Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic 101-99
недеља, 24. новембар 2013.
NBA Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 94-87
Brandon Bass was back in the starting lineup on Saturday night, leading the Celtics to a victory.
Bass had 17 points, seven rebounds and two key blocks and the Celtics surged past the Atlanta Hawks 94-87.
"He's had a tough week," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "We took him out of the starting lineup. Tonight, we put him back in and he responded. He anchored our defence, especially in the fourth quarter."
The Celtics, who had lost six straight, entered the fourth quarter trailing 74-64.
But a strong defensive effort resulted in a stretch of 11 straight scoreless possessions for the Hawks at one point and just 13 points for Atlanta in the final quarter.
"We have to be great defensively for us to have any success," Bass said. "We do not have All-Stars at the offensive end where we don't need to play defence. Everybody has to be on point on both sides of the ball for us to get wins."
Al Horford led the Hawks with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Jeff Teague had 13 points and 10 assists. Atlanta had won four of five games before losing for just the second time this season at home.
Trailing 85-84 with 3:17 to play, the Celtics scored seven straight to take a 91-85 lead with 46 seconds left. Jordan Crawford scored five points during the run,
"When we were down, I was kind of the reason," said Crawford, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
"I was the only one kind of struggling on offence, trying to find my shot. So I just wanted to make the effort to try to get to the hole, try to make a couple plays."
The Hawks broke open a tight game by closing out the third quarter with a 17-5 run that gave them a 74-64 lead.
Included in that run was a flagrant foul on Jared Sullinger that resulted in a three-point trip for the Hawks.
Teague had six points and an assist to spark the Hawks, while the Celtics floundered on offence, missing six of their final seven field goal attempts in the quarter.
It appeared as if a grueling stretch for the Celtics was catching up to them, as they were playing their fourth game in five nights in four different cities.
Early in the fourth, however, the Celtics put together a 10-0 run to make it a one-point game with 5:28 to play.
"It has really been quite a stretch (schedule-wise)," Stevens said. "(The Hawks) missed a few shots they normally make, and we played really well in the fourth quarter. If we don't have all hands on deck, it's not pretty. We had all hands on deck tonight."
The Celtics outrebounded the Hawks 47-38 and held the Hawks to 38.7 per cent shooting.
"We showed great resolve," Bass said. "When things got tough, we stuck together. The losing streak was wearing on us. It was a great time to get a win."
Avery Bradley had 12 points and five rebounds for the Celtics and limited Hawks' Kyle Korver to just nine points. Vitor Faverani chipped in 11 points off the bench.
"We need to get to the free throw line," said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, whose team was outshot 31-12 at the line.
"It's a tough lesson to learn. It's a tough way to learn it. For three quarters, we were efficient and we were good. But we weren't able to bring it home in the fourth quarter."
Notes: Hawks guard Kyle Korver hit a three-pointer in the first quarter, giving him 87 straight games with a three. He is two games shy of Dana Barros' NBA record of 89 straight. . Celtics rookie centre Kelly Olynyk, who has started six games and is averaging 7.5 points, did not make the trip to Atlanta due to a sprained ankle. He will miss at least two weeks. ... This was Boston's second win over a team with a winning record. The Celtics beat the Heat earlier this season, also on the road.
Bass had 17 points, seven rebounds and two key blocks and the Celtics surged past the Atlanta Hawks 94-87.
"He's had a tough week," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "We took him out of the starting lineup. Tonight, we put him back in and he responded. He anchored our defence, especially in the fourth quarter."
The Celtics, who had lost six straight, entered the fourth quarter trailing 74-64.
But a strong defensive effort resulted in a stretch of 11 straight scoreless possessions for the Hawks at one point and just 13 points for Atlanta in the final quarter.
"We have to be great defensively for us to have any success," Bass said. "We do not have All-Stars at the offensive end where we don't need to play defence. Everybody has to be on point on both sides of the ball for us to get wins."
Al Horford led the Hawks with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Jeff Teague had 13 points and 10 assists. Atlanta had won four of five games before losing for just the second time this season at home.
Trailing 85-84 with 3:17 to play, the Celtics scored seven straight to take a 91-85 lead with 46 seconds left. Jordan Crawford scored five points during the run,
"When we were down, I was kind of the reason," said Crawford, who scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
"I was the only one kind of struggling on offence, trying to find my shot. So I just wanted to make the effort to try to get to the hole, try to make a couple plays."
The Hawks broke open a tight game by closing out the third quarter with a 17-5 run that gave them a 74-64 lead.
Included in that run was a flagrant foul on Jared Sullinger that resulted in a three-point trip for the Hawks.
Teague had six points and an assist to spark the Hawks, while the Celtics floundered on offence, missing six of their final seven field goal attempts in the quarter.
It appeared as if a grueling stretch for the Celtics was catching up to them, as they were playing their fourth game in five nights in four different cities.
Early in the fourth, however, the Celtics put together a 10-0 run to make it a one-point game with 5:28 to play.
"It has really been quite a stretch (schedule-wise)," Stevens said. "(The Hawks) missed a few shots they normally make, and we played really well in the fourth quarter. If we don't have all hands on deck, it's not pretty. We had all hands on deck tonight."
The Celtics outrebounded the Hawks 47-38 and held the Hawks to 38.7 per cent shooting.
"We showed great resolve," Bass said. "When things got tough, we stuck together. The losing streak was wearing on us. It was a great time to get a win."
Avery Bradley had 12 points and five rebounds for the Celtics and limited Hawks' Kyle Korver to just nine points. Vitor Faverani chipped in 11 points off the bench.
"We need to get to the free throw line," said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, whose team was outshot 31-12 at the line.
"It's a tough lesson to learn. It's a tough way to learn it. For three quarters, we were efficient and we were good. But we weren't able to bring it home in the fourth quarter."
Notes: Hawks guard Kyle Korver hit a three-pointer in the first quarter, giving him 87 straight games with a three. He is two games shy of Dana Barros' NBA record of 89 straight. . Celtics rookie centre Kelly Olynyk, who has started six games and is averaging 7.5 points, did not make the trip to Atlanta due to a sprained ankle. He will miss at least two weeks. ... This was Boston's second win over a team with a winning record. The Celtics beat the Heat earlier this season, also on the road.
NBA Washington Wizards vs New York Knicks
Washington Wizards vs New York Knicks 98-89
After yet another loss for his New York Knicks in what's been a trying — not to mention 3-9 — start to the season, Carmelo Anthony did not attempt to pretend everything is wonderful right now.
"It's a very tough time," Anthony said. "This is a time where you could easily put your head down and mope around, but I can't do that."
Taking their poor home-court play on the road, the Knicks allowed Washington's John Wall to score 31 points and dropped into a last-place tie in the Atlantic Division by getting beaten 98-89 at the Wizards on Saturday night.
"We didn't put a full 48 minutes together tonight," said Anthony, who led the Knicks with 23 points and 12 rebounds. "We played three-fourths of the game — and that one quarter, they took advantage."
Washington trailed 52-49 at halftime, but outscored New York 27-17 in the third quarter and never trailed again.
Wall registered at least 30 points in consecutive games for the first time in his NBA career, after scoring 37 in a loss to Toronto on Friday. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft also had seven assists and a soaring block on Iman Shumpert's layup attempt in the closing seconds.
"John backed up last night's game with another really good game for him. Playing the right way, taking really good shots," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "When he plays and takes what (a) defence gives him — (that) is the prime thing that he needs to do."
Knicks coach Mike Woodson described his team's performance as "flat" and declared: "The only bright spot about tonight was Amare Stoudemire."
That's not a great sign when the best thing you can point to is that one of your many players who is either injured or returning from injury managed to play 21 1/2 minutes and contribute 12 points. Stoudemire surpassed his previous season best in points — six — by early in the second quarter, and he even delivered a forceful fast-break dunk.
"We can't keep losing these games," said Stoudemire, whose club has the same record as the Brooklyn Nets.
Marcin Gortat added 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Wizards, who have won three of four games to improve to 5-8. Martell Webster scored 19, and Bradley Beal 18, making up for a paltry six points from Washington's reserves.
J.R. Smith scored 15 for the Knicks, who shot only 44 per cent on field-goal tries and were awful at the foul line, finishing 6 for 15. Smith himself was 0 for 4.
Knicks centre Tyson Chandler remains out with a broken leg, and they were without point guard Raymond Felton for a third consecutive game because of a sore back. Woodson went without a true point guard for stretches of the fourth quarter.
Wall definitely noticed.
"We know it's a different team without Raymond," Wall said, "because Raymond does a great job of penetrating and getting shots for those guys."
While they'd been decent on the road so far — 2-2 entering Saturday, compared to 1-6 at home — this was not the Knicks' finest hour. In addition to missing Felton's direction and Chandler's pick-and-roll possibilities on offence, the defence had no one fast enough to slow down Wall at all.
Wall started 7 for 7 on field-goal attempts and scored more than half of Washington's points — 17 of 33 — over the game's first 14 1/2 minutes. Later, his floater in the lane made it 76-69 entering the fourth.
Apparently, Woodson figures it already is time for some 1-on-1 meetings with players to make sure the season is not slipping away. That included a chat with Anthony after practice Friday.
"I just wanted to see where his head was," Woodson said, "and making sure that everybody stays the course. Not just Melo. I've had some sit-downs with a few guys, just to let them know it's still a long season and we've got to start picking it up."
Notes: Woodson said that Felton is day to day. "I'm sure when he's ready, he'll let us know, but right now he's not," Woodson said. ... Wizards coach Randy Wittman is not sure when first-round draft pick Otto Porter will be able to play — or even practice with his teammates.
"It's a very tough time," Anthony said. "This is a time where you could easily put your head down and mope around, but I can't do that."
Taking their poor home-court play on the road, the Knicks allowed Washington's John Wall to score 31 points and dropped into a last-place tie in the Atlantic Division by getting beaten 98-89 at the Wizards on Saturday night.
"We didn't put a full 48 minutes together tonight," said Anthony, who led the Knicks with 23 points and 12 rebounds. "We played three-fourths of the game — and that one quarter, they took advantage."
Washington trailed 52-49 at halftime, but outscored New York 27-17 in the third quarter and never trailed again.
Wall registered at least 30 points in consecutive games for the first time in his NBA career, after scoring 37 in a loss to Toronto on Friday. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft also had seven assists and a soaring block on Iman Shumpert's layup attempt in the closing seconds.
"John backed up last night's game with another really good game for him. Playing the right way, taking really good shots," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "When he plays and takes what (a) defence gives him — (that) is the prime thing that he needs to do."
Knicks coach Mike Woodson described his team's performance as "flat" and declared: "The only bright spot about tonight was Amare Stoudemire."
That's not a great sign when the best thing you can point to is that one of your many players who is either injured or returning from injury managed to play 21 1/2 minutes and contribute 12 points. Stoudemire surpassed his previous season best in points — six — by early in the second quarter, and he even delivered a forceful fast-break dunk.
"We can't keep losing these games," said Stoudemire, whose club has the same record as the Brooklyn Nets.
Marcin Gortat added 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Wizards, who have won three of four games to improve to 5-8. Martell Webster scored 19, and Bradley Beal 18, making up for a paltry six points from Washington's reserves.
J.R. Smith scored 15 for the Knicks, who shot only 44 per cent on field-goal tries and were awful at the foul line, finishing 6 for 15. Smith himself was 0 for 4.
Knicks centre Tyson Chandler remains out with a broken leg, and they were without point guard Raymond Felton for a third consecutive game because of a sore back. Woodson went without a true point guard for stretches of the fourth quarter.
Wall definitely noticed.
"We know it's a different team without Raymond," Wall said, "because Raymond does a great job of penetrating and getting shots for those guys."
While they'd been decent on the road so far — 2-2 entering Saturday, compared to 1-6 at home — this was not the Knicks' finest hour. In addition to missing Felton's direction and Chandler's pick-and-roll possibilities on offence, the defence had no one fast enough to slow down Wall at all.
Wall started 7 for 7 on field-goal attempts and scored more than half of Washington's points — 17 of 33 — over the game's first 14 1/2 minutes. Later, his floater in the lane made it 76-69 entering the fourth.
Apparently, Woodson figures it already is time for some 1-on-1 meetings with players to make sure the season is not slipping away. That included a chat with Anthony after practice Friday.
"I just wanted to see where his head was," Woodson said, "and making sure that everybody stays the course. Not just Melo. I've had some sit-downs with a few guys, just to let them know it's still a long season and we've got to start picking it up."
Notes: Woodson said that Felton is day to day. "I'm sure when he's ready, he'll let us know, but right now he's not," Woodson said. ... Wizards coach Randy Wittman is not sure when first-round draft pick Otto Porter will be able to play — or even practice with his teammates.
NBA Indiana Pacers vs Philadelphia 76ers
Indiana Pacers vs Philadelphia 76ers 106-98
Indiana coach Frank Vogel found out shortly before tip-off that Philadelphia would be playing without some of its key players.
"It's tough to play a game when you find out at the last minute that three or four of their top guys are out," Vogel said. "You've got to give the Sixers credit, they played a strong basketball game."
Just not strong enough to overcome a career game for Roy Hibbert.
Indiana's star centre had a season-high 27 points and added 13 rebounds as the Pacers beat Philadelphia 106-98 on Saturday night.
"He's been dominant defensively all year, and when we need him to step up on the offensive end, he does," Vogel said.
Hibbert had career highs in free throws made and attempted while going 13 of 16 from the line.
"I shoot free throws after practice, before practice. It's part of being confident," Hibbert said.
Spencer Hawes, who came in as the Sixers' second-leading scorer, didn't dress because of a sore left knee. Tony Wroten (back) and Thaddeus Young (personal) didn't travel with the team to Indianapolis, leaving the Sixers with just nine players in uniform.
There wasn't any change in game plan for Hibbert to make up for Hawes' absence, Vogel said.
"We've been struggling to get Roy the ball," Vogel said. "He's doing all the dirty work for us, protecting the rim, rebounding, offensive rebounding. We haven't been sharp in our post game the last couple games."
It didn't matter much in the first half, as the Sixers kept within seven points of the East's top team. The teams were tied 11 times in the first half and the lead changed 15 times, with Indiana able to build just a 56-52 halftime lead.
The Sixers kept it close in the third quarter, even as both teams struggled to find the basket. Philadelphia shot just 7 of 24 from the field and Indiana missed seven straight shots at one point. The Pacers were 7 of 17 from the field but closed the quarter with a 9-2 run to take a seemingly safe 77-66 lead.
"They've played together a lot," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "There's a trust factor that they have, that they know what's going on behind their first line of defence.
"We just couldn't convert some of those shots. Some of them were good looks, some of them we just give them credit."
