DeRozan's 39 points pushes Bulls past Pistons
The Chicago Bulls blew out the Detroit Pistons ,127-105, at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night.
It was an even affair in the first quarter, but the Bulls (38-42) won the second frame by eight points, and they extended their nine-point halftime lead to 19 by the end of the third quarter. The Pistons (13-67) managed to shoot 49.4 percent from the field (including 14-for-35 from three), but they committed 20 turnovers which led to 36 Chicago points. The Bulls led by as much as 28 points, and both teams opted to empty their benches down the stretch. Chicago improved to 18-21 on the road after Thursday’s win, while Detroit dropped to 7-33 at home.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 39 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Nikola Vucevic tallied 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals for his 44th double-double of the season. Coby White added 18 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Dalen Terry led the bench with 12 points and two rebounds. Javonte Green added 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Alex Caruso chipped in eight points, four rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.
Marcus Sasser had 20 points, five assists and two steals. Jalen Duren recorded his 44th double-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Jaden Ivey added 16 points, two rebounds and six assists, while Chimezie Matu finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Malachi Flynn led the Pistons bench with 12 points and two rebounds.
Both teams will play their next games Friday. The Bulls travel to Washington to take on the Wizards, while the Pistons visit the Dallas Mavericks.
It was an even affair in the first quarter, but the Bulls (38-42) won the second frame by eight points, and they extended their nine-point halftime lead to 19 by the end of the third quarter. The Pistons (13-67) managed to shoot 49.4 percent from the field (including 14-for-35 from three), but they committed 20 turnovers which led to 36 Chicago points. The Bulls led by as much as 28 points, and both teams opted to empty their benches down the stretch. Chicago improved to 18-21 on the road after Thursday’s win, while Detroit dropped to 7-33 at home.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 39 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Nikola Vucevic tallied 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals for his 44th double-double of the season. Coby White added 18 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Dalen Terry led the bench with 12 points and two rebounds. Javonte Green added 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Alex Caruso chipped in eight points, four rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.
Marcus Sasser had 20 points, five assists and two steals. Jalen Duren recorded his 44th double-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Jaden Ivey added 16 points, two rebounds and six assists, while Chimezie Matu finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Malachi Flynn led the Pistons bench with 12 points and two rebounds.
Both teams will play their next games Friday. The Bulls travel to Washington to take on the Wizards, while the Pistons visit the Dallas Mavericks.
Brunson Leads Knicks Past Celtics
The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics, 118-109, at TD Garden on Thursday.
This was an impressive win for the Knicks (48-32), as they led by as many as 31 points en route to victory. Aside from defeating the best home team in The Association, the Knicks also ended a few streaks for the Celtics (62-18). New York snapped Boston’s 13-game home win streak while ending the Celtics’ 27-game home win streak against East opponents. The Knicks got off to a decent start and led the first quarter by a 32-29 score, but they pulled away for good with a 37-19 score in the second quarter. New York kept dominating and outscored Boston by a 31-23 score in the third quarter as well, so the game was over ahead of the final 12 minutes despite Boston winning the fourth quarter by an impressive 30-point margin (38-18). With the win, the Knicks moved to 23-18 on the road, while the Celtics fell to 35-4 at home.
Jalen Brunson was the leading scorer for the Knicks with 39 points. Isaiah Hartenstein had a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Josh Hart notched 16 points and 16 rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo recorded 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. OG Anunoby delivered 12 points and five boards. The Knicks shot 49.5 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three-point range.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 18 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Kristaps Porzingis had 14 points and eight rebounds. Jaylen Brown finished with 15 points and two rebounds. Payton Pritchard had 16 points and six assists while Sam Hauser added 15 points, both coming off the bench. The Celtics shot 46.5 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range.
This was an impressive win for the Knicks (48-32), as they led by as many as 31 points en route to victory. Aside from defeating the best home team in The Association, the Knicks also ended a few streaks for the Celtics (62-18). New York snapped Boston’s 13-game home win streak while ending the Celtics’ 27-game home win streak against East opponents. The Knicks got off to a decent start and led the first quarter by a 32-29 score, but they pulled away for good with a 37-19 score in the second quarter. New York kept dominating and outscored Boston by a 31-23 score in the third quarter as well, so the game was over ahead of the final 12 minutes despite Boston winning the fourth quarter by an impressive 30-point margin (38-18). With the win, the Knicks moved to 23-18 on the road, while the Celtics fell to 35-4 at home.
