Daily Zap 17-11-14

Denver Nuggets (2-7) @ New York Knicks (3-8)

The New York Knicks ended a seven game losing streak thanks to a win over fellow strugglers, the Denver Nuggets. The win was mainly due to Denver scoring just one basket from 16 attempts in the second quarter, while the Knicks scored 31 points. Even when Denver outscored their opponents in the next quarter, the Knicks didn’t worry, still possessing a 20 point lead. It looked like Denver could mount a comeback when they reduced the lead to 12, but Carmelo Anthony helped pull his team through for the win.

Knicks 93 - 109 Nuggets

KEY PERFORMERS

Ty Lawson - 17 points, 9 assists

Kenneth Faried - 16 points, 9 rebounds

Carmelo Anthony - 28 points, 9 rebounds

J.R. Smith - 28 points

Milwaukee Bucks (5-5) @ Miami Heat (5-5)

The Miami Heat fell to their third straight loss, this time losing at home to the Milwaukee Bucks. They may have won the first half 46-38, but the main damage was done in the third quarter. The Bucks outscored the Heat in the third by 26-13, being a great force on the inside. Miami reduced to the lead to three in the final quarter, but the game was over when Brandon Knight nailed two three-pointers in the space of a couple of minutes. Dwyane Wade was sorely missed by Miami, with Chris Bosh (2-17) and Luol Deng (3-11) struggling from the field.

Bucks 91 - 84 Heat

KEY PERFORMERS

Giannis Antetokounmpo - 11 points, 7 rebounds

Brandon Knight - 20 points, 5 rebounds

Shawne Williams - 13 points, 11 rebounds

Mario Chalmers - 18 points

Houston Rockets (9-1) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (3-8)

In one of the ugliest games in recent years, the Houston Rockets managed to grind out a victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. If you wondering why the score was so low, it wasn’t due to terrific defence, both teams shot the ball poorly; Houston shooting 28.7% and the Thunder weren’t much better at 29.4%. The Rockets dominance in the paint - they outscored the Thunder 14-0 in the first quarter - was key to gaining an early advantage. But the Thunder rallied to even up the scores, being helped by Houston scoring just nine points in the third. However, it was the Rockets who led late on, 68-65 with one possession left. Reggie Jackson shot an unnecessarily deep three pointer which missed the targets, which maintained the Rockets unbeaten road run.

Rockets 69 - 65 Thunder

KEY PERFORMERS

Patrick Beverley - 12 points, 8 rebounds

James Harden - 19 points, 9 rebounds

Reggie Jackson - 15 points, 11 rebounds

Serge Ibaka - 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks

Golden State Warriors (8-2) @ Los Angeles Lakers (1-9)

The Lakers defence has been appalling so far this year, but even their biggest critics didn’t expect the Warriors to score 74 points against them in the first half alone. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were the main threats for Golden State, scoring the ball with the ease that we’ve seen many times before. The lead extended to as much as 38 points in the third, meaning they could relax a little in the final quarter, and still comfortably pick up the win. Kobe shot 34 shots from the field which implies that he has been given free rein  by Byron Scott to shoot when and where he wants.

Warriors 136 - 115 Lakers

KEY PERFORMERS

Stephen Curry - 30 points, 15 assists

Andrew Bogut - 15 points, 10 rebounds

Kobe Bryant - 44 points

Jordan Hill - 15 points, 11 rebounds