But the Sixers opened the fourth quarter with a 19-4 run to take an 85-81 lead. Hibbert completed a three-point play to tie the game at 86 with 6:18 to play.
"He's always been there for us, he's always anchoring the paint for us," said Paul George, who had 19 points. "We know that if anything is breaking down, we have the best rim protector."
Hibbert then rebounded Evan Turner's miss and George hit a 3-pointer at the other end to give Indiana a lead it wouldn't relinquish.
"We're an experienced team. We don't worry," Hibbert said of Indiana's falling behind. "We know that we can finish games."
Michael Carter-Williams led Philadelphia with a career-high 29 points and Turner had 21 points and 11 rebounds. James Anderson scored 13 in the Sixers' fifth loss in six games and fourth straight on the road.
"I knew the scoring load would fall on me more tonight without Spencer and Tony and Thaddeus," Carter-Williams said. "I knew it would be tough for us to get points, so I tried to take more shots and create more shots for myself."
Lance Stephenson added 18 points and David West had 17 points and 11 rebounds in Indiana's third straight win, while George Hill finished with 11 points. The Pacers are 7-0 at home.
"We knew this would be a very tough game," West said. "We took care of business when we had to."
This marked just the fourth time this season that Indiana led at halftime.
NOTES: The Pacers scored a season-high 106 points while shooting 35 of 76 from the field (46.1 per cent). ... Indiana had team season highs in free throws made (31) and attempts (38). ... The Sixers attempted 102 field goals, the most this season against Indiana. But Philadelphia's shooting percentage of 34.3 was second-worst against the Pacers, who held Milwaukee to 34.1 per cent shooting on Nov. 15. ... Philadelphia's 32 free throw attempts were also the most against Indiana this season.
"It's tough to play a game when you find out at the last minute that three or four of their top guys are out," Vogel said. "You've got to give the Sixers credit, they played a strong basketball game."
Just not strong enough to overcome a career game for Roy Hibbert.
Indiana's star centre had a season-high 27 points and added 13 rebounds as the Pacers beat Philadelphia 106-98 on Saturday night.
"He's been dominant defensively all year, and when we need him to step up on the offensive end, he does," Vogel said.
Hibbert had career highs in free throws made and attempted while going 13 of 16 from the line.
"I shoot free throws after practice, before practice. It's part of being confident," Hibbert said.
Spencer Hawes, who came in as the Sixers' second-leading scorer, didn't dress because of a sore left knee. Tony Wroten (back) and Thaddeus Young (personal) didn't travel with the team to Indianapolis, leaving the Sixers with just nine players in uniform.
There wasn't any change in game plan for Hibbert to make up for Hawes' absence, Vogel said.
"We've been struggling to get Roy the ball," Vogel said. "He's doing all the dirty work for us, protecting the rim, rebounding, offensive rebounding. We haven't been sharp in our post game the last couple games."
It didn't matter much in the first half, as the Sixers kept within seven points of the East's top team. The teams were tied 11 times in the first half and the lead changed 15 times, with Indiana able to build just a 56-52 halftime lead.
The Sixers kept it close in the third quarter, even as both teams struggled to find the basket. Philadelphia shot just 7 of 24 from the field and Indiana missed seven straight shots at one point. The Pacers were 7 of 17 from the field but closed the quarter with a 9-2 run to take a seemingly safe 77-66 lead.
"They've played together a lot," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "There's a trust factor that they have, that they know what's going on behind their first line of defence.
"We just couldn't convert some of those shots. Some of them were good looks, some of them we just give them credit."
But the Sixers opened the fourth quarter with a 19-4 run to take an 85-81 lead. Hibbert completed a three-point play to tie the game at 86 with 6:18 to play.
"He's always been there for us, he's always anchoring the paint for us," said Paul George, who had 19 points. "We know that if anything is breaking down, we have the best rim protector."
Hibbert then rebounded Evan Turner's miss and George hit a 3-pointer at the other end to give Indiana a lead it wouldn't relinquish.
"We're an experienced team. We don't worry," Hibbert said of Indiana's falling behind. "We know that we can finish games."
Michael Carter-Williams led Philadelphia with a career-high 29 points and Turner had 21 points and 11 rebounds. James Anderson scored 13 in the Sixers' fifth loss in six games and fourth straight on the road.
"I knew the scoring load would fall on me more tonight without Spencer and Tony and Thaddeus," Carter-Williams said. "I knew it would be tough for us to get points, so I tried to take more shots and create more shots for myself."
Lance Stephenson added 18 points and David West had 17 points and 11 rebounds in Indiana's third straight win, while George Hill finished with 11 points. The Pacers are 7-0 at home.
"We knew this would be a very tough game," West said. "We took care of business when we had to."
This marked just the fourth time this season that Indiana led at halftime.
NOTES: The Pacers scored a season-high 106 points while shooting 35 of 76 from the field (46.1 per cent). ... Indiana had team season highs in free throws made (31) and attempts (38). ... The Sixers attempted 102 field goals, the most this season against Indiana. But Philadelphia's shooting percentage of 34.3 was second-worst against the Pacers, who held Milwaukee to 34.1 per cent shooting on Nov. 15. ... Philadelphia's 32 free throw attempts were also the most against Indiana this season.
петак, 22. новембар 2013.
NBA Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls
Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls 97-87
Once Nate Robinson stopped worrying about missing shots, he started making them, and the timing couldn't have been better.
Robinson and Jordan Hamilton each hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter, helping the Denver Nuggets pull away for a 97-87 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.
"I've been battling little injuries, and been in a little slump, not wanting to take the shots I usually take just because I didn't want to miss them and hurt my team," said Robinson, who scored 10 of his 11 points in the fourth quarter.
"But I got to the stage where I'm like, 'Forget it. Just play and be you,'" he said. "I'm no longer going to worry about missing shots. I'm just going to shoot when I'm open and play aggressive, get my teammates involved and play as hard as I can for as long as I can and enjoy the minutes that I get."
Hamilton finished with 17 points to lead the Nuggets, who won their seventh straight against the Bulls at the Pepsi Center. J.J. Hickson had 14 points, Kenneth Faried had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Randy Foye also scored 12 points.
Derrick Rose had 19 points for the Bulls, who snapped a five-game winning streak.
Robinson, who spent last season with the Bulls, started a 12-0 burst when he hit successive 3s opening the final period. Hamilton matched him by making 3s on consecutive possessions, and the Nuggets' lead ballooned to 82-62 with 9:40 left.
"He's a sparkplug, man," teammate Ty Lawson said. "Nate is never down and out, so if he misses through three quarters, he's going to come through in the fourth quarter. That's what he did for us."
Chicago managed to pull to 94-83, but Robinson responded by hitting a 12-foot bank shot to help quash the Bulls' late momentum.
"You can't let your guard down against them," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I thought their bench hurt us. Hamilton had a big game for them, Nate had the two big shots to start the fourth, (Timofey) Mozgov hurt us in the paint. Lawson puts a lot of pressure on you, and (Wilson) Chandler puts a lot of pressure on you. You've got to use your team to slow them down.
"Our turnovers hurt us," Thibodeau added, "but the big thing is we gave them easy scoring opportunities. We should have been able to count on our defence. Ninety-seven points, 46 per cent (shooting), it's too much."
Darrell Arthur hit a baseline jumper to give the Nuggets a 69-60 lead with 1:09 left in the third, matching their biggest lead of the night. Denver was in front 70-62 going into the final period.
The Bulls outscored the Nuggets 8-2 in the last two minutes of the second quarter, pulling to 50-48 at halftime. Chicago hit the offensive boards in the surge, getting tip-ins from Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah during the sequence.
NOTES: Chicago's Mike Dunleavy started at shooting guard in place of Jimmy Butler, who is week to week because of a toe injury. ... Chicago's Taj Gibson was ejected with 1:15 left after drawing his second technical foul. ... Chicago hasn't won in Denver since a 110-107 victory on Feb. 8, 2006. ... Faried has 10 or more rebounds in five of his last six games.
Robinson and Jordan Hamilton each hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter, helping the Denver Nuggets pull away for a 97-87 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.
"I've been battling little injuries, and been in a little slump, not wanting to take the shots I usually take just because I didn't want to miss them and hurt my team," said Robinson, who scored 10 of his 11 points in the fourth quarter.
"But I got to the stage where I'm like, 'Forget it. Just play and be you,'" he said. "I'm no longer going to worry about missing shots. I'm just going to shoot when I'm open and play aggressive, get my teammates involved and play as hard as I can for as long as I can and enjoy the minutes that I get."
Hamilton finished with 17 points to lead the Nuggets, who won their seventh straight against the Bulls at the Pepsi Center. J.J. Hickson had 14 points, Kenneth Faried had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Randy Foye also scored 12 points.
Derrick Rose had 19 points for the Bulls, who snapped a five-game winning streak.
Robinson, who spent last season with the Bulls, started a 12-0 burst when he hit successive 3s opening the final period. Hamilton matched him by making 3s on consecutive possessions, and the Nuggets' lead ballooned to 82-62 with 9:40 left.
"He's a sparkplug, man," teammate Ty Lawson said. "Nate is never down and out, so if he misses through three quarters, he's going to come through in the fourth quarter. That's what he did for us."
Chicago managed to pull to 94-83, but Robinson responded by hitting a 12-foot bank shot to help quash the Bulls' late momentum.
"You can't let your guard down against them," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I thought their bench hurt us. Hamilton had a big game for them, Nate had the two big shots to start the fourth, (Timofey) Mozgov hurt us in the paint. Lawson puts a lot of pressure on you, and (Wilson) Chandler puts a lot of pressure on you. You've got to use your team to slow them down.
"Our turnovers hurt us," Thibodeau added, "but the big thing is we gave them easy scoring opportunities. We should have been able to count on our defence. Ninety-seven points, 46 per cent (shooting), it's too much."
Darrell Arthur hit a baseline jumper to give the Nuggets a 69-60 lead with 1:09 left in the third, matching their biggest lead of the night. Denver was in front 70-62 going into the final period.
The Bulls outscored the Nuggets 8-2 in the last two minutes of the second quarter, pulling to 50-48 at halftime. Chicago hit the offensive boards in the surge, getting tip-ins from Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah during the sequence.
NOTES: Chicago's Mike Dunleavy started at shooting guard in place of Jimmy Butler, who is week to week because of a toe injury. ... Chicago's Taj Gibson was ejected with 1:15 left after drawing his second technical foul. ... Chicago hasn't won in Denver since a 110-107 victory on Feb. 8, 2006. ... Faried has 10 or more rebounds in five of his last six games.
NBA Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Clippers
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Clippers 105-91
Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder put on one of their best shooting displays of the season Thursday night — and their fans seem to be following the team's cue.
Durant scored 28 points and the Thunder made 51.9 per cent in beating the Los Angeles Clippers 105-91. But that pales in comparison to what Oklahoma City fans are shooting this week during a second-quarter promotion at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
For the second straight game, and the fifth time during the 2013 calendar year, a Thunder fan hit a half-court heave to win $20,000 in a contest sponsored by MidFirst Bank.
Brad Brucker, a 33-year-old business teacher at Piedmont High School, made the money shot two days after another fan, Cameron Rodriguez, hit from midcourt in a win over Denver.
As Brucker left the floor, he was greeted and congratulated by recording stars Beyonce and Jay-Z, who watched from courtside seats next to Durant's family.
Brucker said the experience "didn't feel real."
Durant joked after the game that "we might go broke after these guys, they're hitting every half-court shot." But he added it was fun watching fans hit those shots.
Durant also enjoyed watching the Thunder post their second-best shooting outing of the season and lead all the way against Los Angeles in a matchup of Western Conference powers.
Oklahoma City has won its first five home games of the season for the first time since 2004-05, when the franchise was in Seattle.
Durant also had eight assists. Serge Ibaka added 17 points and three blocked shots.
"I thought that was probably as well as we can execute a game plan and execute on both ends of the floor, on offence and defence in the second half," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "Seventeen assists and five turnovers in the second half, and we made them miss a lot of shots. I thought we played good throughout the game, but really did a great job in the second half."
The Clippers beat the Thunder 111-103 in Los Angeles on Nov. 8. But they missed their first seven shots in the rematch, fell into a quick 10-point hole and never dug themselves out of it.
Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers noticed early that something was amiss.
"In the first quarter, you could see we didn't have it offensively," Rivers said. "Everybody was kind of missing shots. We didn't have any rhythm, no speed. When we don't have any pace by anybody, you know that's not a good sign. We didn't tonight."
There were a couple of bright spots for the Clippers. In his return to his hometown, Blake Griffin scored 27 points on 12-for-23 shooting and also had 10 rebounds. He's had a 20-10 double in 10 of the last 12 games, and has posted an NBA-high 100 such games since the start of the 2010-11 season.
The Clippers' Chris Paul also extended his NBA-record streak while finishing with 17 points and 12 assists. He has opened the season with 13 straight games in which he's had at least 10 points and 10 assists. Magic Johnson held the previous record of 11 such games to open the 1990-91 season.
"We just couldn't get it going, honestly," Rivers said. "I thought our offence — our defence let us down by the end — but at halftime, I thought it was still more of our offence. The way we've played the last couple of games, with the ball movement and all that - that was all gone tonight."
Los Angeles pulled within 81-75 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, but Nick Collison's three-point play and a jumper by Jeremy Lamb put the Thunder up by 11.
Baskets by Los Angeles' Ryan Hollins and Jamal Crawford made it a seven-point game, but Oklahoma City scored the next seven points and took its biggest lead of the game to that point at 93-79 on a free throw by Lamb with 7:11 left.
Los Angeles didn't cut the margin below double digits the rest of the game.
Crawford scored 18 points for the Clippers, who hurt themselves at the free-throw line, finishing 7-of-15. Russell Westbrook scored 12 and Lamb added 11 for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City took advantage of the Clippers' early shooting woes to take a 13-3 lead just over five minutes into the game. Los Angeles struggled at times against the Thunder's interior defence, as Ibaka and rookie Steven Adams each blocked a pair of shots in the first-half.
Oklahoma's City led by 13 before taking a 51-43 edge at halftime.
Griffin, limited to six points in the first half, scored seven straight baskets for the Clippers during the third quarter and his 20-foot jumper pulled Los Angeles within 68-62. The Thunder rebuilt its lead with a basket from Kendrick Perkins, a three-point play from Durant and a 17-foot jumper by Ibaka.
