Daily Zap 26-11-14

Atlanta Hawks (7-5) @ Washington Wizards (9-4)

Paul Pierce passed Jerry West for 17^th on the all time scoring list last night, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his Washington Wizards from falling to the Atlanta Hawks. There were 14 lead changes throughout this game but a 12-0 run by Atlanta in the fourth helped them beat their Eastern Conference rivals.

Hawks 107 - 102 Wizards

Key Performers

Paul Millsap - 17 points, 11 rebounds

Mike Scott - 17 points, 8 rebounds

John Wall - 21 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds

Marcin Gortat - 12 points, 11 rebounds

Golden State Warriors (11-2) @ Miami Heat (8-7)

The Warriors are looking more like contenders for the title this year with every game they play, and a comfortable win over last year’s finalists can only help their confidence. The Warriors played well, but they wouldn’t have won this game without Stephen Curry who had possibly his best performance of the season. He shot 12-19 from the field, 8-11 from deep and 8-9 from the charity stripe on his way to 40 points, his highest points total this year.

Warriors 114 - 97 Heat

Key Performers

Stephen Curry - 40 points, 7 assists

Klay Thompson - 24 points

Chris Bosh - 26 points, 9 rebounds

Luol Deng - 16 points

Sacramento Kings (9-5) @ New Orleans Pelicans (7-6)

There was a battle between two rising stars in the NBA, as DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings took on Anthony Davis and New Orleans Pelicans. Cousins was the winner of this match-up as not only did his team win, but he put up the best stats of anyone on the court. The Kings lost the lead just once, and even when head coach Mike Malone was ejected, the Pelicans still struggled to find a way into the game.

Kings 99 - 89 Pelicans

Key Performers

DeMarcus Cousins - 22 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists

Ramon Sessions - 15 points, 6 assists

Tyreke Evans - 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists

Ryan Anderson - 20 points, 5 rebounds

Detroit Pistons (3-11) @ Milwaukee Bucks (8-7)

The Pistons picked up their fifth straight loss, and also had their worst offensive performance of the season. They may have shot a good 46% from the field, but were hampered by Josh Smith’s free throw attempts, who made just 2-10 in the game. They were in contention for most of the contest but lacked a clinical edge as they were dominated in the third quarter.

Pistons 86 - 98 Bucks

Key Performers

Josh Smith - 11 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks

Andre Drummond - 23 points, 10 rebounds

Brandon Knight - 20 points, 8 assists

Eryan Ilyasova - 13 points, 9 rebounds

Chicago Bulls (9-6) @ Denver Nuggets (7-7)

The Chicago Bulls didn’t just lose the game in the Mile High City as Derrick Rose hobbled off the court (with a suspected hamstring injury) after under ten minutes of play. This departure - paired with big men Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson already being out - proved too much for Chicago as they never led in this contest. They looked like they could be in with a chance with ten seconds left as they trailed by just three, but Ty Lawson’s step back  jumper sealed the victory. Denver’s fifth straight win means they are at .500 for the first time this season.

Bulls 109 - 114 Nuggets

Key Performers

Pau Gasol - 22 points, 11 rebounds

Jimmy Butler - 32 points, 9 rebounds

Ty Lawson - 20 points, 12 assists

Kenneth Faried - 12 points, 9 rebounds

Daily Zap 11-11-14

New Orleans Pelicans (3-3) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3)

Anthony Davis may be having his best season ever, but even he was shown up by LeBron James’ performance in this game. The four time MVP recorded a triple double and combined with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love for 86 points. Ryan Anderson helped give the Pelicans the lead in the first half, but even he couldn’t prevent Irving and James dominating the third - including an 11-0 run by the Cavs. The Pellies came back in the final quarter, closing the lead to three at one point, but they weren’t strong enough to hold off another Cavaliers surge with a few minutes remaining. 

Pelicans 111 - 118 Cavaliers

KEY PERFORMERS

Anthony Davis - 27 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 4 steals

Ryan Anderson - 32 points, 5 rebounds

LeBron James -32 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists

Kyrie Irving - 32 points, 9 assists

Utah Jazz (3-5) @ Indiana Pacers (2-6)

Roy Hibbert scored his highest points total since the 2012-13 post-season to help give the Pacers their first win after six straight defeats. The teams were close all the way through, Hibbert and Gordon Hayward leading their respective sides. But the Pacers managed to restrain Hayward in the final quarter, while Hibbert was give free rein on offense, meaning the Pacers outscored the Jazz 25-17 in the final quarter. Before the game there was good news for Pacers fans, as Paul George took to the floor to shoot with the team.

Jazz 86 - 97 Pacers

KEY PERFORMERS

Gordon Hayward - 30 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists

Derrick Favors - 12 points, 8 rebounds

Lavoy Allen - 12 points, 15 rebounds

Roy Hibbert - 29 points

Atlanta Hawks (3-3) @ New York Knicks (2-6)

After a promising 2-1 start to the season, the Knicks have lost their past five games. They were tied at the half with the Hawks in this contest - even though the Hawks only shot 32% from the field in this time. The Hawks opened up a slight lead in the third thanks to an 8-0 run. Carmelo Anthony tried to keep his side alive in the fourth, he even managed to cut the lead down to one, but it was too little, too late as the Knicks sunk to another defeat.

Hawks 91 - 85 Knicks

KEY PERFORMERS

DeMarre Carroll - 9 points, 10 rebounds

Kyle Korver - 17 points, 8 rebounds

Carmelo Anthony - 25 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists

Iman Shumpert - 18 points, 5 assists

Detroit Pistons (2-5) @ Chicago Bulls (6-2)

Derrick Rose made his return in this game, and was instrumental to the Bulls’ win. He set off well, getting eight points in the first quarter, and giving his team a 16 point lead going into the half. But the Pistons won the third quarter, and carried on fighting back in the fourth, reducing the lead to two late in the final quarter. However, Rose and Jimmy Butler were both on impressive scoring nights, and could close out another win.

Pistons 91 - 102 Bulls

KEY PERFORMERS

Josh Smith - 19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks

Greg Monroe - 16 points, 10 rebounds

Brandon Jennings - 11 points, 8 assists

Pau Gasol - 17 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks

Joakim Noah - 13 points, 14 rebounds

Derrick Rose - 24 points, 7 assists

San Antonio Spurs (3-3) @ Los Angeles Clippers (4-3)

Come the end of the season this game could be pivotal, with both teams expected to compete for the Western Conference title. Both teams seemed to lack a clinical touch on offense, but the game was interesting nevertheless. The Clippers were up by eight in the fourth quarter, but didn’t make a field goal in the last five minutes of play. San Antonio on the other hand improved their shooting, and with 40 seconds left, Kawhi Leonard stole the ball from Chris Paul, and then provided an assist to Manu Ginobili. With one of their last possessions, Jamal Crawford was fouled on the three point line, and made all of his free throws to cut the deficit to just two. Ginobili was intentionally fouled, but the Argentinean couldn’t convert on any of his attempts, giving the ball to the Clippers with 10.1 seconds left. Chris Paul tried to make a lay-up and couldn’t convert, and Blake Griffin couldn’t get a shot off after his rebound.

 

Spurs 89 - 85 Clippers

KEY PERFORMERS

Kawhi Leonard - 26 points, 10 rebounds

Tim Duncan - 18 points, 11 rebounds

Chris Paul - 12 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists

Blake Griffin - 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks

Daily Zap 05-11-14

Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers

There wasn’t much in this game at the end, but after winning the first three quarters it was clear the Milwaukee Bucks deserved this win. Brandon Knight spearheaded his side’s victory - continuing his very impressive start to the season - with rookie Jabari Parker seemingly settling well into professional basketball after also having a good game. Roy Hibbert was the stand out player for the Indiana Pacers as he continued his return to the form that saw him named as an All-Star last season. The teams were separated by just three points after the Pacers’ Chris Copeland scored a three pointer in the closing stages, but Knight was there for the Bucks to reinstate their lead, and this time it was decisive.

