Trent Leads The Way As Raptors Top Cavaliers
The Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 135-115, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday evening.
The Raptors (21-32) and the Cavaliers (19-33) opened Saturday's slate with a high-scoring affair, and the Raptors quickly grabbed the lead with a 47-point first quarter that set the tone of the game -- Toronto didn't step the foot off the gas in the second quarter and boosted their advantage even more with a 40-28 score, meaning the 2018-19 NBA champions held an 87-54 lead at the break. The Cavaliers showed enough energy to mount a potential comeback in the third quarter after limiting Toronto to just 13 points and reduced the advantage by 16 points, putting themselves trailing by "only" 12 points at one point. However, the Raptors closed things out in the fourth quarter and won the game rather easily after outscoring Cleveland by a 35-32 score in the final 12 minutes of action.
Gary Trent was the undisputed star of the game, as he paced the Raptors with 44 points while delivering an excellent shooting performance -- he only missed two shots from the field and going 7-for-9 from three-point range. Malachi Flynn had 20 points with 11 assists, and OG Anunoby chipped in with 15 points, five boards and three assists. DeAndre Bembry delivered 13 points with four boards, and Yuta Watanabe had 14 points off the bench.
Collin Sexton led the Cavaliers in the loss with 29 points and five assists, while Darius Garland contributed 19 points, eight assists, two steals and two rebounds. Kevin Love had 18 points and three rebounds, while Dean Wade had 14 points as a starter. Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists, four blocks and three steals coming off the bench.
The Raptors (21-32) and the Cavaliers (19-33) opened Saturday's slate with a high-scoring affair, and the Raptors quickly grabbed the lead with a 47-point first quarter that set the tone of the game -- Toronto didn't step the foot off the gas in the second quarter and boosted their advantage even more with a 40-28 score, meaning the 2018-19 NBA champions held an 87-54 lead at the break. The Cavaliers showed enough energy to mount a potential comeback in the third quarter after limiting Toronto to just 13 points and reduced the advantage by 16 points, putting themselves trailing by "only" 12 points at one point. However, the Raptors closed things out in the fourth quarter and won the game rather easily after outscoring Cleveland by a 35-32 score in the final 12 minutes of action.
Gary Trent was the undisputed star of the game, as he paced the Raptors with 44 points while delivering an excellent shooting performance -- he only missed two shots from the field and going 7-for-9 from three-point range. Malachi Flynn had 20 points with 11 assists, and OG Anunoby chipped in with 15 points, five boards and three assists. DeAndre Bembry delivered 13 points with four boards, and Yuta Watanabe had 14 points off the bench.
Collin Sexton led the Cavaliers in the loss with 29 points and five assists, while Darius Garland contributed 19 points, eight assists, two steals and two rebounds. Kevin Love had 18 points and three rebounds, while Dean Wade had 14 points as a starter. Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists, four blocks and three steals coming off the bench.
Lakers Surprise Nets, 126-101
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 126-101, at Barclays Center on Saturday night.
The Lakers (33-20) came into the contest as sizable underdogs to the host Nets (36-17), which outnumbered them in healthy key players by a fairly wide margin. However, it was the defending champions that came out of the gates hot, taking a 33-25 lead through one and still maintaining a three-point advantage by halftime. The tide turned for good in the third quarter, however, when Los Angeles played its best quarter of the game while outscoring Brooklyn, 31-19. That gave them an insurmountable edge, but the visitors tacked on another 10 points during the final 12 minutes for good measure.