NOTES: Clippers F Matt Barnes missed his second straight game with a left eye injury sustained when he caught an inadvertent elbow from Memphis' Zach Randolph on Sunday. Barnes and Ibaka were ejected after a second-quarter altercation when the Clippers and Thunder played on Nov. 13. ... Rivers had high praise for the Thunder's Adams, whom Oklahoma City drafted in the first round this past summer. "He's going to be good," Rivers said of the 7-footer from New Zealand. Rivers watched in a pre-draft workout when Rivers still was coaching the Boston Celtics. "He has great hands and can shoot the ball pretty well. He's big. He has size and what is he, 20?" . Paul played his first two NBA seasons in Oklahoma City with the team then known as the New Orleans Hornets and says he always enjoys coming back. "Always," he said. "I won rookie of the year here. My first two years this was my first experience in the NBA. I'll always have a love for OKC."
Durant scored 28 points and the Thunder made 51.9 per cent in beating the Los Angeles Clippers 105-91. But that pales in comparison to what Oklahoma City fans are shooting this week during a second-quarter promotion at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
For the second straight game, and the fifth time during the 2013 calendar year, a Thunder fan hit a half-court heave to win $20,000 in a contest sponsored by MidFirst Bank.
Brad Brucker, a 33-year-old business teacher at Piedmont High School, made the money shot two days after another fan, Cameron Rodriguez, hit from midcourt in a win over Denver.
As Brucker left the floor, he was greeted and congratulated by recording stars Beyonce and Jay-Z, who watched from courtside seats next to Durant's family.
Brucker said the experience "didn't feel real."
Durant joked after the game that "we might go broke after these guys, they're hitting every half-court shot." But he added it was fun watching fans hit those shots.
Durant also enjoyed watching the Thunder post their second-best shooting outing of the season and lead all the way against Los Angeles in a matchup of Western Conference powers.
Oklahoma City has won its first five home games of the season for the first time since 2004-05, when the franchise was in Seattle.
Durant also had eight assists. Serge Ibaka added 17 points and three blocked shots.
"I thought that was probably as well as we can execute a game plan and execute on both ends of the floor, on offence and defence in the second half," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "Seventeen assists and five turnovers in the second half, and we made them miss a lot of shots. I thought we played good throughout the game, but really did a great job in the second half."
The Clippers beat the Thunder 111-103 in Los Angeles on Nov. 8. But they missed their first seven shots in the rematch, fell into a quick 10-point hole and never dug themselves out of it.
Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers noticed early that something was amiss.
"In the first quarter, you could see we didn't have it offensively," Rivers said. "Everybody was kind of missing shots. We didn't have any rhythm, no speed. When we don't have any pace by anybody, you know that's not a good sign. We didn't tonight."
There were a couple of bright spots for the Clippers. In his return to his hometown, Blake Griffin scored 27 points on 12-for-23 shooting and also had 10 rebounds. He's had a 20-10 double in 10 of the last 12 games, and has posted an NBA-high 100 such games since the start of the 2010-11 season.
The Clippers' Chris Paul also extended his NBA-record streak while finishing with 17 points and 12 assists. He has opened the season with 13 straight games in which he's had at least 10 points and 10 assists. Magic Johnson held the previous record of 11 such games to open the 1990-91 season.
"We just couldn't get it going, honestly," Rivers said. "I thought our offence — our defence let us down by the end — but at halftime, I thought it was still more of our offence. The way we've played the last couple of games, with the ball movement and all that - that was all gone tonight."
Los Angeles pulled within 81-75 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, but Nick Collison's three-point play and a jumper by Jeremy Lamb put the Thunder up by 11.
Baskets by Los Angeles' Ryan Hollins and Jamal Crawford made it a seven-point game, but Oklahoma City scored the next seven points and took its biggest lead of the game to that point at 93-79 on a free throw by Lamb with 7:11 left.
Los Angeles didn't cut the margin below double digits the rest of the game.
Crawford scored 18 points for the Clippers, who hurt themselves at the free-throw line, finishing 7-of-15. Russell Westbrook scored 12 and Lamb added 11 for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City took advantage of the Clippers' early shooting woes to take a 13-3 lead just over five minutes into the game. Los Angeles struggled at times against the Thunder's interior defence, as Ibaka and rookie Steven Adams each blocked a pair of shots in the first-half.
Oklahoma's City led by 13 before taking a 51-43 edge at halftime.
Griffin, limited to six points in the first half, scored seven straight baskets for the Clippers during the third quarter and his 20-foot jumper pulled Los Angeles within 68-62. The Thunder rebuilt its lead with a basket from Kendrick Perkins, a three-point play from Durant and a 17-foot jumper by Ibaka.
NOTES: Clippers F Matt Barnes missed his second straight game with a left eye injury sustained when he caught an inadvertent elbow from Memphis' Zach Randolph on Sunday. Barnes and Ibaka were ejected after a second-quarter altercation when the Clippers and Thunder played on Nov. 13. ... Rivers had high praise for the Thunder's Adams, whom Oklahoma City drafted in the first round this past summer. "He's going to be good," Rivers said of the 7-footer from New Zealand. Rivers watched in a pre-draft workout when Rivers still was coaching the Boston Celtics. "He has great hands and can shoot the ball pretty well. He's big. He has size and what is he, 20?" . Paul played his first two NBA seasons in Oklahoma City with the team then known as the New Orleans Hornets and says he always enjoys coming back. "Always," he said. "I won rookie of the year here. My first two years this was my first experience in the NBA. I'll always have a love for OKC."
четвртак, 21. новембар 2013.
NBA Charlotte Bobcats vs Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Bobcats vs Brooklyn Nets 95-91
For the second straight season the Charlotte Bobcats are off to a strong start.
But this time around point guard Kemba Walker feels a lot more confident about the chances of sustaining that success.
The Bobcats just might if Walker continues to play as he did on Wednesday night. The third-year pro scored a season-high 31 points and the Bobcats handed the turnover-prone Brooklyn Nets their sixth loss in their past seven games 95-91.
The win lifts the Bobcats to 6-6 on the season.
They started 7-5 last season under former coach Mike Dunlap before losing 18 straight games and finishing 21-61, the second-worst record in the league. Dunlap was fired.
This season, the Bobcats are finding success despite playing nine games without their best player, centre Al Jefferson, who has been in and out of the lineup with an ankle injury.
"We are capable of a lot and being really, really good," Walker said. "We just have to be more consistent. Al is definitely going to help us a lot because he draws a lot of attention.
"If I can keep on having nights like this when he comes back it will be great for us. With Gerald (Henderson) and Ramon (Sessions) and our other role players I think we'll be a tough team to play against every night."
New coach Steve Clifford believes the Bobcats haven't started to tap their potential and believes the good start isn't a mirage.
"We're defending and rebounding," Clifford said. "We have yet to play any sustained time with our best offensive player. We're playing younger guys so there is a lot of room for improvement."
Clifford said he hopes to have Jefferson back for Friday night's game against Phoenix.
The Nets, meanwhile, aren't so sure about when Deron Williams will return to the court after he sprained his ankle in the second quarter when he landed on Walker's foot and his foot twisted inward. He fell to the floor in pain, holding his ankle.
He did not return to the game and finished with four points and two assists in 14 minutes.
"We don't know how long he's going to be out but, hopefully it's a speedy recovery," Nets coach Jason Kidd said.
Walker finished 12 of 20 from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers as the Bobcats snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Nets. The Bobcats nearly lost a 10-point lead with less than three minutes, but Walker hit two free throws with 6.1 seconds left to seal the win.
Walker said he's been spending more time in the gym working on his jump shot and it paid off getting back to the basics.
"Lately I have been taking a lot of off-balanced shots and making it tough for myself," Walker said.
The Bobcats outscored the Nets 52-34 in the paint.
"We were just being aggressive and took whatever they gave us," Walker said. "There were a lot of open lanes and we took them and were able to score."
With owner Michael Jordan sitting on the end of the bench, the Bobcats started the second half with a 15-1 run to take control of the game. Walker had eight points during the stretch.
The Bobcats led 53-50 at halftime behind 58 per cent shooting from the floor. Walker led the way with 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting.
Andray Blatche led the Nets with a season-high 25 points while Joe Johnson added 19.
However, the Nets had 18 turnovers and fell to 3-8.
"Fifty-two points in the paint is unacceptable," Blatche said. "Thirty-plus points in a quarter is unacceptable. It's our song all season. We keep saying it's early, but until we buckle down on defence, it's going to be the same results. We've got to take pride because it's embarrassing. It's real embarrassing."
Said Kidd: "The defence is something that we've got to get better at. It's something that we were working on the preseason and was something we thought coming into the season we could hold our hat on."
Charlotte continues to play good defence, holding its opponent to under 100 points for the ninth time in 12 games.
NOTES: Gerald Henderson scored 13 points and finished in double digits for the 10th time this season. ... Nets guard Alan Anderson had a season-high 16 points. ... The Bobcats are 6-1 in games decided by six points or fewer.
среда, 20. новембар 2013.
NBA Sacramento Kings vs Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings vs Phoenix Suns 107-104
Fourth-quarter comebacks have been common for the Sacramento Kings this season. The one Tuesday night was different, though, because they finally won.
DeMarcus Cousins had 27 points and 12 rebounds to help Sacramento rally for a 107-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
The Kings, who outscored Phoenix 25-16 in the fourth, scored the final 10 points of the game in a run that was aided by three straight Suns turnovers in the closing minutes as Sacramento halted a two-game skid.
The teams play again Wednesday night in Phoenix.
"I never say, 'Wait until the fourth quarter.' We have to give a much more consistent effort," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "I can't figure us out at times. We're first in the league in fewest turnovers, but we've had games recently where we look like the Keystone Cops. That needs to be cleaned up, especially going into their house tomorrow.'
Overall, the Kings have had little to feel good about early this season. Despite a favourable schedule with a number of home games, they dropped seven of eight after defeating Denver in the opener.
Selfish play on offence, combined with a lack of defensive effort and overall hustle, has typified the Kings thus far. But that wasn't the case in the fourth quarter when Sacramento forced six turnovers and limited the Suns to 32 per cent shooting.
"Everybody was doing whatever it took to win this game," said reserve guard Isaiah Thomas, who scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth, including two huge free throws. "A win like this builds confidence that we can be a good defensive team. This is a positive step forward for us."
It was definitely a positive step forward for rookie Ben McLemore.
He made four 3-pointers and had a season-high 19 points. That was six more points than he had combined in his previous three starts since replacing Marcus Thornton at shooting guard.
"I just wanted to come out and stay aggressive," said McLemore, who also had five rebounds and a block in a season-high 34 minutes. "My teammates and our coaching staff has confidence and told me to just keep shooting. Even after I missed shots tonight, I kept shooting. I'm a shooter; that's what I do."
Cousins was dominant inside for much of the game, even though his left shoulder popped out of place in the second quarter and bothered him slightly for the rest of the night. The Kings' physical centre shot 9 of 18 and added four steals, three assists and two blocks.
"After a few pain pills my adrenaline got going and it kind of went away, but it will really be hurting tomorrow," Cousins said, adding the shoulder wasn't separated.
Greivis Vasquez had 11 points and Patrick Patterson 10 for the Kings.
Gerald Green scored 23 points and Marcus Morris had 19 for the Suns, who lost their third straight and dropped to 1-4 on the road. Phoenix had 16 turnovers and was outrebounded 48-31.
Archie Goodwin scored 16 and Goran Dragic had 10 points and eight assists with seven turnovers.
"The way we play (up tempo), we're going to have some turnovers," said Channing Frye, who had 17 points and nine rebounds. "But there's a difference between good turnovers and bad turnovers. And tonight we had too many bad turnovers."
Morris missed a corner 3-pointer and Cousins grabbed the rebound and made one of two free throws with just under a second left to preserve the victory.
Phoenix's five losses this season are by a total of 16 points.
"That one was the worst of them all," coach Jeff Hornacek said. "You can't go down to the end of the game and have five or six straight turnovers. We were just not taking care of the ball. They run the plays. They don't run them the right way and then we turn it over. Give them credit, they stuck in there."
Travis Outlaw tied the score with a jumper and Thomas followed with two free throws to put the Kings ahead 106-104 with 30.4 seconds left. It was Sacramento's first lead since early in the second quarter.
With the Kings trailing by seven, Thomas made two free throws and Cousins had a three-point play to cut the Suns' lead to 104-102.
Phoenix played without starting point guard Eric Bledsoe, who bruised his left shin in practice this week. Bledsoe leads the team in scoring (20.4) and assists (6.8).
After the Kings tied the score at 97, Frye made a putback to put the Suns ahead. Dragic followed with a runner and Green's 3-pointer off a fast break extended the lead to 104-97.
The Kings made three 3-pointers early in the third quarter, and the final one by Jimmer Fredette cut the Phoenix lead to 95-93 with 7:42 left in the fourth.
Green scored 11 points in the third quarter when the Suns stretched the lead to 14 on several occasions. But McLemore hit two 3s and had 11 points for the Kings, who closed the gap to 88-82 heading into the fourth.
Morris scored 14 points and Goodwin had 12 to help Phoenix take a 62-54 lead into halftime. The Suns shot 54 per cent and made 17 of 22 free throws in the opening half.
NOTES: Hornacek was called for a technical midway through the first quarter. ... Thomas scored in double figures off the bench for the 10th straight game to start the season, establishing a franchise record that he previously shared with Walt Williams. ... Goodwin stole a pass and dunked at the other end to conclude a 10-0 run for the Suns to open the second quarter. ... McLemore made two 3s and had eight first-quarter points. In his previous three starts, McLemore shot 5 of 20 and had 14 total points. ... Thornton, who started the first six games but has struggled in the early going, didn't play for the first time this season.
DeMarcus Cousins had 27 points and 12 rebounds to help Sacramento rally for a 107-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
The Kings, who outscored Phoenix 25-16 in the fourth, scored the final 10 points of the game in a run that was aided by three straight Suns turnovers in the closing minutes as Sacramento halted a two-game skid.
The teams play again Wednesday night in Phoenix.
"I never say, 'Wait until the fourth quarter.' We have to give a much more consistent effort," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "I can't figure us out at times. We're first in the league in fewest turnovers, but we've had games recently where we look like the Keystone Cops. That needs to be cleaned up, especially going into their house tomorrow.'
Overall, the Kings have had little to feel good about early this season. Despite a favourable schedule with a number of home games, they dropped seven of eight after defeating Denver in the opener.
Selfish play on offence, combined with a lack of defensive effort and overall hustle, has typified the Kings thus far. But that wasn't the case in the fourth quarter when Sacramento forced six turnovers and limited the Suns to 32 per cent shooting.
"Everybody was doing whatever it took to win this game," said reserve guard Isaiah Thomas, who scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth, including two huge free throws. "A win like this builds confidence that we can be a good defensive team. This is a positive step forward for us."
It was definitely a positive step forward for rookie Ben McLemore.
He made four 3-pointers and had a season-high 19 points. That was six more points than he had combined in his previous three starts since replacing Marcus Thornton at shooting guard.