Jalen Brunson was the leading scorer for the Knicks with 39 points. Isaiah Hartenstein had a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Josh Hart notched 16 points and 16 rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo recorded 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. OG Anunoby delivered 12 points and five boards. The Knicks shot 49.5 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three-point range.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 18 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Kristaps Porzingis had 14 points and eight rebounds. Jaylen Brown finished with 15 points and two rebounds. Payton Pritchard had 16 points and six assists while Sam Hauser added 15 points, both coming off the bench. The Celtics shot 46.5 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range.
Jazz Edge Rockets, 124-121
The Utah Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets, 124-121, at Delta Center on Thursday night.
The Rockets (39-41) had been trending in the right direction despite their recent elimination from postseason contention, and they opened Thursday's game seemingly ready to extend their strong stretch of play. Houston jumped out to a 38-28 lead over the Jazz (30-50), but Utah bounced back to eliminate seven points from its deficit before halftime. That trend continued in the third quarter when the hosts actually managed to take a two-point advantage into the fourth quarter, but the game wasn't decided until Fred VanVleet missed a would-be game-tying three-point attempt with 4.1 seconds left and Jeff Green couldn't connect on a desperation full-court heave at the buzzer.
VanVleet led the Rockets with 42 points, adding seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block. Cam Whitmore delivered 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Amen Thompson generated a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists and two steals. Green supplied 13 points and six boards.
Luke Samanic paced the Jazz with 22 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Keyonte George furnished 20 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Brice Sensabaugh turned in 17 points, six rebounds and three assists. Talen Horton-Tucker registered 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Kenneth Lofton recorded 14 points, nine boards, five assists two steals and one block. Omer Yurtseven and Johnny Juzang provided matching 10-point efforts while hauling in five and two rebounds, respectively.
The Rockets remain on the road and visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, while the Jazz visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night as well.
The Rockets (39-41) had been trending in the right direction despite their recent elimination from postseason contention, and they opened Thursday's game seemingly ready to extend their strong stretch of play. Houston jumped out to a 38-28 lead over the Jazz (30-50), but Utah bounced back to eliminate seven points from its deficit before halftime. That trend continued in the third quarter when the hosts actually managed to take a two-point advantage into the fourth quarter, but the game wasn't decided until Fred VanVleet missed a would-be game-tying three-point attempt with 4.1 seconds left and Jeff Green couldn't connect on a desperation full-court heave at the buzzer.
VanVleet led the Rockets with 42 points, adding seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block. Cam Whitmore delivered 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Amen Thompson generated a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that included four assists and two steals. Green supplied 13 points and six boards.
Luke Samanic paced the Jazz with 22 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Keyonte George furnished 20 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Brice Sensabaugh turned in 17 points, six rebounds and three assists. Talen Horton-Tucker registered 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Kenneth Lofton recorded 14 points, nine boards, five assists two steals and one block. Omer Yurtseven and Johnny Juzang provided matching 10-point efforts while hauling in five and two rebounds, respectively.
The Rockets remain on the road and visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, while the Jazz visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night as well.
Warriors Rally To Top Trail Blazers
By Dan Bruno
The Golden State Warriors defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 100-92, at Moda Center on Thursday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Warriors held a two-point lead after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, while the visitors pushed it to a three-point difference by halftime. The Trail Blazers kept up the fight in the third and grabbed a brief edge, before trailing by one point heading to the final frame. The hosts reclaimed the advantage early in the fourth, but the Warriors closed the game on a, 16-6, run to secure their third straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Trail Blazers.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 22 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, a steal and two blocks, in 36 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga followed up with 19 points, six rebounds and a block, while Andrew Wiggins logged 15 points, five rebounds, a steal and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Scoot Henderson followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, 12 assists and a steal, while Jabari Walker totaled 17 points, 16 rebounds and a steal.
