By JIMMY GOLEN
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — The injury to free agent Gordon Hayward devastated the Boston Celtics emotionally and threatened to derail their efforts to improve on last year’s Eastern Conference finals appearance.
It took about three games for them to figure things out.
“Once that happened, we really didn’t know where we were at as a team,” center Al Horford said on Monday night after the Celtics won their fifth straight game, beating the San Antonio Spurs 108-9. “We’ve really come together.”
Kyrie Irving scored 24 points for the third straight game, Jaylen Brown added 18 and Horford had 13 rebounds for Boston, which last beat the Spurs in 2011 — a 10-game losing streak. Irving also had three steals and a blocked shot, and coach Brad Stevens praised his defense.
“You can tell he’s getting more comfortable every time he takes the floor,” Stevens said.
Boston signed Hayward in the offseason in an attempt to bolster the team that earned the No. 1 seed in the East. But the deal that swapped Irving for Isaiah Thomas signaled a near-complete break with last year’s team.
Then Hayward was injured before the season was six minutes old, and the Celtics lost their first two games, on back-to-back nights.
Since then, they haven’t lost.
And Irving is the biggest reason why.
“Things were going rough for him at the beginning of the season. A lot of people doubted him,” said guard Terry Rozier, who had 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. “I feel like we all had to adapt to him. It’s worked out pretty well.”
Reserves Brandon Paul had 18 points and Rudy Gay scored 14 for San Antonio.
It was the first game this season that LaMarcus Aldridge didn’t lead San Antonio in scoring. He had 11 points.
Boston led 54-49 at halftime and scored 10 of the first 12 points in the third quarter — eight from Irving on a pair of 3-pointers and a layup. The Celtics point guard was 10 for 15 shooting through three quarters, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, before sitting most of the fourth while Boston nursed a double-digit lead.
“No different than any other night I’ve seen him play,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s a hell of a player. You think that’s going to change? Kyrie does what he does and he does it very well.”
MISSING
San Antonio remains without Tony Parker (left quad) and Kawhi Leonard (right quad), and Popovich rested Manu Ginobili as the Spurs lost on back-to-back nights and fell to 1-3 on a four-game road trip.
“I rested him,” Popovich said, adding jokingly, “That’s something I never do.”
SPURTS
Rozier scored 10 of the Celtics’ first 13 points in the fourth quarter, eight of them in a 52-second span when Boston turned an 11-point lead into a 93-74 rout. Rozier made just one of his first nine shots before making four in a row in the fourth.
TIP-INS
Spurs: Made a 3-pointer for the 982nd consecutive game. ... Popovich was left waiting for career victory No. 1,155, which would tie him with Phil Jackson at sixth on the NBA’s all-time list. ... Popovich’s next road win will be his 500th, something just three coaches in NBA history have achieved.
Celtics: Irving’s 128 points in his first six games as a Celtic were the most since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each had 131 in 2007. ... Marcus Morris practiced with the developmental league team on Monday and will rejoin the Celtics on Tuesday. Coach Brad Stevens said his right knee has “really, really improved.”
UP NEXT
Spurs: Host Golden State on Thursday.
Celtics: Host Sacramento on Wednesday.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Minnesota hangs on in overtime, tops Miami 125-122
By TIM REYNOLDS
Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) — It’s never been easy for Andrew Wiggins in Miami, and Monday was no exception.
That’s what made the win even sweeter.
Jeff Teague scored 23 points, Wiggins scored 22 — 13 of them coming after halftime, including a pair of huge baskets late in regulation — and the Minnesota Timberwolves scored the first six points of overtime before holding on to beat the Miami Heat 125-122.
“We have a lot of people who know how to win, know how to close out games,” Wiggins said.
That was evident. The Timberwolves never trailed in the final 11 1/2 minutes, yet still needed to see Dion Waiters’ 35-footer as time expired clang helplessly off the rim before they could escape.
“We’ve got some guys on this team that can really play,” Teague said. “Down the stretch, Wig was huge.”
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who got 16 from Jimmy Butler and 13 from Jamal Crawford.
Waiters tied a career-high by scoring 33 for Miami, 14 of those coming in the fourth quarter including a layup that sent the game to overtime. But the Heat dropped their third straight — all at home.
“It doesn’t mean (anything) if we don’t get the win,” Waiters said.
Kelly Olynyk scored 23 points and Goran Dragic added 18 for Miami — which was again without center Hassan Whiteside, out for a fifth consecutive game with a bruised left knee. Bam Adebayo started again in his place and had the best game of his rookie season, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
“It was great to see,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of the rookie’s stat line, which came against a star in Towns.
Wiggins got to the line with 43 seconds left after missing a dunk on a play where Justise Winslow was called for a foul that left the Heat arguing otherwise — but replays suggested was indeed correct. He made both free throws to put Minnesota up by four, and the Heat would eventually get back within one on a 3-pointer by Waiters with 5.1 seconds left.
Teague made a pair of free throws, and Miami’s desperation heave from Waiters was off.
“There’s a lot of work for us to do defensively,” Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Wiggins had both Minnesota baskets in the final 1:01 of regulation, a putback of his own miss and an emphatic dunk for a four-point lead. He’s had some good scoring games against the Heat — at least 22 in four of seven contests — but he’s earned it all. After shooting 7 for 23 Monday, he’s now 46 for 125 (36.8 percent) against the Heat.
He had a chance to put the Timberwolves up four again with 12 seconds left in regulation, but missed a layup. Winslow got the rebound for Miami and on the ensuing possession Waiters blew past Butler for a layup to tie it at 110.
Minnesota scored the next six, and found a way from there.
“We did things necessary to win at the end,” Thibodeau said.
TIP INS
Timberwolves: Minnesota’s first six 3-pointers came from six different players. ... Towns took only 11 shots from the floor, perhaps a bit of a surprise since Miami was without Whiteside. ... The Timberwolves can get their first three-game winning streak since January with a win on Wednesday.
Heat: Miami missed more free throws in the first quarter (three) than in its two previous games combined (two). ... Okaro White gave the Heat a big boost late in the third, scoring five points on a putback dunk and 3-pointer that cut Minnesota’s six-point lead to one. ... Miami was cold from 3-point range again, shooting 7 for 27 from beyond the arc.
DRAGIC’S STARTS
Dragic came out sizzling, and that’s been a trend. He was 5 for 5 in the first quarter, the second time he’s done that in the last three games. Dragic is shooting 20 for 29 (69 percent) in first quarters this season, and 16 for 20 (80 percent) in the opening periods of his last four games.
FREE THROWS
Minnesota was 32 for 35 from the line, a huge factor in the game. Miami was 17 for 25.
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Visit New Orleans on Wednesday, the finale of a two-game trip.
Heat: Host Chicago on Wednesday, ending a six-game homestand.
Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) — It’s never been easy for Andrew Wiggins in Miami, and Monday was no exception.
That’s what made the win even sweeter.
Jeff Teague scored 23 points, Wiggins scored 22 — 13 of them coming after halftime, including a pair of huge baskets late in regulation — and the Minnesota Timberwolves scored the first six points of overtime before holding on to beat the Miami Heat 125-122.
“We have a lot of people who know how to win, know how to close out games,” Wiggins said.
That was evident. The Timberwolves never trailed in the final 11 1/2 minutes, yet still needed to see Dion Waiters’ 35-footer as time expired clang helplessly off the rim before they could escape.
“We’ve got some guys on this team that can really play,” Teague said. “Down the stretch, Wig was huge.”
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who got 16 from Jimmy Butler and 13 from Jamal Crawford.
Waiters tied a career-high by scoring 33 for Miami, 14 of those coming in the fourth quarter including a layup that sent the game to overtime. But the Heat dropped their third straight — all at home.
“It doesn’t mean (anything) if we don’t get the win,” Waiters said.
Kelly Olynyk scored 23 points and Goran Dragic added 18 for Miami — which was again without center Hassan Whiteside, out for a fifth consecutive game with a bruised left knee. Bam Adebayo started again in his place and had the best game of his rookie season, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
“It was great to see,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of the rookie’s stat line, which came against a star in Towns.
Wiggins got to the line with 43 seconds left after missing a dunk on a play where Justise Winslow was called for a foul that left the Heat arguing otherwise — but replays suggested was indeed correct. He made both free throws to put Minnesota up by four, and the Heat would eventually get back within one on a 3-pointer by Waiters with 5.1 seconds left.
Teague made a pair of free throws, and Miami’s desperation heave from Waiters was off.
“There’s a lot of work for us to do defensively,” Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Wiggins had both Minnesota baskets in the final 1:01 of regulation, a putback of his own miss and an emphatic dunk for a four-point lead. He’s had some good scoring games against the Heat — at least 22 in four of seven contests — but he’s earned it all. After shooting 7 for 23 Monday, he’s now 46 for 125 (36.8 percent) against the Heat.
He had a chance to put the Timberwolves up four again with 12 seconds left in regulation, but missed a layup. Winslow got the rebound for Miami and on the ensuing possession Waiters blew past Butler for a layup to tie it at 110.
Minnesota scored the next six, and found a way from there.
“We did things necessary to win at the end,” Thibodeau said.
TIP INS
Timberwolves: Minnesota’s first six 3-pointers came from six different players. ... Towns took only 11 shots from the floor, perhaps a bit of a surprise since Miami was without Whiteside. ... The Timberwolves can get their first three-game winning streak since January with a win on Wednesday.
Heat: Miami missed more free throws in the first quarter (three) than in its two previous games combined (two). ... Okaro White gave the Heat a big boost late in the third, scoring five points on a putback dunk and 3-pointer that cut Minnesota’s six-point lead to one. ... Miami was cold from 3-point range again, shooting 7 for 27 from beyond the arc.
DRAGIC’S STARTS
Dragic came out sizzling, and that’s been a trend. He was 5 for 5 in the first quarter, the second time he’s done that in the last three games. Dragic is shooting 20 for 29 (69 percent) in first quarters this season, and 16 for 20 (80 percent) in the opening periods of his last four games.
FREE THROWS
Minnesota was 32 for 35 from the line, a huge factor in the game. Miami was 17 for 25.
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Visit New Orleans on Wednesday, the finale of a two-game trip.
Heat: Host Chicago on Wednesday, ending a six-game homestand.
Simmons helps 76ers beat Rockets 115-107
Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets allowed Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons to take jump shots on Monday night and he made them pay.
In Philadelphia’s 115-107 win in Houston, Simmons made 10 of 15 shots, many of them from mid-range, to score a career-high 24 points, adding nine assists and seven rebounds. When asked why he took more jumpers than he had in his first six games, Simmons’ teammate Amir Johnson answered from behind the group of reporters.
“People don’t know he can shoot,” Johnson said. “Buckets.”
Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown said Simmons’ ability to reliably make jump shots will complement his ability to drive or use his length in the paint even more effective.
“I’m really leaving the whole evolution of his jump shot -- when he wants to shoot it, when he feels comfortable shooting it -- with him,” Brown said. “When he feels the confidence to shoot things and people sag off of him, he’s going to shoot it. If he doesn’t, so be it, he’ll go find another way to impact the game. It’s coming.”
Simmons, the 2016 first-overall pick, is shooting 51 percent through his first seven games but has struggled at times outside of the paint and has missed all four 3-point attempts.
“I’m comfortable taking them,” Simmons said of jump shots. “I’ve got to start doing that more often.”
After losing 105-104 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Eric Gordon in Philadelphia on Oct. 18, the 76ers snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Rockets, winning in Houston for the first time since Feb. 16, 2011.
The Rockets missed nine of their last 10 shots, scoring just four points in the final 3:28 and dropped consecutive games for the first time this season.
Brown credited his team’s defense, particularly on the perimeter, down the stretch for getting late stops against Houston.
“That’s what won us the game,” Brown said. “Because if you blink or you’re a step short on a switch, you get punished badly with this team because of their ability to shoot and to shoot 3s.”
James Harden scored 29 points and Gordon had 25. The Rockets shot just 39.8 percent from the floor. Last season, they were 1-7 when shooting below 40 percent.
“I would never put a lot of stock into that,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said of the poor shooting. “They make them, they don’t make them, whatever. The defense, the ball movement and running the floor is going to be constant, and that requires an effort that I don’t think we’re there yet.”
Harden called the team’s energy “terrible, terrible,” and said the defense allowed too many easy points in the first and third quarters.
“We can’t have those mental lapses on the defensive end, they get momentum,” Harden said. “They start making shots they probably normally don’t make.”
The 76ers led 58-56 at halftime.
TIP-INS
76ers: SG JJ Redick missed his third straight game with lower back tightness. ... PG Markelle Fultz (shoulder) missed his fourth straight game. Fultz is out indefinitely and will be reevaluated in three weeks, the 76ers said Sunday.
Rockets: Nene entered the game questionable with left Achilles soreness but played 10 minutes in the game, getting seven points, three rebounds and a block off the bench. ... After shooting 17-for-35 (48.5 percent) in a three-game road trip, PF Ryan Anderson shot 2-for-9 from beyond the arc.
TRUST THE PROCESS
The 76ers arrived in Houston a day early on Sunday to attend Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston, blocks away from the Toyota Center. The players represented both the Dodgers and Astros with a mix of customized jerseys with their names and numbers on the back.
LIKE A BOSS
Houston-native rapper Slim Thug was the celebrity guest shooter for Houston’s new “First Shot,” promotion. The 6-foot-6 rapper swished his free throw before tipoff, ensuring a $5,000 donation from the Rockets to charity. His shot followed banked shots off the glass from both Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins and Blue October lead singer Justin Furstenfeld in the first two games.
EFFICIENT EMBIID
Joel Embiid had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists with two steals in 25 minutes. Dating back to 1983-84, it is just the third time a player has posted those numbers in 25 minutes of play or less. Pau Gasol did it in 2015 for Chicago and Fat Lever did it in 1990 for Denver.
UP NEXT
76ers: Host the Hawks on Wednesday night.
Rockets: Visit the Knicks on Wednesday night.
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets allowed Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons to take jump shots on Monday night and he made them pay.
In Philadelphia’s 115-107 win in Houston, Simmons made 10 of 15 shots, many of them from mid-range, to score a career-high 24 points, adding nine assists and seven rebounds. When asked why he took more jumpers than he had in his first six games, Simmons’ teammate Amir Johnson answered from behind the group of reporters.
“People don’t know he can shoot,” Johnson said. “Buckets.”
Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown said Simmons’ ability to reliably make jump shots will complement his ability to drive or use his length in the paint even more effective.
“I’m really leaving the whole evolution of his jump shot -- when he wants to shoot it, when he feels comfortable shooting it -- with him,” Brown said. “When he feels the confidence to shoot things and people sag off of him, he’s going to shoot it. If he doesn’t, so be it, he’ll go find another way to impact the game. It’s coming.”
Simmons, the 2016 first-overall pick, is shooting 51 percent through his first seven games but has struggled at times outside of the paint and has missed all four 3-point attempts.
“I’m comfortable taking them,” Simmons said of jump shots. “I’ve got to start doing that more often.”
After losing 105-104 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Eric Gordon in Philadelphia on Oct. 18, the 76ers snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Rockets, winning in Houston for the first time since Feb. 16, 2011.
The Rockets missed nine of their last 10 shots, scoring just four points in the final 3:28 and dropped consecutive games for the first time this season.
Brown credited his team’s defense, particularly on the perimeter, down the stretch for getting late stops against Houston.
“That’s what won us the game,” Brown said. “Because if you blink or you’re a step short on a switch, you get punished badly with this team because of their ability to shoot and to shoot 3s.”
James Harden scored 29 points and Gordon had 25. The Rockets shot just 39.8 percent from the floor. Last season, they were 1-7 when shooting below 40 percent.
“I would never put a lot of stock into that,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said of the poor shooting. “They make them, they don’t make them, whatever. The defense, the ball movement and running the floor is going to be constant, and that requires an effort that I don’t think we’re there yet.”
Harden called the team’s energy “terrible, terrible,” and said the defense allowed too many easy points in the first and third quarters.
“We can’t have those mental lapses on the defensive end, they get momentum,” Harden said. “They start making shots they probably normally don’t make.”
The 76ers led 58-56 at halftime.
TIP-INS
76ers: SG JJ Redick missed his third straight game with lower back tightness. ... PG Markelle Fultz (shoulder) missed his fourth straight game. Fultz is out indefinitely and will be reevaluated in three weeks, the 76ers said Sunday.
Rockets: Nene entered the game questionable with left Achilles soreness but played 10 minutes in the game, getting seven points, three rebounds and a block off the bench. ... After shooting 17-for-35 (48.5 percent) in a three-game road trip, PF Ryan Anderson shot 2-for-9 from beyond the arc.
TRUST THE PROCESS
The 76ers arrived in Houston a day early on Sunday to attend Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston, blocks away from the Toyota Center. The players represented both the Dodgers and Astros with a mix of customized jerseys with their names and numbers on the back.