"I just wanted to come out and stay aggressive," said McLemore, who also had five rebounds and a block in a season-high 34 minutes. "My teammates and our coaching staff has confidence and told me to just keep shooting. Even after I missed shots tonight, I kept shooting. I'm a shooter; that's what I do."
Cousins was dominant inside for much of the game, even though his left shoulder popped out of place in the second quarter and bothered him slightly for the rest of the night. The Kings' physical centre shot 9 of 18 and added four steals, three assists and two blocks.
"After a few pain pills my adrenaline got going and it kind of went away, but it will really be hurting tomorrow," Cousins said, adding the shoulder wasn't separated.
Greivis Vasquez had 11 points and Patrick Patterson 10 for the Kings.
Gerald Green scored 23 points and Marcus Morris had 19 for the Suns, who lost their third straight and dropped to 1-4 on the road. Phoenix had 16 turnovers and was outrebounded 48-31.
Archie Goodwin scored 16 and Goran Dragic had 10 points and eight assists with seven turnovers.
"The way we play (up tempo), we're going to have some turnovers," said Channing Frye, who had 17 points and nine rebounds. "But there's a difference between good turnovers and bad turnovers. And tonight we had too many bad turnovers."
Morris missed a corner 3-pointer and Cousins grabbed the rebound and made one of two free throws with just under a second left to preserve the victory.
Phoenix's five losses this season are by a total of 16 points.
"That one was the worst of them all," coach Jeff Hornacek said. "You can't go down to the end of the game and have five or six straight turnovers. We were just not taking care of the ball. They run the plays. They don't run them the right way and then we turn it over. Give them credit, they stuck in there."
Travis Outlaw tied the score with a jumper and Thomas followed with two free throws to put the Kings ahead 106-104 with 30.4 seconds left. It was Sacramento's first lead since early in the second quarter.
With the Kings trailing by seven, Thomas made two free throws and Cousins had a three-point play to cut the Suns' lead to 104-102.
Phoenix played without starting point guard Eric Bledsoe, who bruised his left shin in practice this week. Bledsoe leads the team in scoring (20.4) and assists (6.8).
After the Kings tied the score at 97, Frye made a putback to put the Suns ahead. Dragic followed with a runner and Green's 3-pointer off a fast break extended the lead to 104-97.
The Kings made three 3-pointers early in the third quarter, and the final one by Jimmer Fredette cut the Phoenix lead to 95-93 with 7:42 left in the fourth.
Green scored 11 points in the third quarter when the Suns stretched the lead to 14 on several occasions. But McLemore hit two 3s and had 11 points for the Kings, who closed the gap to 88-82 heading into the fourth.
Morris scored 14 points and Goodwin had 12 to help Phoenix take a 62-54 lead into halftime. The Suns shot 54 per cent and made 17 of 22 free throws in the opening half.
NOTES: Hornacek was called for a technical midway through the first quarter. ... Thomas scored in double figures off the bench for the 10th straight game to start the season, establishing a franchise record that he previously shared with Walt Williams. ... Goodwin stole a pass and dunked at the other end to conclude a 10-0 run for the Suns to open the second quarter. ... McLemore made two 3s and had eight first-quarter points. In his previous three starts, McLemore shot 5 of 20 and had 14 total points. ... Thornton, who started the first six games but has struggled in the early going, didn't play for the first time this season.
NBA Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics
Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics 109-85
Terrence Jones said he is feeling more comfortable and confident on the floor.
It has showed the last two games.
Jones scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to their third straight victory, 109-85 over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.
Jones, who tied his previous career high with 14 points Saturday against Denver, was 10 of 12 from the field as the Rockets shot 57 per cent as a team, including 72 per cent in the first half in building a 24-point halftime lead.
"I'm just trying to make the simple plays and trying to be there for cuts and offensive rebounds," said Jones, who has started the last four games. "I'm just trying to do all the things to help us win."
Patrick Beverley chipped in 16 points, James Harden added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Dwight Howard had 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons each had 11 points as the Rockets raced out to a 17-point, first-quarter lead and were never threatened.
Houston also never trailed in its 122-111 victory over Denver and has not trailed since falling behind New York 61-60 with 7:41 remaining in the third quarter Thursday, a span of 112 minutes, 19 seconds.
Houston coach Kevin McHale said he hoped his team was catching a rhythm.
"I think the guys have done a really good job of being attentive and making corrections," McHale said. "We've still got a long way to go, but we're getting better all the time. That's the encouraging thing. We have a lot of room for improvement still, but I can feel us starting to jell a little bit."
Courtney Lee had 17 points, Avery Bradley added 11 and Jared Sullinger had 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Boston, which lost its fourth in a row.
The Celtics shot 32 per cent.
Boston coach Brad Stevens said he didn't have anything he was excited about from Tuesday's game.
"I want to make sure we don't play like that again, so I never look at it as it was just one of those things because there is something behind when you don't play the way you're supposed to," Stevens said. "There are games where things just don't go your way, but we're letting one end affect the other, and you don't do that against good teams."
The Rockets jumped out to an 18-1 lead in the first 5 minutes, capped by a follow dunk by Jones, who had six in the game-opening run. Beverley had five points in the stretch for Houston.
Howard pointed to Houston's defence as the reason the Rockets ran out to the big lead.
"Terrence and myself tried to do a better job of protecting the paint and forcing teams to only get one shot," Howard said. "Once we do that, our young guys can get out and run. They did a good job of that tonight, of getting out and running early. We set the tone. That's what we have to do."
Boston got its first point of the game on Jordan Crawford's free throw 45 seconds in after a Houston defensive 3-second call, but the Celtics missed their first nine shots and had three turnovers before Bradley hit a jumper with 6:46 left in the first to cut the lead to 18-3.
"It was a slow start," Lee said. "We weren't making shots, and were not executing our offence, and Houston got out and were running and were making easy layups, and everything they were running was working against us. It was definitely a bad start for us."
Boston, which shot 24 per cent in the first quarter, cut the lead to 28-18 on Sullinger's layup with 2:28 left in the period. However, Houston, which shot 80 per cent in the first quarter, responded by ending the quarter on a 12-0 run capped by Omri Casspi's 3-pointer to lead 40-18 after one.
Houston pushed the lead to 43-18 on a 3-pointer by Beverley a minute into the second quarter and Boston never got the lead below 18 the rest of the way.
The Rockets led 68-44 at the half and stretched the lead to 35 at 88-53 on Howard's follow shot with 4 minutes to go in the third.
NOTES: Houston C Omer Asik, who has been the subject of trade rumours, played Tuesday after missing the last two games. "I was just frustrated," Asik said at Tuesday morning's shootaround about missing the previous two games. "It is behind me now. I'm looking forward to help my team win." Asik would not discuss reports that he asked to be traded. ... High school senior Carly Wright, who has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, was granted a wish by the Rockets and the Make-A-Wish program as she attended shootaround and the game and met the team, including her favourite player, Parsons.
NBA Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks
Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks 104-88
For the Miami Heat, the third quarter was pretty much the whole story. Chris Bosh tumbled over some courtside seats on one end, and LeBron James apologized to a few fans during one particularly frustrating moment on the other.
In between, Mario Chalmers gave the Heat all the boost they needed.
Chalmers went on a personal 9-0 run in a 39-second span of the period, Bosh led all scorers with 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting, and the Heat went on to beat the Atlanta Hawks 104-88 on Tuesday night for their fourth straight victory.
"We just try to get out in transition, let our defence be our offence most of the time and keep working from there," Chalmers said.
Ray Allen scored 17 in his first game back from a bout with the flu. Chalmers had 12 of his 14 in the third quarter for the Heat, who were without Dwyane Wade for the second time this season. James finished with a season-low 13 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Heat (8-3), and no starter played in the final 12 minutes while backups put away the game.
"We're very confident in our lineup we got, man," James said. "Those guys continue to play well. They continue to work together and it's great to have a Hall of Famer in that lineup with Ray coming back."
Mike Scott scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Atlanta, which got 12 points apiece from Al Horford and Pero Antic. Kyle Korver made three 3-pointers for the Hawks, extending his streak to 84 consecutive games with at least one make from beyond the arc, five shy of matching Dana Barros' NBA record.
"It's a constant battle," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said of playing the Heat. "They take away something. Hopefully you can find something else. At times we did and at times we didn't."
Miami's lead was 56-54 in the third quarter when Chalmers got hot — in a hurry. James Jones, who started in place of Wade, actually started what became a 15-2 run with a 3-pointer, and then Chalmers got going.
He cut across the lane for a reverse layup while getting fouled, then made a 3-pointer from the left wing after an Atlanta turnover. Jeff Teague missed a layup on the next Atlanta possession, James wound up throwing a chest pass from about 50 feet to Chalmers, who pulled up on the catch and connected on another 3-pointer from the same spot.
Just like that, 56-54 became 68-54. And Bosh provided one of the night's highlights by giving the crowd a rather comical thumbs-up after his dive into the expensive seats, plus was thrilled to learn afterward that the photo quickly made its rounds on social media.
"You don't get to go in the stands much," Bosh said.
Atlanta carved the deficit to 10 entering the fourth, but the Heat — with five reserves on the court — then showed off their depth.
Allen scored Miami's first 12 points of the final quarter, Michael Beasley added the next four, and the Heat lead grew 94-78 with 5 minutes remaining, ensuring that the two-time defending NBA champions would keep their starters on the bench for the entirety of the final period. Norris Cole finished with eight points, nine assists and five rebounds for Miami.
"Our starters are rooting them on," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They understand the importance of that group."
Neither team led by more than six points in the first half, one where the Hawks held James scoreless for the first 16 minutes. James never really got on a sustained roll offensively, though Miami didn't need him to get there, either. James scored 10 points in the second quarter, and only three in the rest of the game.
Even without Wade, and on a night Miami used its sixth starting lineup in 11 games, that didn't matter.
"They're a great defensive team," Korver said. "They were able to really trap the ball. With LeBron in the back, they're able to cover every passing angle - it seems like that. Nothing really feels open."
Atlanta was without forward Paul Millsap, out with right elbow tendinitis. Gustavo Ayon started in his place.
NOTES: Heat F Udonis Haslem had a fairly odd stat line: seven points and six fouls in eight minutes, the fastest anyone has fouled out of an NBA game since Feb. 16, 2011. Haslem had missed Miami's last four games with back spasms. ... James is now two free throws away from the 5,000th make from the line in his career. ... Spoelstra improved his winning percentage to .6617. If Miami wins at Orlando on Wednesday, he would pass legendary Boston coach Red Auerbach (.6619) on the NBA's career list, among coaches with more than 400 games. ... Atlanta finished with 22 assists, and the Hawks have had at least 20 in every game this season.
In between, Mario Chalmers gave the Heat all the boost they needed.
Chalmers went on a personal 9-0 run in a 39-second span of the period, Bosh led all scorers with 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting, and the Heat went on to beat the Atlanta Hawks 104-88 on Tuesday night for their fourth straight victory.
"We just try to get out in transition, let our defence be our offence most of the time and keep working from there," Chalmers said.
Ray Allen scored 17 in his first game back from a bout with the flu. Chalmers had 12 of his 14 in the third quarter for the Heat, who were without Dwyane Wade for the second time this season. James finished with a season-low 13 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Heat (8-3), and no starter played in the final 12 minutes while backups put away the game.
"We're very confident in our lineup we got, man," James said. "Those guys continue to play well. They continue to work together and it's great to have a Hall of Famer in that lineup with Ray coming back."
Mike Scott scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Atlanta, which got 12 points apiece from Al Horford and Pero Antic. Kyle Korver made three 3-pointers for the Hawks, extending his streak to 84 consecutive games with at least one make from beyond the arc, five shy of matching Dana Barros' NBA record.
"It's a constant battle," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said of playing the Heat. "They take away something. Hopefully you can find something else. At times we did and at times we didn't."
Miami's lead was 56-54 in the third quarter when Chalmers got hot — in a hurry. James Jones, who started in place of Wade, actually started what became a 15-2 run with a 3-pointer, and then Chalmers got going.
He cut across the lane for a reverse layup while getting fouled, then made a 3-pointer from the left wing after an Atlanta turnover. Jeff Teague missed a layup on the next Atlanta possession, James wound up throwing a chest pass from about 50 feet to Chalmers, who pulled up on the catch and connected on another 3-pointer from the same spot.
Just like that, 56-54 became 68-54. And Bosh provided one of the night's highlights by giving the crowd a rather comical thumbs-up after his dive into the expensive seats, plus was thrilled to learn afterward that the photo quickly made its rounds on social media.
"You don't get to go in the stands much," Bosh said.
Atlanta carved the deficit to 10 entering the fourth, but the Heat — with five reserves on the court — then showed off their depth.
Allen scored Miami's first 12 points of the final quarter, Michael Beasley added the next four, and the Heat lead grew 94-78 with 5 minutes remaining, ensuring that the two-time defending NBA champions would keep their starters on the bench for the entirety of the final period. Norris Cole finished with eight points, nine assists and five rebounds for Miami.
"Our starters are rooting them on," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They understand the importance of that group."
Neither team led by more than six points in the first half, one where the Hawks held James scoreless for the first 16 minutes. James never really got on a sustained roll offensively, though Miami didn't need him to get there, either. James scored 10 points in the second quarter, and only three in the rest of the game.
Even without Wade, and on a night Miami used its sixth starting lineup in 11 games, that didn't matter.
"They're a great defensive team," Korver said. "They were able to really trap the ball. With LeBron in the back, they're able to cover every passing angle - it seems like that. Nothing really feels open."
Atlanta was without forward Paul Millsap, out with right elbow tendinitis. Gustavo Ayon started in his place.
NOTES: Heat F Udonis Haslem had a fairly odd stat line: seven points and six fouls in eight minutes, the fastest anyone has fouled out of an NBA game since Feb. 16, 2011. Haslem had missed Miami's last four games with back spasms. ... James is now two free throws away from the 5,000th make from the line in his career. ... Spoelstra improved his winning percentage to .6617. If Miami wins at Orlando on Wednesday, he would pass legendary Boston coach Red Auerbach (.6619) on the NBA's career list, among coaches with more than 400 games. ... Atlanta finished with 22 assists, and the Hawks have had at least 20 in every game this season.
NBA Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks
Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks 92-86
Josh Smith and the Detroit Pistons finally went up against a team they could handle defensively.
That would be Carmelo Anthony and the slumping, injury-riddled New York Knicks.
Rodney Stuckey scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, and the Pistons beat the Knicks for the first time in eight meetings, 92-86 on Tuesday night.
Smith added 19 points for the Pistons, who had allowed at least 109 points to four of their previous five opponents. They held New York to 43 per cent shooting.
