Cavaliers Roll Hornets, 113-89
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 113-89, at Quicken Loans Arena on Tuesday.
This was easily the Cavaliers best performance of the season, as they held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. Not only did they win all four individual quarters, a 38-23 first quarter really set the tone. Charlotte really killed themselves through long-range shooting, as they ended up going 8-of-41 from three-point range, missing 20-straight at one point between the second and third quarters. The Cavaliers ended up shooting 53 percent from the field while holding the Hornets to just 35 percent shooting. Cleveland also hit 13-of-24 from long range while winning the rebounding battle, 60-37.
The Hornets (7-7) got a nightmare performance out of Kemba Walker, as he tallied seven points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals on 2-of-16 from the field. Jeremy Lamb led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Nicolas Batum was the only other player in double figures, as he totaled 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Cavaliers (2-11) were led by Jordan Clarkson, as he provided 24 points, five rebounds and two assists off the bench. Rodney Hood led the starters with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Collin Sexton finished with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Tristan Thompson amassed 11 points, 21 rebounds and five assists while Larry Nance Jr. totaled seven points and 12 boards.
On deck for Cleveland is a road matchup versus the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. That will be their final game of the week, as Charlotte returns to action on Saturday when they play host to the Philadelphia 76ers.
This was easily the Cavaliers best performance of the season, as they held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. Not only did they win all four individual quarters, a 38-23 first quarter really set the tone. Charlotte really killed themselves through long-range shooting, as they ended up going 8-of-41 from three-point range, missing 20-straight at one point between the second and third quarters. The Cavaliers ended up shooting 53 percent from the field while holding the Hornets to just 35 percent shooting. Cleveland also hit 13-of-24 from long range while winning the rebounding battle, 60-37.
The Hornets (7-7) got a nightmare performance out of Kemba Walker, as he tallied seven points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals on 2-of-16 from the field. Jeremy Lamb led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Nicolas Batum was the only other player in double figures, as he totaled 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Cavaliers (2-11) were led by Jordan Clarkson, as he provided 24 points, five rebounds and two assists off the bench. Rodney Hood led the starters with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Collin Sexton finished with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Tristan Thompson amassed 11 points, 21 rebounds and five assists while Larry Nance Jr. totaled seven points and 12 boards.
On deck for Cleveland is a road matchup versus the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. That will be their final game of the week, as Charlotte returns to action on Saturday when they play host to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Rockets Topple Nuggets, 109-99
The Houston Rockets defeated the Denver Nuggets, 109-99, at Pepsi Center on Tuesday evening.
The Rockets (6-7) have progressively been resembling the team everyone envisioned after a forgettable start. The veteran-laden team had begun to hit their stride in recent games, but Tuesday presented a formidable test in a difficult road environment. Houston proved to be up to the task, coming out of the gates hot and trailing by just one point at halftime. The third quarter was pivotal, as the visitors gained 10 points worth of separation on the Nuggets (9-5). Then, the Rockets managed to match Denver basket for basket during the final 12 minutes, leading to a surprising double-digit victory. Both teams shot particularly well, but Houston's 54.9 percent success rate slightly edged the home squad's 50.0 percent figure.
Clint Capela led the way for the Rockets with 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block. James Harden followed with a 22-point, 11-assist double-double that also included five rebounds, three steals and one block. Chris Paul supplied 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. James Ennis III had one of his better offensive performances, registering 16 points. P.J. Tucker contributed a full line of 12 points, six boards, two assists, one steal and one block.
Monte Morris paced the Nuggets with 19 points over 31 minutes off the bench. He added six assists and two rebounds. Jamal Murray and Gary Harris generated 15 points apiece. Nikola Jokic posted a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included seven assists and two steals. Paul Millsap tallied 13 points, one assist and two steals.
The Rockets head back home for a Friday night showdown against the Golden State Warriors, while the Nuggets remain home to tangle with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday evening as well.
The Rockets (6-7) have progressively been resembling the team everyone envisioned after a forgettable start. The veteran-laden team had begun to hit their stride in recent games, but Tuesday presented a formidable test in a difficult road environment. Houston proved to be up to the task, coming out of the gates hot and trailing by just one point at halftime. The third quarter was pivotal, as the visitors gained 10 points worth of separation on the Nuggets (9-5). Then, the Rockets managed to match Denver basket for basket during the final 12 minutes, leading to a surprising double-digit victory. Both teams shot particularly well, but Houston's 54.9 percent success rate slightly edged the home squad's 50.0 percent figure.
Clint Capela led the way for the Rockets with 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block. James Harden followed with a 22-point, 11-assist double-double that also included five rebounds, three steals and one block. Chris Paul supplied 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. James Ennis III had one of his better offensive performances, registering 16 points. P.J. Tucker contributed a full line of 12 points, six boards, two assists, one steal and one block.
Monte Morris paced the Nuggets with 19 points over 31 minutes off the bench. He added six assists and two rebounds. Jamal Murray and Gary Harris generated 15 points apiece. Nikola Jokic posted a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included seven assists and two steals. Paul Millsap tallied 13 points, one assist and two steals.
The Rockets head back home for a Friday night showdown against the Golden State Warriors, while the Nuggets remain home to tangle with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday evening as well.
Warriors Defeat Hawks, 110-103, Without Curry, Green
By Oscar Heanue
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 110-103, at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night.
Golden State (12-3) came into the game dealing with drama, as Draymond Green was suspended by the team for Tuesday's contest due to an argument with fellow All-Star Kevin Durant during Monday night's loss to the Clippers. Green's suspension came amidst reports that he cursed at Durant and argued with teammates over his handling of the final play in regulation. With Green absent, the Warriors were missing two of their key players, as Steph Curry (groin) was also sidelined for Tuesday night's contest.
Nevertheless, Golden State managed to put it together to hand the Hawks (3-11) their fifth straight loss. Both teams shot under 40 percent in the first half, but the offense picked up on both sides in the third quarter. Strong shooting helped propel Golden State to victory, as the team knocked down 12 three-pointers on 44 percent shooting. Atlanta, meanwhile, stayed close behind for much of the game, thanks in part to a strong 22-point effort from Taurean Prince.
Durant led all scorers with 29 points, while Klay Thompson trailed him with 24. Quinn Cook, filling in for the injured Steph Curry, scored 18 points and dished out six assists. For the Hawks, meanwhile, Kent Bazemore added another 18 points.
Both teams will take to the road on Thursday, with the Hawks visiting Denver and the Warriors traveling to Houston.
Golden State (12-3) came into the game dealing with drama, as Draymond Green was suspended by the team for Tuesday's contest due to an argument with fellow All-Star Kevin Durant during Monday night's loss to the Clippers. Green's suspension came amidst reports that he cursed at Durant and argued with teammates over his handling of the final play in regulation. With Green absent, the Warriors were missing two of their key players, as Steph Curry (groin) was also sidelined for Tuesday night's contest.
Nevertheless, Golden State managed to put it together to hand the Hawks (3-11) their fifth straight loss. Both teams shot under 40 percent in the first half, but the offense picked up on both sides in the third quarter. Strong shooting helped propel Golden State to victory, as the team knocked down 12 three-pointers on 44 percent shooting. Atlanta, meanwhile, stayed close behind for much of the game, thanks in part to a strong 22-point effort from Taurean Prince.
Durant led all scorers with 29 points, while Klay Thompson trailed him with 24. Quinn Cook, filling in for the injured Steph Curry, scored 18 points and dished out six assists. For the Hawks, meanwhile, Kent Bazemore added another 18 points.
Both teams will take to the road on Thursday, with the Hawks visiting Denver and the Warriors traveling to Houston.