Banchero's triple-double leads Magic over Pelicans on Thursday
The Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 121-106, at the Kia Center on Thursday.
The Pelicans (42-27) rushed out to an 11-3 run and were up by as much as 12 points in the first quarter. The Magic (42-28) whittled that deficit to five before dominating the second frame, 34-20, to take a nine-point lead into halftime. They continued that momentum into the second half, when Orlando extended its cushion by as much as 21 points as both teams opted to empty their deep benches in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. New Orleans dropped to 22-14 on the road, while the Magic improved to 25-9 at home.
Trey Murphy led the Pelicans with 21 points and three rebounds while coming off the bench. Zion Williamson closed with 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block, but he was responsible for eight of New Orleans’ 18 turnovers. CJ McCollum chipped in 18 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Brandon Ingram added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. Herbert Jones tallied 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, marking his second triple-double this season, and of his two-year career. Jalen Suggs tallied 22 points and two assists, while Franz Wagner contributed 18 points, three rebounds and three assists. Moritz Wagner led the bench with 14 points, while Cole Anthony totaled 10 points and five rebounds off the pine.
The Pelicans play the second game of a back-to-back Saturday when they visit the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, the Magic play the fourth of their eight-game homestand March 23 against Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings.
The Pelicans (42-27) rushed out to an 11-3 run and were up by as much as 12 points in the first quarter. The Magic (42-28) whittled that deficit to five before dominating the second frame, 34-20, to take a nine-point lead into halftime. They continued that momentum into the second half, when Orlando extended its cushion by as much as 21 points as both teams opted to empty their deep benches in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. New Orleans dropped to 22-14 on the road, while the Magic improved to 25-9 at home.
Trey Murphy led the Pelicans with 21 points and three rebounds while coming off the bench. Zion Williamson closed with 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block, but he was responsible for eight of New Orleans’ 18 turnovers. CJ McCollum chipped in 18 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Brandon Ingram added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. Herbert Jones tallied 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, marking his second triple-double this season, and of his two-year career. Jalen Suggs tallied 22 points and two assists, while Franz Wagner contributed 18 points, three rebounds and three assists. Moritz Wagner led the bench with 14 points, while Cole Anthony totaled 10 points and five rebounds off the pine.
The Pelicans play the second game of a back-to-back Saturday when they visit the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, the Magic play the fourth of their eight-game homestand March 23 against Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings.
Wizards Pull Upset To Defeat Kings
The Washington Wizards defeated the Sacramento Kings, 109-102, at Capital One Arena on Thursday.
The Wizards (12-58) pulled a gigantic upset to defeat the Kings (40-29) in front of their fans at Capital One Arena. Washington got off to an impressive start and raced to a 35-27 first-quarter lead. However, Sacramento fought back and reduced the deficit in the second quarter after a 27-21 score. Things went back and forth in the third quarter, but the Wizards managed to restore their advantage with a 28-22 score. The Kings showed fight in the final 12 minutes, but the hosts closed things out.
Kyle Kuzma posted 31 points to lead the Wizards, and he also added six rebounds and five assists. Corey Kispert notched 15 points. Deni Avdija delivered 17 points, nine boards and five assists. Richard Holmes grabbed 15 rebounds while scoring six points. Jordan Poole scored 14 points.
De'Aaron Fox scored 25 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists for the Kings. Domantas Sabonis posted 14 points and 14 rebounds while adding six assists. Keegan Murray ended with 16 points. Harrison Barnes recorded 12 points. Malik Monk scored 20 off the bench and also added four assists.
The Wizards (12-58) pulled a gigantic upset to defeat the Kings (40-29) in front of their fans at Capital One Arena. Washington got off to an impressive start and raced to a 35-27 first-quarter lead. However, Sacramento fought back and reduced the deficit in the second quarter after a 27-21 score. Things went back and forth in the third quarter, but the Wizards managed to restore their advantage with a 28-22 score. The Kings showed fight in the final 12 minutes, but the hosts closed things out.
Kyle Kuzma posted 31 points to lead the Wizards, and he also added six rebounds and five assists. Corey Kispert notched 15 points. Deni Avdija delivered 17 points, nine boards and five assists. Richard Holmes grabbed 15 rebounds while scoring six points. Jordan Poole scored 14 points.
De'Aaron Fox scored 25 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists for the Kings. Domantas Sabonis posted 14 points and 14 rebounds while adding six assists. Keegan Murray ended with 16 points. Harrison Barnes recorded 12 points. Malik Monk scored 20 off the bench and also added four assists.
Rockets Outlast Bulls, 127-117
The Houston Rockets defeated the Chicago Bulls, 127-117, at Toyota Center on Thursday night.
The Rockets (34-35) wasted no time clicking on the offensive end, riding a 42-point first quarter to an early 14-point lead. The Bulls (34-36) did manage to come back and slice their lead in half before intermission, but Houston added four points back to its advantage in the third quarter and kept Chicago comfortably at bay over the final 12 minutes for the high-scoring home victory.
Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 35 points, adding two rebounds, two assists and three steals. Nikola Vucevic generated a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double that included six assists and one block. DeMar DeRozan matched Vucevic's scoring and also contributed two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Coby White returned from a hip injury to turn in 13 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench. Alex Caruso posted 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Torrey Craig managed 10 points, four boards, one assist and one block.
Jalen Green paced the Rockets with 26 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Dillon Brooks recorded 23 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals. Jock Landale generated a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double that included five assists and two blocks. Amen Thompson and Aaron Holiday provided 15 points apiece while pulling down eight and three rebounds, respectively. Jeff Green finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and one block.
The Bulls return home to host the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, while the Rockets remain home and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night as well.
The Rockets (34-35) wasted no time clicking on the offensive end, riding a 42-point first quarter to an early 14-point lead. The Bulls (34-36) did manage to come back and slice their lead in half before intermission, but Houston added four points back to its advantage in the third quarter and kept Chicago comfortably at bay over the final 12 minutes for the high-scoring home victory.
Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 35 points, adding two rebounds, two assists and three steals. Nikola Vucevic generated a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double that included six assists and one block. DeMar DeRozan matched Vucevic's scoring and also contributed two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Coby White returned from a hip injury to turn in 13 points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench. Alex Caruso posted 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Torrey Craig managed 10 points, four boards, one assist and one block.
Jalen Green paced the Rockets with 26 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Dillon Brooks recorded 23 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals. Jock Landale generated a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double that included five assists and two blocks. Amen Thompson and Aaron Holiday provided 15 points apiece while pulling down eight and three rebounds, respectively. Jeff Green finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and one block.
The Bulls return home to host the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, while the Rockets remain home and host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night as well.
Bucks Top Nets, 115-108
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 115-108, at Fiserv Forum on Thursday night.
The Bucks (45-25) came into the contest buoyed by the good news of Giannis Antetokounmpo's return from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury, and it appeared to give them early life. Milwaukee already owned a 60-44 lead by halftime, and after the Nets (26-44) put a four-point dent into their deficit in the third quarter, Brooklyn fought all the way back to take multiple leads in the final period. However, the hosts were able to fight back at a critical juncture, with a late 8-0 run instrumental to putting them back on top for good.
Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 24 points, adding six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Nic Claxton supplied 22 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two steals. Cam Thomas supplied 21 points, six boards and four assists. Cameron Johnson furnished 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with a 30-point, 12-assist double-double that included three rebounds and two steals. Antetokounmpo contributed 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Brook Lopez delivered 17 points and five rebounds. Malik Beasley recorded 16 points and six boards. A.J. Green tallied 15 points and two boards.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the New York Knicks on Saturday afternoon, while the Bucks remain home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
The Bucks (45-25) came into the contest buoyed by the good news of Giannis Antetokounmpo's return from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury, and it appeared to give them early life. Milwaukee already owned a 60-44 lead by halftime, and after the Nets (26-44) put a four-point dent into their deficit in the third quarter, Brooklyn fought all the way back to take multiple leads in the final period. However, the hosts were able to fight back at a critical juncture, with a late 8-0 run instrumental to putting them back on top for good.
Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 24 points, adding six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Nic Claxton supplied 22 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two steals. Cam Thomas supplied 21 points, six boards and four assists. Cameron Johnson furnished 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with a 30-point, 12-assist double-double that included three rebounds and two steals. Antetokounmpo contributed 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Brook Lopez delivered 17 points and five rebounds. Malik Beasley recorded 16 points and six boards. A.J. Green tallied 15 points and two boards.
The Nets remain on the road and visit the New York Knicks on Saturday afternoon, while the Bucks remain home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
Mavericks Defeat Jazz, 113-97
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting Utah Jazz, 113-97, at American Airlines Center on Thursday.
While there were nine lead changes through the opening 13 minutes, Dallas never gave up the lead after that. They took command of this game with a 27-15 second quarter, leading by at least seven points for the final 30 minutes of this game. They got their lead up to 19 points at times. The Mavericks shot 50 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range, while the Jazz shot 46 percent from the field and 13 percent from long range (4-of-30). Dallas also recorded 33 assists to 13 turnovers, while Dallas had 29 assists to 18 turnovers. They also out-rebounded them, 56-45, while outscoring Utah in fastbreak points, 27-10.
The Jazz (29-41) were led by Lauri Markkanen, finishing with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Collin Sexton led the bench with 20 points, four rebounds and five assists. Keyonte George generated 18 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Walker Kessler had 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Mavericks (41-29) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 34 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Daniel Gafford tallied 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Kyrie Irving totaled 16 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Daniel Jones amassed 12 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Dallas is off until Monday, when they travel to face Utah again. As for the Jazz, they stay on the road to play the Houston Rockets on Saturday for their next tilt.
