Doncic's all-around game lifts Mavericks over Hawks on Thursday
The Dallas Mavericks wore down the Atlanta Hawks, 109-95, at American Airlines Center on Thursday night. With the win -- their eighth victory over their last nine games -- the Mavericks move to 23-15 at home and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. The Hawks drop to 15-23 on the road and remain in 10th in the East.
The game swung heavily in the first half. The Hawks (36-41) led by six after the first quarter, but the Mavericks (46-30) stormed back in the second quarter to win the frame by 14 points. Dallas extended its lead to as much as 17 in the second half, but both teams went cold in the fourth quarter that saw the Mavericks squeak out the frame, 16-14. While the Hawks were able to bring the deficit to double digits, they weren’t able to put together a consistent run. Atlanta ended the game shooting 40.0 percent from the field, 13-for-38 from three and committed 21 turnovers that led to 15 Dallas points.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Dejounte Murray tallied 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Garrison Matthews led the reserves with 14 points and two rebounds, while Bruno Fernando contributed 10 points, five rebounds and two assists off the pine. De’Andre Hunter had 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jalen Johnson struggled with his shot, but he finished with a game-high 16 rebounds to go along with six points and four assists.
Luka Doncic registered his 47th double-double of the season with 25 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Kyrie Irving had a game-high 26 points along with five rebounds. P.J. Washington chipped in 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Derrick Jones finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Tim Hardaway led the bench with eight points, two rebounds and three assists.
Next up: The Mavericks host the Warriors on Saturday in a pivotal Western Conference duel. The Hawks travel to Denver on Sunday to take on the defending-champion Nuggets.
The game swung heavily in the first half. The Hawks (36-41) led by six after the first quarter, but the Mavericks (46-30) stormed back in the second quarter to win the frame by 14 points. Dallas extended its lead to as much as 17 in the second half, but both teams went cold in the fourth quarter that saw the Mavericks squeak out the frame, 16-14. While the Hawks were able to bring the deficit to double digits, they weren’t able to put together a consistent run. Atlanta ended the game shooting 40.0 percent from the field, 13-for-38 from three and committed 21 turnovers that led to 15 Dallas points.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Dejounte Murray tallied 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Garrison Matthews led the reserves with 14 points and two rebounds, while Bruno Fernando contributed 10 points, five rebounds and two assists off the pine. De’Andre Hunter had 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jalen Johnson struggled with his shot, but he finished with a game-high 16 rebounds to go along with six points and four assists.
Luka Doncic registered his 47th double-double of the season with 25 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Kyrie Irving had a game-high 26 points along with five rebounds. P.J. Washington chipped in 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Derrick Jones finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Tim Hardaway led the bench with eight points, two rebounds and three assists.
Next up: The Mavericks host the Warriors on Saturday in a pivotal Western Conference duel. The Hawks travel to Denver on Sunday to take on the defending-champion Nuggets.
76ers Clinch Pivotal Win Over Heat
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Miami Heat, 109-105, at Kaseya Center on Thursday.
The 76ers (42-35) ensured a winning record this season and took a massive step toward clinching a Top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference with a tight win over the Heat (42-34). It was not an easy win for Philadelphia, but the play of their stars lifted them when it mattered the most. The Sixers enjoyed a strong start and raced to a 39-29 lead in the first quarter, but the Heat responded with a 26-24 score in the second quarter, perhaps showing signs of a potential momentum shift. A 33-24 score in the third quarter gave Miami the lead, but the 76ers responded when they had their backs against the wall. Philadelphia closed things out by winning the fourth quarter, 22-17. The win keeps the 76ers in eighth place, but they’re now just one game behind the Indiana Pacers (43-34), with both teams having five contests left. The Heat are sandwiched between them in seventh place and with one fewer game.
Tyrese Maxey led the way for the 76ers with 37 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Joel Embiid only logged 33 minutes, but he finished with 29 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. Kelly Oubre Jr. posted 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals. No other 76ers player scored in double digits. The Sixers shot 46.7 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range.