The Trail Blazers (21-59) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Rockets on Friday. The Warriors (45-35) play host to the Pelicans on Friday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Warriors held a two-point lead after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, while the visitors pushed it to a three-point difference by halftime. The Trail Blazers kept up the fight in the third and grabbed a brief edge, before trailing by one point heading to the final frame. The hosts reclaimed the advantage early in the fourth, but the Warriors closed the game on a, 16-6, run to secure their third straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Trail Blazers.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 22 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, a steal and two blocks, in 36 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga followed up with 19 points, six rebounds and a block, while Andrew Wiggins logged 15 points, five rebounds, a steal and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Scoot Henderson followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, 12 assists and a steal, while Jabari Walker totaled 17 points, 16 rebounds and a steal.
The Trail Blazers (21-59) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Rockets on Friday. The Warriors (45-35) play host to the Pelicans on Friday.
Warriors Rally To Top Trail Blazers
By Dan Bruno
The Golden State Warriors defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 100-92, at Moda Center on Thursday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Warriors held a two-point lead after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, while the visitors pushed it to a three-point difference by halftime. The Trail Blazers kept up the fight in the third and grabbed a brief edge, before trailing by one point heading to the final frame. The hosts reclaimed the advantage early in the fourth, but the Warriors closed the game on a, 16-6, run to secure their third straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Trail Blazers.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 22 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, a steal and two blocks, in 36 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga followed up with 19 points, six rebounds and a block, while Andrew Wiggins logged 15 points, five rebounds, a steal and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Scoot Henderson followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, 12 assists and a steal, while Jabari Walker totaled 17 points, 16 rebounds and a steal.
The Trail Blazers (21-59) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Rockets on Friday. The Warriors (45-35) play host to the Pelicans on Friday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Warriors held a two-point lead after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, while the visitors pushed it to a three-point difference by halftime. The Trail Blazers kept up the fight in the third and grabbed a brief edge, before trailing by one point heading to the final frame. The hosts reclaimed the advantage early in the fourth, but the Warriors closed the game on a, 16-6, run to secure their third straight win. This also marks the third straight loss for the Trail Blazers.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 22 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, a steal and two blocks, in 36 minutes. Jonathan Kuminga followed up with 19 points, six rebounds and a block, while Andrew Wiggins logged 15 points, five rebounds, a steal and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and a block, in 34 minutes. Scoot Henderson followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, 12 assists and a steal, while Jabari Walker totaled 17 points, 16 rebounds and a steal.
The Trail Blazers (21-59) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Rockets on Friday. The Warriors (45-35) play host to the Pelicans on Friday.
Pelicans Defeat Kings, 135-123
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the host Sacramento Kings, 135-123, at Golden One Center on Thursday.
New Orleans kickstarted this game with a 16-5 run, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. Sacramento got it down to a two-point margin in the third quarter, but the Pelicans responded by grabbing a game-high 23-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans shot 57 percent from the field and 55 percent from three-point range while the Kings shot 55 percent from the field and 44 percent from long range. New Orleans also out-rebounded Sacramento, 46-37, while out-assisting them, 35-27.
The Pelicans (48-32) were led by CJ McCollum, collecting 31 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Zion Williamson had 31 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals. Trey Murphy totaled 27 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jonas Valanciunas accrued 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while Jose Alvarado led the bench with 14 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The Kings (45-35) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 33 points, five rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Harrison Barnes had 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. Keegan Murray amassed 22 points, five rebounds and two steals, while Domantas Sabonis provided 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Both teams have to play again tomorrow, with Sacramento staying home to play the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans staying on the road to face the Golden State Warriors.
New Orleans kickstarted this game with a 16-5 run, winning this game in wire-to-wire fashion. Sacramento got it down to a two-point margin in the third quarter, but the Pelicans responded by grabbing a game-high 23-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans shot 57 percent from the field and 55 percent from three-point range while the Kings shot 55 percent from the field and 44 percent from long range. New Orleans also out-rebounded Sacramento, 46-37, while out-assisting them, 35-27.
The Pelicans (48-32) were led by CJ McCollum, collecting 31 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Zion Williamson had 31 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals. Trey Murphy totaled 27 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jonas Valanciunas accrued 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while Jose Alvarado led the bench with 14 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The Kings (45-35) were led by De'Aaron Fox, finishing with 33 points, five rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Harrison Barnes had 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. Keegan Murray amassed 22 points, five rebounds and two steals, while Domantas Sabonis provided 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Both teams have to play again tomorrow, with Sacramento staying home to play the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans staying on the road to face the Golden State Warriors.