While there were nine lead changes through the opening 13 minutes, Dallas never gave up the lead after that. They took command of this game with a 27-15 second quarter, leading by at least seven points for the final 30 minutes of this game. They got their lead up to 19 points at times. The Mavericks shot 50 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range, while the Jazz shot 46 percent from the field and 13 percent from long range (4-of-30). Dallas also recorded 33 assists to 13 turnovers, while Dallas had 29 assists to 18 turnovers. They also out-rebounded them, 56-45, while outscoring Utah in fastbreak points, 27-10.
The Jazz (29-41) were led by Lauri Markkanen, finishing with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Collin Sexton led the bench with 20 points, four rebounds and five assists. Keyonte George generated 18 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Walker Kessler had 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Mavericks (41-29) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 34 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Daniel Gafford tallied 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Kyrie Irving totaled 16 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Daniel Jones amassed 12 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Dallas is off until Monday, when they travel to face Utah again. As for the Jazz, they stay on the road to play the Houston Rockets on Saturday for their next tilt.
Nuggets Defeat Knicks, 113-100
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting New York Knicks, 113-100, at Ball Arena on Thursday.
There were 12 ties and 10 lead changes in the first half, but Denver never relinquished the lead in the second half. The Nuggets actually outscored the Knicks in all four individual quarters, grabbing a game-high 14-point lead at the beginning of the fourth. Denver shot 54 percent from the field and 85 percent from the free-throw line, while New York shot 48 percent from the field and 77 percent from the charity stripe. The Nuggets also out-rebounded the Knicks, 50-37, while outscoring them in the paint, 66-46.
The Knicks (41-28) were led by Jalen Brunson, finishing with 26 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Isaiah Hartenstein had 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Donte DiVincenzo amassed 11 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Miles McBride totaled 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Alec Burks led the bench with 19 points, five rebounds and two steals.
The Nuggets (49-21) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, collecting 30 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Michael Porter Jr hit 13 of his 16 shots to finish with 31 points and eight rebounds. Jamal Murray totaled 23 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Aaron Gordon generated 10 points, four rebounds and eight assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Denver traveling to face the Portland Trail Blazers and New York returning home to play the Brooklyn Nets.
There were 12 ties and 10 lead changes in the first half, but Denver never relinquished the lead in the second half. The Nuggets actually outscored the Knicks in all four individual quarters, grabbing a game-high 14-point lead at the beginning of the fourth. Denver shot 54 percent from the field and 85 percent from the free-throw line, while New York shot 48 percent from the field and 77 percent from the charity stripe. The Nuggets also out-rebounded the Knicks, 50-37, while outscoring them in the paint, 66-46.
The Knicks (41-28) were led by Jalen Brunson, finishing with 26 points, two rebounds and nine assists. Isaiah Hartenstein had 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Donte DiVincenzo amassed 11 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Miles McBride totaled 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Alec Burks led the bench with 19 points, five rebounds and two steals.
The Nuggets (49-21) got another triple-double from Nikola Jokic, collecting 30 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Michael Porter Jr hit 13 of his 16 shots to finish with 31 points and eight rebounds. Jamal Murray totaled 23 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Aaron Gordon generated 10 points, four rebounds and eight assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Denver traveling to face the Portland Trail Blazers and New York returning home to play the Brooklyn Nets.
Suns Finish Strong To Top Hawks
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 128-115, at Footprint Center on Thursday evening.
The Hawks got out to a strong start and led, 37-30, after one quarter. The Suns turned up their play in the second and outscored the visitors, 35-23, to claim a five-point advantage at halftime. Both sides came out strong again in the third, where the visitors managed to trim it back to a three-point game heading into the final quarter. The Suns regained momentum in the fourth and rallied down the stretch to close out their second straight win. This also marks the second straight loss for the Hawks.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 30 points, four rebounds and two assists, in 32 minutes. Eric Gordon followed up with 21 points, five assists and two steals, while Kevin Durant tallied 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 29 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists and four steals, in 40 minutes of action. DeAndre Hunter followed up with 22 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 16 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The Hawks (30-39) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Hornets on Saturday. The Suns (41-29) clash with the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday.
The Hawks got out to a strong start and led, 37-30, after one quarter. The Suns turned up their play in the second and outscored the visitors, 35-23, to claim a five-point advantage at halftime. Both sides came out strong again in the third, where the visitors managed to trim it back to a three-point game heading into the final quarter. The Suns regained momentum in the fourth and rallied down the stretch to close out their second straight win. This also marks the second straight loss for the Hawks.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 30 points, four rebounds and two assists, in 32 minutes. Eric Gordon followed up with 21 points, five assists and two steals, while Kevin Durant tallied 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 29 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists and four steals, in 40 minutes of action. DeAndre Hunter followed up with 22 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 16 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal.
The Hawks (30-39) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Hornets on Saturday. The Suns (41-29) clash with the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday.