Magic Show Balanced Offense, Defeat Pelicans Away From Home
The Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 130-119, at Smoothie King Center on Sunday.
The Magic (12-14) have started their four-game road trip with a convincing win over a struggling Pelicans (6-21) franchise that has lost its last 12 games. Things appeared to be different in the early going, however, as the Pelicans raced to a 30-24 lead following the first quarter but couldn't hold on to their advantage afterwards. Orlando flipped the script with a 34-27 second quarter that put them up by one at half time, and they pulled away for good with a 41-27 score in the third quarter. New Orleans won the final 12 minutes of action with a 35-31 score, but it was too late and Orlando sealed the win with ease. With the win, Orlando improved to 4-8 on the road while the Pelicans fell to 4-10 at home.
Eight of Orlando’s nine players that saw action scored 10 or more points, with the lone exception being Aaron Gordon who finished with nine points. Jonathan Isaac led the way with a 21-point, 11-rebound performance, and Nikola Vucevic added 20 points in his first start after returning from injury. D.J. Augustin had 17 points off the bench, while Evan Fournier added 16 points.
Jrue Holiday was the best player for the Pelicans in this game, as he ended with 29 points, eight assists and four rebounds. J.J. Redick added 23 points with three dimes, and Brandon Ingram once again filled the stat sheet thanks to 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. Josh Hart was productive off the bench since he scored 20 points in 31 minutes. Josh Hayes had 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Magic (12-14) have started their four-game road trip with a convincing win over a struggling Pelicans (6-21) franchise that has lost its last 12 games. Things appeared to be different in the early going, however, as the Pelicans raced to a 30-24 lead following the first quarter but couldn't hold on to their advantage afterwards. Orlando flipped the script with a 34-27 second quarter that put them up by one at half time, and they pulled away for good with a 41-27 score in the third quarter. New Orleans won the final 12 minutes of action with a 35-31 score, but it was too late and Orlando sealed the win with ease. With the win, Orlando improved to 4-8 on the road while the Pelicans fell to 4-10 at home.
Eight of Orlando’s nine players that saw action scored 10 or more points, with the lone exception being Aaron Gordon who finished with nine points. Jonathan Isaac led the way with a 21-point, 11-rebound performance, and Nikola Vucevic added 20 points in his first start after returning from injury. D.J. Augustin had 17 points off the bench, while Evan Fournier added 16 points.
Jrue Holiday was the best player for the Pelicans in this game, as he ended with 29 points, eight assists and four rebounds. J.J. Redick added 23 points with three dimes, and Brandon Ingram once again filled the stat sheet thanks to 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. Josh Hart was productive off the bench since he scored 20 points in 31 minutes. Josh Hayes had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Pacers Handle Hornets, 107-85
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 107-85, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon.
The Pacers (18-9) got off to a red-hot start, taking a 33-20 lead through the first quarter and adding another two points to their advantage by halftime. The Hornets' (12-17) one moment in the sun was during the third quarter, when they outscored Indiana by a 22-13 margin. That wasn't anywhere near enough, as the home squad turned the tables in the fourth with a 35-19 advantage over the final 12 minutes to secure the easy home victory.
Cody Zeller led the way for the Hornets with 19 points, adding 12 rebounds, two assists and one block. Malik Monk followed with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists. Devonte' Graham registered 12 points, six boards, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Bismack Biyombo generated an 11-point, 17-rebound double-double that also included two assists and one block. Miles Bridges posted 10 points and four boards.
Aaron Holiday paced the Pacers with 23 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and two assists. Myles Turner furnished 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and five blocks. Domantas Sabonis managed a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double and also posted four assists. T.J. McConnell matched Sabonis' scoring and also dished out eight assists. Malcolm Brogdon tallied 11 points, seven assists, one rebound and one steal.
The Hornets head back home to face the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night, while the Pacers remain home and tangle with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
The Pacers (18-9) got off to a red-hot start, taking a 33-20 lead through the first quarter and adding another two points to their advantage by halftime. The Hornets' (12-17) one moment in the sun was during the third quarter, when they outscored Indiana by a 22-13 margin. That wasn't anywhere near enough, as the home squad turned the tables in the fourth with a 35-19 advantage over the final 12 minutes to secure the easy home victory.
Cody Zeller led the way for the Hornets with 19 points, adding 12 rebounds, two assists and one block. Malik Monk followed with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists. Devonte' Graham registered 12 points, six boards, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Bismack Biyombo generated an 11-point, 17-rebound double-double that also included two assists and one block. Miles Bridges posted 10 points and four boards.