"We're long, we're athletic," Smith said. "There shouldn't be a reason why we can't do that each and every night. Hopefully we're turning the corner and we're establishing ourselves on the defensive end."
Only one other team, the Boston Celtics, had been held under 90 points this season by the Pistons.
Detroit led 71-63 after three quarters and scored the first seven points of the fourth. New York cut the lead to four in the final minute, but the Knicks couldn't reduce the deficit to one possession.
Anthony led the Knicks with 25 points. New York (3-7) has lost three in a row.
"We didn't do anything on the offensive end, and then we didn't get the stops we needed at the end. We put ourselves in a situation where we needed to get every stop down the stretch, and that's tough to do," New York's Kenyon Martin said.
"We're going to get this together. Teams go through slumps like that during a season, but we are doing it in November, so it gets magnified. We just have to figure out our problems on offence."
Greg Monroe had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, and Andre Drummond added 13 points and 11 boards.
New York guard Raymond Felton missed the game because of an injured lower back and left hip area. Beno Udrih started at guard, his first start of the season. Martin also got his first start of 2013-14 for the Knicks, giving them some size against Detroit's big front line. New York is already without Tyson Chandler because of a broken leg.
Neither team led by more than six in the first half. The Pistons (4-6) were ahead 55-54 before going on a 7-0 run in the third quarter. Smith made a 3-pointer, and Anthony was called for a technical foul moments later — after he apparently thought he was fouled on a missed shot.
Stuckey made the free throw, and a 3-pointer by Kyle Singler made it 62-54.
"I think we lost our composure there in the third quarter," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "First quarter, we were really good offensively, but as the game went on, we gradually stopped executing and moving the ball. We played like a team that was tired, but there was no reason for us to be tired. Some of that is because of Raymond, but you can't use that as an excuse."
Stuckey started the fourth quarter with a fadeaway, and after Amare Stoudemire was called for a technical, Stuckey's free throw pushed the lead to 11. Stuckey added a 17-footer, and Drummond's dunk made it 78-63.
"My role is to come off the bench and just bring energy, and that's what I'm trying to do this year," Stuckey said.
Detroit's Brandon Jennings was bothered by an upset stomach early and scored only two points, but he had seven assists.
Stuckey shot 8 of 14 from the field.
"We kept the ball in his hands and he made plays for us," Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks said.
It was Detroit's first victory over the Knicks since March 18, 2011, when the Pistons beat New York 99-95.
NOTES: Detroit was short-handed too, with guards Chauncey Billups (knee tendinitis) and Will Bynum (sore left hamstring) both out. ... New York F Metta World Peace missed the game with a sore left knee. It was nine years to the day after he was involved in an infamous brawl in a game at Detroit while a member of the Indiana Pacers. ... Drummond shot an airball on a free throw late in the second quarter.
That would be Carmelo Anthony and the slumping, injury-riddled New York Knicks.
Rodney Stuckey scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, and the Pistons beat the Knicks for the first time in eight meetings, 92-86 on Tuesday night.
Smith added 19 points for the Pistons, who had allowed at least 109 points to four of their previous five opponents. They held New York to 43 per cent shooting.
"We're long, we're athletic," Smith said. "There shouldn't be a reason why we can't do that each and every night. Hopefully we're turning the corner and we're establishing ourselves on the defensive end."
Only one other team, the Boston Celtics, had been held under 90 points this season by the Pistons.
Detroit led 71-63 after three quarters and scored the first seven points of the fourth. New York cut the lead to four in the final minute, but the Knicks couldn't reduce the deficit to one possession.
Anthony led the Knicks with 25 points. New York (3-7) has lost three in a row.
"We didn't do anything on the offensive end, and then we didn't get the stops we needed at the end. We put ourselves in a situation where we needed to get every stop down the stretch, and that's tough to do," New York's Kenyon Martin said.
"We're going to get this together. Teams go through slumps like that during a season, but we are doing it in November, so it gets magnified. We just have to figure out our problems on offence."
Greg Monroe had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, and Andre Drummond added 13 points and 11 boards.
New York guard Raymond Felton missed the game because of an injured lower back and left hip area. Beno Udrih started at guard, his first start of the season. Martin also got his first start of 2013-14 for the Knicks, giving them some size against Detroit's big front line. New York is already without Tyson Chandler because of a broken leg.
Neither team led by more than six in the first half. The Pistons (4-6) were ahead 55-54 before going on a 7-0 run in the third quarter. Smith made a 3-pointer, and Anthony was called for a technical foul moments later — after he apparently thought he was fouled on a missed shot.
Stuckey made the free throw, and a 3-pointer by Kyle Singler made it 62-54.
"I think we lost our composure there in the third quarter," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "First quarter, we were really good offensively, but as the game went on, we gradually stopped executing and moving the ball. We played like a team that was tired, but there was no reason for us to be tired. Some of that is because of Raymond, but you can't use that as an excuse."
Stuckey started the fourth quarter with a fadeaway, and after Amare Stoudemire was called for a technical, Stuckey's free throw pushed the lead to 11. Stuckey added a 17-footer, and Drummond's dunk made it 78-63.
"My role is to come off the bench and just bring energy, and that's what I'm trying to do this year," Stuckey said.
Detroit's Brandon Jennings was bothered by an upset stomach early and scored only two points, but he had seven assists.
Stuckey shot 8 of 14 from the field.
"We kept the ball in his hands and he made plays for us," Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks said.
It was Detroit's first victory over the Knicks since March 18, 2011, when the Pistons beat New York 99-95.
NOTES: Detroit was short-handed too, with guards Chauncey Billups (knee tendinitis) and Will Bynum (sore left hamstring) both out. ... New York F Metta World Peace missed the game with a sore left knee. It was nine years to the day after he was involved in an infamous brawl in a game at Detroit while a member of the Indiana Pacers. ... Drummond shot an airball on a free throw late in the second quarter.
NBA Washington Wizards vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Washington Wizards vs Minnesota Timberwolves 104-100
Kevin Love looked as if he was headed for a big night against Washington. Instead, the Wizards kicked their defence up measurably and held the NBA's third-leading scorer below his season average.
Love, who entered the game averaging 26.8 points, had 16 in the first quarter but only nine afterward as Washington broke its four-game losing streak with a 104-100 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
"I thought he was going for 70 in the first eight minutes," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said.
Love, who made five of his first six shots, missed eight of his final 11 to finish with 25. He had 11 rebounds, also below his season average.
Bradley Beal scored 25 points, while John Wall added 14 points and tied his career high with 16 assists for Washington.
Martel Webster's 3-pointer with 42 seconds to play gave the Wizards a 100-98 lead. Beal added two free throws with 12.9 seconds left to make it 102-98.
Webster had 17 points, including five 3-pointers.
Minnesota started furiously. A 13-2 first-quarter run put them up by 10, and Love had 16 points by the end of the quarter with the Timberwolves ahead 34-27.
Love played half the second quarter, missed his only shot, and had just one point, but Minnesota led 63-51 in the half.
"I thought when we came out to start the game, it was again lethargic. We weren't dictating things defensively. We got upset at halftime and turned it on," Wittman said.
Prior to Tuesday morning's shootaround, the Wizards had a players-only meeting, one that Wittman feigned ignorance about before the game.
After the game, he joked that he liked the meeting's result.
"After halftime I was going to have another one. I wasn't going to go in there. I'll do whatever it takes for a win, trust me," Wittman said.
Besides holding Love down, Washington also stopped Kevin Martin, who was averaging 24.4 points. He was held to 11.
"We need everybody every night. We can't usually get by if we have a couple guys with off games," Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said.
Minnesota began a difficult stretch of five games in seven nights, its second of the season.
"Our transition D was poor," Love said. "That's the only way they scored the ball really. I thought we did a good job in the half court, but everyone knows, when that team gets out in transition they can be pretty good offensively."
Beal scored 17 in the second half and his layup with 10:24 to play gave the Wizards an 86-85 lead. They held it until Martin's two free throws tied it at 95 with 2:23 to play.
"In the first half, we were horrible. We weren't there defensively. We were lackadaisical. We played with no energy," Beal said.
Wall hit a jumper with 1:26 to play to give Washington a 97-95 lead, but Martin, who had missed 12 of his first 15 field goals, made a 3-pointer and Minnesota pulled ahead 98-97 with 1:11 remaining.
Minnesota had won seven of its first 11. Adelman, a veteran of 23 seasons as an NBA coach, cautioned his team.
"I keep telling them they haven't done anything yet," he said before the game.
In the second half, the Timberwolves shot just 34 per cent and missed 10 of their 13 3-pointers.
"If you're going to be somebody in the league, you have to be ready to win every night. I think we didn't do it tonight in the second half and this kind of game is one of the games that you're going to need," Wolves guard Ricky Rubio said.
Rubio had three quick fouls in just seven first-half minutes and played just 19 minutes.
Wall had seven assists in the third quarter as the Wizards outscored the Timberwolves 30-18 to even the game at 81.
NOTES: Wittman was incensed about an early first-quarter foul on Beal, but held his emotions in check. After being fined for using profane language and being fined $20,000, Wittman is sensitive. "I ain't gonna get in any more trouble," he joked. . Washington F Al Harrington missed his third straight game with a right knee injury. . Wizards F Trevor Ariza missed his second game with a strained right hamstring. . Flip Saunders, who was fired as Washington's coach in January 2012, returned to the arena in his new role as Minnesota's president of basketball operations.
Love, who entered the game averaging 26.8 points, had 16 in the first quarter but only nine afterward as Washington broke its four-game losing streak with a 104-100 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
"I thought he was going for 70 in the first eight minutes," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said.
Love, who made five of his first six shots, missed eight of his final 11 to finish with 25. He had 11 rebounds, also below his season average.
Bradley Beal scored 25 points, while John Wall added 14 points and tied his career high with 16 assists for Washington.
Martel Webster's 3-pointer with 42 seconds to play gave the Wizards a 100-98 lead. Beal added two free throws with 12.9 seconds left to make it 102-98.
Webster had 17 points, including five 3-pointers.
Minnesota started furiously. A 13-2 first-quarter run put them up by 10, and Love had 16 points by the end of the quarter with the Timberwolves ahead 34-27.
Love played half the second quarter, missed his only shot, and had just one point, but Minnesota led 63-51 in the half.
"I thought when we came out to start the game, it was again lethargic. We weren't dictating things defensively. We got upset at halftime and turned it on," Wittman said.
Prior to Tuesday morning's shootaround, the Wizards had a players-only meeting, one that Wittman feigned ignorance about before the game.
After the game, he joked that he liked the meeting's result.
"After halftime I was going to have another one. I wasn't going to go in there. I'll do whatever it takes for a win, trust me," Wittman said.
Besides holding Love down, Washington also stopped Kevin Martin, who was averaging 24.4 points. He was held to 11.
"We need everybody every night. We can't usually get by if we have a couple guys with off games," Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said.
Minnesota began a difficult stretch of five games in seven nights, its second of the season.
"Our transition D was poor," Love said. "That's the only way they scored the ball really. I thought we did a good job in the half court, but everyone knows, when that team gets out in transition they can be pretty good offensively."
Beal scored 17 in the second half and his layup with 10:24 to play gave the Wizards an 86-85 lead. They held it until Martin's two free throws tied it at 95 with 2:23 to play.
"In the first half, we were horrible. We weren't there defensively. We were lackadaisical. We played with no energy," Beal said.
Wall hit a jumper with 1:26 to play to give Washington a 97-95 lead, but Martin, who had missed 12 of his first 15 field goals, made a 3-pointer and Minnesota pulled ahead 98-97 with 1:11 remaining.
Minnesota had won seven of its first 11. Adelman, a veteran of 23 seasons as an NBA coach, cautioned his team.
"I keep telling them they haven't done anything yet," he said before the game.
In the second half, the Timberwolves shot just 34 per cent and missed 10 of their 13 3-pointers.
"If you're going to be somebody in the league, you have to be ready to win every night. I think we didn't do it tonight in the second half and this kind of game is one of the games that you're going to need," Wolves guard Ricky Rubio said.
Rubio had three quick fouls in just seven first-half minutes and played just 19 minutes.
Wall had seven assists in the third quarter as the Wizards outscored the Timberwolves 30-18 to even the game at 81.
NOTES: Wittman was incensed about an early first-quarter foul on Beal, but held his emotions in check. After being fined for using profane language and being fined $20,000, Wittman is sensitive. "I ain't gonna get in any more trouble," he joked. . Washington F Al Harrington missed his third straight game with a right knee injury. . Wizards F Trevor Ariza missed his second game with a strained right hamstring. . Flip Saunders, who was fired as Washington's coach in January 2012, returned to the arena in his new role as Minnesota's president of basketball operations.
понедељак, 18. новембар 2013.
NBA Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons 114-99
Jordan Hill barely played for coach Mike D'Antoni when they were together with the New York Knicks four years ago, and he started this season on D'Antoni's bench again with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hill has quickly made it impossible for D'Antoni to keep him off the court while the Lakers chase wins without Kobe Bryant.
Hill had career highs of 24 points and 17 rebounds, and Jodie Meeks and Nick Young scored 19 points apiece in the Lakers' 114-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.
Steve Blake had nine points and 16 assists for the Lakers, who made a late surge for just their second victory in six games. Los Angeles scored 16 consecutive points in a rally spanning the third and fourth quarters, holding Detroit without a field goal for more than five minutes.
Hill extended his impressive start to the season with another high-energy effort down low. Five days after moving into the starting lineup and promptly hitting his career high with 21 points against New Orleans, Hill surpassed that mark and his previous best rebounding game with relentless work against the Pistons' imposing front line.
"I get more confidence every time I step on the floor," said Hill, who washed out in New York and Houston before hitting his NBA stride with the Lakers over the past two seasons.
"We don't have Steve Nash. We don't have Kobe. We've got guys that we know have to step up. We're banding together as a team."
Los Angeles scored the final 10 points of the third quarter, taking a 79-71 lead into the fourth on consecutive 3-pointers by Young and a buzzer-beating turnaround jumper by Jordan Farmar. Strong playmaking by Blake and Farmar catalyzed the rally, which continued with the first six points of the fourth.
"It's going to take that type of effort to win games," said Pau Gasol, who had 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. "We need everybody to chip in and play well."
Detroit missed six field-goal attempts and three free throws during the Lakers' rally. Los Angeles stretched its lead to 106-87 on Meeks' 3-pointer with 3:26 to play, building a lead too big to be threatened by Brandon Jennings' four consecutive 3-pointers late.
D'Antoni began the season with Shawne Williams — another former New York forward — in the lineup alongside Gasol. Hill took over the starting spot, but he also excels when the Lakers go small, using Hill in Gasol's place as their nominal centre.
"He's playing as hard as he can play," D'Antoni said. "He's got talent, and he's getting better. ... I think he's just more confident and more everything — and more minutes."
