Magic stiffle Hornets on Tuesday, 112-92
The Orlando Magic crushed the Charlotte Hornets, 112-92, at the Kia Center on Tuesday evening.
It was a dominant performance by the home-team Magic (41-28), as the Hornets (17-52) held their only lead of two points early in the first quarter. Orlando took a 10-point lead into the second quarter and proceeded to dominate with a 40-15 score and were up by as much as 41 points. Charlotte was able to win the third quarter by nine points, but with an insurmountable gap heading into the final frame, both teams opted to play their deep benches down the stretch. The Magic improved to 24-9 as they dominated the glass, 41-30, including 10 offensive rebounds. The Hornets dropped to 8-28 on the road and have failed to reach 100 points in each of their last six games.
Rookie forward Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 21 points and seven rebounds. Vasilije Micic poured in 20 points, while Miles Bridges added 16 points, four rebounds and five assists. Tre Mann chipped in 11 points, four rebounds and five assists. Nick Smith saw six minutes off the bench during garbage time and led the reserves with eight points.
Cole Anthony led the Magic with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists while coming off the bench. Jalen Suggs filled up the box score with 16 points, four rebounds, six assists, two blocks and three steals. Paolo Banchero added 13 points and five assists, while Franz Wagner contributed 11 points and three assists. Moritz Wagner tallied 13 points, five rebounds and two assists in reserve.
Next up, the Magic continue their eight-game home stand when they welcome in the New Orleans Pelicans on March 21, while the Hornets visit the Atlanta Hawks on March 23.
It was a dominant performance by the home-team Magic (41-28), as the Hornets (17-52) held their only lead of two points early in the first quarter. Orlando took a 10-point lead into the second quarter and proceeded to dominate with a 40-15 score and were up by as much as 41 points. Charlotte was able to win the third quarter by nine points, but with an insurmountable gap heading into the final frame, both teams opted to play their deep benches down the stretch. The Magic improved to 24-9 as they dominated the glass, 41-30, including 10 offensive rebounds. The Hornets dropped to 8-28 on the road and have failed to reach 100 points in each of their last six games.
Rookie forward Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 21 points and seven rebounds. Vasilije Micic poured in 20 points, while Miles Bridges added 16 points, four rebounds and five assists. Tre Mann chipped in 11 points, four rebounds and five assists. Nick Smith saw six minutes off the bench during garbage time and led the reserves with eight points.
Cole Anthony led the Magic with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists while coming off the bench. Jalen Suggs filled up the box score with 16 points, four rebounds, six assists, two blocks and three steals. Paolo Banchero added 13 points and five assists, while Franz Wagner contributed 11 points and three assists. Moritz Wagner tallied 13 points, five rebounds and two assists in reserve.
Next up, the Magic continue their eight-game home stand when they welcome in the New Orleans Pelicans on March 21, while the Hornets visit the Atlanta Hawks on March 23.
Rockets Cruise To Win Over Wizards
The Houston Rockets defeated the Washington Wizards, 137-114, at Capital One Arena on Tuesday.
The Rockets (33-35) now sit just two games before the .500 mark with a comfortable win over the Wizards (11-58). The Wizards are now just two games before reaching the 60-loss mark, and they still hold the worst record in The Association. Houston raced to a 39-36 lead in the first quarter, and the three-point differential stayed at halftime. The Rockets pulled away for good with a 41-25 score in the third quarter, pushing their advantage to double digits. The Rockets would not look back the rest of the way. Houston won the final 12 minutes by a 36-32 score, closing the game out with ease. The Rockets moved to 10-24 on the road, while the Wizards fell to 4-28 at home.
Jalen Green finished with 42 points and 10 rebounds. Amen Thompson posted 25 points and 10 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Jock Landale posted 10 points and three rebounds off the bench. Jeff Green ended with 12 points. The Rockets shot 51.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range.