Terry Rozier led the way for the Heat with 22 points, two rebounds and two assists. Jimmy Butler had 20 points, five assists and four rebounds. Bam Adebayo notched 14 points and 11 rebounds while also adding three assists. Nikola Jovic posted 11 points and five rebounds. Kevin Love added 12 points and Haywood Highsmith recorded 11, both coming off the bench. The Heat shot 41.5 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from deep.
The 76ers (42-35) ensured a winning record this season and took a massive step toward clinching a Top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference with a tight win over the Heat (42-34). It was not an easy win for Philadelphia, but the play of their stars lifted them when it mattered the most. The Sixers enjoyed a strong start and raced to a 39-29 lead in the first quarter, but the Heat responded with a 26-24 score in the second quarter, perhaps showing signs of a potential momentum shift. A 33-24 score in the third quarter gave Miami the lead, but the 76ers responded when they had their backs against the wall. Philadelphia closed things out by winning the fourth quarter, 22-17. The win keeps the 76ers in eighth place, but they’re now just one game behind the Indiana Pacers (43-34), with both teams having five contests left. The Heat are sandwiched between them in seventh place and with one fewer game.
Tyrese Maxey led the way for the 76ers with 37 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Joel Embiid only logged 33 minutes, but he finished with 29 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. Kelly Oubre Jr. posted 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals. No other 76ers player scored in double digits. The Sixers shot 46.7 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range.
Terry Rozier led the way for the Heat with 22 points, two rebounds and two assists. Jimmy Butler had 20 points, five assists and four rebounds. Bam Adebayo notched 14 points and 11 rebounds while also adding three assists. Nikola Jovic posted 11 points and five rebounds. Kevin Love added 12 points and Haywood Highsmith recorded 11, both coming off the bench. The Heat shot 41.5 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from deep.
Knicks Top Kings, 120-109
The New York Knicks defeated the Sacramento Kings, 120-109, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
The Knicks (45-31) opened the game in worrisome fashion, as the Kings (44-32) jumped out to a 35-20 lead through one. That early deficit seemed to wake up the hosts, which managed to lop seven points from Sacramento's advantage before halftime and then sent the game into the final period knotted at 87-87 with an impressive third quarter. New York then clicked on both ends of the floor down the stretch, ultimately outscoring the visitors by a 33-22 margin to seal the comeback win.
De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block. Keegan Murray furnished 18 points, two boards and one block. Domantas Sabonis generated a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double that included seven assists and one block. Sasha Vezenkov and Davion Mitchell generated matching 11-point, two-rebound efforts while producing two and one assist, respectively. Keon Ellis matched his teammates' scoring and added four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with a 35-point, 11-assist double-double that included two rebounds and three steals. Josh Hart supplied 31 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Donte DiVincenzo furnished 21 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block. Miles McBride and Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 12 points apiece, with McBride adding four rebounds and three assists.
The Kings remain on the road and face the Boston Celtics on Friday night, while the Knicks visit the Chicago Bulls on Friday night as well.
The Knicks (45-31) opened the game in worrisome fashion, as the Kings (44-32) jumped out to a 35-20 lead through one. That early deficit seemed to wake up the hosts, which managed to lop seven points from Sacramento's advantage before halftime and then sent the game into the final period knotted at 87-87 with an impressive third quarter. New York then clicked on both ends of the floor down the stretch, ultimately outscoring the visitors by a 33-22 margin to seal the comeback win.
De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block. Keegan Murray furnished 18 points, two boards and one block. Domantas Sabonis generated a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double that included seven assists and one block. Sasha Vezenkov and Davion Mitchell generated matching 11-point, two-rebound efforts while producing two and one assist, respectively. Keon Ellis matched his teammates' scoring and added four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with a 35-point, 11-assist double-double that included two rebounds and three steals. Josh Hart supplied 31 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Donte DiVincenzo furnished 21 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block. Miles McBride and Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 12 points apiece, with McBride adding four rebounds and three assists.