LIKE A BOSS
Houston-native rapper Slim Thug was the celebrity guest shooter for Houston’s new “First Shot,” promotion. The 6-foot-6 rapper swished his free throw before tipoff, ensuring a $5,000 donation from the Rockets to charity. His shot followed banked shots off the glass from both Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins and Blue October lead singer Justin Furstenfeld in the first two games.
EFFICIENT EMBIID
Joel Embiid had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists with two steals in 25 minutes. Dating back to 1983-84, it is just the third time a player has posted those numbers in 25 minutes of play or less. Pau Gasol did it in 2015 for Chicago and Fat Lever did it in 1990 for Denver.
UP NEXT
76ers: Host the Hawks on Wednesday night.
Rockets: Visit the Knicks on Wednesday night.
Walker leads late rally to send Hornets over Grizzlies
By CLAY BAILEY
Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Kemba Walker re-entered the game with under 8 minutes left and things changed for the Charlotte Hornets.
Walker scored nine of his 27 points in a fourth-quarter rally as the Charlotte handed the Memphis Grizzlies their first home loss of the season with a 104-99 win Monday night.
“I was just trying to make plays. Trying to do what I can to help my teammates,” Walker said of the final stretch, where he also added a couple of assists. “My main focus was to continue to be aggressive, and if I can’t score, try to find other people to score.”
Jeremy Lamb added 17 points and rookie Malik Monk finished with 13 points.
Memphis held a 10-point lead with 7:57 remaining, but Walker re-entered the game and kick-started the Charlotte rally, which included an 18-4 run by the Hornets. Memphis couldn’t catch Charlotte primarily because they made only 6 of 27 shots in the fourth, including 2 of 11 from outside the arc, many of them coming in the closing minutes as the Grizzlies tried to stop the Hornets rally. There were plenty of close shots missed by Memphis as well.
“Everything went wrong at the same time,” Memphis coach David Fizdale said of the Hornets outscoring Memphis 31-17 in the final period. “It just seemed like we couldn’t make a layup, when we had open layup. When we had open threes, we couldn’t make open threes.”
Tyreke Evans led Memphis with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Mike Conley finished with 16 points. But Conley was a major part of a 34 percent shooting night for the Grizzlies missing 14 of his 18 shots in the game and all seven from outside the arc.
James Ennis III and Dylan Brooks scored 11 points apiece.
“I really liked the fight,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said.
TIP-INS
Hornets: Won their first road game this season. ... Monk had a nice representation of fans in the stands. His hometown of Lepanto, Arkansas is about 40 miles from Memphis. ... Walker had a team-high six assists and has led the Hornets in assists in each game this season. ... Dwight Howard had seven rebounds, the first time this season he has not reached double digits.
Grizzlies: Memphis’ last four home games have come against teams playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Charlotte defeated Orlando at home Sunday night. ... The game was Memphis’ first of the season against an Eastern Conference team. ... C Marc Gasol was listed as questionable before the game with a bum left ankle, but played, finishing with 10 points. ... The Grizzlies bench continued to dominate opponents, outscoring the Hornets reserves 51-39.
SHOOTING WOES: Neither team shot particularly well - Memphis at 34 percent and the Hornets connecting on 42 percent. But that 42 percent marked the first time an opponent has shot above 40 percent against the Grizzlies at FedExForum in five home games this season.
BIG MAN BATTLE
The game featured two big, physical centers in Gasol and Howard, but neither showed their normal offensive production. Howard missed eight of his nine shots and both his free throws for 2 points, while Gasol was 4 of 15 from the field. “Trust me,” Gasol said, “in 10 years, I still haven’t met a player that wants to miss on purpose.”
LOSING LEADS
Despite suffering only their second loss, Memphis has squandered significant leads several times already this season. “I know a lot of it is casual play, and that will get you burnt in this league. It’s so easy to lose a lead with the way teams shoot the ball,” Fizdale said.
UP NEXT
HORNETS: Entertain the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, the only home game in a six-game stretch.
GRIZZLIES: Face the Orlando Magic at home on Wednesday.
Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Kemba Walker re-entered the game with under 8 minutes left and things changed for the Charlotte Hornets.
Walker scored nine of his 27 points in a fourth-quarter rally as the Charlotte handed the Memphis Grizzlies their first home loss of the season with a 104-99 win Monday night.
“I was just trying to make plays. Trying to do what I can to help my teammates,” Walker said of the final stretch, where he also added a couple of assists. “My main focus was to continue to be aggressive, and if I can’t score, try to find other people to score.”
Jeremy Lamb added 17 points and rookie Malik Monk finished with 13 points.
Memphis held a 10-point lead with 7:57 remaining, but Walker re-entered the game and kick-started the Charlotte rally, which included an 18-4 run by the Hornets. Memphis couldn’t catch Charlotte primarily because they made only 6 of 27 shots in the fourth, including 2 of 11 from outside the arc, many of them coming in the closing minutes as the Grizzlies tried to stop the Hornets rally. There were plenty of close shots missed by Memphis as well.
“Everything went wrong at the same time,” Memphis coach David Fizdale said of the Hornets outscoring Memphis 31-17 in the final period. “It just seemed like we couldn’t make a layup, when we had open layup. When we had open threes, we couldn’t make open threes.”
Tyreke Evans led Memphis with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Mike Conley finished with 16 points. But Conley was a major part of a 34 percent shooting night for the Grizzlies missing 14 of his 18 shots in the game and all seven from outside the arc.
James Ennis III and Dylan Brooks scored 11 points apiece.
“I really liked the fight,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said.
TIP-INS
Hornets: Won their first road game this season. ... Monk had a nice representation of fans in the stands. His hometown of Lepanto, Arkansas is about 40 miles from Memphis. ... Walker had a team-high six assists and has led the Hornets in assists in each game this season. ... Dwight Howard had seven rebounds, the first time this season he has not reached double digits.
Grizzlies: Memphis’ last four home games have come against teams playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Charlotte defeated Orlando at home Sunday night. ... The game was Memphis’ first of the season against an Eastern Conference team. ... C Marc Gasol was listed as questionable before the game with a bum left ankle, but played, finishing with 10 points. ... The Grizzlies bench continued to dominate opponents, outscoring the Hornets reserves 51-39.
SHOOTING WOES: Neither team shot particularly well - Memphis at 34 percent and the Hornets connecting on 42 percent. But that 42 percent marked the first time an opponent has shot above 40 percent against the Grizzlies at FedExForum in five home games this season.
BIG MAN BATTLE
The game featured two big, physical centers in Gasol and Howard, but neither showed their normal offensive production. Howard missed eight of his nine shots and both his free throws for 2 points, while Gasol was 4 of 15 from the field. “Trust me,” Gasol said, “in 10 years, I still haven’t met a player that wants to miss on purpose.”
LOSING LEADS
Despite suffering only their second loss, Memphis has squandered significant leads several times already this season. “I know a lot of it is casual play, and that will get you burnt in this league. It’s so easy to lose a lead with the way teams shoot the ball,” Fizdale said.
UP NEXT
HORNETS: Entertain the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, the only home game in a six-game stretch.
GRIZZLIES: Face the Orlando Magic at home on Wednesday.
Speights’ 3-point outburst leads Magic past Pelicans, 115-99
By BRETT MARTEL
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Marreese Speights held his follow-through as he watched his fifth 3-pointer in a six-minute span swish though. The 6-foot-10 forward then turned away with his lips pursed and three fingers extended on each of his hands, which he held down below his hips as he galloped triumphantly toward the other end.
Speights highlighted an 18-point performance by hitting five of his career-high six 3-pointers during a decisive 22-6 run, and the Orlando Magic soundly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 115-99 on Monday night.
Speights’ second 3 of the game made it 87-83 in the final minute of the third quarter. He drained four more early in the fourth, after which Orlando led 106-89.
Magic coach Frank Vogel called it “a luxury” to have a front-court player like Speights who can score from the perimeter coming off the bench.
During his first six games with Orlando this season, Speights attempted nine 3s, hitting three. He was clearly more confident in his shot in New Orleans, attempting 10 3s, often without hesitation and from a foot or two behind the 3-point line a couple times.
“When you see a guy come in and make every shot, you feel like it’s your night,” Magic small forward Evan Fournier said of Speights’ effect on the game. “So we’re like, ‘OK, we’re not going to lose this game.’”
Speight’s previous career high for 3s in a game was four. He said he was apprehensive during the early years of his NBA career to shoot from beyond the 3-point line, but starting doing so more about halfway through his second of three seasons with Golden State.
“When I come into the game, I feel like I’m hot, and to be able to have open shots like that, you’ve got to knock them down,” Speights said. “My teammates did great finding me.”
And New Orleans did a poor job of contesting those shots, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said.
“You’ve got to get in the air space and that takes effort,” Gentry said. “He shot too many open shots, if you ask me.”
Nikola Vucevic, Jonathon Simmons and Fournier each scored 20 points for Orlando, which shot 50.6 percent (43 of 85) from the field and 47.1 percent (16 of 34) from 3-point range. Aaron Gordon added 17 points.
Anthony Davis had 39 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which was coming off a lopsided victory over Cleveland on Saturday, but was unable to threaten the Magic during the final seven minutes. DeMarcus Cousins had 12 points and 12 assists for the Pelicans, and Jrue Holiday scored 11 points.
“They made us pay in the second half with all of the open 3s,” Davis said. “We did not correctly do the things we can control. We just need to come out with more energy on the defensive end.”
TIP-INS
Magic: Scored the first eight points of the game and led 33-24 after the first quarter, when Fournier hit three 3s and scored 11 of his points. ... Orlando came in averaging 117.2 points and has reached 113 in all seven of its games.
Pelicans: Cousins, who entered the night second in the NBA in turnovers with five per game, had two passes intercepted in the first 3:31 and finished with six turnovers. ... The Pelicans were aiming for their first winning record since the last day of the 2014-15 season, which also was the last time they made the playoffs.
RESILIENCE
Fournier said winning on the second night of back-to-back games is “the hardest thing to do in NBA basketball,” and that the Magic should be proud to have done it twice already this season.
The victory in New Orleans came a night after a loss in Charlotte.
“But we should have the same mindset all the time,” Fournier added. “That’s the way we should play for 82 games.”
UNFLATTERING NUMBERS
The Pelicans made only seven of their 28 3-point attempts, hitting only 3 of 18 from deep in the second half, when they scored just 35 points after leading 64-40 at halftime. They also turned the ball over 20 times, leading to 25 Magic points.
“It just wasn’t our night offensively, so we’ve got to do better the next game,” said Holiday, who had six turnovers. “We’ve got to be better taking care of the ball and I will personally get better.”
UP NEXT
Magic: Visit Memphis on Wednesday night for their third game in four nights.
Pelicans: Host Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Marreese Speights held his follow-through as he watched his fifth 3-pointer in a six-minute span swish though. The 6-foot-10 forward then turned away with his lips pursed and three fingers extended on each of his hands, which he held down below his hips as he galloped triumphantly toward the other end.
Speights highlighted an 18-point performance by hitting five of his career-high six 3-pointers during a decisive 22-6 run, and the Orlando Magic soundly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 115-99 on Monday night.
Speights’ second 3 of the game made it 87-83 in the final minute of the third quarter. He drained four more early in the fourth, after which Orlando led 106-89.
Magic coach Frank Vogel called it “a luxury” to have a front-court player like Speights who can score from the perimeter coming off the bench.
During his first six games with Orlando this season, Speights attempted nine 3s, hitting three. He was clearly more confident in his shot in New Orleans, attempting 10 3s, often without hesitation and from a foot or two behind the 3-point line a couple times.
“When you see a guy come in and make every shot, you feel like it’s your night,” Magic small forward Evan Fournier said of Speights’ effect on the game. “So we’re like, ‘OK, we’re not going to lose this game.’”
Speight’s previous career high for 3s in a game was four. He said he was apprehensive during the early years of his NBA career to shoot from beyond the 3-point line, but starting doing so more about halfway through his second of three seasons with Golden State.
“When I come into the game, I feel like I’m hot, and to be able to have open shots like that, you’ve got to knock them down,” Speights said. “My teammates did great finding me.”
And New Orleans did a poor job of contesting those shots, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said.
“You’ve got to get in the air space and that takes effort,” Gentry said. “He shot too many open shots, if you ask me.”
Nikola Vucevic, Jonathon Simmons and Fournier each scored 20 points for Orlando, which shot 50.6 percent (43 of 85) from the field and 47.1 percent (16 of 34) from 3-point range. Aaron Gordon added 17 points.
Anthony Davis had 39 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which was coming off a lopsided victory over Cleveland on Saturday, but was unable to threaten the Magic during the final seven minutes. DeMarcus Cousins had 12 points and 12 assists for the Pelicans, and Jrue Holiday scored 11 points.
“They made us pay in the second half with all of the open 3s,” Davis said. “We did not correctly do the things we can control. We just need to come out with more energy on the defensive end.”
TIP-INS
Magic: Scored the first eight points of the game and led 33-24 after the first quarter, when Fournier hit three 3s and scored 11 of his points. ... Orlando came in averaging 117.2 points and has reached 113 in all seven of its games.
Pelicans: Cousins, who entered the night second in the NBA in turnovers with five per game, had two passes intercepted in the first 3:31 and finished with six turnovers. ... The Pelicans were aiming for their first winning record since the last day of the 2014-15 season, which also was the last time they made the playoffs.
RESILIENCE
Fournier said winning on the second night of back-to-back games is “the hardest thing to do in NBA basketball,” and that the Magic should be proud to have done it twice already this season.
The victory in New Orleans came a night after a loss in Charlotte.
“But we should have the same mindset all the time,” Fournier added. “That’s the way we should play for 82 games.”
UNFLATTERING NUMBERS
The Pelicans made only seven of their 28 3-point attempts, hitting only 3 of 18 from deep in the second half, when they scored just 35 points after leading 64-40 at halftime. They also turned the ball over 20 times, leading to 25 Magic points.
“It just wasn’t our night offensively, so we’ve got to do better the next game,” said Holiday, who had six turnovers. “We’ve got to be better taking care of the ball and I will personally get better.”
UP NEXT
Magic: Visit Memphis on Wednesday night for their third game in four nights.
Pelicans: Host Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Hood scores season high 25, Jazz beat Mavericks 104-89
By KAREEM COPELAND
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Rodney Hood was determined to find his groove after two fouls in the first quarter earned him an early seat on the bench. He found it in the third quarter when a quick floater jump-started a Utah Jazz comeback.
Hood scored 15 of his season-high 25 points in the third quarter to help the Jazz rally to beat the Dallas Mavericks 104-89 on Monday night.
“Just aggressiveness,” Hood said. “My teammates were telling me to be more aggressive. The early foul trouble kind of threw me out of rhythm. Being more in attack mode.
“I knew I was going to get a chance to make an impact. ... I knew I was going to get into the flow.”
The Mavs hit nine of 14 3-pointers in the first half and the Jazz struggled to defend their drive-and-kick action. But Utah came alive in the second half thanks to Hood and a 25-4 run to start the third quarter.
The Jazz adjusted their defense in the second half and made things much more difficult for one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league. The Mavericks were just 3 for 10 from behind the arc in the second half.
“That’s what they’re really good at, drive-and-kick to generate 3s as good as anybody in the league,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “The second half we did a good job of not over-helping. You’ve got to be able to guard your yard. When we do that and can defensive rebound, it gives us a chance to play offense in the flow of the game. When you’re taking the ball out of the net, it’s a lot harder.
“We did a better job of staying in front. Just man-on-man and being focused on it. Then Rudy’s rim protection.”
Dallas climbed back within five late in the fourth quarter, but an 11-0 run highlighted by a pull-up Hood 3-pointer from the top of the arc put the game away. Hood had just five first-half points.
“I’m not into moral victories about one good half played in an NBA game,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. “You’ve got to bring it for the whole game or you get beat.
“The second half was not just bad, it was unbelievable.”
Ricky Rubio saw his shot begin to fall in the second half and finished with 20 points. Rudy Gobert added 17 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks and six assists.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs with a season-high 18 points and J.J. Barea added 17 off the bench, all in the first half.
“We just got to figure things out,” Mavs guard Devin Harris said. “We got small things that turn into big things. Just have to play harder, smarter.
“We have to trust each other. We’re still trying to find out identity.”
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Rookie Dennis Smith Jr. played 17 minutes despite being listed as questionable with a left knee effusion. He was 1 for 7 for two points. ... Dallas began the night ranked No. 3 in the NBA with 12.9 made 3-pointers per game and No. 5 with a 37.8 percentage from behind the arc. ... The Jazz scored 33 points off 24 Mavs turnovers.
Jazz: Snyder had his birthday on Monday. He turned 51. ... Rubio entered the game as the second Jazz player, joining Deron Williams, to post at least 90 points, 45 assists and 30 rebounds through their first six games with the organization.