Corey Kispert finished with 16 points, same as Justin Champagnie and Jules Bernard, with both adding 16 points off the bench. Richaun Holmes ended with 12 points and nine rebounds. Jordan Poole ended with 13 points and five rebounds. Jared Butler ended with 15 points and nine assists. Washington shot 42.9 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range.
The Rockets (33-35) now sit just two games before the .500 mark with a comfortable win over the Wizards (11-58). The Wizards are now just two games before reaching the 60-loss mark, and they still hold the worst record in The Association. Houston raced to a 39-36 lead in the first quarter, and the three-point differential stayed at halftime. The Rockets pulled away for good with a 41-25 score in the third quarter, pushing their advantage to double digits. The Rockets would not look back the rest of the way. Houston won the final 12 minutes by a 36-32 score, closing the game out with ease. The Rockets moved to 10-24 on the road, while the Wizards fell to 4-28 at home.
Jalen Green finished with 42 points and 10 rebounds. Amen Thompson posted 25 points and 10 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Jock Landale posted 10 points and three rebounds off the bench. Jeff Green ended with 12 points. The Rockets shot 51.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range.
Corey Kispert finished with 16 points, same as Justin Champagnie and Jules Bernard, with both adding 16 points off the bench. Richaun Holmes ended with 12 points and nine rebounds. Jordan Poole ended with 13 points and five rebounds. Jared Butler ended with 15 points and nine assists. Washington shot 42.9 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range.
Pelicans Defeat Nets, 104-91
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the host Brooklyn Nets, 104-91, at Barclay's Center on Tuesday.
New Orleans held the lead for all but one minute in this game, getting out to a 64-45 lead at the half. They got their lead up to 24 points at times, maintaining a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. The Pelicans shot 51 percent from the field while holding the Nets below 37 percent shooting. New Orleans out-assisted Brooklyn, 29-19, while outscoring them in the paint, 52-32.
The Pelicans (42-26) were led by Zion Williamson, collecting 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists. CJ McCollum compiled 16 points and five assists. Brandon Ingram amassed 11 points, four rebounds and six assists. Herbert Jones had 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and three blocks, while Larry Nance Jr led the bench with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
The Nets (26-43) were led by Cam Thomas, tallying 25 points, three rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges totaled 15 points, two rebounds and two steals. Dennis Schroder provided 12 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Day'Ron Sharpe led the bench with eight points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with New Orleans traveling to face the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn playing the Milwaukee Bucks on the road as well.
New Orleans held the lead for all but one minute in this game, getting out to a 64-45 lead at the half. They got their lead up to 24 points at times, maintaining a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half. The Pelicans shot 51 percent from the field while holding the Nets below 37 percent shooting. New Orleans out-assisted Brooklyn, 29-19, while outscoring them in the paint, 52-32.
The Pelicans (42-26) were led by Zion Williamson, collecting 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists. CJ McCollum compiled 16 points and five assists. Brandon Ingram amassed 11 points, four rebounds and six assists. Herbert Jones had 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and three blocks, while Larry Nance Jr led the bench with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
The Nets (26-43) were led by Cam Thomas, tallying 25 points, three rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges totaled 15 points, two rebounds and two steals. Dennis Schroder provided 12 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Day'Ron Sharpe led the bench with eight points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Both teams return to action on Thursday, with New Orleans traveling to face the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn playing the Milwaukee Bucks on the road as well.
Mavericks Hold On To Defeat Spurs
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 113-107, at Frost Bank Center on Tuesday.
The Mavericks (40-29) completed the season sweep of the Spurs (15-54) with a tighter-than-expected win on the road. Dallas jumped to a 38-30 score in the first quarter and never looked back. Even though the Spurs fought hard, the Mavericks never let the game slip away from them. Dallas won the second quarter by a 27-26 score, but the Spurs fought back in the second half. San Antonio won the final two quarters, 28-26 and 23-22, respectively, but it was not enough to mount a comeback. With the win, the Mavericks moved to 19-14 on the road, while the Spurs fell to 8-25 at home.