Andre Drummond led the Lakers with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one steal and one block. Dennis Schroder furnished 19 points, four assists and one rebound. Ben McLemore poured in 17 points. Talen Horton-Tucker generated a 14-point, 11-assist double-double that also included three rebounds and three steals. Markieff Morris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope recorded 14 points apiece while pulling down six rebounds and dishing out five assists, respectively. Alfonzo McKinnie and Montrezl Harrell managed 10 points each while hauling in nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
Kevin Durant paced the Nets with 22 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, five assists and one block. Kyrie Irving delivered 18 points and four rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge totaled 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
The Lakers remain on the road and in Empire State, next visiting the New York Knicks on Monday night. The Nets also hit the road and visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
The Lakers (33-20) came into the contest as sizable underdogs to the host Nets (36-17), which outnumbered them in healthy key players by a fairly wide margin. However, it was the defending champions that came out of the gates hot, taking a 33-25 lead through one and still maintaining a three-point advantage by halftime. The tide turned for good in the third quarter, however, when Los Angeles played its best quarter of the game while outscoring Brooklyn, 31-19. That gave them an insurmountable edge, but the visitors tacked on another 10 points during the final 12 minutes for good measure.
Andre Drummond led the Lakers with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one steal and one block. Dennis Schroder furnished 19 points, four assists and one rebound. Ben McLemore poured in 17 points. Talen Horton-Tucker generated a 14-point, 11-assist double-double that also included three rebounds and three steals. Markieff Morris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope recorded 14 points apiece while pulling down six rebounds and dishing out five assists, respectively. Alfonzo McKinnie and Montrezl Harrell managed 10 points each while hauling in nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
Kevin Durant paced the Nets with 22 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, five assists and one block. Kyrie Irving delivered 18 points and four rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge totaled 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
The Lakers remain on the road and in Empire State, next visiting the New York Knicks on Monday night. The Nets also hit the road and visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
Sixers Close Out Confident Road Win
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the host Oklahoma City Thunder, 117-93, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Saturday evening.
The Sixers got out to a great start at home with a, 37-25, lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second and increased their lead to eight, by halftime. The contest slowed down in the third, but the Thunder had no answers, as the Sixers expanded their lead to nine points heading into the final frame. The 76ers kept their focus in the fourth and rallied to outscore the hosts by 10 points in the quarter, to close out the road win with confidence and hand the Thunder their sixth straight loss.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 27 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks, in 27 minutes. Furkan Korkmaz added 20 points, four rebounds, five steals and two assists, while Ben Simmons chipped in 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Sixers shot 46 percent from the field, including 12-of-38 from long range.
Meanwhile, Darius Bazley led the Thunder with 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Tony Bradley logged 16 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, while Luguentz Dort totaled 15 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block. The Thunder shot 50 percent from the field, including 8-of-20 from long range.
The Thunder (20-33) will look to bounce back as they take on the Jazz in Utah on Tuesday. The 76ers (36-17) take on the Mavs in Dallas on Monday.
The Sixers got out to a great start at home with a, 37-25, lead after one quarter. They stayed in control through the second and increased their lead to eight, by halftime. The contest slowed down in the third, but the Thunder had no answers, as the Sixers expanded their lead to nine points heading into the final frame. The 76ers kept their focus in the fourth and rallied to outscore the hosts by 10 points in the quarter, to close out the road win with confidence and hand the Thunder their sixth straight loss.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 27 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks, in 27 minutes. Furkan Korkmaz added 20 points, four rebounds, five steals and two assists, while Ben Simmons chipped in 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Sixers shot 46 percent from the field, including 12-of-38 from long range.
Meanwhile, Darius Bazley led the Thunder with 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 35 minutes. Tony Bradley logged 16 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, while Luguentz Dort totaled 15 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block. The Thunder shot 50 percent from the field, including 8-of-20 from long range.
The Thunder (20-33) will look to bounce back as they take on the Jazz in Utah on Tuesday. The 76ers (36-17) take on the Mavs in Dallas on Monday.
Jazz Throttle Kings, 128-112
The Utah Jazz defeated the Sacramento Kings, 128-112, at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Saturday night.
The Jazz (40-13) unsurprisingly entered the game as sizable favorites, but they encountered a feisty Kings (22-31) squad that responded to a three-point first-quarter deficit by erasing it during the second quarter and taking a six-point edge into halftime. That stirred the home team, however, as Utah returned the favor in the third quarter by building a six-point advantage heading into the final period. They then followed it up with a strong final period in which they outscored Sacramento, 33-22, to complete what turned out to be a comfortable win.
De'Aaron Fox paced the Kings with 30 points, adding eight assists, two rebounds and two steals. Richaun Holmes generated a 25-point. 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, one steal and one block. Buddy Hield delivered 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 13 points, three assists, one rebound and one block. Maurice Harkless and Harrison Barnes posted 11 points each while hauling in eight and six rebounds, respectively.
Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 42 points, complementing them with four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Mike Conley totaled 26 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Joe Ingles supplied 20 points, six assists and three rebounds. Georges Niang managed 12 points, two rebounds and one steal.
The Kings remain on the road and face the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, while the Jazz remains home and hosts the Wizards on Monday night as well.
The Jazz (40-13) unsurprisingly entered the game as sizable favorites, but they encountered a feisty Kings (22-31) squad that responded to a three-point first-quarter deficit by erasing it during the second quarter and taking a six-point edge into halftime. That stirred the home team, however, as Utah returned the favor in the third quarter by building a six-point advantage heading into the final period. They then followed it up with a strong final period in which they outscored Sacramento, 33-22, to complete what turned out to be a comfortable win.
De'Aaron Fox paced the Kings with 30 points, adding eight assists, two rebounds and two steals. Richaun Holmes generated a 25-point. 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, one steal and one block. Buddy Hield delivered 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 13 points, three assists, one rebound and one block. Maurice Harkless and Harrison Barnes posted 11 points each while hauling in eight and six rebounds, respectively.
Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 42 points, complementing them with four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Mike Conley totaled 26 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Joe Ingles supplied 20 points, six assists and three rebounds. Georges Niang managed 12 points, two rebounds and one steal.
The Kings remain on the road and face the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, while the Jazz remains home and hosts the Wizards on Monday night as well.
Warriors Defeat Rockets, 125-109
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Houston Rockets, 125-109, at Chase Center on Saturday.
Golden State got out to a 65-48 halftime lead, holding the lead for the final three quarters. In fact, that allowed them to lead by at least eight points for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 20 points at times. The Warriors ended up shooting 54 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 81 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Rockets to 47 percent from the field, 35 percent from long range and 70 percent from the charity stripe. In addition, they out-assisted Houston, 31-25.
The Rockets (14-38) were led by John Wall, tallying 30 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Kelly Olynyk amassed 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Christian Wood totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists. D.J. Augustin led the bench with 19 points, three rebounds and six assists while Jae'Sean State had seven points, 11 rebounds and four steals.
The Warriors (25-28) were led by Stephen Curry and his 38 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Andrew Wiggins generated 25 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Kent Bazemore accrued nine points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, Jordan Poole led the bench with 21 points, four assists and three blocks.
Both teams return to action on Monday against tough competition, with Golden State staying home to face the Denver Nuggets and Houston traveling to face the Phoenix Suns.
Golden State got out to a 65-48 halftime lead, holding the lead for the final three quarters. In fact, that allowed them to lead by at least eight points for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 20 points at times. The Warriors ended up shooting 54 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 81 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Rockets to 47 percent from the field, 35 percent from long range and 70 percent from the charity stripe. In addition, they out-assisted Houston, 31-25.
The Rockets (14-38) were led by John Wall, tallying 30 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Kelly Olynyk amassed 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Christian Wood totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists. D.J. Augustin led the bench with 19 points, three rebounds and six assists while Jae'Sean State had seven points, 11 rebounds and four steals.
The Warriors (25-28) were led by Stephen Curry and his 38 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Andrew Wiggins generated 25 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Kent Bazemore accrued nine points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, Jordan Poole led the bench with 21 points, four assists and three blocks.
Both teams return to action on Monday against tough competition, with Golden State staying home to face the Denver Nuggets and Houston traveling to face the Phoenix Suns.
Suns Dominate In Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Washington Wizards, 134-106, at PHX Arena on Saturday evening.