Jennings scored 23 points and Andre Drummond had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost five of six. Greg Monroe had 17 points and seven rebounds for Detroit, which has lost 38 of its past 40 road games against Western Conference teams.
Josh Smith scored 18 for the Pistons, who went 1-3 on their four-game West Coast road swing. Playing without injured guards Will Bynum and Chauncey Billups, Detroit got 16 points off the bench from Rodney Stuckey, but struggled offensively midway through the second half of an otherwise even game.
"We knew going into the game that they would spread the floor with the 3-point shooting," Detroit coach Maurice Cheeks said. "They got some pick-and-rolls that had some guys diving to the rim, and that opened up the 3-point shooting. We had some chances to score and missed some easy shots and some foul shots, and they were able to extend their lead."
Detroit made more than 62 per cent of its shots and led for most of an uneventful first half that was punctuated by Jennings' lob pass off the backboard to Drummond for a rim-shaking dunk late in the second quarter.
"It was like playing against a clone of myself," Drummond said of his matchup with Hill. "I stopped moving, and he got the offensive rebounds because he was constantly moving and grinding the whole game. He runs around and plays hard. He played a hell of a game."
After playing 12 games in 20 days to open the regular season, the Lakers get the next four days off to recover. They'll probably practice with Bryant, who returned Saturday for his first workout with his teammates since tearing his Achilles tendon in April.
Bryant still hasn't given a timetable for his return to the court. D'Antoni again advised patience Sunday, saying the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history still will miss "a bunch" more games, likely not returning before Thanksgiving.
The Lakers also don't know when Nash will return from nerve root irritation, although the two-time MVP point guard will be examined this week.
NOTES: Billups missed his second straight game with knee tendinitis. Bynum sat out with a strained hamstring. ... Both teams wore alternate jerseys, with the Lakers in their Sunday whites and the Pistons in their blue "Motor City" jerseys. ... Pistons owner Tom Gores watched the game from a seat next to the Detroit bench. Gores, a private equity investor, lives and works in Beverly Hills.
Hill has quickly made it impossible for D'Antoni to keep him off the court while the Lakers chase wins without Kobe Bryant.
Hill had career highs of 24 points and 17 rebounds, and Jodie Meeks and Nick Young scored 19 points apiece in the Lakers' 114-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.
Steve Blake had nine points and 16 assists for the Lakers, who made a late surge for just their second victory in six games. Los Angeles scored 16 consecutive points in a rally spanning the third and fourth quarters, holding Detroit without a field goal for more than five minutes.
Hill extended his impressive start to the season with another high-energy effort down low. Five days after moving into the starting lineup and promptly hitting his career high with 21 points against New Orleans, Hill surpassed that mark and his previous best rebounding game with relentless work against the Pistons' imposing front line.
"I get more confidence every time I step on the floor," said Hill, who washed out in New York and Houston before hitting his NBA stride with the Lakers over the past two seasons.
"We don't have Steve Nash. We don't have Kobe. We've got guys that we know have to step up. We're banding together as a team."
Los Angeles scored the final 10 points of the third quarter, taking a 79-71 lead into the fourth on consecutive 3-pointers by Young and a buzzer-beating turnaround jumper by Jordan Farmar. Strong playmaking by Blake and Farmar catalyzed the rally, which continued with the first six points of the fourth.
"It's going to take that type of effort to win games," said Pau Gasol, who had 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. "We need everybody to chip in and play well."
Detroit missed six field-goal attempts and three free throws during the Lakers' rally. Los Angeles stretched its lead to 106-87 on Meeks' 3-pointer with 3:26 to play, building a lead too big to be threatened by Brandon Jennings' four consecutive 3-pointers late.
D'Antoni began the season with Shawne Williams — another former New York forward — in the lineup alongside Gasol. Hill took over the starting spot, but he also excels when the Lakers go small, using Hill in Gasol's place as their nominal centre.
"He's playing as hard as he can play," D'Antoni said. "He's got talent, and he's getting better. ... I think he's just more confident and more everything — and more minutes."
Jennings scored 23 points and Andre Drummond had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost five of six. Greg Monroe had 17 points and seven rebounds for Detroit, which has lost 38 of its past 40 road games against Western Conference teams.
Josh Smith scored 18 for the Pistons, who went 1-3 on their four-game West Coast road swing. Playing without injured guards Will Bynum and Chauncey Billups, Detroit got 16 points off the bench from Rodney Stuckey, but struggled offensively midway through the second half of an otherwise even game.
"We knew going into the game that they would spread the floor with the 3-point shooting," Detroit coach Maurice Cheeks said. "They got some pick-and-rolls that had some guys diving to the rim, and that opened up the 3-point shooting. We had some chances to score and missed some easy shots and some foul shots, and they were able to extend their lead."
Detroit made more than 62 per cent of its shots and led for most of an uneventful first half that was punctuated by Jennings' lob pass off the backboard to Drummond for a rim-shaking dunk late in the second quarter.
"It was like playing against a clone of myself," Drummond said of his matchup with Hill. "I stopped moving, and he got the offensive rebounds because he was constantly moving and grinding the whole game. He runs around and plays hard. He played a hell of a game."
After playing 12 games in 20 days to open the regular season, the Lakers get the next four days off to recover. They'll probably practice with Bryant, who returned Saturday for his first workout with his teammates since tearing his Achilles tendon in April.
Bryant still hasn't given a timetable for his return to the court. D'Antoni again advised patience Sunday, saying the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history still will miss "a bunch" more games, likely not returning before Thanksgiving.
The Lakers also don't know when Nash will return from nerve root irritation, although the two-time MVP point guard will be examined this week.
NOTES: Billups missed his second straight game with knee tendinitis. Bynum sat out with a strained hamstring. ... Both teams wore alternate jerseys, with the Lakers in their Sunday whites and the Pistons in their blue "Motor City" jerseys. ... Pistons owner Tom Gores watched the game from a seat next to the Detroit bench. Gores, a private equity investor, lives and works in Beverly Hills.
NBA Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings
Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings 97-86
After some early struggles to start the season, the Memphis Grizzlies appear to have found the formula that led to a franchise-record 56 victories in 2012-13.
Zach Randolph scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and also had 10 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies to a 97-86 victory over the slumping Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Memphis was an efficient team offensively that played strong defence last season. That same formula has worked well in two straight victories that have evened the Grizzlies' record at 5-5.
Memphis shot just over 55 per cent and had a season-best 30 assists. The Grizzlies blocked four shots, played the Kings tough inside, and limited Sacramento to 38 per cent shooting.
"It's where we are as a team, that's the important thing," Memphis coach David Joerger said. "We're trying to lay the foundation back down to who we are as a team. Zach and Marc (Gasol) were beasts and Mike Conley was really efficient today. "
Gasol had 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds against the Kings, which followed a similar effort Friday night in a victory over the Lakers.
"I always try to be who I am and I always help out," Gasol said. "I really don't care about numbers. I really don't. Teams go through struggles during stretches of the season. Ours have come to start the season. We just want to keep getting better."
The Grizzlies led by 20 points in the third quarter and survived a second-half rally by the Kings to win their second straight on their four-game road trip that includes tough games Monday against the Clippers and Wednesday at Golden State.
The Kings cut the margin to 82-79 on Travis Outlaw's 3-pointer with 7:18 left. But Memphis responded with seven unanswered points for a 10-point lead, then put it away when Randolph's basket from close range made it 93-82 with 1:29 left.
"Zach is playing well right now," said Conley, who also had 19 points and nine assists. "When he's got it going like that and is in a zone, we try to get him the ball."
Outlaw helped fuel the Kings' comeback and scored a season-high 18 points. The Kings have lost two straight and seven of eight. Isaiah Thomas added 15 points and Marcus Thornton had 12.
Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins, who came into the game averaging 22.8 points, had nine points in 19 minutes. Cousins and the rest of the Kings starters, with the exception of Luc Mbah a Moute, sat out the final 19 1/2 minutes.
"That's a talented team that went to the Western Conference finals last season," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "They shoot 56 per cent and get 48 points in the paint. We can't give forth the effort we were tonight if we want to compete against a team like that."
Outlaw, who didn't play in the first half, made his first five shots before finally misfiring in the fourth quarter. He made 6-of-9 shots overall, including a pair of 3s.
Outlaw came off the bench for 11 points and Thomas added eight in the third quarter, when the Kings finally demonstrated some offence and outscored Memphis 31-27 to pull within 74-65 heading into the fourth.
The Grizzlies came out strong in the third quarter and built the lead to 61-41. Appearing to be upset with his defence, Malone pulled his starters with just under eight minutes left. The Sacramento reserves outscored the Grizzlies 24-13 the remainder of the quarter.
"The biggest thing I saw was effort," Malone said. "We had guys playing like they cared."
Gasol had 13 points for the Grizzlies in the opening half, when they held a 47-34 lead. Cousins had nine points for the Kings, who shot 32 per cent.
It was a sluggish start to the second quarter for both teams, who combined for nine points in the first six minutes of the period.
Despite the slow start, Memphis still outscored the Kings 22-16 in the quarter.
"Once again I thought out offence dictated our defence," said Kings point guard Greivis Vasquez, who had eight points, all in the first half. "We just have to be more mature and understand if we don't make shots we have to put out effort defensively."
Notes: Tony Allen was the fourth Memphis starter in double figures with 12 points. .. Patrick Patterson, who began the season as the Kings' starting forward, bruised his left knee in Friday's loss to Detroit and was unavailable against the Grizzlies. . Reserve guard Jerryd Bayless made all three shots and had seven first- quarter points in just under three minutes of playing time. . The Kings had only three points during a near 7-minute stretch in the first half. ... An elbow from Gasol in the first quarter resulted in a cut above the right eye and 10 stitches for Kings reserve Chuck Hayes. He returned to play in the third quarter sporting a headband to cover the wound.
Zach Randolph scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and also had 10 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies to a 97-86 victory over the slumping Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Memphis was an efficient team offensively that played strong defence last season. That same formula has worked well in two straight victories that have evened the Grizzlies' record at 5-5.
Memphis shot just over 55 per cent and had a season-best 30 assists. The Grizzlies blocked four shots, played the Kings tough inside, and limited Sacramento to 38 per cent shooting.
"It's where we are as a team, that's the important thing," Memphis coach David Joerger said. "We're trying to lay the foundation back down to who we are as a team. Zach and Marc (Gasol) were beasts and Mike Conley was really efficient today. "
Gasol had 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds against the Kings, which followed a similar effort Friday night in a victory over the Lakers.
"I always try to be who I am and I always help out," Gasol said. "I really don't care about numbers. I really don't. Teams go through struggles during stretches of the season. Ours have come to start the season. We just want to keep getting better."
The Grizzlies led by 20 points in the third quarter and survived a second-half rally by the Kings to win their second straight on their four-game road trip that includes tough games Monday against the Clippers and Wednesday at Golden State.
The Kings cut the margin to 82-79 on Travis Outlaw's 3-pointer with 7:18 left. But Memphis responded with seven unanswered points for a 10-point lead, then put it away when Randolph's basket from close range made it 93-82 with 1:29 left.
"Zach is playing well right now," said Conley, who also had 19 points and nine assists. "When he's got it going like that and is in a zone, we try to get him the ball."
Outlaw helped fuel the Kings' comeback and scored a season-high 18 points. The Kings have lost two straight and seven of eight. Isaiah Thomas added 15 points and Marcus Thornton had 12.
Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins, who came into the game averaging 22.8 points, had nine points in 19 minutes. Cousins and the rest of the Kings starters, with the exception of Luc Mbah a Moute, sat out the final 19 1/2 minutes.
"That's a talented team that went to the Western Conference finals last season," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "They shoot 56 per cent and get 48 points in the paint. We can't give forth the effort we were tonight if we want to compete against a team like that."
Outlaw, who didn't play in the first half, made his first five shots before finally misfiring in the fourth quarter. He made 6-of-9 shots overall, including a pair of 3s.
Outlaw came off the bench for 11 points and Thomas added eight in the third quarter, when the Kings finally demonstrated some offence and outscored Memphis 31-27 to pull within 74-65 heading into the fourth.
The Grizzlies came out strong in the third quarter and built the lead to 61-41. Appearing to be upset with his defence, Malone pulled his starters with just under eight minutes left. The Sacramento reserves outscored the Grizzlies 24-13 the remainder of the quarter.
"The biggest thing I saw was effort," Malone said. "We had guys playing like they cared."
Gasol had 13 points for the Grizzlies in the opening half, when they held a 47-34 lead. Cousins had nine points for the Kings, who shot 32 per cent.
It was a sluggish start to the second quarter for both teams, who combined for nine points in the first six minutes of the period.
Despite the slow start, Memphis still outscored the Kings 22-16 in the quarter.
"Once again I thought out offence dictated our defence," said Kings point guard Greivis Vasquez, who had eight points, all in the first half. "We just have to be more mature and understand if we don't make shots we have to put out effort defensively."
Notes: Tony Allen was the fourth Memphis starter in double figures with 12 points. .. Patrick Patterson, who began the season as the Kings' starting forward, bruised his left knee in Friday's loss to Detroit and was unavailable against the Grizzlies. . Reserve guard Jerryd Bayless made all three shots and had seven first- quarter points in just under three minutes of playing time. . The Kings had only three points during a near 7-minute stretch in the first half. ... An elbow from Gasol in the first quarter resulted in a cut above the right eye and 10 stitches for Kings reserve Chuck Hayes. He returned to play in the third quarter sporting a headband to cover the wound.
недеља, 17. новембар 2013.
NBA Cleveland Cavaliers vs Washington Wizards
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Washington Wizards 103-96
With rumours of dissent swirling, the Cleveland Cavaliers found a surefire remedy — a virtuoso performance by slumping All-Star Kyrie Irving.
Irving scored nine of his 41 points in overtime to help the Cleveland Cavaliers snap a three-game skid with a 103-96 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.
Irving scored seven straight points on three possessions in overtime to give Cleveland the lead for good. He later added an 18-foot jumper to match his career high and finish 14 of 28 from the floor and 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Earl Clark hit three key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for the Cavaliers, finishing with 11 points. Tristan Thompson added 15 points and 12 rebounds, and oft-injured centre Andrew Bynum made his second start in as many years, contributing six points and three rebounds.
Bradley Beal scored 28 points for Washington, which lost its fourth straight game. Nene added 24 points and seven rebounds.
Coming into the game, Irving was shooting just 38 per cent from the floor and 32 per cent from 3-point range. He broke out of his slump Saturday night while wearing a mask to protect his broken nose.
"Shots were falling with the mask on," Irving said. "I have to wear it for two more weeks. No excuses. Shots were falling."