The Kings remain on the road and face the Boston Celtics on Friday night, while the Knicks visit the Chicago Bulls on Friday night as well.
Warriors Topple Rockets
By Dan Bruno
The Golden State Warriors defeated the host Houston Rockets, 133-110, at Toyota Center on Thursday evening.
The Warriors got out to a strong start and led, 33-24, after one quarter. They kept the pressure on in the second and pushed ahead to a 15-point lead at the break. The Rockets picked up their play in the third, but the visitors stayed strong and carried a 16-point cushion into the final frame. The hosts had no answers down the stretch, as the Warriors held on for their sixth straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Rockets.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 29 points each. Trayce Jackson-Davis tallied 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Draymond Green racked up five points, eight rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.
Meanwhile, Jabari Smith led the Rockets with 24 points, three rebounds and two assists, in 32 minutes. Cam Whitmore followed up with 17 points, four rebounds and a block, while Jalen Green totaled 13 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal.
The Rockets (38-38) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Friday. The Warriors (42-34) clash with the Mavericks in Dallas on Friday.
The Warriors got out to a strong start and led, 33-24, after one quarter. They kept the pressure on in the second and pushed ahead to a 15-point lead at the break. The Rockets picked up their play in the third, but the visitors stayed strong and carried a 16-point cushion into the final frame. The hosts had no answers down the stretch, as the Warriors held on for their sixth straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Rockets.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 29 points each. Trayce Jackson-Davis tallied 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Draymond Green racked up five points, eight rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.
Meanwhile, Jabari Smith led the Rockets with 24 points, three rebounds and two assists, in 32 minutes. Cam Whitmore followed up with 17 points, four rebounds and a block, while Jalen Green totaled 13 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal.
The Rockets (38-38) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Heat on Friday. The Warriors (42-34) clash with the Mavericks in Dallas on Friday.
Clippers Defeat Nuggets, 102-100
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 102-100, at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
There were only three ties and seven lead changes in this game, with Denver blowing a 17-point first quarter lead. Los Angeles actually rode a 33-18 second quarter to their win, getting their lead up to 13 points in the third quarter. The Nuggets responded but missed a game-winning attempt at the buzzer. Los Angeles shot 84 percent from the free-throw line (27-of-32), while Denver shot 68 percent from the charity stripe (17-of-25). The Clippers also won the turnover battle, 13-6.
The Nuggets (53-24) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 36 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Aaron Gordon amassed 18 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Michael Porter Jr had 14 points and nine rebounds. The bench combined for just nine points and three assists.
The Clippers (48-28) were led by Paul George, generating 28 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. James Harden tallied 20 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Ivica Zubac totaled 14 points and 15 boards. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Norman Powell provided 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Denver is a home matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. As for Los Angeles, they play again on Friday, remaining home to play the Utah Jazz.
There were only three ties and seven lead changes in this game, with Denver blowing a 17-point first quarter lead. Los Angeles actually rode a 33-18 second quarter to their win, getting their lead up to 13 points in the third quarter. The Nuggets responded but missed a game-winning attempt at the buzzer. Los Angeles shot 84 percent from the free-throw line (27-of-32), while Denver shot 68 percent from the charity stripe (17-of-25). The Clippers also won the turnover battle, 13-6.
The Nuggets (53-24) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 36 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Aaron Gordon amassed 18 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Michael Porter Jr had 14 points and nine rebounds. The bench combined for just nine points and three assists.
The Clippers (48-28) were led by Paul George, generating 28 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals. James Harden tallied 20 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Ivica Zubac totaled 14 points and 15 boards. Russell Westbrook led the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Norman Powell provided 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.
On deck for Denver is a home matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. As for Los Angeles, they play again on Friday, remaining home to play the Utah Jazz.