Pacers Need Overtime To Get Past Bulls
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Chicago Bulls, 115-106, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Wednesday evening.
This game between the Pacers (31-17) and the Bulls (19-31) needed five more minutes to settle since an overtime was needed to determine the winner. Indiana jumped to a 25-24 lead after the first quarter, and Indiana extended their lead to a four-point edge following a 30-27 score. Chicago evened things up after the third quarter, however, thanks to a 29-25 score. The final quarter ended with a 20-20 score so an overtime was needed to determine the winner. Indiana looked better in that five-minute stretch, however, and a 15-6 lead there allowed them the win. It was a huge win in what was Victor Oladipo's return after more than one year away from the court.
Victor Oladipo returned after almost 13 months away from the court, but he only had nine points in 21 minutes while shooting 2-8 from the field. T. J. Warren led the way with 25 points, while Domantas Sabonis chipped in with 15 points, 11 boards and five assists. Malcolm Brogdon sniffed a triple-double since he chipped in with 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls since he ended with 20 points, but he went 7-23 from the field. Thaddeus Young had 16 points, while Tomas Satoransky had 11 four rebounds and four dimes. Chandler Hutchinson impressed off the bench since he had 21 points off the bench in 28 minutes. Cristiano Felicio had 11 points and eight boards off the bench.
This game between the Pacers (31-17) and the Bulls (19-31) needed five more minutes to settle since an overtime was needed to determine the winner. Indiana jumped to a 25-24 lead after the first quarter, and Indiana extended their lead to a four-point edge following a 30-27 score. Chicago evened things up after the third quarter, however, thanks to a 29-25 score. The final quarter ended with a 20-20 score so an overtime was needed to determine the winner. Indiana looked better in that five-minute stretch, however, and a 15-6 lead there allowed them the win. It was a huge win in what was Victor Oladipo's return after more than one year away from the court.
Victor Oladipo returned after almost 13 months away from the court, but he only had nine points in 21 minutes while shooting 2-8 from the field. T. J. Warren led the way with 25 points, while Domantas Sabonis chipped in with 15 points, 11 boards and five assists. Malcolm Brogdon sniffed a triple-double since he chipped in with 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls since he ended with 20 points, but he went 7-23 from the field. Thaddeus Young had 16 points, while Tomas Satoransky had 11 four rebounds and four dimes. Chandler Hutchinson impressed off the bench since he had 21 points off the bench in 28 minutes. Cristiano Felicio had 11 points and eight boards off the bench.
Nets Outlast Pistons, 125-115
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Detroit Pistons, 125-115, at Barclays Center on Wednesday night.
The Nets (20-26) and Pistons (17-32) played a highly competitive first quarter before matching each other bucket for bucket in the second period. That left Brooklyn with a slim 70-68 lead. However, the hosts were able to carve out a six-point advantage going into the final 12 minutes, and they were able to hold Detroit at bay the rest of the way for the 10-point win.
Reggie Jackson led the Pistons with 23 points, complementing them with five assists, three rebounds and one block. Derrick Rose provided 22 points, six boards and five assists. Christian Wood delivered 20 points, eight boards, one assist and two steals. Markieff Morris delivered 15 points, four assists, three rebounds and one block. Andre Drummond generated a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included four assists, two steals and two blocks.
Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets with 28 points, supplementing them with six assists and three rebounds. Taurean Prince supplied 22 points, seven rebounds, one assist and four steals. Kyrie Irving totaled 20 points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals. Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert generated matching 11-point tallies, with Allen adding six rebounds and four blocks. Garrett Temple posted 10 points, five assists and one rebound.
The Pistons remain home and face the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, while the Nets remain home and tangle with the Chicago Bulls on Friday night as well.
The Nets (20-26) and Pistons (17-32) played a highly competitive first quarter before matching each other bucket for bucket in the second period. That left Brooklyn with a slim 70-68 lead. However, the hosts were able to carve out a six-point advantage going into the final 12 minutes, and they were able to hold Detroit at bay the rest of the way for the 10-point win.
Reggie Jackson led the Pistons with 23 points, complementing them with five assists, three rebounds and one block. Derrick Rose provided 22 points, six boards and five assists. Christian Wood delivered 20 points, eight boards, one assist and two steals. Markieff Morris delivered 15 points, four assists, three rebounds and one block. Andre Drummond generated a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included four assists, two steals and two blocks.
Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets with 28 points, supplementing them with six assists and three rebounds. Taurean Prince supplied 22 points, seven rebounds, one assist and four steals. Kyrie Irving totaled 20 points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals. Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert generated matching 11-point tallies, with Allen adding six rebounds and four blocks. Garrett Temple posted 10 points, five assists and one rebound.
The Pistons remain home and face the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, while the Nets remain home and tangle with the Chicago Bulls on Friday night as well.
Grizzlies Earn Fourth Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the host New York Knicks, 127-106, at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday evening.
The contest got out to a tight start, with the score tied at 32 after one quarter. The Grizzlies pulled ahead by 10, mid way through the second and held on to a seven-point lead at halftime. They carried the momentum into the third, where they rallied ahead to a 22-point lead mid way through the quarter, but the Knicks managed to trim it back to a 12-point game, heading into the final frame. The Grizzlies outscored the Knicks by nine in the fourth, as they held on the rest of the way for their fourth straight win.
Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies with 27 points on 9-of-17 shooting, in 31 minutes. Ja Morant tallied 18 points, 10 assists, a steal and a block, while Jae Crowder added 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Grizzlies shot 50 percent from the field, including 13-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Marcus Morris Sr. led the Knicks with 17 points, six rebounds, a steal and a block, in 26 minutes. Julius Randle tallied 16 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, while Elfrid Payton added 15 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and two steals. The Knicks shot 43 percent from the field, including 9-of-28 from long range.
The Knicks (13-36) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pacers in Indiana on Saturday. The Grizzlies (24-24) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday.
The contest got out to a tight start, with the score tied at 32 after one quarter. The Grizzlies pulled ahead by 10, mid way through the second and held on to a seven-point lead at halftime. They carried the momentum into the third, where they rallied ahead to a 22-point lead mid way through the quarter, but the Knicks managed to trim it back to a 12-point game, heading into the final frame. The Grizzlies outscored the Knicks by nine in the fourth, as they held on the rest of the way for their fourth straight win.
Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies with 27 points on 9-of-17 shooting, in 31 minutes. Ja Morant tallied 18 points, 10 assists, a steal and a block, while Jae Crowder added 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Grizzlies shot 50 percent from the field, including 13-of-28 from long range.
Meanwhile, Marcus Morris Sr. led the Knicks with 17 points, six rebounds, a steal and a block, in 26 minutes. Julius Randle tallied 16 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, while Elfrid Payton added 15 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and two steals. The Knicks shot 43 percent from the field, including 9-of-28 from long range.
The Knicks (13-36) will look to bounce back as they take on the Pacers in Indiana on Saturday. The Grizzlies (24-24) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday.
Spurs Get Past Jazz, 127-120
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Utah Jazz,127-120, at AT & T Center on Wednesday night.
The Spurs (21-26) got off to a quick start over the favored Jazz (32-15), establishing a 37-29 lead through the first 12 minutes. Utah bounced back to match San Antonio bucket for bucket in the second quarter, but that still left the hosts with an eight-point edge at halftime. Utah then managed to shave their deficit in half going into the final period, but the Spurs wouldn't relinquish their advantage the rest of the way.
Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points, complementing them with four assists, one rebound and one steal. Jordan Clarkson delivered 20 points, two rebounds and two steals. Rudy Gobert generated a 17-point, 19-rebound double-double. Bojan Bogdanovic registered 17 points, nine boards and four assists. Mike Conley poured in 12 points.
DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 38 points, complementing them with five assists and five rebounds. Patty Mills contributed 18 points and two assists. Dejounte Murray turned in 16 points, four assists, three rebounds, three steals and one block. Rudy Gay, Derrick White and Marco Belinelli furnished matching 10-point tallies, with Gay also pulling down seven boards and dishing out four assists.
The Jazz remain on the road and visit the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, while the Spurs remain home and tangle with the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.
The Spurs (21-26) got off to a quick start over the favored Jazz (32-15), establishing a 37-29 lead through the first 12 minutes. Utah bounced back to match San Antonio bucket for bucket in the second quarter, but that still left the hosts with an eight-point edge at halftime. Utah then managed to shave their deficit in half going into the final period, but the Spurs wouldn't relinquish their advantage the rest of the way.
Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points, complementing them with four assists, one rebound and one steal. Jordan Clarkson delivered 20 points, two rebounds and two steals. Rudy Gobert generated a 17-point, 19-rebound double-double. Bojan Bogdanovic registered 17 points, nine boards and four assists. Mike Conley poured in 12 points.
DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 38 points, complementing them with five assists and five rebounds. Patty Mills contributed 18 points and two assists. Dejounte Murray turned in 16 points, four assists, three rebounds, three steals and one block. Rudy Gay, Derrick White and Marco Belinelli furnished matching 10-point tallies, with Gay also pulling down seven boards and dishing out four assists.
The Jazz remain on the road and visit the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, while the Spurs remain home and tangle with the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night.
Trail Blazers Defeat Rockets, 125-112
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the host Houston Rockets, 125-112, at Moda Center on Wednesday.
While Houston led for the entirety of the first quarter, that was the only time they were in this game. In fact, Portland rode a 41-24 second quartet to an 11-point halftime lead and led by at least seven points for the entirety of the second half after that. The Trail Blazers ended up shooting 52 percent from the field while holding the Rockets to just 43 percent. In addition, Portland out-rebounded Houston, 50-39.
The Rockets (29-18) were led by Russell Westbrook and his 39 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals. James Harden went just 5-of-18 from the field to generate 18 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Austin Rivers and Ben McLemore had 17 points apiece to lead the bench in otherwise empty stat lines.
The Trail Blazers (21-27) got Damian Lillard the first triple-double of his career, collecting 36 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. C.J. McCollum amassed 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Trevor Ariza dropped 21 points while Hassan Whiteside generated 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Carmelo Anthony also had six points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
On deck for Portland is a road matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. As for Houston, they return home to play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday for their next fixture.
While Houston led for the entirety of the first quarter, that was the only time they were in this game. In fact, Portland rode a 41-24 second quartet to an 11-point halftime lead and led by at least seven points for the entirety of the second half after that. The Trail Blazers ended up shooting 52 percent from the field while holding the Rockets to just 43 percent. In addition, Portland out-rebounded Houston, 50-39.
The Rockets (29-18) were led by Russell Westbrook and his 39 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals. James Harden went just 5-of-18 from the field to generate 18 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Austin Rivers and Ben McLemore had 17 points apiece to lead the bench in otherwise empty stat lines.
The Trail Blazers (21-27) got Damian Lillard the first triple-double of his career, collecting 36 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. C.J. McCollum amassed 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Trevor Ariza dropped 21 points while Hassan Whiteside generated 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Carmelo Anthony also had six points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
On deck for Portland is a road matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. As for Houston, they return home to play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday for their next fixture.
Thunder Defeat Kings, 120-100
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 120-100, at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday.
Oklahoma City won each of the first three quarters by at least five points apiece, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. The Thunder ended up shooting 50 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line. They did that while holding the Kings to 46 percent from the field, 23 percent from long range and 64 percent from the charity stripe. In addition, Oklahoma City ended up out-assisting Sacramento, 32-22, while out-rebounding them, 45-39.
The Thunder (29-20) were led by Dennis Schroder, who came off the bench to collect 24 points, four rebounds and nine assists. Luguentz Dort led the starters with 23 points and two rebounds. Danilo Gallinari totaled 19 points, four rebounds and four assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accumulated 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Chris Paul finished with nine points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.
The Kings (17-30) were led by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who tallied 23 points, five rebounds and two assists. De'Aaron Fix generated 19 points, five assists and two steals. Buddy Hield led the bench with 13 points, two rebounds and two assists. Dewayne Dedmon totaled six points and seven rebounds while Cory Joseph tallied five points, three rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Sacramento has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Thursday, traveling to face the Los Angeles Clippers. As for Oklahoma City, they face the Phoenix Suns on Friday for their next fixture.
Oklahoma City won each of the first three quarters by at least five points apiece, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. The Thunder ended up shooting 50 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line. They did that while holding the Kings to 46 percent from the field, 23 percent from long range and 64 percent from the charity stripe. In addition, Oklahoma City ended up out-assisting Sacramento, 32-22, while out-rebounding them, 45-39.
The Thunder (29-20) were led by Dennis Schroder, who came off the bench to collect 24 points, four rebounds and nine assists. Luguentz Dort led the starters with 23 points and two rebounds. Danilo Gallinari totaled 19 points, four rebounds and four assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accumulated 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Chris Paul finished with nine points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.
The Kings (17-30) were led by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who tallied 23 points, five rebounds and two assists. De'Aaron Fix generated 19 points, five assists and two steals. Buddy Hield led the bench with 13 points, two rebounds and two assists. Dewayne Dedmon totaled six points and seven rebounds while Cory Joseph tallied five points, three rebounds and three assists off the bench.
Sacramento has to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Thursday, traveling to face the Los Angeles Clippers. As for Oklahoma City, they face the Phoenix Suns on Friday for their next fixture.