In a duel of the No. 1 overall draft picks in back-to-back NBA drafts, Irving got the best of Washington's John Wall, who scored nine points and dealt 12 assists.
"Every time we play against each other we're always trying to go at each other," Irving said. "We always take it as a personal challenge. It's not about being a No. 1 pick, or anything like that. It's just another good point guard going against another good one and putting on a show for the fans."
After Washington took a 45-30 lead in the second quarter, Irving led Cleveland back. He hit three 3-pointers in the final 89 seconds of the first half to draw the Cavaliers within 49-44.
Washington had a five-point lead with three minutes left, but Matt Dellavedova hit a floater for his only points in 30 minutes coming off the Cavaliers' bench. Irving added a 21-footer and his pair of free throws with 32 second left gave Cleveland the lead. On the next possession, Nene hit his first free throw, but missed the second and the game went to overtime.
Washington also rued an inexplicable turnover by Beal, who stole the ball from Dellavedova with 52 seconds left, but lost the ball as he was going down floor for a breakaway that would have put the Wizards up by three.
"You could point to anything," Washington coach Randy Wittman said. "We have a breakaway layup that I still — I've got to look at it. I turn around thinking he's dunking the ball. Getting ready to hear the crowd and I hear a moan. I don't know what happened."
It was the first road win this year for Cleveland, which called a players-only meeting after a 29-point loss Wednesday at Minnesota. Coach Mike Brown admitted he is still searching for the right chemistry.
"We were down 15. We could have easily quit. We're kind of discombobulated. Andrew hadn't practiced and threw him out there and started him," Brown laughed. "Not one unit out there knew anything that we were doing. I didn't know what we were doing. Threw Earl in at the four. Earl doesn't know what he's doing at the four. We just kind of made it up on the fly."
NOTES: Wall was taken first in the 2010 draft and Irving was the top pick in 2011. ... Cleveland guard Dion Waiters did not accompany the Cavaliers on the trip to Washington. When asked if his absence was due to a reported scuffle during a players-only meeting on Thursday, Brown said, "He's been to the doctor ice."
Irving scored nine of his 41 points in overtime to help the Cleveland Cavaliers snap a three-game skid with a 103-96 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.
Irving scored seven straight points on three possessions in overtime to give Cleveland the lead for good. He later added an 18-foot jumper to match his career high and finish 14 of 28 from the floor and 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Earl Clark hit three key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for the Cavaliers, finishing with 11 points. Tristan Thompson added 15 points and 12 rebounds, and oft-injured centre Andrew Bynum made his second start in as many years, contributing six points and three rebounds.
Bradley Beal scored 28 points for Washington, which lost its fourth straight game. Nene added 24 points and seven rebounds.
Coming into the game, Irving was shooting just 38 per cent from the floor and 32 per cent from 3-point range. He broke out of his slump Saturday night while wearing a mask to protect his broken nose.
"Shots were falling with the mask on," Irving said. "I have to wear it for two more weeks. No excuses. Shots were falling."
In a duel of the No. 1 overall draft picks in back-to-back NBA drafts, Irving got the best of Washington's John Wall, who scored nine points and dealt 12 assists.
"Every time we play against each other we're always trying to go at each other," Irving said. "We always take it as a personal challenge. It's not about being a No. 1 pick, or anything like that. It's just another good point guard going against another good one and putting on a show for the fans."
After Washington took a 45-30 lead in the second quarter, Irving led Cleveland back. He hit three 3-pointers in the final 89 seconds of the first half to draw the Cavaliers within 49-44.
Washington had a five-point lead with three minutes left, but Matt Dellavedova hit a floater for his only points in 30 minutes coming off the Cavaliers' bench. Irving added a 21-footer and his pair of free throws with 32 second left gave Cleveland the lead. On the next possession, Nene hit his first free throw, but missed the second and the game went to overtime.
Washington also rued an inexplicable turnover by Beal, who stole the ball from Dellavedova with 52 seconds left, but lost the ball as he was going down floor for a breakaway that would have put the Wizards up by three.
"You could point to anything," Washington coach Randy Wittman said. "We have a breakaway layup that I still — I've got to look at it. I turn around thinking he's dunking the ball. Getting ready to hear the crowd and I hear a moan. I don't know what happened."
It was the first road win this year for Cleveland, which called a players-only meeting after a 29-point loss Wednesday at Minnesota. Coach Mike Brown admitted he is still searching for the right chemistry.
"We were down 15. We could have easily quit. We're kind of discombobulated. Andrew hadn't practiced and threw him out there and started him," Brown laughed. "Not one unit out there knew anything that we were doing. I didn't know what we were doing. Threw Earl in at the four. Earl doesn't know what he's doing at the four. We just kind of made it up on the fly."
NOTES: Wall was taken first in the 2010 draft and Irving was the top pick in 2011. ... Cleveland guard Dion Waiters did not accompany the Cavaliers on the trip to Washington. When asked if his absence was due to a reported scuffle during a players-only meeting on Thursday, Brown said, "He's been to the doctor ice."
NBA Dallas Mavericks vs Orlando Magic
Dallas Mavericks vs Orlando Magic 108-100
The Dallas Mavericks demonstrated the value of experience and consistency to the Orlando Magic.
The veteran Mavericks made all the right plays at all the right times against a young, careless Magic team, beating Orlando 108-100 behind 19 points and eight assists from Monta Ellis, who had plenty of help.
Dirk Nowitzki chipped in 18 points and a game-deciding 3-pointer to turn back the last Magic attempt at rallying from a 15-point first-half deficit. Reserve forward DeJuan Blair also scored 18 and made 4 of 6 free-throw attempts when the Magic intentionally fouled him late in the game to expose his 41.2 per cent free throw shooting.
Vince Carter, another veteran reserve, added 12 points as the Mavericks' reserves outscored Orlando's 43-25. Shawn Marion and Jose Calderon had 11 apiece and Calderon added nine assists.
"We had a lot of guys play well," Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle said. "We've got to do it collectively. It's not going to be the one superstar putting the team on his back. It's going to be all of us going together."
Dallas had only 10 turnovers for the game, compared to 19 for Orlando. The Mavericks scored 22 points off Orlando's mistakes.
"We're sharing the wealth out there and it's starting to show," Marion said. "We had some lapses on defence, but going to have those. The more we cut down on turnovers and value each possession, good things are going to happen to us."
Rookie point guard Victor Oladipo had a career-worst nine turnovers, four of them in the fourth quarter. His back-to-back turnovers, when the Magic had cut the deficit to 91-87 with six minutes left in the game, effectively blunted Orlando's attempt to overtake Dallas.
"I just have to perform better in those circumstances," said Oladipo, the second pick in the June draft. "It was a close game and I have to learn to execute in those times. Most of it, really, is on me."
Oladipo played the entire fourth quarter, despite starter Jameer Nelson being healthy and having a good game with 15 points, one assist and one turnover. Nelson didn't play in the final 17 minutes of the game.
"If we didn't have those turnovers down the stretch, maybe the game could have been different," Magic Coach Jacque Vaughn said. "Those are the details we'll continue to work on. We need to learn to value the basketball whether it's the first quarter or the fourth quarter."
Arron Afflalo led the Magic with 25 points and Nikola Vucevic added 16 and eight rebounds. Oladipo had 10 points and six assists to go with his nine turnovers.
Dallas shot 51.2 per cent in the game, but lost that and nearly every other statistical battle. The Magic shot 52.9 per cent for the game and outrebounded Dallas 40-30.
"We played sensibly," Carlisle said. "None of us are going to get too far ahead of ourselves. We've done some good things and it's really important that we just stay focused."
The game started as a jump-shooting contest with both sides hitting better than 50 per cent most of the first quarter and trading baskets with little interruption. There were six lead changes and six ties before the Mavericks went on an 11-0 run near the end of the period to take a 31-24 lead. Dallas finished the period 13 of 26, and didn't have a layup until back-to-back fast breaks in the final minute of the period.
The Mavs shot even better in the second period — 59.5 per cent — but nearly all of those came around the rim as Orlando's sloppy passing and turnovers led to fast-break opportunities. Dallas stretched its lead to 15 on a jump-hook from Blair in the lane and settled for a 59-46 halftime lead. Orlando made it easier with 10 turnovers, four by Oladipo, that the Mavericks turned into 15 points.
The Mavericks hit their first five shots in the second half, including a pair of 3-pointers from Nowitzki, but couldn't get any separation because they also turned the ball over three times. That allowed the Magic to pull within 81-74 on a dunk by Oladipo with 3:39 left in the period. The teams traded baskets the rest of the way and Dallas finished the quarter with an 87-80 lead.
NOTES: Kyle O'Quinn, the Magic's backup C, sat out the game with a sprained ankle. F Solomon Jones was activated after missing seven games with a torn meniscus. He played eight minutes and scored two points. . Ellis is the Mavericks' leading scorer this season at 22.2 a game. If he remains there, he would be the first Maverick other than Nowitzki to lead the team in scoring since Michael Finley in the 1999-2000 season. . Magic F Andrew Nicholson has gone 0 for 10 on 3-pointers over the last six games. Nicholson did hit two bombs against the Mavs, but both times referees ruled he had a toe on the line.
NBA Miami Heat vs Charlotte Bobcats
Miami Heat vs Charlotte Bobcats 97-81
Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA he's still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does.
"You know, he'd be fun to watch if you weren't coaching the other team," Clifford said.
James scored 30 points to help Miami beat Charlotte 97-81 Saturday night for the Heat's 13th straight victory against the Bobcats.
With Mario Chalmers suspended, Chris Bosh limited due to foul trouble, Ray Allen out with the flu and Dwyane Wade a non-factor, James came up big for the Heat. The four-time MVP was 13 of 18 from the field and had seven assists in his eighth 20-point game this season.
"More than anything, it was his energy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of James. "When you see him attacking off the glass and pushing coast to coast, you know he feels good with his body and you know it sets a great tone for our team. He's playing with great energy on both ends of the court."
Miami (7-3) relied on its bench to close the game out.
Of Miami's 29 points in the fourth quarter, 23 came from reserves Michael Beasley, Chris Anderson, Rashard Lewis and Roger Mason Jr.
Beasley finished with 15 points and Anderson had 10 for the Heat, winners of six of their last seven overall.
Bosh said it was an odd feeling having so many starters out of the game in the fourth quarter with the outcome still in doubt.
"I don't know when the last time that has happened," Bosh said. "But (the reserves) kept the lead at a nice distance. We were rooting for them and encouraging them because we need everybody — one through 15 — to not only raise their play but sustain it."
James said he had intentions of returning to the game late in the fourth quarter but didn't need to after the Heat's reserves began to pull away with the lead.
"Once they got going I just said let them keep going," James said. "They had a great rhythm."
Kemba Walker had 22 points to lead the Bobcats, who shot 35 per cent from the field. Jeffery Taylor scored 14 points and has now finished in double digits in six of the last seven games.
The Bobcats (5-5) had won two straight coming in, and stayed within 10 points for a good portion of the fourth quarter but could never grab the lead.
"We've got to keep on pushing," Walker said. "I think we've been playing some great basketball right now. It's still early in the season. All we have to do is keep looking forward and keep trying to get better."
James had 20 points in the first half on 8-of-11 shooting and Miami led by as many as 16. Only one of James' first-half field goals came from outside of 10 feet as he did his damage driving and attacking the basket.
It's a good thing for Miami that James was on his game early because the other parts of the big three struggled. Wade only played 23 minutes after his knee tightened up, while Bosh had three fouls and no points in eight first-half minutes. Bosh would later pick up his fifth foul with 4:27 left in the third quarter and drew a technical foul after he'd taken a seat on the bench.
A few seconds later, Spoelstra began chirping at the officials and he was slapped with a technical, too.
But the Heat survived, in part because of their defence.
James said that's a good sign.
"At the end of the day if we don't defend we aren't going to be able to compete where we want to compete," James said. "It was nice to see us play with a lot of energy tonight."
Chalmers was serving a one-game suspension after being ejected from the Heat's 110-104 victory over Dallas on Friday night. Chalmers was called for flagrant-2 foul with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter after referees ruled he intentionally swung an elbow at Dirk Nowitzki's head as he tried to fight through screen. Before Saturday night's game Spoelstra said he "disagreed" with the NBA's decision to suspend Chalmers.
"We don't have to agree with it," Spoelstra said. "What we can do is agree to disagree."
NOTES: Clifford picked up his first technical foul as Bobcats coach in the second quarter. ... James excited the crowd when blocked Walker's breakaway layup into the fifth row behind the basket. ... Shane Battier drew his eighth charge of the season. ... Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson attended the game.
"You know, he'd be fun to watch if you weren't coaching the other team," Clifford said.
James scored 30 points to help Miami beat Charlotte 97-81 Saturday night for the Heat's 13th straight victory against the Bobcats.
With Mario Chalmers suspended, Chris Bosh limited due to foul trouble, Ray Allen out with the flu and Dwyane Wade a non-factor, James came up big for the Heat. The four-time MVP was 13 of 18 from the field and had seven assists in his eighth 20-point game this season.
"More than anything, it was his energy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of James. "When you see him attacking off the glass and pushing coast to coast, you know he feels good with his body and you know it sets a great tone for our team. He's playing with great energy on both ends of the court."
Miami (7-3) relied on its bench to close the game out.
Of Miami's 29 points in the fourth quarter, 23 came from reserves Michael Beasley, Chris Anderson, Rashard Lewis and Roger Mason Jr.
Beasley finished with 15 points and Anderson had 10 for the Heat, winners of six of their last seven overall.
Bosh said it was an odd feeling having so many starters out of the game in the fourth quarter with the outcome still in doubt.
"I don't know when the last time that has happened," Bosh said. "But (the reserves) kept the lead at a nice distance. We were rooting for them and encouraging them because we need everybody — one through 15 — to not only raise their play but sustain it."
James said he had intentions of returning to the game late in the fourth quarter but didn't need to after the Heat's reserves began to pull away with the lead.
"Once they got going I just said let them keep going," James said. "They had a great rhythm."
Kemba Walker had 22 points to lead the Bobcats, who shot 35 per cent from the field. Jeffery Taylor scored 14 points and has now finished in double digits in six of the last seven games.
The Bobcats (5-5) had won two straight coming in, and stayed within 10 points for a good portion of the fourth quarter but could never grab the lead.
"We've got to keep on pushing," Walker said. "I think we've been playing some great basketball right now. It's still early in the season. All we have to do is keep looking forward and keep trying to get better."
James had 20 points in the first half on 8-of-11 shooting and Miami led by as many as 16. Only one of James' first-half field goals came from outside of 10 feet as he did his damage driving and attacking the basket.
