Portland Trail
Blazers (3-3) @ Los Angeles Clippers (4-2)
A high scoring first quarter set the scene for a matchup
between two teams who are fast becoming heavyweight contenders in the West. The
Trail Blazers seemed in control of the first half, Robin Lopez was key to them
scoring 62 in the first two periods, although J.J. Redick scored a buzzer
beater at the end of the second quarter to bring the Clippers within ten. And Redick
continued his scoring in the second half as his team brought the game back, and
even began to lead early in the third quarter. The Clippers opened this lead up
to eight points but it was soon cut down to two thanks to some great play from
Damian Lillard. With less than eight seconds left, the Clippers missed the chance
to extend their lead, but DeAndre Jordan got one of his six offensive boards
which prevented the Trail Blazers from attacking with the final possession.
Trail Blazers 102 -
106 Clippers
KEY PERFORMERS
LaMarcus Aldridge -21 points, 10 rebounds
Damian Lillard - 25 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds
Chris Paul - 22 points, 11 assists
DeAndre Jordan - 8 points, 14 rebounds, 5 steals
Washington Wizards (5-2)
@ Indiana Pacers (1-6)
The Pacers’ woes continued after losing another game, this
time at the hands of the Wizards. Nene scored 15 points in the first quarter,
which was enough to outscore the whole Pacers team in this time. This performance
meant that the Wizards took a 19 point lead going into the half. To make matters
worse, Roy Hibbert left the game early after clashing knees with his teammate
Solomon Hill, and didn’t return. The Pacers - led by Hill - did mount a
comeback of sorts in the third, bringing the lead back to just three points. But
the Wizards didn’t let this get the better of them, they re-extended their
lead, and got their first win in Indiana in the past 12 attempts.
Wizards 97 - 90 Pacers
KEY PERFORMERS
Nene - 17 points, 5 steals, 5 assists, 7 rebounds
Kevin Seraphin - 13 points, 6 rebounds
Solomon Hill - 29 points, 6 rebounds
Luis Scola - 5 points, 8 rebounds
Minnesota Timberwolves
(2-4) @ Miami Heat (4-2)
Both the Timberwolves and the Heat lost their biggest star
to the Cleveland Cavaliers in this off-season, but that is where the
similarities end between Minnesota and Miami. While the Timberwolves are a
rebuilding side - based around young players such as Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins
- the Heat are still contending for playoffs, and this difference in class was
clear to see in the first quarter. The Heat won it 29-13, but amazingly they actually
lost the next three quarters. Luckily they held on to snap their two game
losing streak.
Timberwolves 92 - 102
Heat
KEY PERFORMERS
Nikola Pekovic - 19 points, 11 rebounds
Thaddeus Young - 16 points, 6 rebounds
Dwyane Wade - 25 points, 8 rebounds
Chris Bosh - 24 points, 7 rebounds
New York Knicks (2-5)
@ Atlanta Hawks (2-3)
After a tough beginning to the season the New York Knicks
got off to a great start in this game, leading the game by 13 at the half
mainly thanks to the efforts of Iman Shumpert and Carmelo Anthony. But the
Hawks had a run of their own in the third, winning the quarter by 27-13, giving
them the lead going into the final quarter. Kyle Korver continued his fine shooting
form, knocking down 6-9 from outside to give the Hawks the W.
Knicks 96 - 103 Hawks
KEY PERFORMERS
Carmelo Anthony - 20 points, 9 rebounds
Iman Shumpert - 19 points, 7 assists
Paul Millsap - 11 points, 13 rebounds
Kyle Korver - 27 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks
Boston Celtics (3-3)
@ Chicago Bulls (5-2)
A game that could’ve been so much more interesting if it
weren’t for the exclusion of two of the best point guards in the league. Rajon
Rondo and Derrick Rose have both been battling injuries over the past few
years, and unfortunately they both missed out on this matchup. With Marcus
Smart also out for the Celtics it was left to Evan Turner to lead the team, and
he did well, as he topped Boston’s scoring charge with 19. The Celtics took a
lead after winning the second quarter 36-16 and won the third as well, but only
by one point. But the Bulls didn’t give up, in the fourth Aaron Brooks worked
his magic scoring four three-pointers to bring the game within two with 30
seconds left. Although Turner missed the next, pivotal lay-up, Kelly Olynyk was
there to grab the offensive rebound and cap an impressive game for the Canadian
center. The Bulls fouled, but it wasn’t enough as they slipped at home to the
Celtics.
