kyle Lowry tallied 16 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals. The Raptors shot 50 percent from the field, including 7-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker led the Suns with 30 points on 10-of-21 shooting, eight assists and two rebounds, in 35 minutes. Kelly Oubre Jr. followed up with 18 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Deandre Ayton tallied 15 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Suns (11-35) will look to bounce back as they take on the Hornets in Charlotte on Saturday. The Raptors (34-13) play host to the Grizzlies on Saturday.
Nuggets Blowout Bulls, 135-105
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Chicago Bulls, 135-105, on Thursday at Pepsi Center.
It appears as though the Nuggets (30-14) had some pent up anger and energy after they laid an egg at home Tuesday against the Warriors. While the Bulls (10-35) jumped out to a two-point after the first 12 minutes, it was all Denver after that. The Nuggets went on to outscore the Bulls in the second and third quarters by a total of 32 points, and it ended up being smooth sailing for the home team. Seven players scored in double figures for them and 11 of the 12 players who saw the floor scored at least three points. Jamal Murray led the way, shooting 7-of-11 from behind the arc en route to scoring a team-high 25 points in 29 minutes, while likely All-Star Nikola Jokic posted a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds to go along with eight assists in 25 minutes. Gary Harris made his return after a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury, and while he played just 19 minutes as a reserve, he still managed to score 14 points.
As for the Bulls, it was their eighth loss in a row as their record continues to tank. It wasn't a horrible offensive night for Chicago, as they shot 35.7 percent from behind the arc and 47.3 percent from the field overall, but they had no answer for the Nuggets on defense. The 135 points they gave up was the second highest opponent total this season for Chicago, with the 146 points they gave up to Golden State last week serving as the highest. Lauri Markkanen did score a game-high 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds in just 25 minutes, but the other four Bulls starters would combine to score just 36 minutes. Robin Lopez and Jabari Parker were both solid off the bench, however, scoring 17 and 15 points, respectively.
It appears as though the Nuggets (30-14) had some pent up anger and energy after they laid an egg at home Tuesday against the Warriors. While the Bulls (10-35) jumped out to a two-point after the first 12 minutes, it was all Denver after that. The Nuggets went on to outscore the Bulls in the second and third quarters by a total of 32 points, and it ended up being smooth sailing for the home team. Seven players scored in double figures for them and 11 of the 12 players who saw the floor scored at least three points. Jamal Murray led the way, shooting 7-of-11 from behind the arc en route to scoring a team-high 25 points in 29 minutes, while likely All-Star Nikola Jokic posted a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds to go along with eight assists in 25 minutes. Gary Harris made his return after a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury, and while he played just 19 minutes as a reserve, he still managed to score 14 points.
As for the Bulls, it was their eighth loss in a row as their record continues to tank. It wasn't a horrible offensive night for Chicago, as they shot 35.7 percent from behind the arc and 47.3 percent from the field overall, but they had no answer for the Nuggets on defense. The 135 points they gave up was the second highest opponent total this season for Chicago, with the 146 points they gave up to Golden State last week serving as the highest. Lauri Markkanen did score a game-high 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds in just 25 minutes, but the other four Bulls starters would combine to score just 36 minutes. Robin Lopez and Jabari Parker were both solid off the bench, however, scoring 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Lakers Take Down Thunder, 138-128, in Overtime
By Oscar Heanue
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 138-128, in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday.
It was a close finish in regulation, as Russell Westbrook knocked down three last-second free-throws to tie the game at 122. Overtime, however, was a different story, as the Lakers (25-21) took off on a 16-6 run. Sophomore Lonzo Ball kickstarted the run by winning a jump ball and knocking down a deep three-pointer. OKC (26-18), meanwhile, struggled to find offense late in the game. Westbrook could not buy a basket throughout, finishing the night shooting just 7-of-30.
LA won its second straight despite the absence of LeBron James (groin). Sophomore forward Kyle Kuzma continued to excel, leading the team with 34 points. LA saw strong play from the entirety of its young core, as Brandon Ingram notched a team-high 11 assists while Ball added another 10 assists and 18 points.
OKC, meanwhile, saw a triple-double from Westbrook despite his poor shooting night. The former MVP tallied 26 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. Steven Adams added a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double, while Paul George led the team with 27 points. The loss dropped the Thunder to 1-5 in its last six.
On Saturday, the Lakers will visit Houston while the Thunder will travel to Philadelphia.
It was a close finish in regulation, as Russell Westbrook knocked down three last-second free-throws to tie the game at 122. Overtime, however, was a different story, as the Lakers (25-21) took off on a 16-6 run. Sophomore Lonzo Ball kickstarted the run by winning a jump ball and knocking down a deep three-pointer. OKC (26-18), meanwhile, struggled to find offense late in the game. Westbrook could not buy a basket throughout, finishing the night shooting just 7-of-30.
LA won its second straight despite the absence of LeBron James (groin). Sophomore forward Kyle Kuzma continued to excel, leading the team with 34 points. LA saw strong play from the entirety of its young core, as Brandon Ingram notched a team-high 11 assists while Ball added another 10 assists and 18 points.
OKC, meanwhile, saw a triple-double from Westbrook despite his poor shooting night. The former MVP tallied 26 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. Steven Adams added a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double, while Paul George led the team with 27 points. The loss dropped the Thunder to 1-5 in its last six.
On Saturday, the Lakers will visit Houston while the Thunder will travel to Philadelphia.