The contest got out to a competitive start as the Wizards held a two-point lead after one quarter. The Suns came out strong in the second and took an edge early in the quarter, before taking a two-point lead into halftime. The Suns took it up a notch in the third quarter, where they outscored the visitors, 44-24, to rally to a 22-point lead heading into the final frame. The Wizards had no answers in the fourth, as the Suns added another six points to the deficit, as they closed out the impressive home win.
Devin Booker led the way for the Suns, with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, in 26 minutes. Deandre Ayton totaled 14 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block, while Chris Paul totaled 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and a steal. The Suns shot 51 percent from the field, including 17-of-43 from long range.
Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook came up huge for the Wizards as he logged a triple-double with 17 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds, while Raul Neto was the high-point man, with 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Ish Smith chipped in 12 points, six rebounds and two assists, off the bench. The Wizards shot 46 percent from the field, including 9-of-25 from deep.
The Wizards (19-33) will look to bounce back as they take on the Jazz in Utah on Monday. The Suns (37-15) play host to the Rockets on Monday.
The contest got out to a competitive start as the Wizards held a two-point lead after one quarter. The Suns came out strong in the second and took an edge early in the quarter, before taking a two-point lead into halftime. The Suns took it up a notch in the third quarter, where they outscored the visitors, 44-24, to rally to a 22-point lead heading into the final frame. The Wizards had no answers in the fourth, as the Suns added another six points to the deficit, as they closed out the impressive home win.
Devin Booker led the way for the Suns, with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block, in 26 minutes. Deandre Ayton totaled 14 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block, while Chris Paul totaled 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and a steal. The Suns shot 51 percent from the field, including 17-of-43 from long range.
Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook came up huge for the Wizards as he logged a triple-double with 17 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds, while Raul Neto was the high-point man, with 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Ish Smith chipped in 12 points, six rebounds and two assists, off the bench. The Wizards shot 46 percent from the field, including 9-of-25 from deep.
The Wizards (19-33) will look to bounce back as they take on the Jazz in Utah on Monday. The Suns (37-15) play host to the Rockets on Monday.
Trail Blazers Defeat Pistons, 118-103
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 118-103, at Moda Center on Saturday,
A 33-23 first quarter really set the tone for the Trail Blazers in this game, holding the lead for the final three quarters. They put the game to bed behind a 36-26 third quarter, holding a double-digit lead for the final 22 minutes of play. Portland ended up out-rebounding Detroit, 49-38. The Trail Blazers also shot 48 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range while holding the Pistons to 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range.
The Pistons (16-37) were led by Josh Jackson and his 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. Seddiq Bey amassed 14 points and six rebounds. Mason Plumlee totaled eight points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Frank Jackson led the bench with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists while Cory Joseph led the team with eight assists.
The Trail Blazers (31-21) were led by Damian Lillard, collecting 27 points, three rebounds and 10 assists. C.J. McCollum generated 26 points, four rebounds and three assists. Enes Kanter compiled 24 points, 30 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Carmelo Anthony led the bench with 11 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Both teams have to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Sunday, with Portland playing host to the Miami Heat and Detroit staying on the road to face the Los Angeles Clippers.
A 33-23 first quarter really set the tone for the Trail Blazers in this game, holding the lead for the final three quarters. They put the game to bed behind a 36-26 third quarter, holding a double-digit lead for the final 22 minutes of play. Portland ended up out-rebounding Detroit, 49-38. The Trail Blazers also shot 48 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range while holding the Pistons to 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range.
The Pistons (16-37) were led by Josh Jackson and his 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. Seddiq Bey amassed 14 points and six rebounds. Mason Plumlee totaled eight points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Frank Jackson led the bench with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists while Cory Joseph led the team with eight assists.
The Trail Blazers (31-21) were led by Damian Lillard, collecting 27 points, three rebounds and 10 assists. C.J. McCollum generated 26 points, four rebounds and three assists. Enes Kanter compiled 24 points, 30 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Carmelo Anthony led the bench with 11 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Both teams have to play the second half of a back-to-back set on Sunday, with Portland playing host to the Miami Heat and Detroit staying on the road to face the Los Angeles Clippers.