It's a good thing for Miami that James was on his game early because the other parts of the big three struggled. Wade only played 23 minutes after his knee tightened up, while Bosh had three fouls and no points in eight first-half minutes. Bosh would later pick up his fifth foul with 4:27 left in the third quarter and drew a technical foul after he'd taken a seat on the bench.
A few seconds later, Spoelstra began chirping at the officials and he was slapped with a technical, too.
But the Heat survived, in part because of their defence.
James said that's a good sign.
"At the end of the day if we don't defend we aren't going to be able to compete where we want to compete," James said. "It was nice to see us play with a lot of energy tonight."
Chalmers was serving a one-game suspension after being ejected from the Heat's 110-104 victory over Dallas on Friday night. Chalmers was called for flagrant-2 foul with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter after referees ruled he intentionally swung an elbow at Dirk Nowitzki's head as he tried to fight through screen. Before Saturday night's game Spoelstra said he "disagreed" with the NBA's decision to suspend Chalmers.
"We don't have to agree with it," Spoelstra said. "What we can do is agree to disagree."
NOTES: Clifford picked up his first technical foul as Bobcats coach in the second quarter. ... James excited the crowd when blocked Walker's breakaway layup into the fifth row behind the basket. ... Shane Battier drew his eighth charge of the season. ... Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson attended the game.
субота, 16. новембар 2013.
NBA Portland Trailblazers vs Boston Celtics
Portland Trailblazers vs Boston Celtics 109-96
LaMarcus Aldridge was a No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft and is a two-time All-Star who has averaged more than 21 points per game in each of the last four seasons.
One of the things he'd never done, though, is win a game in Boston.
The Portland forward scored 27 points and added 12 rebounds — his fourth straight double-double — and the Trail Blazers beat the Celtics 109-96 Friday night for their first victory in Boston since 2004. Nicolas Batum added 18 points for Portland, which won its fifth consecutive game.
"I was happy for L.A. and Nic," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "You always want to check those arenas off your list."
Aldridge was 11 for 18 from the field as the Blazers began a four-game road trip. The first stop was Boston, where they had lost nine straight games — a streak that included the New Big Three era of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but also the period before that, when the Celtics dropped into the lottery.
"It's nice to win here, but I'm more big picture," Aldridge said. "I want to keep winning on the road."
Mo Williams scored 18 with eight assists for Portland, Damian Lillard had 17 and Robin Lopez had 10 rebounds.
Jared Sullinger, who missed the last game with a bruised knee, had 26 points and eight rebounds off the bench for Boston, which has lost two in a row.
Boston had won 13 of the previous 15 meetings against Portland since 2004. The last time the Blazers won in Boston was on March 31, 2004, when Darius Miles led Portland, Ricky Davis was the high scorer for the Celtics, the TD Garden was called the FleetCenter and Batum was a 15-year-old in France.
"It's been a long time, like 10 years," Batum said. "It's good for our confidence. It's good to keep winning on the road."
Portland led 94-80 early in the fourth quarter before Sullinger and Courtney Lee hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to eight points. Sullinger responded to Williams' basket with another 3-pointer to make it a seven-point game with 8:51 to play.
The Celtics had two possessions to make it closer, but came away without a point. Thomas Robinson rolled one in off the rim on a feed from Williams to make it 98-89, Dorell Wright hit a 3-pointer to make it a 12-point game and Williams hit a short fallaway jumper to make it 103-89.
"Every team has a margin for error and not many teams have a big one," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "We can't take plays off; it's not going to work out well for us on either end of the floor. Those guys are going to make you pay if you relax. And they did."
Boston has allowed 105 or more points in three of its last four games, winning two. But the Blazers outscored them 33-27 in the third quarter to turn a six-point halftime advantage into a double-digit lead.
"You can't outscore those guys. You're going to have to defend them," Stevens said. "We didn't do that very well."
The Celtics opened an eight-point lead early in the second quarter, but soon gave up 12-4 and 10-2 runs to fall behind 57-51 at the half. Wesley Matthews had 13 points and Aldridge scored 10 with six rebounds in the first. Sullinger had 10 points off the bench for Boston at the break.
NOTES: The Celtics lost four games, won four, and now have lost two in a row to continue their streaky ways. ... Sullinger, a 2012 first-round draft pick who missed most of last season with back surgery, missed just one game with a bone bruise on his knee. ... Lopez had a double-double in the previous three games, but had just three points and 10 rebounds on Friday.
One of the things he'd never done, though, is win a game in Boston.
The Portland forward scored 27 points and added 12 rebounds — his fourth straight double-double — and the Trail Blazers beat the Celtics 109-96 Friday night for their first victory in Boston since 2004. Nicolas Batum added 18 points for Portland, which won its fifth consecutive game.
"I was happy for L.A. and Nic," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "You always want to check those arenas off your list."
Aldridge was 11 for 18 from the field as the Blazers began a four-game road trip. The first stop was Boston, where they had lost nine straight games — a streak that included the New Big Three era of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but also the period before that, when the Celtics dropped into the lottery.
"It's nice to win here, but I'm more big picture," Aldridge said. "I want to keep winning on the road."
Mo Williams scored 18 with eight assists for Portland, Damian Lillard had 17 and Robin Lopez had 10 rebounds.
Jared Sullinger, who missed the last game with a bruised knee, had 26 points and eight rebounds off the bench for Boston, which has lost two in a row.
Boston had won 13 of the previous 15 meetings against Portland since 2004. The last time the Blazers won in Boston was on March 31, 2004, when Darius Miles led Portland, Ricky Davis was the high scorer for the Celtics, the TD Garden was called the FleetCenter and Batum was a 15-year-old in France.
"It's been a long time, like 10 years," Batum said. "It's good for our confidence. It's good to keep winning on the road."
Portland led 94-80 early in the fourth quarter before Sullinger and Courtney Lee hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to eight points. Sullinger responded to Williams' basket with another 3-pointer to make it a seven-point game with 8:51 to play.
The Celtics had two possessions to make it closer, but came away without a point. Thomas Robinson rolled one in off the rim on a feed from Williams to make it 98-89, Dorell Wright hit a 3-pointer to make it a 12-point game and Williams hit a short fallaway jumper to make it 103-89.
"Every team has a margin for error and not many teams have a big one," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "We can't take plays off; it's not going to work out well for us on either end of the floor. Those guys are going to make you pay if you relax. And they did."
Boston has allowed 105 or more points in three of its last four games, winning two. But the Blazers outscored them 33-27 in the third quarter to turn a six-point halftime advantage into a double-digit lead.
"You can't outscore those guys. You're going to have to defend them," Stevens said. "We didn't do that very well."
The Celtics opened an eight-point lead early in the second quarter, but soon gave up 12-4 and 10-2 runs to fall behind 57-51 at the half. Wesley Matthews had 13 points and Aldridge scored 10 with six rebounds in the first. Sullinger had 10 points off the bench for Boston at the break.
NOTES: The Celtics lost four games, won four, and now have lost two in a row to continue their streaky ways. ... Sullinger, a 2012 first-round draft pick who missed most of last season with back surgery, missed just one game with a bone bruise on his knee. ... Lopez had a double-double in the previous three games, but had just three points and 10 rebounds on Friday.
NBA Atlanta Hawks vs Philadelphia 76ers
Atlanta Hawks vs Philadelphia 76ers 113-103
First-year Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has been trying to convince Jeff Teague to go to the rim as often as possible.
This was definitely a pretty good argument for that strategy.
Teague had a career-high 33 points and 10 assists, Al Horford added 20 points and Atlanta beat the Philadelphia 76ers 113-103 on Friday night.
"I tried to be more aggressive, attack and play hard to get a win," Teague said. "Those guys were telling me to just use my speed and get to the rim. It was working out for me tonight."
DeMarre Carroll finished with a career-high 21 points for Atlanta, which has won three of four.
Evan Turner scored 27 points and Tony Wroten had 22 for the Sixers, who have lost three of four. Spencer Hawes finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Hawks guard Lou Williams, returning to the court for the first time since undergoing reconstructive right knee surgery 10 months ago, finished with seven points, three rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes.
Williams, in his second season with Atlanta, received a rousing cheer when he entered the game midway through the first quarter.
Budenholzer said before the game that Williams, who spent his first seven seasons with the Sixers, will not play on consecutive nights. The Hawks visit the New York Knicks on Saturday.
"I was more nervous before the game that when I actually stepped out onto the court," Williams said. "It felt good to be back out there with the guys, just grinding and trying to win a game and to be a part of it."
Budenholzer decided to bring forward Paul Millsap, Atlanta's second-leading scorer this season, off the bench, and he finished with eight points. Gustavo Ayon started in his season debut, finishing with six points.
Teague, who wove through the lane to feed Millsap for a dunk that made it 103-94 with 3:01 left, seemed to drive at will.
"I think the message throughout preseason and training was that when he's aggressive, something good is going to happen," Budenholzer said. "We just keep hammering that to him. We want him to be more aggressive. Sometimes that's going to mean a lot of assists, sometimes it will mean a lot of points. When he's putting pressure on the defence, good things happen for us."
The Sixers were without second-leading scorer Michael Carter-Williams because of a bruised arch in his left foot.
Carter-Williams missed his second straight game. The rookie was injured Monday in a home loss to San Antonio and is travelling with the team, but coach Brett Brown said he doubts the former Syracuse standout will play Saturday at New Orleans or Monday at Dallas.
"It's tough, for sure," Turner said about Carter-Williams' absence. "Maybe he could have corralled Jeff Teague, but he'll be back soon."
Added Brown: "We tried different a bunch of different ways to try to defend him and not many worked."
Wroten, a second-year veteran starting in Carter-Williams' spot, has done well in the guard's absence. He had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in his first career start, a home win over Houston on Wednesday.
Hawks guard Kyle Korver hit a 3 in his 82nd consecutive game, pulling within eight of breaking Dana Barros' 17-year-old NBA record.
Korver finished with 13 points.
Thaddeus Young had 17 points for Philadelphia.
The Hawks' biggest lead before halftime was 11 on Williams' 3 in the final seconds of the first quarter, but Philadelphia had a two-point lead at intermission after Darius Morris hit a 3 with 2.5 seconds left and Carroll hit a 3 at the buzzer.
Williams' 8-foot runner lifted Atlanta to an 82-71 lead with 31.1 seconds left in the third.
Philadelphia came within four on Hollis Thompson's dunk early in the fourth, but Brown called timeout with 7:39 remaining after Ayon caught Teague's alley-oop for a layup that made it 90-79.
"Our bench came in and got us back in it and showed great energy," Brown said. "But at that point you could feel the momentum was swinging. We give them credit. We just didn't do a great job starting that second half."
NOTES: Teague's previous career high was 28 points last Jan. 16 at Brooklyn. ... Carroll set a career high with four 3s. ... Barros set the NBA mark by hitting a 3 in 89 straight games from Dec. 23, 1994-Jan. 12, 1996, during stints with Philadelphia and Boston. ... Budenholzer and Brown, both first-year head coaches, know each other well. Budenholzer spent the previous 17 years and Brown the last 11 on San Antonio's staff. ... There were 10 lead changes and nine ties.
This was definitely a pretty good argument for that strategy.
Teague had a career-high 33 points and 10 assists, Al Horford added 20 points and Atlanta beat the Philadelphia 76ers 113-103 on Friday night.
"I tried to be more aggressive, attack and play hard to get a win," Teague said. "Those guys were telling me to just use my speed and get to the rim. It was working out for me tonight."
DeMarre Carroll finished with a career-high 21 points for Atlanta, which has won three of four.
Evan Turner scored 27 points and Tony Wroten had 22 for the Sixers, who have lost three of four. Spencer Hawes finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Hawks guard Lou Williams, returning to the court for the first time since undergoing reconstructive right knee surgery 10 months ago, finished with seven points, three rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes.
Williams, in his second season with Atlanta, received a rousing cheer when he entered the game midway through the first quarter.
Budenholzer said before the game that Williams, who spent his first seven seasons with the Sixers, will not play on consecutive nights. The Hawks visit the New York Knicks on Saturday.
"I was more nervous before the game that when I actually stepped out onto the court," Williams said. "It felt good to be back out there with the guys, just grinding and trying to win a game and to be a part of it."
Budenholzer decided to bring forward Paul Millsap, Atlanta's second-leading scorer this season, off the bench, and he finished with eight points. Gustavo Ayon started in his season debut, finishing with six points.
Teague, who wove through the lane to feed Millsap for a dunk that made it 103-94 with 3:01 left, seemed to drive at will.
"I think the message throughout preseason and training was that when he's aggressive, something good is going to happen," Budenholzer said. "We just keep hammering that to him. We want him to be more aggressive. Sometimes that's going to mean a lot of assists, sometimes it will mean a lot of points. When he's putting pressure on the defence, good things happen for us."
The Sixers were without second-leading scorer Michael Carter-Williams because of a bruised arch in his left foot.
Carter-Williams missed his second straight game. The rookie was injured Monday in a home loss to San Antonio and is travelling with the team, but coach Brett Brown said he doubts the former Syracuse standout will play Saturday at New Orleans or Monday at Dallas.
"It's tough, for sure," Turner said about Carter-Williams' absence. "Maybe he could have corralled Jeff Teague, but he'll be back soon."
Added Brown: "We tried different a bunch of different ways to try to defend him and not many worked."
Wroten, a second-year veteran starting in Carter-Williams' spot, has done well in the guard's absence. He had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in his first career start, a home win over Houston on Wednesday.
Hawks guard Kyle Korver hit a 3 in his 82nd consecutive game, pulling within eight of breaking Dana Barros' 17-year-old NBA record.
Korver finished with 13 points.
Thaddeus Young had 17 points for Philadelphia.
The Hawks' biggest lead before halftime was 11 on Williams' 3 in the final seconds of the first quarter, but Philadelphia had a two-point lead at intermission after Darius Morris hit a 3 with 2.5 seconds left and Carroll hit a 3 at the buzzer.
Williams' 8-foot runner lifted Atlanta to an 82-71 lead with 31.1 seconds left in the third.
Philadelphia came within four on Hollis Thompson's dunk early in the fourth, but Brown called timeout with 7:39 remaining after Ayon caught Teague's alley-oop for a layup that made it 90-79.
"Our bench came in and got us back in it and showed great energy," Brown said. "But at that point you could feel the momentum was swinging. We give them credit. We just didn't do a great job starting that second half."
NOTES: Teague's previous career high was 28 points last Jan. 16 at Brooklyn. ... Carroll set a career high with four 3s. ... Barros set the NBA mark by hitting a 3 in 89 straight games from Dec. 23, 1994-Jan. 12, 1996, during stints with Philadelphia and Boston. ... Budenholzer and Brown, both first-year head coaches, know each other well. Budenholzer spent the previous 17 years and Brown the last 11 on San Antonio's staff. ... There were 10 lead changes and nine ties.
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