Celtics Overcome Slow Start, Defeat Pelicans
The Boston Celtics defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 104-92, at Smoothie King Center on Saturday.
The Celtics (58-16) and the Pelicans (45-29) played a tight contest, and even though New Orleans jumped to a strong start, Boston ended up winning the game after overcoming a slow start. The Pelicans enjoyed an excellent start and grabbed a 37-28 lead in the first quarter. However, the Celtics countered with a 31-20 score in the second quarter to earn a two-point lead. The Celtics upped the intensity on the defensive end in the third quarter and limited the Pelicans to just 11 points in the third quarter, bolstering their advantage to 15 points. The Pelicans fought back and won the final quarter by a 24-21 score. However, that was not enough to mount a comeback, and Boston cruised to victory. With the win, the Celtics moved to 26-13 on the road. Meanwhile, the Pelicans fell to 21-15 at home.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 23 points and nine rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis notched 19 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown posted 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Derrick White ended with 15 points and three assists. Jrue Holiday chipped in with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. The Celtics shot 47.6 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point range.
Zion Williamson led the way for the Pelicans with 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists. CJ McCollum delivered 24 points, five assists and two steals. Herbert Jones had 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Trey Murphy III finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas was limited to just 15 minutes, posting two points, five rebounds and two assists. The Pelicans shot 39.5 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from deep.
The Celtics (58-16) and the Pelicans (45-29) played a tight contest, and even though New Orleans jumped to a strong start, Boston ended up winning the game after overcoming a slow start. The Pelicans enjoyed an excellent start and grabbed a 37-28 lead in the first quarter. However, the Celtics countered with a 31-20 score in the second quarter to earn a two-point lead. The Celtics upped the intensity on the defensive end in the third quarter and limited the Pelicans to just 11 points in the third quarter, bolstering their advantage to 15 points. The Pelicans fought back and won the final quarter by a 24-21 score. However, that was not enough to mount a comeback, and Boston cruised to victory. With the win, the Celtics moved to 26-13 on the road. Meanwhile, the Pelicans fell to 21-15 at home.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 23 points and nine rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis notched 19 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown posted 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Derrick White ended with 15 points and three assists. Jrue Holiday chipped in with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. The Celtics shot 47.6 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point range.
Zion Williamson led the way for the Pelicans with 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists. CJ McCollum delivered 24 points, five assists and two steals. Herbert Jones had 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. Trey Murphy III finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas was limited to just 15 minutes, posting two points, five rebounds and two assists. The Pelicans shot 39.5 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from deep.
Magic Throttles Grizzlies, 118-88
The Orlando Magic defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 118-88, at Amway Center on Saturday night.
The Magic (43-31) opened the game in a manner that would set the tone for how the first three quarters would go, as they forged a 33-13 lead through the first 12 minutes. Orlando then added another 15 points to its advantage over the Grizzlies (24-50) during the middle quarters, essentially sealing the win at that point.
Jordan Goodwin led the Grizzlies with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists and two steals. Brandon Clarke totaled 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Scottie Pippen Jr. and GG Jackson produced matching 11-point, one-steal contributions while adding four and three rebounds, respectively. Jake LaRavia furnished 10 points, two boards, one assist and one steal.
Wendell Carter Jr. paced the Magic with a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double that included two assists, two steals and one block. Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony matched Carter's scoring while adding four and three assists, respectively. Suggs added two steals and two blocks. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner posted 13 points each. Banchero also collected nine rebounds, seven assists and four blocks, while Wagner added four boards, four assists and one steal. Markelle Fultz supplied 12 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Grizzlies remain on the road and visit the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, while the Magic host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night as well.
The Magic (43-31) opened the game in a manner that would set the tone for how the first three quarters would go, as they forged a 33-13 lead through the first 12 minutes. Orlando then added another 15 points to its advantage over the Grizzlies (24-50) during the middle quarters, essentially sealing the win at that point.
Jordan Goodwin led the Grizzlies with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists and two steals. Brandon Clarke totaled 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Scottie Pippen Jr. and GG Jackson produced matching 11-point, one-steal contributions while adding four and three rebounds, respectively. Jake LaRavia furnished 10 points, two boards, one assist and one steal.
Wendell Carter Jr. paced the Magic with a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double that included two assists, two steals and one block. Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony matched Carter's scoring while adding four and three assists, respectively. Suggs added two steals and two blocks. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner posted 13 points each. Banchero also collected nine rebounds, seven assists and four blocks, while Wagner added four boards, four assists and one steal. Markelle Fultz supplied 12 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Grizzlies remain on the road and visit the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, while the Magic host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night as well.
Bucks Hold Off Hawks
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the host Atlanta Hawks, 122-113, at State Farm Arena on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Bucks pulled ahead for a five-point lead after one quarter. The visitors turned up their play in the second and outscored the Hawks by nine to make it a 14-point game by halftime. Both sides brought a solid effort in the third, but the Bucks managed to carry a 15-point advantage heading into the final frame. The hosts put up a fight in the fourth, but the Bucks held on to end a two-game slide. This also marks the end of a four-game win streak for the Hawks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 36 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, in 38 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Patrick Beverley tallied 18 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 38 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, in 37 minutes. Dejounte Murray followed up with 20 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists, while De'Andre Hunter finished with 13 points and two rebounds.
The Hawks (34-40) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Monday. The Bucks (47-27) clash with the Wizards on Tuesday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Bucks pulled ahead for a five-point lead after one quarter. The visitors turned up their play in the second and outscored the Hawks by nine to make it a 14-point game by halftime. Both sides brought a solid effort in the third, but the Bucks managed to carry a 15-point advantage heading into the final frame. The hosts put up a fight in the fourth, but the Bucks held on to end a two-game slide. This also marks the end of a four-game win streak for the Hawks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 36 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, in 38 minutes. Khris Middleton followed up with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Patrick Beverley tallied 18 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 38 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, in 37 minutes. Dejounte Murray followed up with 20 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists, while De'Andre Hunter finished with 13 points and two rebounds.
The Hawks (34-40) will look to bounce back as they take on the Bulls in Chicago on Monday. The Bucks (47-27) clash with the Wizards on Tuesday.