Bucks 87 - 81 Pacers
KEY PERFORMERS
Brandon Knight - 23 points, 7 rebounds
O.J. Mayo - 9 points, 5 assists, 3 steals
Roy Hibbert - 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks
Lavoy Allen - 8 points, 12 rebounds


Houston Rockets @ Miami Heat

In a battle between two teams with a 100% record, the Houston Rockets faced the Miami Heat. Neither team shot the ball particularly well at the start of the game, but big men - namely Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard - got plenty of second chance points from these misses. James Harden was as efficient as ever, getting to the free throw line ten times, and converting all of these chances. An 18-5 run seemed to give the Rockets some breathing space but the Heat regained lost ground to reduce the Rockets’ lead to six in the last quarter. This is when another tactic from Houston’s repertoire came into effect, with the three ball being shot very well. They finished the game with 46% shooting from behind the line on 37 attempts. Miami couldn’t find an answer to this offensive punch and succumbed to their first loss of the season. Meanwhile the Rockets are now 5-0 with tough games against the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors up next.

Rockets 108 - 91 Heat

KEY PERFORMERS
James Harden - 25 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds
Dwight Howard - 26 points, 10 rebounds
Chris Bosh - 21 points, 8 rebounds
Dwyane Wade - 19 points


Washington Wizards @ New York Knicks

After being blown out by the Bulls in their first game, the New York Knicks have won their past two games impressively, with the triangle offense seemingly working. And it continued in this game, Carmelo Anthony started off hot while Amar’e Stoudemire and Samuel Dalembert collected rebounds down low. But this form seemed to come to a complete halt in the third quarter as the Washington Wizards stepped it up a notch. The Wizards shot 55% from the floor in the third, with Paul Pierce being the go-to guy in their offense. On the other end of the floor the Wizards managed to limit the Knicks offense as they scored just 15 points in the quarter. Anthony went from hero to zero in the latter stages of the game, after starting well he ended up shooting just 8-23 in the game, and also committed seven turnovers. Although the Wizards didn’t dominate the last quarter, it didn’t matter, the damage was already done.

Wizards 98 - 83 Knicks

KEY PERFORMERS
Garrett Temple - 17 points, 5 rebounds
Paul Pierce - 17 points, 5 rebounds
Amar’e Stoudemire - 6 points, 12 rebounds
Carmelo Anthony - 18 points, 6 rebounds



Oklahoma City Thunder @ Toronto Raptors

The Oklahoma City Thunder can’t seem to catch a break. They were only able to suit up eight players for the trip to the Toronto Raptors but this number was reduced by the end of this game. They survived the first half injury free, and amazingly, they even led at the half, after a 30 point first quarter. However the problems began in the third quarter. Kevin Durant’s replacement Perry Jones drove in for a layup, but managed to clash knees with Patrick Patterson, meaning Jones had to leave the game with a suspected knee contusion. Later in the same quarter, Reggie Jackson tweaked his knee and left for the bench - luckily he was able to rejoin the game later. Despite all of this drama the Thunder were still in with a chance of winning this game, until late in the fourth quarter when the Raptors were able to use their squad depth against tired opposition. And still it got worse for the Thunder! Late in the fourth, Sebastian Telfair hit Raptors forward Tyler Hansbrough on the face, which earned Telfair a flagrant foul, meaning he was ejected from the game. The Thunder ended the game with six players left, with Jackson not to full fitness, so there was little surprise when they lost the game.