Celtics 106 - 101
Bulls
KEY PERFORMERS
Kelly Olynyk - 18 points, 11 rebounds
Evan Turner - 19 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
Joakim Noah - 13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists
Aaron Brooks - 26 points, 6 assists
Golden State Warriors
(5-0) @ Houston Rockets (6-1)
Yet another unbeaten record was to fall in the Toyota Center
when the Warriors faced the Rockets, with both teams facing their toughest
challenge yet. And the Rockets had to do it without three of their starters,
including Dwight Howard who missed the game due to flu-like symptoms. This didn’t
bother them early on though; winning the first half by eight, despite Stephen
Curry’s fantastic scoring efforts. The third quarter, however, belonged to
Curry and the Warriors. With his fellow Splash Brother, Klay Thompson,
struggling on the offensive side of things, Curry took it upon himself to lead
his team. Andre Igoudala provided help after coming off the bench, and the
Warriors dominated the third 28-13 - including a 22-4 run. The two teams traded
blows tit for tat early in the fourth, but Curry took over once again after a
few minutes to put the game out of Houston’s reach.
Warriors 98 - 87
Rockets
KEY PERFORMERS
Stephen Curry - 34 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
Andrew Bogut - 8 points, 18 rebounds, 4 blocks
James Harden - 22 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds
Trevor Ariza - 7 points, 11 rebounds
New Orleans Pelicans
(3-2) @ San Antonio Spurs (2-3)
With both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili back after being
rested for the previous game, it looked almost inevitable that the Spurs would
win this game. But the Pelicans apparently didn’t get the memo as they won the
first quarter by seven. The Spurs reduced the lead in the second, led by Tony
Parker’s 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent them trailing going into
the locker room. Tyreke Evans scored a tough buzzer beating three-pointer gave
the Pelicans a ten point lead going into the final quarter. This didn’t faze
the Spurs, as they slowly but surely brought the deficit down to just two
points. Danny Green was then fouled on the three point line, and after making
all three free throws, the Spurs led by one with 12 seconds left. With Tim
Duncan surprisingly left on the bench on the final play, it allowed Anthony
Davis to drive past Aron Baynes and put the Pelicans up by one. Kawhi Leonard
then had a chance to win the game, but his first attempt was blocked by Jrue
Holiday, and his second rimmed out, giving the Pellies the win. This is the
first time since the 2009-10 season that the Spurs have had a losing record.
Pelicans 100 - 99
Spurs
KEY PERFORMERS
Anthony Davis - 27 points, 11 rebounds, 6 blocks
Jrue Holiday - 15 points, 11 assists
Tim Duncan - 11 points, 10 rebounds
Kawhi Leonard - 14 points, 14 rebounds
Memphis Grizzlies (6-1)
@ Milwaukee Bucks (3-4)
The Houston Rockets weren’t the only team to lose their 100%
record last night, as their Western Conference contenders the Memphis Grizzlies
fell on the road to the Milwaukee Bucks. The two sides were fairly even
throughout the first three quarters - the Grizzlies had a slight advantage
through 30 minutes of play. But after a turnover in the final quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo
could slam it home to put Milwaukee in the lead. The lead then changed hands
with almost every play - it changed sides 16 times in the game - with
Antetokounmpo and Zach Randolph leading both their teams on the offensive end
of things. On the last possession, with the Grizzlies up by two, Brandon Knight
drove to the hole, got fouled, and converted the lay-up. The game was tied as
Knight went to the free throw line with 1.1 seconds left. He made the shot from
the charity stripe, which pretty much sealed the deal, and when Courtney Lee
missed his three-point attempt, the win was official.
Grizzlies 92 - 93
Bucks
KEY PERFORMERS
Zach Randolph - 22 points, 14 rebounds
Courtney Lee - 11 points, 8 rebounds
Ersan Ilyasova - 11 points, 9 rebounds
Brandon Knight - 14 points, 6 assists