CLOSE BUT NO CALL
The Mavs came out as one of four teams to start the week with just one victory. Carlisle, however, likes the way they’ve lost.
“We’ve played seven and I think we’ve had five that have been one possession games,” Carlisle said before the game. “This league is about tight games and thin margins for error. We’ve just got to do a few things better each game to put ourselves in a better position.
“Rebounding has got to be better. Turn it over less. Make a few more shots. Pretty simple stuff, but it’s the NBA, so it’s hard. Teams are defending you. You’re in tough places like this and so, it’s hard work. But you’ve got to get it done.”
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Travel to face Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
Jazz: Host Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Rodney Hood was determined to find his groove after two fouls in the first quarter earned him an early seat on the bench. He found it in the third quarter when a quick floater jump-started a Utah Jazz comeback.
Hood scored 15 of his season-high 25 points in the third quarter to help the Jazz rally to beat the Dallas Mavericks 104-89 on Monday night.
“Just aggressiveness,” Hood said. “My teammates were telling me to be more aggressive. The early foul trouble kind of threw me out of rhythm. Being more in attack mode.
“I knew I was going to get a chance to make an impact. ... I knew I was going to get into the flow.”
The Mavs hit nine of 14 3-pointers in the first half and the Jazz struggled to defend their drive-and-kick action. But Utah came alive in the second half thanks to Hood and a 25-4 run to start the third quarter.
The Jazz adjusted their defense in the second half and made things much more difficult for one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league. The Mavericks were just 3 for 10 from behind the arc in the second half.
“That’s what they’re really good at, drive-and-kick to generate 3s as good as anybody in the league,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “The second half we did a good job of not over-helping. You’ve got to be able to guard your yard. When we do that and can defensive rebound, it gives us a chance to play offense in the flow of the game. When you’re taking the ball out of the net, it’s a lot harder.
“We did a better job of staying in front. Just man-on-man and being focused on it. Then Rudy’s rim protection.”
Dallas climbed back within five late in the fourth quarter, but an 11-0 run highlighted by a pull-up Hood 3-pointer from the top of the arc put the game away. Hood had just five first-half points.
“I’m not into moral victories about one good half played in an NBA game,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. “You’ve got to bring it for the whole game or you get beat.
“The second half was not just bad, it was unbelievable.”
Ricky Rubio saw his shot begin to fall in the second half and finished with 20 points. Rudy Gobert added 17 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks and six assists.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs with a season-high 18 points and J.J. Barea added 17 off the bench, all in the first half.
“We just got to figure things out,” Mavs guard Devin Harris said. “We got small things that turn into big things. Just have to play harder, smarter.
“We have to trust each other. We’re still trying to find out identity.”
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Rookie Dennis Smith Jr. played 17 minutes despite being listed as questionable with a left knee effusion. He was 1 for 7 for two points. ... Dallas began the night ranked No. 3 in the NBA with 12.9 made 3-pointers per game and No. 5 with a 37.8 percentage from behind the arc. ... The Jazz scored 33 points off 24 Mavs turnovers.
Jazz: Snyder had his birthday on Monday. He turned 51. ... Rubio entered the game as the second Jazz player, joining Deron Williams, to post at least 90 points, 45 assists and 30 rebounds through their first six games with the organization.
CLOSE BUT NO CALL
The Mavs came out as one of four teams to start the week with just one victory. Carlisle, however, likes the way they’ve lost.
“We’ve played seven and I think we’ve had five that have been one possession games,” Carlisle said before the game. “This league is about tight games and thin margins for error. We’ve just got to do a few things better each game to put ourselves in a better position.
“Rebounding has got to be better. Turn it over less. Make a few more shots. Pretty simple stuff, but it’s the NBA, so it’s hard. Teams are defending you. You’re in tough places like this and so, it’s hard work. But you’ve got to get it done.”
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Travel to face Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
Jazz: Host Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Porzingis’ career night lifts Knicks to 116-110 over Nuggets
By JEFFREY BERNSTEIN
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — A 23-point third quarter lead vanished in less than six minutes, before Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. combined to make sure that the deficit was short-lived.
Porzingis scored a career-high 38 points and Hardaway Jr., who re-signed with New York as a free agent for $71 million, scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks beat the Denver Nuggets 116-110 on Monday night.
The Knicks had taken their biggest lead of the game, 69-46, on Courtney Lee’s layup with 10:38 left in the third quarter. However, the Nuggets responded by scoring the next 13 points to ignite a 27-2 run and they took their first lead, 73-71, on Wilson Chandler’s free throws with 4:42 left in the third quarter. The Knicks committed 10 turnovers during that six-minute stretch.
“We had a lot of turnovers. It was one of the worst quarters we’ve ever had,” Porzingis said. “But, we are going to learn from this game.”
The game was tied 77-77 when Doug McDermott’s 3-pointer put the Knicks back in front for good with 1:09 left in the third.
New York led 84-81 going into the final quarter. Will Barton brought the Nuggets to within one, 89-88, with 9:50 left in the game.
But, Hardaway Jr. scored the Knicks’ next 11 points, including three 3-pointers, and Porzingis’ jumper with 5:35 left gave New York a 104-95 lead.
“I made some big shots and I was happy about that,” Hardaway Jr. said. “They were contested, but once you see one go down and you start feeling yourself a little bit it helps my confidence and the team’s confidence.”
Denver responded by scoring the next seven points and pulling within two on another pair of Chandler free throws with 3:10 remaining.
But, Jarrett Jack hit a long jumper and Lee added two free throws and the Knicks were able to hold on down the stretch.
“Fourth quarter, too many mental breakdowns. Lack of discipline to give Tim Hardaway Jr. three straights 3′s and he was the one guy we were supposed to be running off the line,” said Nuggets’ Head Coach Mike Malone. “So, just poor game awareness.”
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 28 points and Jamal Murray scored 20.
Kyle O’Quinn added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks. Lee and Enes Kanter each had 12 points for the Knicks. McDermott finished with 11 and Jack finished with 10 assists
Gary Harris scored 18 points, Emmanuel Mudlay had 15 and Barton added 13 for the Nuggets.
TIP-INS:
Nuggets: Denver had won the previous five meetings with the Knicks. New York’s previous win in the series was a 109-93 victory at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2014.
Knicks: New York’s three-game winning streak is its longest since they won four in a row last season.
SPENDING TIME IN THE GARDEN
Monday’s tilt with the Nuggets marked the beginning of a five-game homestand for the Knicks.
OH BROTHER
Siblings Willy Hernangomez (Knicks) and Juancho Hernangomez (Nuggets) were on opposing sides Monday night. Willy got off the bench to play just over three minutes, while Juancho was inactive due to an illness and did not attend the game. “I was really looking forward to seeing him,” Willy said. “But, he has mono and is being quarantined right now. Maybe for another few weeks.”
FOUL FRENZY
The Nuggets could not keep their hands to themselves in the second quarter, committing their fifth foul and putting the Knicks in the bonus at the 8:24 mark. New York went on to outscore Denver 30-18 in the 12-minute session.
UP NEXT:
Nuggets: Host Toronto on Wednesday. The teams will play again in Toronto on March 27. The Raptors won both matchups last season.
Knicks: Host Houston on Friday. The teams last met on New Year’s Eve 2016, with the Rockets posting a 129-122 victory. They play again in Houston on November 25.
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — A 23-point third quarter lead vanished in less than six minutes, before Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. combined to make sure that the deficit was short-lived.
Porzingis scored a career-high 38 points and Hardaway Jr., who re-signed with New York as a free agent for $71 million, scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks beat the Denver Nuggets 116-110 on Monday night.
The Knicks had taken their biggest lead of the game, 69-46, on Courtney Lee’s layup with 10:38 left in the third quarter. However, the Nuggets responded by scoring the next 13 points to ignite a 27-2 run and they took their first lead, 73-71, on Wilson Chandler’s free throws with 4:42 left in the third quarter. The Knicks committed 10 turnovers during that six-minute stretch.
“We had a lot of turnovers. It was one of the worst quarters we’ve ever had,” Porzingis said. “But, we are going to learn from this game.”
The game was tied 77-77 when Doug McDermott’s 3-pointer put the Knicks back in front for good with 1:09 left in the third.
New York led 84-81 going into the final quarter. Will Barton brought the Nuggets to within one, 89-88, with 9:50 left in the game.
But, Hardaway Jr. scored the Knicks’ next 11 points, including three 3-pointers, and Porzingis’ jumper with 5:35 left gave New York a 104-95 lead.
“I made some big shots and I was happy about that,” Hardaway Jr. said. “They were contested, but once you see one go down and you start feeling yourself a little bit it helps my confidence and the team’s confidence.”
Denver responded by scoring the next seven points and pulling within two on another pair of Chandler free throws with 3:10 remaining.
But, Jarrett Jack hit a long jumper and Lee added two free throws and the Knicks were able to hold on down the stretch.
“Fourth quarter, too many mental breakdowns. Lack of discipline to give Tim Hardaway Jr. three straights 3′s and he was the one guy we were supposed to be running off the line,” said Nuggets’ Head Coach Mike Malone. “So, just poor game awareness.”
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 28 points and Jamal Murray scored 20.
Kyle O’Quinn added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks. Lee and Enes Kanter each had 12 points for the Knicks. McDermott finished with 11 and Jack finished with 10 assists
Gary Harris scored 18 points, Emmanuel Mudlay had 15 and Barton added 13 for the Nuggets.
TIP-INS:
Nuggets: Denver had won the previous five meetings with the Knicks. New York’s previous win in the series was a 109-93 victory at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2014.
Knicks: New York’s three-game winning streak is its longest since they won four in a row last season.
SPENDING TIME IN THE GARDEN
Monday’s tilt with the Nuggets marked the beginning of a five-game homestand for the Knicks.
OH BROTHER
Siblings Willy Hernangomez (Knicks) and Juancho Hernangomez (Nuggets) were on opposing sides Monday night. Willy got off the bench to play just over three minutes, while Juancho was inactive due to an illness and did not attend the game. “I was really looking forward to seeing him,” Willy said. “But, he has mono and is being quarantined right now. Maybe for another few weeks.”
FOUL FRENZY
The Nuggets could not keep their hands to themselves in the second quarter, committing their fifth foul and putting the Knicks in the bonus at the 8:24 mark. New York went on to outscore Denver 30-18 in the 12-minute session.
UP NEXT:
Nuggets: Host Toronto on Wednesday. The teams will play again in Toronto on March 27. The Raptors won both matchups last season.
Knicks: Host Houston on Friday. The teams last met on New Year’s Eve 2016, with the Rockets posting a 129-122 victory. They play again in Houston on November 25.
DeRozan as 25 and Toronto downs Portland 99-85
By ANNE M. PETERSON
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — DeMar DeRozan credited Toronto’s second unit for Portland’s ugly second quarter.
The Trail Blazers were held to just six total points — Evan Turner’s layup and four free throws — in the period and Toronto went on to win 99-85 on Monday night.
“They did something big for us holding them to one field goal throughout the whole quarter,” DeRozan said about the bench. “It gave us a great opportunity to go out there and pull out this win.”
DeRozan had 25 points to lead the Raptors, who were up by as many as 26 points. Kyle Lowry added a season-high 19 points and added 10 rebounds.
“Man, they did a great job of cutting off everything,” Lowry said about the second unit. “It was such an ugly slugfest in the second quarter.”
The win extended Toronto’s winning streak over Portland to five straight games.
Damian Lillard had a season-high 36 points for the Blazers, who got within 13 in the final quarter. CJ McCollum, who had scored 20 or more points in each of Portland’s first six games this season, had 16.
Toronto was without center Serge Ibaka, who is averaging 15 points a game this season, because of swelling in his right knee. The knee started to bother him following a victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Friday. Jacob Poetl took his place in the starting lineup.
The Raptors also missed Jonas Valanciunas for a fourth straight game with a left ankle sprain.
Toronto’s focused on defense throughout, coach Dwane Casey said.
“I mean, you’re not going to stop a great player like Lillard or McCollum,” Casey said. “But our whole emphasis was to make them work for every inch of the court.”
DeRozan had 15 points in the first quarter and the teams were knotted at 29 going into the second. DeRozan led the Raptors with 24 points in the 101-92 victory over the Lakers.
The Blazers went cold in the second quarter. Really cold. They went 0-for-16 from the field until Turner’s layup with 5 seconds left before the half. Portland’s other four points in the quarter came from free throws and the Raptors led 54-35 at the break.
The Blazers’ six total points were a franchise low for the second quarter.
“It wasn’t like they were unstoppable,” Lillard said. “They were scoring and we weren’t.”
Going back into the first quarter, the Blazers missed 20 straight shots over the miserable stretch.
“Brutal,” Coach Terry Stotts said about the stretch. “It was tough. I felt bad for them.”
Lillard hit a pair of consecutive 3-pointers and a layup in the third quarter, but the Blazers couldn’t make up much ground. The Raptors led 81-61 going into the final period.
Portland went on a 10-5 run to open the fourth and close the gap to 86-71 with 8:55 left. Lillard added a 16-footer to cut the margin to 13.
Portland was coming off a 114-107 win at home over the Suns on Saturday.
TIP INS
Raptors: It was the fourth game of a season-long six game road trip for Toronto. ... The Raptors won both games against the Blazers last season.
Trail Blazers: Portland’s lowest point total for any quarter is five points. ... It was the last of a four-game home stand for the Blazers. ... Meyers Leonard is currently out because of right lateral ankle sprain. ... It was the 76th 30-point game of Lillard’s career.
NOGUERIA’S NIGHT: Lucas Nogueira scored a season-high 17 points for the Raptors, along with nine rebounds. He had five blocked shots
“He’s engaged and he’s into it and we know what he can do,” Lowry said. “He just has to do it consistently. That’s the biggest thing I say to him every night, get out there and be a shot blocker and be dominate on the defensive end.”
QUOTABLE: “The first quarter was really nice and the second quarter was really bad.” --Stotts.
UP NEXT
Toronto plays the Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday.
The Trail Blazers visit the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — DeMar DeRozan credited Toronto’s second unit for Portland’s ugly second quarter.
The Trail Blazers were held to just six total points — Evan Turner’s layup and four free throws — in the period and Toronto went on to win 99-85 on Monday night.
“They did something big for us holding them to one field goal throughout the whole quarter,” DeRozan said about the bench. “It gave us a great opportunity to go out there and pull out this win.”
DeRozan had 25 points to lead the Raptors, who were up by as many as 26 points. Kyle Lowry added a season-high 19 points and added 10 rebounds.
“Man, they did a great job of cutting off everything,” Lowry said about the second unit. “It was such an ugly slugfest in the second quarter.”
The win extended Toronto’s winning streak over Portland to five straight games.
Damian Lillard had a season-high 36 points for the Blazers, who got within 13 in the final quarter. CJ McCollum, who had scored 20 or more points in each of Portland’s first six games this season, had 16.
Toronto was without center Serge Ibaka, who is averaging 15 points a game this season, because of swelling in his right knee. The knee started to bother him following a victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Friday. Jacob Poetl took his place in the starting lineup.
The Raptors also missed Jonas Valanciunas for a fourth straight game with a left ankle sprain.
Toronto’s focused on defense throughout, coach Dwane Casey said.
“I mean, you’re not going to stop a great player like Lillard or McCollum,” Casey said. “But our whole emphasis was to make them work for every inch of the court.”
DeRozan had 15 points in the first quarter and the teams were knotted at 29 going into the second. DeRozan led the Raptors with 24 points in the 101-92 victory over the Lakers.
The Blazers went cold in the second quarter. Really cold. They went 0-for-16 from the field until Turner’s layup with 5 seconds left before the half. Portland’s other four points in the quarter came from free throws and the Raptors led 54-35 at the break.
The Blazers’ six total points were a franchise low for the second quarter.
“It wasn’t like they were unstoppable,” Lillard said. “They were scoring and we weren’t.”
Going back into the first quarter, the Blazers missed 20 straight shots over the miserable stretch.
“Brutal,” Coach Terry Stotts said about the stretch. “It was tough. I felt bad for them.”
Lillard hit a pair of consecutive 3-pointers and a layup in the third quarter, but the Blazers couldn’t make up much ground. The Raptors led 81-61 going into the final period.
Portland went on a 10-5 run to open the fourth and close the gap to 86-71 with 8:55 left. Lillard added a 16-footer to cut the margin to 13.
Portland was coming off a 114-107 win at home over the Suns on Saturday.
TIP INS
Raptors: It was the fourth game of a season-long six game road trip for Toronto. ... The Raptors won both games against the Blazers last season.
Trail Blazers: Portland’s lowest point total for any quarter is five points. ... It was the last of a four-game home stand for the Blazers. ... Meyers Leonard is currently out because of right lateral ankle sprain. ... It was the 76th 30-point game of Lillard’s career.
NOGUERIA’S NIGHT: Lucas Nogueira scored a season-high 17 points for the Raptors, along with nine rebounds. He had five blocked shots
“He’s engaged and he’s into it and we know what he can do,” Lowry said. “He just has to do it consistently. That’s the biggest thing I say to him every night, get out there and be a shot blocker and be dominate on the defensive end.”
QUOTABLE: “The first quarter was really nice and the second quarter was really bad.” --Stotts.
UP NEXT
Toronto plays the Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday.
The Trail Blazers visit the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Warriors blow past Clippers, 141-113, by Curry’s 31 points
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors had looked a tad vulnerable to start the new season.
They had a 4-3 record and blew a 14-point second half lead at home to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
One day later, the team played more like the defending champions, using a stifling defense to blow out the Los Angeles Clippers 141-113. It was Golden State’s 11th consecutive win over Los Angeles.
“That looked like us,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
The Warriors got a terrific all-around game from Curry, who scored 31 points, hit seven of his 11 3-point attempts and added six assists and five rebounds.
The Clippers (4-2) were the last team in the NBA to lose a game, but dropped their second straight despite 19 points from Danilo Gallinari and 17 from Lou Williams.
The last time the Clippers defeated the Warriors was Christmas Day in 2014.
“I don’t think they get enough credit defensively. It’s amazing,” said Clippers coach Doc Rivers. “Whenever we talk about Golden State, we only talk about their offense. And I think their defense is what sets them apart.”
Though the Clippers try to run their offense through Blake Griffin, the power forward was quickly doubled whenever he touched the ball down low and struggled to get his shot off.
He finished with 16 points on four of 10 shooting.
“They came pretty early,” Griffin said. “Some teams wait for the first dribble, some teams wait until you have a foot outside the lane. They doubled pretty early and pretty consistently throughout the game.”
The Warriors had 37 assists on the night to 12 turnovers. They outrebounded Los Angeles 46-35 and outshot them, if only 89-86.
“Our whole thing is, if we get more field goal attempts than our opponent, there’s a chance we’re going to win,” Kerr said. “But we haven’t been doing that. We came in averaging nine fewer attempts.”
In addition to Curry, the Warriors got 19 points and seven rebounds from Kevin Durant, 16 points and nine rebounds from Draymond Green and 15 points and six assists from Klay Thompson.
“Our defensive effort really got us to where we wanted to be,” Curry said. “The coach gave us a challenge before the game to just try and win the possession and field-goal game. Throughout the course of the game, that was the key. We played Warriors basketball and now we have to sustain it.”
TIP-INS
Warriors: Kerr said he supported Green after his forward was fined $25,000 for his part in a skirmish with Bullets guard Bradley Beal on Friday: “He got attacked. I didn’t agree with his punishment but all you can do as a team is accept it.”
Clippers: Had entered game holding opponents to a league-low 92.4 points per game and a 40.4 field goal percentage shooting (second). Rivers said the superb early defense starts with having DeAndre Jordan at center, but new starting guards Patrick Beverley and Austin Rivers have been tough on the perimeter: “Defensively, that combination has been really good.”
WARRIORS DEFENSE
On Monday, however, it was the Golden State defense that dominated. While the Warriors were shooting 58.4 percent from the field, they were holding the Clippers to 45.3 percent.
“Defensively, they had a field day,” Rivers said.
“They got to every loose ball in the first half. They got to every offensive rebound, and every time they got one, they made a three. They’re so unselfish.”
UP NEXT
Warriors: Stay on the road Thursday when the travel to San Antonio to meet the Spurs.
Clippers: Scheduled to host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors had looked a tad vulnerable to start the new season.
They had a 4-3 record and blew a 14-point second half lead at home to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
One day later, the team played more like the defending champions, using a stifling defense to blow out the Los Angeles Clippers 141-113. It was Golden State’s 11th consecutive win over Los Angeles.
“That looked like us,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
The Warriors got a terrific all-around game from Curry, who scored 31 points, hit seven of his 11 3-point attempts and added six assists and five rebounds.
The Clippers (4-2) were the last team in the NBA to lose a game, but dropped their second straight despite 19 points from Danilo Gallinari and 17 from Lou Williams.
The last time the Clippers defeated the Warriors was Christmas Day in 2014.
“I don’t think they get enough credit defensively. It’s amazing,” said Clippers coach Doc Rivers. “Whenever we talk about Golden State, we only talk about their offense. And I think their defense is what sets them apart.”
Though the Clippers try to run their offense through Blake Griffin, the power forward was quickly doubled whenever he touched the ball down low and struggled to get his shot off.
He finished with 16 points on four of 10 shooting.
“They came pretty early,” Griffin said. “Some teams wait for the first dribble, some teams wait until you have a foot outside the lane. They doubled pretty early and pretty consistently throughout the game.”
The Warriors had 37 assists on the night to 12 turnovers. They outrebounded Los Angeles 46-35 and outshot them, if only 89-86.
“Our whole thing is, if we get more field goal attempts than our opponent, there’s a chance we’re going to win,” Kerr said. “But we haven’t been doing that. We came in averaging nine fewer attempts.”
In addition to Curry, the Warriors got 19 points and seven rebounds from Kevin Durant, 16 points and nine rebounds from Draymond Green and 15 points and six assists from Klay Thompson.
“Our defensive effort really got us to where we wanted to be,” Curry said. “The coach gave us a challenge before the game to just try and win the possession and field-goal game. Throughout the course of the game, that was the key. We played Warriors basketball and now we have to sustain it.”
TIP-INS
Warriors: Kerr said he supported Green after his forward was fined $25,000 for his part in a skirmish with Bullets guard Bradley Beal on Friday: “He got attacked. I didn’t agree with his punishment but all you can do as a team is accept it.”
Clippers: Had entered game holding opponents to a league-low 92.4 points per game and a 40.4 field goal percentage shooting (second). Rivers said the superb early defense starts with having DeAndre Jordan at center, but new starting guards Patrick Beverley and Austin Rivers have been tough on the perimeter: “Defensively, that combination has been really good.”
WARRIORS DEFENSE
On Monday, however, it was the Golden State defense that dominated. While the Warriors were shooting 58.4 percent from the field, they were holding the Clippers to 45.3 percent.
“Defensively, they had a field day,” Rivers said.
“They got to every loose ball in the first half. They got to every offensive rebound, and every time they got one, they made a three. They’re so unselfish.”
UP NEXT
Warriors: Stay on the road Thursday when the travel to San Antonio to meet the Spurs.
Clippers: Scheduled to host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Murray, Jokic lead Nuggets to 124-111 win over Nets
By MICHAEL SCOTTO
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — After getting a pep talk from his coach, Jamal Murray came through with a big game for the Denver Nuggets.
Murray scored 26 points, Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and the Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 124-111 on Sunday.
“Before the game this morning (Murray) said, ‘Coach right now I’m a broken arrow,’” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. “I said, ‘No, you’re not. You’re going to be fine. Just stay with it. I believe in you and you have to believe in yourself.’ Tonight, he came out and imposed his will on the game and was fantastic for us.”
Wilson Chandler added 18 points for the Nuggets, who have won two straight games.
Spencer Dinwiddie tied a career-high with 22 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 18 points and Joe Harris tied his season-high with 16 points for the Nets.
The Nuggets went on a 22-4 run to begin the third quarter as Brooklyn missed 10 of its first 11 shots. Chandler carried Denver in the third with 14 points as the Nuggets took a 100-84 lead into the fourth quarter and never looked back.
“I thought that third quarter was phenomenal,” Malone said. “That was by far our best quarter of basketball on both ends of the floor. We outscored them 40-21 and to hold them to only 40 percent for the game was terrific.”
While the third quarter was Denver’s best quarter of the season, it was arguably Brooklyn’s worst of the season.
“It’s just the defensive end, really,” Harris said. “You can’t give up 40 points in one quarter. Obviously they got comfortable, came off with a little more energy than we did and that was the game right there.”
Hollis-Jefferson led Brooklyn with 16 points at the half as the Nets took a 63-60 lead into the locker room. Brooklyn’s 63 points matched a season-high for points in the first half previously done in the season opener against Indiana. Emmanuel Mudiay led Denver with 15 points at the half.
Brooklyn’s 36 first quarter points marked its most in an opening period this season.
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Malone believes his young backcourt will be the key to success this season. “The biggest challenge for us is going to be when you have a 21-year-old backup point guard and a 20-year old starting point guard, there are going to be inconsistencies. Can we try to help them and speed up their maturation as players? Because we have big plans, we want to be a playoff team and when you have two young guards who are going through growing pains at times, it doesn’t make it always easy.” . Juancho Hernangomez (mononucleosis) was out.
Nets: Coach Kenny Atkinson said DeMarre Carroll (right ankle soreness) and Quincy Acy (left groin strain) are day-to-day. Jeremy Lin (right knee) was also out. ... Timofey Mozgov has now made two 3-pointers in seven games, which is more than he totaled the previous two. ... Jacob Wiley made his NBA debut.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Visit New York on Monday. Denver then begins a six-game home stand.
Nets: Host Phoenix on Tuesday. Brooklyn then hits the road for five consecutive games.
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — After getting a pep talk from his coach, Jamal Murray came through with a big game for the Denver Nuggets.
Murray scored 26 points, Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and the Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 124-111 on Sunday.
“Before the game this morning (Murray) said, ‘Coach right now I’m a broken arrow,’” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. “I said, ‘No, you’re not. You’re going to be fine. Just stay with it. I believe in you and you have to believe in yourself.’ Tonight, he came out and imposed his will on the game and was fantastic for us.”
Wilson Chandler added 18 points for the Nuggets, who have won two straight games.
Spencer Dinwiddie tied a career-high with 22 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 18 points and Joe Harris tied his season-high with 16 points for the Nets.
The Nuggets went on a 22-4 run to begin the third quarter as Brooklyn missed 10 of its first 11 shots. Chandler carried Denver in the third with 14 points as the Nuggets took a 100-84 lead into the fourth quarter and never looked back.
“I thought that third quarter was phenomenal,” Malone said. “That was by far our best quarter of basketball on both ends of the floor. We outscored them 40-21 and to hold them to only 40 percent for the game was terrific.”
While the third quarter was Denver’s best quarter of the season, it was arguably Brooklyn’s worst of the season.
“It’s just the defensive end, really,” Harris said. “You can’t give up 40 points in one quarter. Obviously they got comfortable, came off with a little more energy than we did and that was the game right there.”
Hollis-Jefferson led Brooklyn with 16 points at the half as the Nets took a 63-60 lead into the locker room. Brooklyn’s 63 points matched a season-high for points in the first half previously done in the season opener against Indiana. Emmanuel Mudiay led Denver with 15 points at the half.
Brooklyn’s 36 first quarter points marked its most in an opening period this season.
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Malone believes his young backcourt will be the key to success this season. “The biggest challenge for us is going to be when you have a 21-year-old backup point guard and a 20-year old starting point guard, there are going to be inconsistencies. Can we try to help them and speed up their maturation as players? Because we have big plans, we want to be a playoff team and when you have two young guards who are going through growing pains at times, it doesn’t make it always easy.” . Juancho Hernangomez (mononucleosis) was out.
Nets: Coach Kenny Atkinson said DeMarre Carroll (right ankle soreness) and Quincy Acy (left groin strain) are day-to-day. Jeremy Lin (right knee) was also out. ... Timofey Mozgov has now made two 3-pointers in seven games, which is more than he totaled the previous two. ... Jacob Wiley made his NBA debut.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Visit New York on Monday. Denver then begins a six-game home stand.
Nets: Host Phoenix on Tuesday. Brooklyn then hits the road for five consecutive games.
Walker-Howard duo lifts Hornets past Magic, 120-113
By STEVE REED
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — General manager Rich Cho’s decision to pair Kemba Walker with Dwight Howard is off to a rousing start in Charlotte.
The Hornets’ All-Star point guard is meshing extremely well with an eight-time All-Star center looking to jumpstart his NBA career while playing for his third team in three seasons.
Walker had 34 points and 10 assists, Howard had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and the Hornets defeated Orlando 120-113 on Sunday night to snap the Magic’s three-game win streak.
On two occasions, Walker found Howard for an alley-oop dunk — and the pick-and-roll has opened more avenues for Walker to score.
Walker credits the duo’s early success to constant communication with Howard, saying they talk at length after every game and practice. Walker also said they text constantly during off days.
“We are trying to make sure we are on the same page,” Walker said. “I tell him I am going to be learning ways to get him the basketball and just be patient with me. And that is what he has been doing. And he’s opening up so many other aspects of my game. He attracts so much attention and gets other people open.”
The Hornets are 3-3 despite starting the season without injured Nic Batum, the team’s highest-paid player.
Howard likes that he and Walker are cut from the same competitive cloth.
“It’s good that both of the leaders on the team have that chemistry together — and it’s only building,” Howard said.
Orlando entered averaging 118 points per game — second-most in the NBA behind Golden State — and having scored at least 100 in all five games.
Charlotte was just better, though.
The Hornets led by as many as 16 in the second half, but Orlando cut the lead to 95-92 with nine minutes remaining.
That’s when Walker took over, knocking down a 3-pointer and scoring — plus a foul — on a drive past former teammate Bismack Biyombo. Walker then drove into the lane and dished to Marvin Williams for an easy score to push the lead back to nine. Williams finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Walker later scored off a drive and knocked down another 3 to quell another Magic rally.
“We just weren’t physical enough and we didn’t take him out of his rhythm,” Magic guard Terrence Ross said. “He kind of got to his sweet spots and that kind of hurt us and he got going once he got more comfortable.”
The Hornets outrebounded the Magic 59-40.
“The sense of urgency, I don’t think it was there for us this night,” Orlando’s Aaron Gordon said. “Just lackadaisical. We weren’t finding our man, we were letting them get too many second-chance points and that’ll kill you. We just weren’t doing the little stuff.”
Jonathan Simmons led the Magic with 27 points off the bench on 9-of-15 shooting. Evan Fournier added 23 points, while Ross and Gordon each had 17.
TIP-INS
Magic: It was a tough night for point guard D.J. Augustin, held scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting. ... Orlando shot 26.3 percent in the first half from 3-point range. ... Adreian Payne (hand) and Elfrid Payton (hamstring) did not play. ... Orlando shot 42.3 percent from the field.
Hornets: Walker also grabbed six rebounds and became the first Hornets player since Raymond Felton to have at least 30 points, 10 assists and five boards in a game.
IN LIKE A LAMB
Jeremy Lamb had 20 points, marking his sixth straight game with at least 15 while filling in for Batum. “I’m trying to be aggressive and do the things to help my team win,” Lamb said. “I’m playing off the guys and taking my shots.”
BALL MOVEMENT
Magic coach Frank Vogel wasn’t thrilled with his team’s ball movement.
“Our guys were trying,” Vogel said. “They tried to play really fast but you have to get open. Charlotte does a good job of making you work for everything and then you get in the paint and they’re swarming and sprinting out to the perimeter. And they’re a good defensive team.”
STICKING AROUND
After the game, the Hornets announced they exercised their fourth-year option on Frank Kaminsky, who did not play because of an illness.
NEED MORE
Despite the win, Hornets coach Steve Clifford was concerned about the lack of production he’s getting from his bench. “The starters can’t play 30-something minutes every night,” he said.
UP NEXT
Magic: At New Orleans on Monday night.
Hornets: At Memphis on Monday night.
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — General manager Rich Cho’s decision to pair Kemba Walker with Dwight Howard is off to a rousing start in Charlotte.
The Hornets’ All-Star point guard is meshing extremely well with an eight-time All-Star center looking to jumpstart his NBA career while playing for his third team in three seasons.
Walker had 34 points and 10 assists, Howard had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and the Hornets defeated Orlando 120-113 on Sunday night to snap the Magic’s three-game win streak.
On two occasions, Walker found Howard for an alley-oop dunk — and the pick-and-roll has opened more avenues for Walker to score.
Walker credits the duo’s early success to constant communication with Howard, saying they talk at length after every game and practice. Walker also said they text constantly during off days.
“We are trying to make sure we are on the same page,” Walker said. “I tell him I am going to be learning ways to get him the basketball and just be patient with me. And that is what he has been doing. And he’s opening up so many other aspects of my game. He attracts so much attention and gets other people open.”
The Hornets are 3-3 despite starting the season without injured Nic Batum, the team’s highest-paid player.
Howard likes that he and Walker are cut from the same competitive cloth.
“It’s good that both of the leaders on the team have that chemistry together — and it’s only building,” Howard said.
Orlando entered averaging 118 points per game — second-most in the NBA behind Golden State — and having scored at least 100 in all five games.
Charlotte was just better, though.
The Hornets led by as many as 16 in the second half, but Orlando cut the lead to 95-92 with nine minutes remaining.
That’s when Walker took over, knocking down a 3-pointer and scoring — plus a foul — on a drive past former teammate Bismack Biyombo. Walker then drove into the lane and dished to Marvin Williams for an easy score to push the lead back to nine. Williams finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Walker later scored off a drive and knocked down another 3 to quell another Magic rally.
“We just weren’t physical enough and we didn’t take him out of his rhythm,” Magic guard Terrence Ross said. “He kind of got to his sweet spots and that kind of hurt us and he got going once he got more comfortable.”
The Hornets outrebounded the Magic 59-40.
“The sense of urgency, I don’t think it was there for us this night,” Orlando’s Aaron Gordon said. “Just lackadaisical. We weren’t finding our man, we were letting them get too many second-chance points and that’ll kill you. We just weren’t doing the little stuff.”
Jonathan Simmons led the Magic with 27 points off the bench on 9-of-15 shooting. Evan Fournier added 23 points, while Ross and Gordon each had 17.
TIP-INS
Magic: It was a tough night for point guard D.J. Augustin, held scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting. ... Orlando shot 26.3 percent in the first half from 3-point range. ... Adreian Payne (hand) and Elfrid Payton (hamstring) did not play. ... Orlando shot 42.3 percent from the field.
Hornets: Walker also grabbed six rebounds and became the first Hornets player since Raymond Felton to have at least 30 points, 10 assists and five boards in a game.
IN LIKE A LAMB
Jeremy Lamb had 20 points, marking his sixth straight game with at least 15 while filling in for Batum. “I’m trying to be aggressive and do the things to help my team win,” Lamb said. “I’m playing off the guys and taking my shots.”
BALL MOVEMENT
Magic coach Frank Vogel wasn’t thrilled with his team’s ball movement.
“Our guys were trying,” Vogel said. “They tried to play really fast but you have to get open. Charlotte does a good job of making you work for everything and then you get in the paint and they’re swarming and sprinting out to the perimeter. And they’re a good defensive team.”
STICKING AROUND
After the game, the Hornets announced they exercised their fourth-year option on Frank Kaminsky, who did not play because of an illness.
NEED MORE
Despite the win, Hornets coach Steve Clifford was concerned about the lack of production he’s getting from his bench. “The starters can’t play 30-something minutes every night,” he said.
UP NEXT
Magic: At New Orleans on Monday night.
Hornets: At Memphis on Monday night.
Warriors handed second loss at home, fall 115-107 to Pistons
By JANIE McCAULEY
Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry believes the Warriors are close to being their old, dominant selves again, even if so much seems to be going wrong so far.
One night, it’s offensive rebounds surrendered. Another, it’s turnovers. Or, an all-out foul fest.
The defending champions are showing some serious flaws — and coach Steve Kerr is calling out his team to be far more composed.
Curry and Golden State got handed a second home defeat at this early stage of the season, falling 115-107 to the Pistons on Sunday night as Avery Bradley scored 23 points for Detroit.
“It just has to matter enough. Right now it just doesn’t seem to matter. Our guys are lacking in energy and focus and discipline,” Kerr said. “We finally started caring with six minutes left when we were threatened and we immediately cut it to three because we cared. But the right team won, karma was in the right place tonight.”
Tobias Harris hit a 3-pointer with 1:27 remaining that all but sealed it after Kevin Durant fueled a late Warriors rally.
Durant hit consecutive 3-pointers to get Golden State back within 101-94 then dunked the next time down to make it 103-96 with 4:40 to go before finding Thompson for a 3 on the next possession.
Durant’s dunk at 2:12 made it 108-105. Curry had a steal and drive with 1:51 left but couldn’t convert, then missed a 3 as Golden State kept possession. Durant missed from deep the next time down.
The Warriors lost only twice total at Oracle Arena in both their 2015 championship year and again in the 73-win season that followed, then just five times at home on the way to another title last season.
“We’re really close to being ourselves,” Curry said. “For the most part those little things are keeping us from really opening up the gates in games like tonight where we had a pretty comfortable lead in the third quarter.”
Klay Thompson scored 29 points and became the 11th player in franchise history to eclipse 9,000 career points. Durant wound up with 28 points and Curry 27.
Stanley Johnson’s dunk with 6:56 left put the Pistons up 98-88.
“When our intensity and energy rises on defense I think we’re a pretty good team,” Johnson said.
Golden State looked efficient again initially, passing well and making better decisions, but it was sloppy down the stretch. The Warriors shot 57.1 percent with 29 assists and were at a 63.5-percent clip midway through the third quarter before allowing the Pistons back in the game.
Reggie Jackson scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half and Bradley made five 3-pointers for the Pistons, who impressed on the second night of a SoCal-NorCal back-to-back.
Detroit beat the Clippers 95-87 on Saturday to hand Los Angeles its first defeat and leaving no more undefeated NBA teams.
With 11 blocks, Golden State has gone seven straight games with at least seven blocks.
THOMPSON’S PLEDGE
Thompson is donating $69,000 to Northern California fire victims and relief efforts from the devastating wildfires in the North Bay.
He pledged $1,000 through “Points With Purpose” for each point he scored during this three-game homestand.
“I love that he’s doing that on his own,” Kerr said. “It shows how much he cares, it shows how much he’s matured over the years. This was something he came up with. He’s gone for it.”
GREEN FINED
Green was fined $25,000 for his actions in a fight with Washington’s Bradley Beal on Friday night that led to both players being ejected. Beal received a $50,000 fine. Also, Wizards F Kelly Oubre Jr. was fined $15,000 for entering the altercation.
“I’m still watching that video over again trying to figure out what I did wrong,” Green said.
With 19.5 seconds left in the second quarter, Beal held the front of Green’s jersey with his left hand while grabbing Green around the jaw with his right. That enraged Green, and they became entangled with arms around each other. It was Green’s second technical of the game.
“A little confused. I don’t know how you get fined 25 grand for being attacked. It seemed like maybe there’s some prior reputation involved,” Kerr said. “There’s some curious stuff in there. It looked to me like Oubre came out there running into the crowd and caused a lot more. Draymond, he was the one who was attacked in the first place. So it seems like maybe those fines could have been reversed.”
TIP-INS
Pistons: Detroit rallied from 14 down — 68-54 midway through the third — to go ahead by 13 then held off a Warriors flurry. ... The Pistons shot 12 for 27 from 3-point range and made all 17 of their free throws. ... They snapped a seven-game losing streak on Golden State’s home floor.
Warriors: Curry hit a career-best 54 straight free throws dating to his final two last season — 52 in a row to begin this season when he missed a technical shot in the third. “It was a good run,” he said. ... The Warriors had gone two straight games with 17 turnovers before finishing with 25 Sunday.
UP NEXT
Pistons: At the Lakers on Tuesday night.
Warriors: At the Clippers on Monday night in their second back-to-back of the season already.
Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry believes the Warriors are close to being their old, dominant selves again, even if so much seems to be going wrong so far.
One night, it’s offensive rebounds surrendered. Another, it’s turnovers. Or, an all-out foul fest.
The defending champions are showing some serious flaws — and coach Steve Kerr is calling out his team to be far more composed.
Curry and Golden State got handed a second home defeat at this early stage of the season, falling 115-107 to the Pistons on Sunday night as Avery Bradley scored 23 points for Detroit.
“It just has to matter enough. Right now it just doesn’t seem to matter. Our guys are lacking in energy and focus and discipline,” Kerr said. “We finally started caring with six minutes left when we were threatened and we immediately cut it to three because we cared. But the right team won, karma was in the right place tonight.”
Tobias Harris hit a 3-pointer with 1:27 remaining that all but sealed it after Kevin Durant fueled a late Warriors rally.
Durant hit consecutive 3-pointers to get Golden State back within 101-94 then dunked the next time down to make it 103-96 with 4:40 to go before finding Thompson for a 3 on the next possession.
Durant’s dunk at 2:12 made it 108-105. Curry had a steal and drive with 1:51 left but couldn’t convert, then missed a 3 as Golden State kept possession. Durant missed from deep the next time down.
The Warriors lost only twice total at Oracle Arena in both their 2015 championship year and again in the 73-win season that followed, then just five times at home on the way to another title last season.
“We’re really close to being ourselves,” Curry said. “For the most part those little things are keeping us from really opening up the gates in games like tonight where we had a pretty comfortable lead in the third quarter.”
Klay Thompson scored 29 points and became the 11th player in franchise history to eclipse 9,000 career points. Durant wound up with 28 points and Curry 27.
Stanley Johnson’s dunk with 6:56 left put the Pistons up 98-88.
“When our intensity and energy rises on defense I think we’re a pretty good team,” Johnson said.
Golden State looked efficient again initially, passing well and making better decisions, but it was sloppy down the stretch. The Warriors shot 57.1 percent with 29 assists and were at a 63.5-percent clip midway through the third quarter before allowing the Pistons back in the game.
Reggie Jackson scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half and Bradley made five 3-pointers for the Pistons, who impressed on the second night of a SoCal-NorCal back-to-back.
Detroit beat the Clippers 95-87 on Saturday to hand Los Angeles its first defeat and leaving no more undefeated NBA teams.
With 11 blocks, Golden State has gone seven straight games with at least seven blocks.
THOMPSON’S PLEDGE
Thompson is donating $69,000 to Northern California fire victims and relief efforts from the devastating wildfires in the North Bay.
He pledged $1,000 through “Points With Purpose” for each point he scored during this three-game homestand.
“I love that he’s doing that on his own,” Kerr said. “It shows how much he cares, it shows how much he’s matured over the years. This was something he came up with. He’s gone for it.”
GREEN FINED
Green was fined $25,000 for his actions in a fight with Washington’s Bradley Beal on Friday night that led to both players being ejected. Beal received a $50,000 fine. Also, Wizards F Kelly Oubre Jr. was fined $15,000 for entering the altercation.
“I’m still watching that video over again trying to figure out what I did wrong,” Green said.
With 19.5 seconds left in the second quarter, Beal held the front of Green’s jersey with his left hand while grabbing Green around the jaw with his right. That enraged Green, and they became entangled with arms around each other. It was Green’s second technical of the game.
“A little confused. I don’t know how you get fined 25 grand for being attacked. It seemed like maybe there’s some prior reputation involved,” Kerr said. “There’s some curious stuff in there. It looked to me like Oubre came out there running into the crowd and caused a lot more. Draymond, he was the one who was attacked in the first place. So it seems like maybe those fines could have been reversed.”
TIP-INS
Pistons: Detroit rallied from 14 down — 68-54 midway through the third — to go ahead by 13 then held off a Warriors flurry. ... The Pistons shot 12 for 27 from 3-point range and made all 17 of their free throws. ... They snapped a seven-game losing streak on Golden State’s home floor.
Warriors: Curry hit a career-best 54 straight free throws dating to his final two last season — 52 in a row to begin this season when he missed a technical shot in the third. “It was a good run,” he said. ... The Warriors had gone two straight games with 17 turnovers before finishing with 25 Sunday.
UP NEXT
Pistons: At the Lakers on Tuesday night.
Warriors: At the Clippers on Monday night in their second back-to-back of the season already.
Hardaway, Knicks give Cavs 4th loss in 5 games, 114-95
Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — After the Cavaliers’ fourth loss in five games, LeBron James is turning to the calendar for comfort.
“What month is this for me? October? I’m not about to go crazy over it right now. It’s too long of a season. I’ve been a part of this way too many times,” James said after Sunday night’s 114-95 loss to the New York Knicks.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 34 points, Kristaps Porzingis had 32 and the Knicks won for the second time after losing their first three games.
Cleveland, which was blown out by Orlando at home and lost to Brooklyn during this stretch, fell below .500. The Cavaliers were routed 123-101 in New Orleans on Saturday.
“Tonight’s loss and the last couple are unacceptable,” coach Tyronn Lue said.
The Cavaliers are favorites to return to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight season, but their issues continued, particularly on the defensive end.
“Guys are scoring at will against us,” James said. “Our defense is pretty bad right now.”
New York, after winning its first game Friday over the Nets, led 89-71 late in the third quarter. Cleveland cut it to 94-88 on James’ drive, forcing New York to call a timeout with 8:21 left.
Courtney Lee scored on a drive and hit a 3-pointer, helping the Knicks make it 103-88. New York took its largest lead, 114-93, in the final minute.
“We could have folded against a veteran team like that, but we made some big shots and pulled it out,” New York coach Jeff Hornacek said.
New York beat Cleveland for the first time since Oct. 30, 2014 — James’ first game back with the Cavaliers after playing four seasons in Miami — a span that covered 10 games.
“It’s nice to finally beat the Cavs for the first time in my career,” Porzingis said. “Hopefully we can be in the playoffs where that really matters.”
Hardaway came in shooting 27 percent in four games but scored 24 points in the first half. He was 11 of 19 from the field and hit 5 of 10 3-pointers.
“I did a lot more attacking,” Hardaway said. “I took the 3s when they were there. Seeing one go down opens up a lot.”
Kevin Love led the Cavaliers with 22 points while James had 16. Derrick Rose returned after missing four games because of a sprained left ankle and scored 15 points.
Cleveland led 13-10, but Hardaway scored 10 points, including two 3-pointers and a dunk off an alley-oop pass from Jarrett Jack, as New York went on a 14-0 run.
The Cavaliers tied it at 49 late in the second quarter, but the Knicks scored seven straight points and pushed the lead to 62-54 at halftime.
New York took over in the third quarter and built the lead to 17 on several occasions in the period.
BIG DAY REMEMBERED
Sunday marked the anniversary of James’ professional debut in 2003 against Sacramento. He had 25 points with nine assists and six rebounds.
“I played better 14 years ago than I did tonight,” James said.
ALMOST
Hardaway fell two points of his career high, which came on March 3 of last season against the Cavaliers while he played for Atlanta.
ANOTHER CHANGE
Rose’s return meant Lue went with his fifth different starting lineup in the first seven games.
ANOTHER INJURY
Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert didn’t play because of a sore right knee. He had spent time at point guard with Rose sidelined and started Saturday.
TIP-INS
Knicks: Porzingis had 12 rebounds while Enes Kanter had 18 points and 12 rebounds. ... Lee scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds. ... Jack and G Ramon Sessions each spent one full season with Cleveland.
Cavaliers: Cleveland’s loss to Orlando snapped a 17-game winning streak against the Magic. ... Power forward Tristan Thompson had one point, no rebounds and four fouls in 19 minutes. ... Love hit two 3-pointers in the first six minutes, giving him 900 for his career.
UP NEXT
Knicks: Return home to play Denver on Monday night in their first back-to-back set of the season.
Cavaliers: Host Indiana on Wednesday night. Cleveland has won seven straight in the series at home.
CLEVELAND (AP) — After the Cavaliers’ fourth loss in five games, LeBron James is turning to the calendar for comfort.
“What month is this for me? October? I’m not about to go crazy over it right now. It’s too long of a season. I’ve been a part of this way too many times,” James said after Sunday night’s 114-95 loss to the New York Knicks.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 34 points, Kristaps Porzingis had 32 and the Knicks won for the second time after losing their first three games.
Cleveland, which was blown out by Orlando at home and lost to Brooklyn during this stretch, fell below .500. The Cavaliers were routed 123-101 in New Orleans on Saturday.
“Tonight’s loss and the last couple are unacceptable,” coach Tyronn Lue said.
The Cavaliers are favorites to return to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight season, but their issues continued, particularly on the defensive end.
“Guys are scoring at will against us,” James said. “Our defense is pretty bad right now.”
New York, after winning its first game Friday over the Nets, led 89-71 late in the third quarter. Cleveland cut it to 94-88 on James’ drive, forcing New York to call a timeout with 8:21 left.
Courtney Lee scored on a drive and hit a 3-pointer, helping the Knicks make it 103-88. New York took its largest lead, 114-93, in the final minute.
“We could have folded against a veteran team like that, but we made some big shots and pulled it out,” New York coach Jeff Hornacek said.
New York beat Cleveland for the first time since Oct. 30, 2014 — James’ first game back with the Cavaliers after playing four seasons in Miami — a span that covered 10 games.
“It’s nice to finally beat the Cavs for the first time in my career,” Porzingis said. “Hopefully we can be in the playoffs where that really matters.”
Hardaway came in shooting 27 percent in four games but scored 24 points in the first half. He was 11 of 19 from the field and hit 5 of 10 3-pointers.
“I did a lot more attacking,” Hardaway said. “I took the 3s when they were there. Seeing one go down opens up a lot.”
Kevin Love led the Cavaliers with 22 points while James had 16. Derrick Rose returned after missing four games because of a sprained left ankle and scored 15 points.
Cleveland led 13-10, but Hardaway scored 10 points, including two 3-pointers and a dunk off an alley-oop pass from Jarrett Jack, as New York went on a 14-0 run.
The Cavaliers tied it at 49 late in the second quarter, but the Knicks scored seven straight points and pushed the lead to 62-54 at halftime.
New York took over in the third quarter and built the lead to 17 on several occasions in the period.
BIG DAY REMEMBERED
Sunday marked the anniversary of James’ professional debut in 2003 against Sacramento. He had 25 points with nine assists and six rebounds.
“I played better 14 years ago than I did tonight,” James said.
ALMOST
Hardaway fell two points of his career high, which came on March 3 of last season against the Cavaliers while he played for Atlanta.
ANOTHER CHANGE
Rose’s return meant Lue went with his fifth different starting lineup in the first seven games.
ANOTHER INJURY
Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert didn’t play because of a sore right knee. He had spent time at point guard with Rose sidelined and started Saturday.
TIP-INS
Knicks: Porzingis had 12 rebounds while Enes Kanter had 18 points and 12 rebounds. ... Lee scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds. ... Jack and G Ramon Sessions each spent one full season with Cleveland.
Cavaliers: Cleveland’s loss to Orlando snapped a 17-game winning streak against the Magic. ... Power forward Tristan Thompson had one point, no rebounds and four fouls in 19 minutes. ... Love hit two 3-pointers in the first six minutes, giving him 900 for his career.
UP NEXT
Knicks: Return home to play Denver on Monday night in their first back-to-back set of the season.
Cavaliers: Host Indiana on Wednesday night. Cleveland has won seven straight in the series at home.
Wall, Wizards lead early and roll past Kings 110-83
By MICHAEL WAGAMAN
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Two consecutive fourth-quarter meltdowns put the Wizards in a hole on their current road trip. It also set the stage for Washington’s most lopsided win of the season.
A defense that forced 20 turnovers and an offense that set a season high with 17 3-pointers helped, too.
John Wall scored 11 of his 19 points in the first quarter and had nine assists, Otto Porter Jr. had 16 points and the Wizards beat the Sacramento Kings 110-83 on Sunday.
“It was probably the best that we’ve played on both ends of the court,” Washington coach Scott Brooks said. “Hopefully we can continue that trend.”
The 27-point victory kept the Wizards out of the record books. Washington’s first five games were decided by five points or fewer; no team had ever opened the season with six.
Wall made it a moot point early by making his first four shots, including three 3-pointers, as Washington jumped to a 13-0 lead that was never threatened.
“I haven’t been shooting the ball well so far this season,” Wall said. “If I make shots, teams are willing to live with that instead of letting me get into the paint and get to the basket. If I’m able to knock down shots on a consistent basis it makes our team a lot better and it makes us tougher to guard.”
Bradley Beal added 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting for Washington after being fined $50,000 by the NBA earlier in the day for his role in a fight with Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors on Friday.
The Wizards were up 63-32 at halftime, had a 36-point advantage early in the third quarter and prevented the Kings from getting closer than 27 the rest of the way.
Mike Scott added 13 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. had nine points and seven rebounds to help Washington snap a two-game losing streak.
Beal was surprised to be playing at all. The veteran guard expected to be suspended after the fight with Green late in the first half of Friday’s 120-117 loss to the Warriors. Beal and Green received technical fouls and were ejected from the game.
“I was really happy I wasn’t suspended,” Beal said. “I knew I was going to get fined one way or the other. It is what it is. Now I can put this behind me.”
While Beal played, Washington was without forward Markieff Morris and guard Carrick Felix. Both received one-game suspensions for coming off the bench during the fight.
Not that it mattered.
The Kings shot 27.9 percent in the first half and trailed by double digits for the final 43 minutes.
“Once they got on us, our young guys got a little frantic and then the wheels kind of came off,” Kings coach Dave Joerger said.
Brian Bogdanovic scored 15 while Kosta Koufos added seven points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento.
ALL THOSE 3s
Of the 85 shots attempted by Washington, 34 came from beyond the arc. That accounted for 40 percent of the Wizards’ shooting. The 17 made 3-pointers were one shy of the franchise record. “We were aggressive off the dribble and they did a good job of closing in their defense,” Beal said. “Then we take full advantage of making the extra pass and getting guys shots.”
TIP-INS
Wizards: Washington’s 35 points in the opening 12 minutes were their most in any quarter this season. ... The day off probably benefited Morris, who is still on the mend from sports hernia surgery. The Wizards’ bench combined for 45 points.
Kings: Sacramento missed its first nine shots and 13 of 16 to begin the game. ... Zach Randolph and George Hill were given the day off by Joerger.
UP NEXT
Wizards: Host Phoenix on Wednesday night.
Kings: Travel to play the Pacers on Tuesday night. Sacramento hasn’t won in Indiana since Dec. 23, 2015.
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Two consecutive fourth-quarter meltdowns put the Wizards in a hole on their current road trip. It also set the stage for Washington’s most lopsided win of the season.
A defense that forced 20 turnovers and an offense that set a season high with 17 3-pointers helped, too.
John Wall scored 11 of his 19 points in the first quarter and had nine assists, Otto Porter Jr. had 16 points and the Wizards beat the Sacramento Kings 110-83 on Sunday.
“It was probably the best that we’ve played on both ends of the court,” Washington coach Scott Brooks said. “Hopefully we can continue that trend.”
The 27-point victory kept the Wizards out of the record books. Washington’s first five games were decided by five points or fewer; no team had ever opened the season with six.
Wall made it a moot point early by making his first four shots, including three 3-pointers, as Washington jumped to a 13-0 lead that was never threatened.
“I haven’t been shooting the ball well so far this season,” Wall said. “If I make shots, teams are willing to live with that instead of letting me get into the paint and get to the basket. If I’m able to knock down shots on a consistent basis it makes our team a lot better and it makes us tougher to guard.”
Bradley Beal added 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting for Washington after being fined $50,000 by the NBA earlier in the day for his role in a fight with Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors on Friday.
The Wizards were up 63-32 at halftime, had a 36-point advantage early in the third quarter and prevented the Kings from getting closer than 27 the rest of the way.
Mike Scott added 13 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. had nine points and seven rebounds to help Washington snap a two-game losing streak.
Beal was surprised to be playing at all. The veteran guard expected to be suspended after the fight with Green late in the first half of Friday’s 120-117 loss to the Warriors. Beal and Green received technical fouls and were ejected from the game.
“I was really happy I wasn’t suspended,” Beal said. “I knew I was going to get fined one way or the other. It is what it is. Now I can put this behind me.”
While Beal played, Washington was without forward Markieff Morris and guard Carrick Felix. Both received one-game suspensions for coming off the bench during the fight.
Not that it mattered.
The Kings shot 27.9 percent in the first half and trailed by double digits for the final 43 minutes.
“Once they got on us, our young guys got a little frantic and then the wheels kind of came off,” Kings coach Dave Joerger said.
Brian Bogdanovic scored 15 while Kosta Koufos added seven points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento.
ALL THOSE 3s
Of the 85 shots attempted by Washington, 34 came from beyond the arc. That accounted for 40 percent of the Wizards’ shooting. The 17 made 3-pointers were one shy of the franchise record. “We were aggressive off the dribble and they did a good job of closing in their defense,” Beal said. “Then we take full advantage of making the extra pass and getting guys shots.”
TIP-INS
Wizards: Washington’s 35 points in the opening 12 minutes were their most in any quarter this season. ... The day off probably benefited Morris, who is still on the mend from sports hernia surgery. The Wizards’ bench combined for 45 points.
Kings: Sacramento missed its first nine shots and 13 of 16 to begin the game. ... Zach Randolph and George Hill were given the day off by Joerger.
UP NEXT
Wizards: Host Phoenix on Wednesday night.
Kings: Travel to play the Pacers on Tuesday night. Sacramento hasn’t won in Indiana since Dec. 23, 2015.
Oladipo’s late 3 gives Pacers rare 97-94 win over Spurs
By MICHAEL MAROT
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Oladipo took a big step toward stamping Indianapolis as his town Sunday.
All it took was one clutch shot.
The Pacers’ new starting guard knocked down a step-back 3-pointer with 10 seconds left to complete a late rally and give Indiana a rare 97-94 victory over San Antonio.
“It was a little deep, a little too deep,” he said. “Honestly, I didn’t really want to shoot it that far but the move felt good and I just made my follow through. I like shooting at the end of the game. That’s stuff you dream about.”
In Indiana, game-winners have been hard to find lately.
Four-time All-Star Paul George had 15 go-ahead shots in the final 20 seconds of games during his career with the Pacers — and missed all 15.
Oladipo had no trouble making the first with his new team.
In fact, the two guys Indiana acquired from Oklahoma City in last summer’s widely-panned deal for George, became the catalysts in only the Pacers’ third win over the Spurs since 2007.
Oladipo finished with 23 points and five assists and led the Pacers in scoring for the sixth time in six games. Domantas Sabonis added 22 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs, while going 9 of 9 from the field.
It wasn’t by happenstance.
“We try to come in every night and prove that we’re not just those players who were in the Paul George trade and that we actually mean something,” Sabonis said after again replacing the injured Myles Turner in the starting lineup.
They helped offset LaMarcus Aldridge, who finished with 26 points and eight rebounds, and Pau Gasol, who had 17 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and five assists.
San Antonio’s second straight loss will force coach Gregg Popovich to wait at least one more day to tie Phil Jackson for No. 6 on the NBA’s career victory list, too.
But when the Spurs opened the fourth quarter on an 18-5 run to take an 82-73 lead with 6:44 left, it looked like the Spurs might run away.
Instead Sabonis and Oladipo spurred a 16-3 spurt that gave Indiana an 89-85 lead with 3:06 left and a couple of possessions later, Oladipo broke an 89-89 tie with a three-point play.
Danny Green answered with five straight to give the Spurs a 94-92 lead, but Oladipo hit the long jumper to put Indiana ahead for good.
“It was well-contested,” Popovich said. “He was deep and he was off balance. But give him credit, he knocked it down. It was well-contested and it doesn’t bother me at all.”
Aldridge’s 19-footer with 5 seconds left bounced off the rim, Cory Joseph grabbed the rebound and drew a foul and made two free throws.
Patty Mills’ 3 from the corner at the buzzer was way off the mark.
TIP-INS
Spurs: Shot 40 percent after making a season low 33.7 percent Friday at Orlando. ... Aldridge has led San Antonio in scoring in all six games this season. ... Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker continue to miss games with quad injuries. ... Manu Ginobili was 0 for 6 from the field and 0 for 2 on 3s and had three points.
Pacers: Turner missed his fifth consecutive game with a concussion. It’s not clear when he’ll return. ... Indiana and San Antonio each finished with 44 rebounds. ... Sabonis has had 11 or more rebounds in four straight games.
HALL OF FAME TRIBUTE
The Indiana Pacers honored their newest Hall of Fame member, George McGinnis, at halftime.
“To have three guys, three players from the same team and a coach in the Hall of Fame, I think that tells you how good our team was,” McGinnis said.
He was referring to former teammates Mel Daniels and Roger Brown, both of whom have died, and coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard, who is the team’s color analyst on radio broadcasts.
BACK HOME AGAIN
Popovich seems to enjoy reliving his past when he gets back to Indiana.
The longtime Spurs coach played high school basketball in Merrillville, Indiana, which is located in the northwest corner of the state. Before the game, Popovich was shown a photo from his prep days and was asked about his career.
“They should have made me a high school All-American,” he said with a laugh. “They screwed me. I was a 6-foot-2 center, come on.”
UP NEXT
Spurs: Visit the Celtics on Monday, looking for their 11th straight win in the series and seventh straight in Boston.
Pacers: Will seek a straight win in the Sacramento series Tuesday at home.
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Oladipo took a big step toward stamping Indianapolis as his town Sunday.
All it took was one clutch shot.
The Pacers’ new starting guard knocked down a step-back 3-pointer with 10 seconds left to complete a late rally and give Indiana a rare 97-94 victory over San Antonio.
“It was a little deep, a little too deep,” he said. “Honestly, I didn’t really want to shoot it that far but the move felt good and I just made my follow through. I like shooting at the end of the game. That’s stuff you dream about.”
In Indiana, game-winners have been hard to find lately.
Four-time All-Star Paul George had 15 go-ahead shots in the final 20 seconds of games during his career with the Pacers — and missed all 15.
Oladipo had no trouble making the first with his new team.
In fact, the two guys Indiana acquired from Oklahoma City in last summer’s widely-panned deal for George, became the catalysts in only the Pacers’ third win over the Spurs since 2007.
Oladipo finished with 23 points and five assists and led the Pacers in scoring for the sixth time in six games. Domantas Sabonis added 22 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs, while going 9 of 9 from the field.
It wasn’t by happenstance.
“We try to come in every night and prove that we’re not just those players who were in the Paul George trade and that we actually mean something,” Sabonis said after again replacing the injured Myles Turner in the starting lineup.
They helped offset LaMarcus Aldridge, who finished with 26 points and eight rebounds, and Pau Gasol, who had 17 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and five assists.
San Antonio’s second straight loss will force coach Gregg Popovich to wait at least one more day to tie Phil Jackson for No. 6 on the NBA’s career victory list, too.
But when the Spurs opened the fourth quarter on an 18-5 run to take an 82-73 lead with 6:44 left, it looked like the Spurs might run away.
Instead Sabonis and Oladipo spurred a 16-3 spurt that gave Indiana an 89-85 lead with 3:06 left and a couple of possessions later, Oladipo broke an 89-89 tie with a three-point play.
Danny Green answered with five straight to give the Spurs a 94-92 lead, but Oladipo hit the long jumper to put Indiana ahead for good.
“It was well-contested,” Popovich said. “He was deep and he was off balance. But give him credit, he knocked it down. It was well-contested and it doesn’t bother me at all.”
Aldridge’s 19-footer with 5 seconds left bounced off the rim, Cory Joseph grabbed the rebound and drew a foul and made two free throws.
Patty Mills’ 3 from the corner at the buzzer was way off the mark.
TIP-INS
Spurs: Shot 40 percent after making a season low 33.7 percent Friday at Orlando. ... Aldridge has led San Antonio in scoring in all six games this season. ... Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker continue to miss games with quad injuries. ... Manu Ginobili was 0 for 6 from the field and 0 for 2 on 3s and had three points.
Pacers: Turner missed his fifth consecutive game with a concussion. It’s not clear when he’ll return. ... Indiana and San Antonio each finished with 44 rebounds. ... Sabonis has had 11 or more rebounds in four straight games.
HALL OF FAME TRIBUTE
The Indiana Pacers honored their newest Hall of Fame member, George McGinnis, at halftime.
“To have three guys, three players from the same team and a coach in the Hall of Fame, I think that tells you how good our team was,” McGinnis said.
He was referring to former teammates Mel Daniels and Roger Brown, both of whom have died, and coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard, who is the team’s color analyst on radio broadcasts.
BACK HOME AGAIN
Popovich seems to enjoy reliving his past when he gets back to Indiana.
The longtime Spurs coach played high school basketball in Merrillville, Indiana, which is located in the northwest corner of the state. Before the game, Popovich was shown a photo from his prep days and was asked about his career.
“They should have made me a high school All-American,” he said with a laugh. “They screwed me. I was a 6-foot-2 center, come on.”
UP NEXT
Spurs: Visit the Celtics on Monday, looking for their 11th straight win in the series and seventh straight in Boston.
Pacers: Will seek a straight win in the Sacramento series Tuesday at home.
Cavaliers’ Rose returns after missing 4 games
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose will play against the New York Knicks on Sunday after missing four games because of a sprained left ankle.
Rose hasn’t played since the second game of the season on Oct. 20. The Cavaliers have lost three of the four games he’s missed.
Injuries to Rose and Dwyane Wade, who missed one game with a bruised left knee, has forced coach Tyronn Lue to juggle his starting lineup. Sunday’s game will mark Cleveland’s fifth different lineup in the first seven games.
Rose played with the Knicks last season, averaging 18.0 points and 4.4 assists in 64 games. He signed a one-year contract with Cleveland in July and became the team’s starter when Kyrie Irving was traded to Boston.
Rose was named the league’s MVP in 2011 while with the Chicago Bulls, but has battled injuries since.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Harris scores 34, Pistons rout Timberwolves 122-101
By DAVE HOGG
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy has been waiting for his team to start playing better in transition.
Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit did everything he wanted and more.
The Pistons outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves 24-0 in fast-break points on their way to an easy 122-101 victory.
“Counting the playoffs, I’ve coached something like 900 games in this league, so I can’t remember all of them,” he said. “I might have seen a disparity like that before, but it is certainly rare.”
The Pistons forced 14 turnovers, matching their season-low, but took advantage of the lethargic Timberwolves off missed shots. Andre Drummond had 15 rebounds for the Pistons, who pulled down 83 percent of Minnesota’s misses.
“We’re getting better defensively, Andre makes us a great rebounding team and our point guards are moving the ball,” Van Gundy said. “We want to run, and those are the things that made it possible.”
Tobias Harris matched a career high with 34 points, and Detroit had six players score in double figures. Ish Smith had 13 of Detroit’s season-high 32 assists.
“Playing team basketball and getting into transition are really important for us,” said Avery Bradley, who scored 20 points. “We were able to get stops and get out for easy baskets tonight.”
Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, while Andrew Wiggins added 21. The Timberwolves lost for the second time in two nights.
“Things change very quickly in this league,” Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You can be going good, but if you don’t come with an edge every night, you’re going to get knocked on your butt.”
The Pistons trailed by 21 in the first half of their last two games and allowed Minnesota to score the first nine points Wednesday. This time, they stayed in the game and took the lead early in the second quarter.
Van Gundy started to talk about the poor start, but shook his head.
“We just played 45 minutes of outstanding basketball,” he said. “I’m not going to worry about the first three.”
Detroit led 63-44 at halftime after a 40-point second quarter. Harris had 16 points in the half, while Drummond had 10 rebounds.
Minnesota committed six fouls in the first three minutes of the third, allowing the Pistons to stay in control from the free-throw line.
“We need to understand that every player in the league is here for a reason, and every team can beat you,” Taj Gibson said. “I think after we beat Oklahoma City on Sunday, we relaxed a little. We have to be better than that.”
Detroit led 91-73 at the end of the quarter and wasn’t challenged in a sloppy final 12 minutes.
TIP INS
Timberwolves: Jimmy Butler missed his second straight game with an upper respiratory infection. ... The Timberwolves have lost five in a row to Detroit.
Pistons: Drummond grabbed his 5,000th career rebound in the first quarter, making him the sixth Pistons player to reach that total. ... Stanley Johnson’s first-quarter layup was his first made field goal at Little Caesars Arena after a 0-for-15 start.
HARRIS’ HOT STREAK
Harris has four career games with more than 30 points, with two of them coming in Detroit’s last three games. He’s averaging 23.2 points in five games this season, well above his career best of 17.1 for the 2014-15 Orlando Magic.
“Tobias was 6-of-9 on 3s tonight, and he obviously isn’t going to do that every night,” Van Gundy said. “But if he’s getting good looks, we want him to take the shot and we’ll live with the results.”
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Host Oklahoma City on Friday night.
Pistons: Visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night to start a three-game West Coast trip.
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy has been waiting for his team to start playing better in transition.
Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit did everything he wanted and more.
The Pistons outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves 24-0 in fast-break points on their way to an easy 122-101 victory.
“Counting the playoffs, I’ve coached something like 900 games in this league, so I can’t remember all of them,” he said. “I might have seen a disparity like that before, but it is certainly rare.”
The Pistons forced 14 turnovers, matching their season-low, but took advantage of the lethargic Timberwolves off missed shots. Andre Drummond had 15 rebounds for the Pistons, who pulled down 83 percent of Minnesota’s misses.
“We’re getting better defensively, Andre makes us a great rebounding team and our point guards are moving the ball,” Van Gundy said. “We want to run, and those are the things that made it possible.”
Tobias Harris matched a career high with 34 points, and Detroit had six players score in double figures. Ish Smith had 13 of Detroit’s season-high 32 assists.
“Playing team basketball and getting into transition are really important for us,” said Avery Bradley, who scored 20 points. “We were able to get stops and get out for easy baskets tonight.”
Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, while Andrew Wiggins added 21. The Timberwolves lost for the second time in two nights.
“Things change very quickly in this league,” Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You can be going good, but if you don’t come with an edge every night, you’re going to get knocked on your butt.”
The Pistons trailed by 21 in the first half of their last two games and allowed Minnesota to score the first nine points Wednesday. This time, they stayed in the game and took the lead early in the second quarter.
Van Gundy started to talk about the poor start, but shook his head.
“We just played 45 minutes of outstanding basketball,” he said. “I’m not going to worry about the first three.”
Detroit led 63-44 at halftime after a 40-point second quarter. Harris had 16 points in the half, while Drummond had 10 rebounds.
Minnesota committed six fouls in the first three minutes of the third, allowing the Pistons to stay in control from the free-throw line.
“We need to understand that every player in the league is here for a reason, and every team can beat you,” Taj Gibson said. “I think after we beat Oklahoma City on Sunday, we relaxed a little. We have to be better than that.”
Detroit led 91-73 at the end of the quarter and wasn’t challenged in a sloppy final 12 minutes.
TIP INS
Timberwolves: Jimmy Butler missed his second straight game with an upper respiratory infection. ... The Timberwolves have lost five in a row to Detroit.
Pistons: Drummond grabbed his 5,000th career rebound in the first quarter, making him the sixth Pistons player to reach that total. ... Stanley Johnson’s first-quarter layup was his first made field goal at Little Caesars Arena after a 0-for-15 start.
HARRIS’ HOT STREAK
Harris has four career games with more than 30 points, with two of them coming in Detroit’s last three games. He’s averaging 23.2 points in five games this season, well above his career best of 17.1 for the 2014-15 Orlando Magic.
“Tobias was 6-of-9 on 3s tonight, and he obviously isn’t going to do that every night,” Van Gundy said. “But if he’s getting good looks, we want him to take the shot and we’ll live with the results.”
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Host Oklahoma City on Friday night.
Pistons: Visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night to start a three-game West Coast trip.
Eric Gordon hits 3 at the buzzer to lift Rockets past 76ers
By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson kept an eye on the TV in the Houston locker room, which was appropriately showing the World Series.
“Justin Verlander is a neighbor of mine,” Anderson said. “He’s obviously a clutch guy. The city is lucky to have him.”
The Rockets’ own Mr. October was pretty clutch in the NBA’s version of the bottom of the ninth.
Gordon pumped-faked a lunging Joel Embiid, took one dribble, and then buried a 3 at the horn over an outstretched Embiid that completed a furious rally and lifted the Rockets to a 105-104 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
“You’ve got to be prepared to try and knock down shots like that,” Gordon said. “You miss it, you miss it.”
He didn’t miss.
Gordon’s winner from the corner gave Houston its only lead over the final 18 minutes and shook a 76ers team that made a series of bad plays and bad decisions down the stretch.
Embiid, who scored 21 points, did not shoot over the final 3:44. He was whistled for a goaltending that cut Houston’s gap to three, and the Sixers’ attempt to run down the clock backfired when Jerryd Bayless — and not Embiid or Ben Simmons — missed a shot with the game in the balance.
“I think that we let one slip. Some of it was luck,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said.
The Rockets scored the final nine points and Gordon hit three 3s in the fourth. If luck was Brown’s code word for bad D, he nailed it.
Gordon scored 29 points, James Harden had 27 and Clint Capela had 16 points and 20 rebounds.
J.J. Redick scored 22 points, and Robert Covington had 20 for the Sixers.
“It’s a learning experience,” Embiid said. “We’re going to need that in the future. We’re young. That’s not an excuse, but we can all get better.”
Embiid, the 7-foot center out of Cameroon, again had the Sixers playing like a playoff team and not pushovers when he’s healthy and energized. His 3 off the glass from the top of the arc in the fourth gave the Sixers a nine-point lead. Embiid pointed toward the sky as he ran back on defense and his bucket about blew the roof off an arena packed with fans who have had little reason to cheer the last five years.
Harden and Gordon hit 3s that stunned the Sixers and cut the gap to three, starting a rally that lasted down to the final bucket.
Both teams played without key cogs to their offense: Chris Paul was out again for the Rockets because of an injured left knee, and Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 draft, missed the game with a sore right shoulder. Fultz will miss the next two games and will be evaluated next week.
The Sixers drew another big crowd — 20,682 — as fans have bought into “The Process,” and big plays had fans going wild. They were given souvenir signs that had a picture of Simmons, Embiid and Fultz, the trio expected to soon carry the Sixers into the playoffs.
Embiid, who sat out the second quarter, waved his arms and exhorted the crowd to get louder on a “Trust the Process” chant, and then hit a free throw for a 72-69 lead. He egged on the crowd on a “Ref, you suck” chant and soaked in the calls for “MVP! MVP!”
Simmons and Embiid have been a fantastic 1-2 punch and helped the Sixers win at Detroit on Monday night. Simmons, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft, struggled for most of Tuesday’s game until he connected on a rim-rattling dunk off the break that kept the Sixers’ lead at five.
It just wasn’t enough.
“For us to be a good team, we have to win in games like this,” Gordon said.
TIP-INS
Rockets: G Trevor Ariza will miss the three-game trip with a sprained left foot. He will be evaluated next week when the Rockets return home. ... C Nene sat out with a sore left Achilles.
76ers: Team president Bryan Colangelo said there had been “no medical reason” not to play Fultz this season and the shoulder had no structural damage. ... Fultz is shooting 33 percent, 50 percent from the free-throw line and has not attempted a 3-point shot all season, all as a reserve.
PAUL OUT
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said the offense remains “uneven” without Paul, who is week-to-week with his knee injury.
NUMBERS GAME
Houston and the 76ers each hit 12 3s. But the Rockets made 21 of 24 from the free-throw line while the Sixers were just 6 of 10.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Friday at Charlotte.
76ers: Saturday at Dallas.
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson kept an eye on the TV in the Houston locker room, which was appropriately showing the World Series.
“Justin Verlander is a neighbor of mine,” Anderson said. “He’s obviously a clutch guy. The city is lucky to have him.”
The Rockets’ own Mr. October was pretty clutch in the NBA’s version of the bottom of the ninth.
Gordon pumped-faked a lunging Joel Embiid, took one dribble, and then buried a 3 at the horn over an outstretched Embiid that completed a furious rally and lifted the Rockets to a 105-104 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
“You’ve got to be prepared to try and knock down shots like that,” Gordon said. “You miss it, you miss it.”
He didn’t miss.
Gordon’s winner from the corner gave Houston its only lead over the final 18 minutes and shook a 76ers team that made a series of bad plays and bad decisions down the stretch.
Embiid, who scored 21 points, did not shoot over the final 3:44. He was whistled for a goaltending that cut Houston’s gap to three, and the Sixers’ attempt to run down the clock backfired when Jerryd Bayless — and not Embiid or Ben Simmons — missed a shot with the game in the balance.
“I think that we let one slip. Some of it was luck,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said.
The Rockets scored the final nine points and Gordon hit three 3s in the fourth. If luck was Brown’s code word for bad D, he nailed it.
Gordon scored 29 points, James Harden had 27 and Clint Capela had 16 points and 20 rebounds.
J.J. Redick scored 22 points, and Robert Covington had 20 for the Sixers.
“It’s a learning experience,” Embiid said. “We’re going to need that in the future. We’re young. That’s not an excuse, but we can all get better.”
Embiid, the 7-foot center out of Cameroon, again had the Sixers playing like a playoff team and not pushovers when he’s healthy and energized. His 3 off the glass from the top of the arc in the fourth gave the Sixers a nine-point lead. Embiid pointed toward the sky as he ran back on defense and his bucket about blew the roof off an arena packed with fans who have had little reason to cheer the last five years.
Harden and Gordon hit 3s that stunned the Sixers and cut the gap to three, starting a rally that lasted down to the final bucket.
Both teams played without key cogs to their offense: Chris Paul was out again for the Rockets because of an injured left knee, and Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 draft, missed the game with a sore right shoulder. Fultz will miss the next two games and will be evaluated next week.
The Sixers drew another big crowd — 20,682 — as fans have bought into “The Process,” and big plays had fans going wild. They were given souvenir signs that had a picture of Simmons, Embiid and Fultz, the trio expected to soon carry the Sixers into the playoffs.
Embiid, who sat out the second quarter, waved his arms and exhorted the crowd to get louder on a “Trust the Process” chant, and then hit a free throw for a 72-69 lead. He egged on the crowd on a “Ref, you suck” chant and soaked in the calls for “MVP! MVP!”
Simmons and Embiid have been a fantastic 1-2 punch and helped the Sixers win at Detroit on Monday night. Simmons, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft, struggled for most of Tuesday’s game until he connected on a rim-rattling dunk off the break that kept the Sixers’ lead at five.
It just wasn’t enough.
“For us to be a good team, we have to win in games like this,” Gordon said.
TIP-INS
Rockets: G Trevor Ariza will miss the three-game trip with a sprained left foot. He will be evaluated next week when the Rockets return home. ... C Nene sat out with a sore left Achilles.
76ers: Team president Bryan Colangelo said there had been “no medical reason” not to play Fultz this season and the shoulder had no structural damage. ... Fultz is shooting 33 percent, 50 percent from the free-throw line and has not attempted a 3-point shot all season, all as a reserve.
PAUL OUT
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said the offense remains “uneven” without Paul, who is week-to-week with his knee injury.
NUMBERS GAME
Houston and the 76ers each hit 12 3s. But the Rockets made 21 of 24 from the free-throw line while the Sixers were just 6 of 10.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Friday at Charlotte.
76ers: Saturday at Dallas.
Kaminsky scores 20 off bench, Hornets rout Nuggets 110-93
By JUSTIN PARKER
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Marvin Williams often guards Frank Kaminsky in practice, so Williams wasn’t surprised when his Charlotte Hornets teammate scored 20 points off the bench Wednesday night against Denver.
But what impresses Williams even more is Kaminsky’s improvement on defense and in playing the pro game.
“Frank’s a smart, smart guy,” he said.
Kaminsky’s infusion of offense was critical in a decisive and dominant second quarter as the Hornets built a 25-point lead and cruised to a 110-93 victory over the Nuggets.
Kaminsky showed his versatility by scoring in multiple ways. He had 14 points at halftime, hitting two 3-pointers and also scoring on a series of mid-range jumpers and back-to-the-basket moves.
Williams said it’s obvious Kaminsky benefited from being healthy throughout the offseason for the first time as a pro.
“It’s a very big difference if you don’t spend three or four months out of the summer time trying to rehab your body to play this season as opposed to getting your body stronger, getting in great shape and being able to work on your game,” Williams said. “I feel like for him this summer, he was able to do those things.”
Meanwhile, Dwight Howard was again dominant in the paint and on the glass for the Hornets. He scored 15 points and pulled down 19 boards, his third double-double in four games.
Kemba Walker added 19 points and five assists for Charlotte. Malik Monk scored 12 of his 17 in the first half, and Jeremy Lamb finished with 16 points.
“Obviously, that was the most balanced and well-rounded game we’ve played so far,” coach Steve Clifford said. “We had better readiness to start.”
Nikola Jokic had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Nuggets, who lost their second straight. Gary Harris also scored 18, and Jamal Murray had 16. Mason Plumlee grabbed 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
Denver shot 7 of 30 from the field in the second quarter as the Hornets built a 62-39 halftime lead. Nuggets coach Michael Malone was not happy with the effort he saw.
“My message is simple,” he said. “I’m going to start our group and if I see guys that don’t want to play or compete, I’m going to put guys out there that are going to play hard and compete and at least give us a chance. If you’re going to go down, at least go down fighting. That’s my nature and I want that to be my team’s nature.”
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Juancho Hernangomez (illness), Tyler Lydon (G league assignment) and two-way players Monte Morris and Torrey Craig were inactive.
Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made his season debut after missing the first three games for personal reasons. He started and played 10:37, scoring two points on 1-of-6 shooting. ... Charlotte was without Nicolas Batum (sprained left elbow), Michael Carter-Williams (knee soreness) and Julyan Stone (strained left hamstring). ... Treveon Graham left in the first half with a bruised right quadriceps but returned to play 11 minutes after halftime. ... Howard picked up two fouls in the first 4:33.
HOWARD CONNECTS
One game after missing all nine free throw attempts at Milwaukee, Howard shot 7 of 11 at the line. He also became the first Charlotte player since Emeka Okafor in 2007 with four consecutive 15-rebound games. Howard had seven rebounds, including three offensive boards, in the first quarter despite being limited by two early fouls.
COLLEGE COACHES COME TO VISIT
Two prominent college coaches were seated courtside. Kentucky’s John Calipari and North Carolina’s Roy Williams were on hand to watch former players. Calipari was checking in on four former Wildcats: Kidd-Gilchrist, Monk, and Denver’s Jamal Murray and Trey Lyles. Marvin Williams and Hornets teammate Marcus Paige played for Williams at North Carolina. Calipari and Williams greeted one another with a hug and brief conversation just before tipoff. Roy Williams received a warmer welcome when shown on the video board.
WALKER FOR 3
Walker hit two 3-pointers to give him 800 for his career, which ranks second in franchise history behind Dell Curry’s 929. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point, so it’s an honor,” Walker said.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Visit the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Hornets: Host the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Marvin Williams often guards Frank Kaminsky in practice, so Williams wasn’t surprised when his Charlotte Hornets teammate scored 20 points off the bench Wednesday night against Denver.
But what impresses Williams even more is Kaminsky’s improvement on defense and in playing the pro game.
“Frank’s a smart, smart guy,” he said.
Kaminsky’s infusion of offense was critical in a decisive and dominant second quarter as the Hornets built a 25-point lead and cruised to a 110-93 victory over the Nuggets.
Kaminsky showed his versatility by scoring in multiple ways. He had 14 points at halftime, hitting two 3-pointers and also scoring on a series of mid-range jumpers and back-to-the-basket moves.
Williams said it’s obvious Kaminsky benefited from being healthy throughout the offseason for the first time as a pro.
“It’s a very big difference if you don’t spend three or four months out of the summer time trying to rehab your body to play this season as opposed to getting your body stronger, getting in great shape and being able to work on your game,” Williams said. “I feel like for him this summer, he was able to do those things.”
Meanwhile, Dwight Howard was again dominant in the paint and on the glass for the Hornets. He scored 15 points and pulled down 19 boards, his third double-double in four games.
Kemba Walker added 19 points and five assists for Charlotte. Malik Monk scored 12 of his 17 in the first half, and Jeremy Lamb finished with 16 points.
“Obviously, that was the most balanced and well-rounded game we’ve played so far,” coach Steve Clifford said. “We had better readiness to start.”
Nikola Jokic had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Nuggets, who lost their second straight. Gary Harris also scored 18, and Jamal Murray had 16. Mason Plumlee grabbed 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
Denver shot 7 of 30 from the field in the second quarter as the Hornets built a 62-39 halftime lead. Nuggets coach Michael Malone was not happy with the effort he saw.
“My message is simple,” he said. “I’m going to start our group and if I see guys that don’t want to play or compete, I’m going to put guys out there that are going to play hard and compete and at least give us a chance. If you’re going to go down, at least go down fighting. That’s my nature and I want that to be my team’s nature.”
TIP-INS
Nuggets: Juancho Hernangomez (illness), Tyler Lydon (G league assignment) and two-way players Monte Morris and Torrey Craig were inactive.
Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made his season debut after missing the first three games for personal reasons. He started and played 10:37, scoring two points on 1-of-6 shooting. ... Charlotte was without Nicolas Batum (sprained left elbow), Michael Carter-Williams (knee soreness) and Julyan Stone (strained left hamstring). ... Treveon Graham left in the first half with a bruised right quadriceps but returned to play 11 minutes after halftime. ... Howard picked up two fouls in the first 4:33.
HOWARD CONNECTS
One game after missing all nine free throw attempts at Milwaukee, Howard shot 7 of 11 at the line. He also became the first Charlotte player since Emeka Okafor in 2007 with four consecutive 15-rebound games. Howard had seven rebounds, including three offensive boards, in the first quarter despite being limited by two early fouls.
COLLEGE COACHES COME TO VISIT
Two prominent college coaches were seated courtside. Kentucky’s John Calipari and North Carolina’s Roy Williams were on hand to watch former players. Calipari was checking in on four former Wildcats: Kidd-Gilchrist, Monk, and Denver’s Jamal Murray and Trey Lyles. Marvin Williams and Hornets teammate Marcus Paige played for Williams at North Carolina. Calipari and Williams greeted one another with a hug and brief conversation just before tipoff. Roy Williams received a warmer welcome when shown on the video board.
WALKER FOR 3
Walker hit two 3-pointers to give him 800 for his career, which ranks second in franchise history behind Dell Curry’s 929. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point, so it’s an honor,” Walker said.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Visit the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Hornets: Host the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
Aldridge scores 31, Spurs now 4-0 after beating Heat 117-100
By TIM REYNOLDS
Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) — San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was asked at least a half-dozen times Wednesday about the status of injured starters Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker and when they might be returning.
His consistent answer: They’ll play when they’re ready.
With the way the Spurs have started, there’s no need to rush them.
LaMarcus Aldridge continued his hot start by scoring 31 points, Rudy Gay needed only eight shot attempts to score 22 off the bench and the Spurs stayed unbeaten by topping the Miami Heat 117-100.
“We really didn’t get a handle on our defense for basically the entire game,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That’s a big credit to what they do and how they execute, how they have purpose and intention to every single possession.”
The win was No. 1,154 for Popovich, now one shy of matching Phil Jackson for sixth-most in NBA history. Danny Green scored 15, Manu Ginobili had 14, Pau Gasol scored 13 and Kyle Anderson finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who — even without Parker and Leonard — are off to a 4-0 start for the second consecutive season.
Popovich wasn’t exactly celebrating afterward.
“I thought it was mediocre,” Popovich said. “There were way too many mistakes. ... Our offense got us through.”
Tyler Johnson scored 23 points for Miami, while James Johnson finished with 21 and Goran Dragic added 20. Dragic’s 3-pointer midway through the third got Miami within 61-60, but the Spurs soon took control for good.
Gay — who had Miami on his wish-list of teams when he was a free agent this past summer — scored 15 points in a 32-13 run that San Antonio put together in the next 9 minutes. The Spurs made seven consecutive shots to end the third, scored on 12 of their final 14 possessions of the quarter and led 93-73 when Gay connected on a stepback jumper with 10 minutes left.
“I’m just playing basketball at this point,” Gay said. “It’s a lot of unknown with the lineups and we’ve got guys hurt. So right now we just have to play basketball.”
Miami got within 98-87 on a 3-pointer by Dragic with 5:33 left, but Aldridge stopped the Heat comeback try with a turnaround jumper and the margin remained double-digits the rest of the way.
“It’s tough to beat this kind of team if you’re playing well only on offense,” Dragic said. “You need to get some stops. And tonight, our defense was not good.”
TIP INS
Spurs: Aldridge has scored at least 20 in all four games this season and this was the ninth time he’s had at least 31 in a Spurs uniform. San Antonio is 8-1 in those games. ... The Spurs allowed 30 first-quarter points, a season-worst for any quarter. ... Parker practiced Wednesday with the G League’s Austin Spurs in San Antonio, and will again Friday.
Heat: Miami led for exactly 2:00. ... C Hassan Whiteside (bruised knee) missed his third consecutive game. ... Josh Richardson was 1 for 8 in 33 minutes, missing all four of his 3-point tries and fouling out. ... The Heat started 16 for 16 from the line, before Waiters came up short with 1:52 left. They finished 17 for 18.
BAM! PAU!
Spoelstra gave fans of onomatopoeia a thrill when he switched his starting lineup, putting Bam Adebayo at center to jump against Gasol (though technically, the Bam-Pau matchup was brief and Adebayo guarded Aldridge to start the game). Adebayo is the first Heat rookie to start within the season’s first four games since Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley in 2008.
GINOBILI’S FANS
In the Latin gateway of Miami, Spanish-speaking players always are greeted at Heat games and Ginobili is no exception. Ginobili was swarmed by hundreds for a quick meet-and-greet pregame, taking selfies and giving out plenty of embraces. There were at least a half-dozen Argentinian flags being held by fans as well, and many wore his Spurs jersey.
UP NEXT
Spurs: San Antonio’s four-game trip continues Friday in Orlando.
Heat: Miami plays Game 4 of its six-game homestand Saturday against Boston.
Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) — San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was asked at least a half-dozen times Wednesday about the status of injured starters Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker and when they might be returning.
His consistent answer: They’ll play when they’re ready.
With the way the Spurs have started, there’s no need to rush them.
LaMarcus Aldridge continued his hot start by scoring 31 points, Rudy Gay needed only eight shot attempts to score 22 off the bench and the Spurs stayed unbeaten by topping the Miami Heat 117-100.
“We really didn’t get a handle on our defense for basically the entire game,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That’s a big credit to what they do and how they execute, how they have purpose and intention to every single possession.”
The win was No. 1,154 for Popovich, now one shy of matching Phil Jackson for sixth-most in NBA history. Danny Green scored 15, Manu Ginobili had 14, Pau Gasol scored 13 and Kyle Anderson finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who — even without Parker and Leonard — are off to a 4-0 start for the second consecutive season.
Popovich wasn’t exactly celebrating afterward.
“I thought it was mediocre,” Popovich said. “There were way too many mistakes. ... Our offense got us through.”
Tyler Johnson scored 23 points for Miami, while James Johnson finished with 21 and Goran Dragic added 20. Dragic’s 3-pointer midway through the third got Miami within 61-60, but the Spurs soon took control for good.
Gay — who had Miami on his wish-list of teams when he was a free agent this past summer — scored 15 points in a 32-13 run that San Antonio put together in the next 9 minutes. The Spurs made seven consecutive shots to end the third, scored on 12 of their final 14 possessions of the quarter and led 93-73 when Gay connected on a stepback jumper with 10 minutes left.
“I’m just playing basketball at this point,” Gay said. “It’s a lot of unknown with the lineups and we’ve got guys hurt. So right now we just have to play basketball.”
Miami got within 98-87 on a 3-pointer by Dragic with 5:33 left, but Aldridge stopped the Heat comeback try with a turnaround jumper and the margin remained double-digits the rest of the way.
“It’s tough to beat this kind of team if you’re playing well only on offense,” Dragic said. “You need to get some stops. And tonight, our defense was not good.”
TIP INS
Spurs: Aldridge has scored at least 20 in all four games this season and this was the ninth time he’s had at least 31 in a Spurs uniform. San Antonio is 8-1 in those games. ... The Spurs allowed 30 first-quarter points, a season-worst for any quarter. ... Parker practiced Wednesday with the G League’s Austin Spurs in San Antonio, and will again Friday.
Heat: Miami led for exactly 2:00. ... C Hassan Whiteside (bruised knee) missed his third consecutive game. ... Josh Richardson was 1 for 8 in 33 minutes, missing all four of his 3-point tries and fouling out. ... The Heat started 16 for 16 from the line, before Waiters came up short with 1:52 left. They finished 17 for 18.
BAM! PAU!
Spoelstra gave fans of onomatopoeia a thrill when he switched his starting lineup, putting Bam Adebayo at center to jump against Gasol (though technically, the Bam-Pau matchup was brief and Adebayo guarded Aldridge to start the game). Adebayo is the first Heat rookie to start within the season’s first four games since Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley in 2008.
GINOBILI’S FANS
In the Latin gateway of Miami, Spanish-speaking players always are greeted at Heat games and Ginobili is no exception. Ginobili was swarmed by hundreds for a quick meet-and-greet pregame, taking selfies and giving out plenty of embraces. There were at least a half-dozen Argentinian flags being held by fans as well, and many wore his Spurs jersey.
UP NEXT
Spurs: San Antonio’s four-game trip continues Friday in Orlando.
Heat: Miami plays Game 4 of its six-game homestand Saturday against Boston.
Nets overcome James’ triple-double, beat Cavs 112-107
By BRIAN MAHONEY
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — With injuries on both sides, the point guard matchup came down to LeBron James against Spencer Dinwiddie.
James had the bigger numbers.
Dinwiddie made the biggest plays.
Dinwiddie hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 43 seconds left, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame James’ first triple-double of the season to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-107 on Wednesday night.
A former second-round pick of Detroit starting only because of injuries to Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell, Dinwiddie scored a career-high 22 points as the Nets blew a 14-point lead in the final quarter but recovered to improve to 3-2 — the same record as the defending Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers.
“Obviously they’re Eastern Conference champions just about every year — or actually every year — and then either win the Finals or don’t obviously,” Dinwiddie said. “And for us to pull out a win and be able to close them out obviously after they made their run and to be able to respond, I think it just of kind of brings a young group a little bit closer together and kind of shows us that we can do it and hopefully propels us going forward.”
James had 29 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in his 56th triple-double, but he missed two free throws — the second intentionally — with the Cavaliers trailing by two with 7.6 seconds remaining. DeMarre Carroll then hit a free throw and the Cavs’ long inbounds pass intended for James went out of bounds.
But the Cavs pointed to the start of the game as their problem.
“Just taking us too much time to get into the game; like get into the flow of the game,” James said. “Teams are playing with a faster pace than us to start the game and we have to figure that out for sure.”
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Allen Crabbe added 19 points apiece and Carroll scored 18 for the Nets, who bounced back from Tuesday’s loss in Orlando, when Russell sprained his right knee to join Lin on the injured list, and fell just shy of becoming the first NBA team in 32 years to open a season with five straight 115-point games.
“Everybody from 1 to 15 on the roster, everybody’s ready,” Crabbe said. “Everybody works hard, so when opportunities come guys are ready to step up and ready to play.”
With Derrick Rose still nursing a sprained left ankle and Dwyane Wade joining him after bruising his left knee in Tuesday’s victory over Chicago, James started at point guard in his 772nd game with the Cavs, passing former teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas for most in team history.
He ran the offense fine but his long-range shooters couldn’t convert enough of his passes. Kevin Love finished 4 for 13 from the floor and J.R. Smith was 1 for 9, missing all five 3-point attempts.
“I mean it’s a lot of pressure to put on LeBron, have him handle the ball for 40 minutes, and that’s why I talk about playing the point guard position, it could wear you down,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “Unfortunately that’s all we have right now until D-Rose gets back.”
The Nets led by 14 when Quincy Acy made a 3-pointer to open the scoring in the fourth, but James led the Cavs on a 13-0 run that gave them a 94-92 lead on Love’s 3-pointer. The teams traded narrow leads from there.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Lue said he hoped Rose could play Saturday at New Orleans. ... The Cavs had won the last four meetings.
Nets: The Nets are 3-0 at home for the first time since 2002-03, when they started 5-0 back in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... The last team with five straight 115-games to open a season was the 1985-86 Pistons. The Nets came in leading the NBA with 123.5 points per game.
DRAFT DODGING
The Cavaliers will get the Nets’ first-round pick, which originally was dealt to Boston and then sent to Cleveland in the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas swap. But Lue said the Cavs aren’t paying attention to how the Nets are doing.
“My main focus is just on our team and try to get us to play the right way,” he said before the game.
BRONX BOMBERS IN BROOKLYN
Aaron Judge, CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances of the New York Yankees watched from a sideline seat.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Visit New Orleans on Saturday.
Nets: Visit New York on Friday.
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — With injuries on both sides, the point guard matchup came down to LeBron James against Spencer Dinwiddie.
James had the bigger numbers.
Dinwiddie made the biggest plays.
Dinwiddie hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 43 seconds left, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame James’ first triple-double of the season to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-107 on Wednesday night.
A former second-round pick of Detroit starting only because of injuries to Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell, Dinwiddie scored a career-high 22 points as the Nets blew a 14-point lead in the final quarter but recovered to improve to 3-2 — the same record as the defending Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers.
“Obviously they’re Eastern Conference champions just about every year — or actually every year — and then either win the Finals or don’t obviously,” Dinwiddie said. “And for us to pull out a win and be able to close them out obviously after they made their run and to be able to respond, I think it just of kind of brings a young group a little bit closer together and kind of shows us that we can do it and hopefully propels us going forward.”
James had 29 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in his 56th triple-double, but he missed two free throws — the second intentionally — with the Cavaliers trailing by two with 7.6 seconds remaining. DeMarre Carroll then hit a free throw and the Cavs’ long inbounds pass intended for James went out of bounds.
But the Cavs pointed to the start of the game as their problem.
“Just taking us too much time to get into the game; like get into the flow of the game,” James said. “Teams are playing with a faster pace than us to start the game and we have to figure that out for sure.”
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Allen Crabbe added 19 points apiece and Carroll scored 18 for the Nets, who bounced back from Tuesday’s loss in Orlando, when Russell sprained his right knee to join Lin on the injured list, and fell just shy of becoming the first NBA team in 32 years to open a season with five straight 115-point games.
“Everybody from 1 to 15 on the roster, everybody’s ready,” Crabbe said. “Everybody works hard, so when opportunities come guys are ready to step up and ready to play.”
With Derrick Rose still nursing a sprained left ankle and Dwyane Wade joining him after bruising his left knee in Tuesday’s victory over Chicago, James started at point guard in his 772nd game with the Cavs, passing former teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas for most in team history.
He ran the offense fine but his long-range shooters couldn’t convert enough of his passes. Kevin Love finished 4 for 13 from the floor and J.R. Smith was 1 for 9, missing all five 3-point attempts.
“I mean it’s a lot of pressure to put on LeBron, have him handle the ball for 40 minutes, and that’s why I talk about playing the point guard position, it could wear you down,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “Unfortunately that’s all we have right now until D-Rose gets back.”
The Nets led by 14 when Quincy Acy made a 3-pointer to open the scoring in the fourth, but James led the Cavs on a 13-0 run that gave them a 94-92 lead on Love’s 3-pointer. The teams traded narrow leads from there.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Lue said he hoped Rose could play Saturday at New Orleans. ... The Cavs had won the last four meetings.
Nets: The Nets are 3-0 at home for the first time since 2002-03, when they started 5-0 back in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... The last team with five straight 115-games to open a season was the 1985-86 Pistons. The Nets came in leading the NBA with 123.5 points per game.
DRAFT DODGING
The Cavaliers will get the Nets’ first-round pick, which originally was dealt to Boston and then sent to Cleveland in the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas swap. But Lue said the Cavs aren’t paying attention to how the Nets are doing.
“My main focus is just on our team and try to get us to play the right way,” he said before the game.
BRONX BOMBERS IN BROOKLYN
Aaron Judge, CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances of the New York Yankees watched from a sideline seat.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Visit New Orleans on Saturday.
Nets: Visit New York on Friday.
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