Thunder 88 - 100 Raptors

KEY PERFORMERS
Serge Ibaka - 25 points, 11 rebounds
Reggie Jackson - 13 points, 14 assists
Patrick Patterson - 14 points, 8 rebounds
Tyler Hansbrough - 12 points, 7 rebounds


Orlando Magic @ Chicago Bulls

Two injury hit sides faced off in the Windy City as the Chicago Bulls hosted the Orlando Magic. The Bulls had to do it without their big two, with Derrick Rose still being out due to sprained ankles, and Joakim Noah catching a sickness bug. Although the Magic’s injuries were less pivotal - Willie Green, Mo Harkless, Devyn Marble and Andrew Nicholson all missed the game - they meant that Orlando only had 8 players for the game. Both teams started evenly, the Magic gaining an early lead but the Bulls soon pulled it back in the second. It was close until the final quarter, which was owned by the Bulls, in particular, Aaron Brooks. The guard who recently joined from Denver put in an incredible shift, managing to block Nicola Vucevic (despite being a foot smaller than him) and converting both his three pointer attempts. He helped give the Magic their fourth straight loss.

Magic 90 - 98 Bulls

KEY PERFORMERS
Nicola Vucevic - 19 points, 13 rebounds
Tobias Harris - 21 points, 9 rebounds
Pau Gasol - 16 points, 13 rebounds
Jimmy Butler - 21 points, 9 rebounds
Aaron Brooks - 14 points, 8 assists, 3 blocks


Charlotte Hornets @ New Orleans Pelicans

The Charlotte Hornets travelled to their old hometown to face the New Orleans Pelicans, with both teams desperately seeking a win after losing starts to the season. MVP candidate Anthony Davis started slowly, scoring just six points in the first half, but he soon picked his offensive game up, shooting 5-7 in the third quarter. This helped the Pelicans to a 26-17 third quarter lead, gaining a 15 point lead in the process. Although the Hornets soon reduced that lead to eight they couldn’t prevent the Pelicans from re-opening it again, with Ryan Anderson particularly helping on the offensive end of their game.

Hornets 91 - 100 Pelicans

KEY PERFORMERS
Al Jefferson - 20 points, 5 rebounds
Gary Neal - 21 points, 6 rebounds
Anthony Davis - 24 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks
Tyreke Evans - 16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists


Cleveland Cavaliers @ Portland Trail Blazers

LeBron James’ return to the Cleveland Cavaliers has not been a smooth process, and this homecoming was upset even more after a visit to the Portland Trail Blazers. It started off so well for the Cavaliers as well, they made their first ten shots with James scoring nine points in that time. But this momentum was halted in the second quarter, the Trail Blazers scoring 24 points of their own in this period, with LeBron looking a quieter player. Cleveland’s defence looked shaky but managed to keep the third close, but they soon fell away in the final quarter. To be perfectly honest the Cavs just looked poor in this match. Kyrie Irving shot 3-17 from the field, while LeBron could only find the bottom of the bucket once in seven attempts after the first quarter. Portland’s bench wasn’t convincing either - they scored five baskets together - but luckily their starting five stepped up and gave them the W.

Cavaliers 82 - 101 Trail Blazers

KEY PERFORMERS
Kevin Love - 22 points, 10 rebounds
Tristan Thompson - 10 points, 8 rebounds
Damian Lillard - 27 points, 7 assists
Robin Lopez - 19 points, 6 rebounds

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their worst start to a season since 1957 with yet another loss, again falling to the Phoenix Suns. Kobe Bryant seemed to be back to his vintage self, scoring 18 in the first half, and with the Suns shooting 1-15 at the beginning of the second quarter, it seemed like they might be in contention till the end. But Phoenix soon found their feet, and ended up leading at the half, mainly due to their bench being dominant over the Lakers’ reserve players. Bryant returned to court in the second half, and didn’t leave the game again, head coach Byron Scott deeming him too pivotal to the Lakers’ chances. Luckily Kobe managed to play 44 minutes injury free (he even cleared the first row of fans when chasing a loose ball) and provided 39 points on 14-37 shooting. It wasn’t enough to stop the Lakers losing again, with P.J. Tucker scoring a pivotal three pointer with just under 20 seconds left on the clock.

Suns 112 - 106 Lakers

KEY PERFORMERS
Markieff Morris - 23 points, 10 rebounds
Isaiah Thomas - 22 points, 9 assists
Kobe Bryant - 39 points, 9 rebounds
Jordan Hill - 15 points, 15 rebounds