Aaron Holiday paced the Pacers with 23 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and two assists. Myles Turner furnished 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and five blocks. Domantas Sabonis managed a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double and also posted four assists. T.J. McConnell matched Sabonis' scoring and also dished out eight assists. Malcolm Brogdon tallied 11 points, seven assists, one rebound and one steal.
The Hornets head back home to face the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night, while the Pacers remain home and tangle with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Lakers Best Hawks, 101-96
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 101-96, at State Farm Arena on Sunday night.
The Lakers (24-3) came in with a full array of weapons, as LeBron James was able to shake off a questionable designation due to an elbow injury, while Anthony Davis took the floor despite still dealing with general shoulder soreness. Both players would be key to the win as usual, one that saw the two teams go back and forth deep into the fourth quarter. The Hawks (6-21) were as close as 98-96 with 19.8 seconds remaining, but James and Danny Green subsequently made three of four free throw-attempts to clinch the road win.
James led the way for the Lakers with 32 points, adding 13 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and one steal. Davis generated a 27-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included three assists, two blocks and one steal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondon contributed matching 11-point tallies, with Rondo also pulling down seven rebounds, dishing out five assists and recording two steals. Green managed 10 points, six boards and two steals.
Trae Young paced the Hawks with 30 points, adding seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jabari Parker delivered 12 points, five boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Damian Jones and Cam Reddish managed matching 10-point tallies while pulling down three and five rebounds, respectively.
The Lakers remain on the road and face off with the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, while the Hawks hit the road and take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday night as well.
The Lakers (24-3) came in with a full array of weapons, as LeBron James was able to shake off a questionable designation due to an elbow injury, while Anthony Davis took the floor despite still dealing with general shoulder soreness. Both players would be key to the win as usual, one that saw the two teams go back and forth deep into the fourth quarter. The Hawks (6-21) were as close as 98-96 with 19.8 seconds remaining, but James and Danny Green subsequently made three of four free throw-attempts to clinch the road win.
James led the way for the Lakers with 32 points, adding 13 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and one steal. Davis generated a 27-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included three assists, two blocks and one steal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondon contributed matching 11-point tallies, with Rondo also pulling down seven rebounds, dishing out five assists and recording two steals. Green managed 10 points, six boards and two steals.
Trae Young paced the Hawks with 30 points, adding seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jabari Parker delivered 12 points, five boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Damian Jones and Cam Reddish managed matching 10-point tallies while pulling down three and five rebounds, respectively.
The Lakers remain on the road and face off with the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, while the Hawks hit the road and take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday night as well.
Nets Topple Short-Handed 76ers, 109-89
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 109-89, at Barclays Center on Sunday evening.
The Nets (14-12) caught a break when it was announced earlier in the day that Joel Embiid (illness) would be sitting out the contest, and Brooklyn got off to a fast start with a 28-23 lead through one. The hosts would then start to gain separation in the second by adding another nine points to their edge during the second, and although the 76ers (20-8) continued to put up a fight in the second half, the Nets were able to add another six points to their final margin of victory over the third and fourth quarters.
Ben Simmons led the way for the 76ers with 20 points, adding five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Tobias Harris delivered 17 points, six boards, three assists and two blocks. Josh Richardson poured in 11 points and also recorded four rebounds and one steal.
Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets with 24 points and also posted six assists and one steal. Joe Harris supplied 16 points, two rebounds and one assist. Deandre Jordan generated a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench. Garrett Temple matched Jordan's scoring and dished out four assists.
The 76ers head back home to take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, while the Nets hit the road and take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night as well.
The Nets (14-12) caught a break when it was announced earlier in the day that Joel Embiid (illness) would be sitting out the contest, and Brooklyn got off to a fast start with a 28-23 lead through one. The hosts would then start to gain separation in the second by adding another nine points to their edge during the second, and although the 76ers (20-8) continued to put up a fight in the second half, the Nets were able to add another six points to their final margin of victory over the third and fourth quarters.
Ben Simmons led the way for the 76ers with 20 points, adding five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Tobias Harris delivered 17 points, six boards, three assists and two blocks. Josh Richardson poured in 11 points and also recorded four rebounds and one steal.
Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets with 24 points and also posted six assists and one steal. Joe Harris supplied 16 points, two rebounds and one assist. Deandre Jordan generated a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench. Garrett Temple matched Jordan's scoring and dished out four assists.
The 76ers head back home to take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, while the Nets hit the road and take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night as well.
Nuggets Defeat Knicks, 111-105
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting New York Knicks, 111-105, at Pepsi Center on Sunday,
While Denver led by 16 points at the half, New York made this game close thanks to a 33-20 third quarter. In fact, the Knicks grabbed a five-point lead with 7:11 remaining but the Nuggets finished the game on an 18-7 run to prevail. Ball movement was the difference for Denver, out-assisting New York, 27-20 while committing two fewer turnovers. In addition, the Nuggets shot 10-of-28 from three-point range while holding the Knicks to just 8-of-32 from long distance.
The Knicks (6-21) were led by Marcus Morris, who amassed 22 points and five rebounds. Julius Randle accrued 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Frank Ntilikina generated 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals while Elfrid Payton led the bench with 10 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists.
The Nuggets (17-8) were led by Nikola Jokic, who tallied 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Will Barton accumulated 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Gary Harris totaled 15 points, three rebounds and three assists while Jamal Murray collected 14 points, six rebounds and four assists. Mason Plumlee led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
On deck for New York is a home game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. As for Denver, they remain home to face the Orlando Magic on Wednesday for their next outing.
While Denver led by 16 points at the half, New York made this game close thanks to a 33-20 third quarter. In fact, the Knicks grabbed a five-point lead with 7:11 remaining but the Nuggets finished the game on an 18-7 run to prevail. Ball movement was the difference for Denver, out-assisting New York, 27-20 while committing two fewer turnovers. In addition, the Nuggets shot 10-of-28 from three-point range while holding the Knicks to just 8-of-32 from long distance.
The Knicks (6-21) were led by Marcus Morris, who amassed 22 points and five rebounds. Julius Randle accrued 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Frank Ntilikina generated 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals while Elfrid Payton led the bench with 10 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists.
The Nuggets (17-8) were led by Nikola Jokic, who tallied 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Will Barton accumulated 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Gary Harris totaled 15 points, three rebounds and three assists while Jamal Murray collected 14 points, six rebounds and four assists. Mason Plumlee led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
On deck for New York is a home game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. As for Denver, they remain home to face the Orlando Magic on Wednesday for their next outing.
Kings Roll Warriors, 100-79
The Sacramento Kings defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 100-79, at Chase Center on Sunday.
A 26-18 first quarter really set the tone for the Kings in this game, leading for the final three quarters. In fact, Sacramento rode a 28-17 third quarter to a 20-point lead, leading by at least 15 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Sacramento held Golden State to just 39 percent from the field and 24 percent from three-point range while shooting 60 percent from the field and 45 percent from long distance. In addition, the Kings won the rebounding battle, 38-26, despite committing 27 turnovers.
The Kings (12-14) were led by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who came off the bench to provide 25 points, five rebounds and five assists. Buddy Hield led the starters with 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Harrison Barnes amassed 15 points, five rebounds and three assists while Marvin Bagley totaled 17 points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (5-23) had just three players reach double figures in scoring, with Willie Cauley-Stein leading the club with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and six steals. Damion Lee started and accumulated 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. D'Angelo Russell had eight points and eight assists while Alec Burks led the bench with 11 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals.
On deck for Sacramento is a road matchup versus the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. As for Golden State, they return to action on Wednesday when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on the road.
A 26-18 first quarter really set the tone for the Kings in this game, leading for the final three quarters. In fact, Sacramento rode a 28-17 third quarter to a 20-point lead, leading by at least 15 points for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Sacramento held Golden State to just 39 percent from the field and 24 percent from three-point range while shooting 60 percent from the field and 45 percent from long distance. In addition, the Kings won the rebounding battle, 38-26, despite committing 27 turnovers.
The Kings (12-14) were led by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who came off the bench to provide 25 points, five rebounds and five assists. Buddy Hield led the starters with 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Harrison Barnes amassed 15 points, five rebounds and three assists while Marvin Bagley totaled 17 points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Warriors (5-23) had just three players reach double figures in scoring, with Willie Cauley-Stein leading the club with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and six steals. Damion Lee started and accumulated 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. D'Angelo Russell had eight points and eight assists while Alec Burks led the bench with 11 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals.
On deck for Sacramento is a road matchup versus the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. As for Golden State, they return to action on Wednesday when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on the road.