Luka Doncic led the way for Dallas with a triple-double of 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds. Kyrie Irving was the leading scorer for Dallas with 28 points. He also added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Daniel Gafford had 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Dante Exum recorded 16 points and two assists. Dereck Lively II ended with 12 points and five boards. Dallas shot 48.4 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from deep.
Tre Jones was the leading scorer for the Spurs with 22 points, nine assists and three rebounds. Victor Wembanyama had 12 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks and three assists. Jeremy Sochan had 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Devin Vassell recorded 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Spurs shot 43.8 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from deep.
The Mavericks (40-29) completed the season sweep of the Spurs (15-54) with a tighter-than-expected win on the road. Dallas jumped to a 38-30 score in the first quarter and never looked back. Even though the Spurs fought hard, the Mavericks never let the game slip away from them. Dallas won the second quarter by a 27-26 score, but the Spurs fought back in the second half. San Antonio won the final two quarters, 28-26 and 23-22, respectively, but it was not enough to mount a comeback. With the win, the Mavericks moved to 19-14 on the road, while the Spurs fell to 8-25 at home.
Luka Doncic led the way for Dallas with a triple-double of 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds. Kyrie Irving was the leading scorer for Dallas with 28 points. He also added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Daniel Gafford had 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Dante Exum recorded 16 points and two assists. Dereck Lively II ended with 12 points and five boards. Dallas shot 48.4 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from deep.
Tre Jones was the leading scorer for the Spurs with 22 points, nine assists and three rebounds. Victor Wembanyama had 12 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks and three assists. Jeremy Sochan had 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Devin Vassell recorded 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. The Spurs shot 43.8 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from deep.
Nuggets Defeat Shorthanded T'Wolves, 115-112
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves, 115-112, at Target Center on Tuesday.
There were only two ties and six lead changes in this game, but it wasn't decided until the final shot. Minnesota had their largest lead at 93-89 with 7:10 remaining, but Denver ripped off a 10-0 run to take command of this game. Minnesota had one game-tying shot at the buzzer after that spurt, but we're unsuccessful on that open three by Anthony Edwards. The Nuggets held the lead for all but a few minutes, thanks to a 70-55 first half. Denver shot 52 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range (14-of-27), while Minnesota shot 48 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range (12-of-35).
The Nuggets (48-21) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 35 points, 16 rebounds and two assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 26 points and four boards. Jamal Murray tallied 17 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and two steals, while Aaron Gordon accumulated 14 points, 11 rebounds and two assists,
The Timberwolves (47-22) were led by Anthony Edwards, finishing with 30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Jaden McDaniels had 26 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Mike Conley compiled 13 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Kyle Anderson amassed 12 points, three rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
On deck for Denver is a home matchup with the New York Knicks on Thursday. As for Minnesota, they return to action on Friday in a home meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
There were only two ties and six lead changes in this game, but it wasn't decided until the final shot. Minnesota had their largest lead at 93-89 with 7:10 remaining, but Denver ripped off a 10-0 run to take command of this game. Minnesota had one game-tying shot at the buzzer after that spurt, but we're unsuccessful on that open three by Anthony Edwards. The Nuggets held the lead for all but a few minutes, thanks to a 70-55 first half. Denver shot 52 percent from the field and 52 percent from three-point range (14-of-27), while Minnesota shot 48 percent from the field and 34 percent from long range (12-of-35).
The Nuggets (48-21) were led by Nikola Jokic, collecting 35 points, 16 rebounds and two assists. Michael Porter Jr provided 26 points and four boards. Jamal Murray tallied 17 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and two steals, while Aaron Gordon accumulated 14 points, 11 rebounds and two assists,
The Timberwolves (47-22) were led by Anthony Edwards, finishing with 30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Jaden McDaniels had 26 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Mike Conley compiled 13 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Kyle Anderson amassed 12 points, three rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
On deck for Denver is a home matchup with the New York Knicks on Thursday. As for Minnesota, they return to action on Friday in a home meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers.