Rockets Roll Warriors, 107-86
The Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Golden State Warriors, 107-86, at Toyota Center on Thursday.
It's rare to see the Warriors offense struggle so immensely, as this was easily their lowest point total of the season. In fact, the Rockets held the Warriors to just 32-of-76 from the field and 4-of-18 from three-point range while winning the turnover differential, 16-5. The decisive stretch was in the fourth quarter, as Houston scored 21 unanswered points after Golden State hit the opening bucket of the quarter. The Rockets were in control before that though, as they held a double-digit lead for the final 20 minutes of play.
The Warriors (12-4) starters combined for just 40 points, as Kevin Durant led the way with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. Klay Thompson finished with 10 points. three rebounds and two blocks. Draymond Green failed to score, as he committed five turnovers while also providing five rebounds and five assists. Kevon Looney led the bench with 12 points and five rebounds. This is the first game since 2013 that the Warriors starters did not hit a three-pointer.
The Rockets (7-7) were led by James Harden, as he tallied 27 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Chris Paul accrued 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. James Ennis III amassed 19 points and five boards. Eric Gordon led the bench with 17 points and three assists. Clint Capela totaled 10 points and 10 boards en route to a double-double.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Golden State traveling to face the Dallas Mavericks and Houston playing host to the Sacramento Kings.
It's rare to see the Warriors offense struggle so immensely, as this was easily their lowest point total of the season. In fact, the Rockets held the Warriors to just 32-of-76 from the field and 4-of-18 from three-point range while winning the turnover differential, 16-5. The decisive stretch was in the fourth quarter, as Houston scored 21 unanswered points after Golden State hit the opening bucket of the quarter. The Rockets were in control before that though, as they held a double-digit lead for the final 20 minutes of play.
The Warriors (12-4) starters combined for just 40 points, as Kevin Durant led the way with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. Klay Thompson finished with 10 points. three rebounds and two blocks. Draymond Green failed to score, as he committed five turnovers while also providing five rebounds and five assists. Kevon Looney led the bench with 12 points and five rebounds. This is the first game since 2013 that the Warriors starters did not hit a three-pointer.
The Rockets (7-7) were led by James Harden, as he tallied 27 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Chris Paul accrued 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. James Ennis III amassed 19 points and five boards. Eric Gordon led the bench with 17 points and three assists. Clint Capela totaled 10 points and 10 boards en route to a double-double.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Golden State traveling to face the Dallas Mavericks and Houston playing host to the Sacramento Kings.
Nuggets Obliterate Hawks
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 138-93, at Pepsi Center on Thursday evening.
The Nuggets went straight to work, as they kicked the game off with a 13-0 run, through the four minutes of the quarter. They went on to outscore the Hawks, 35-23, in the first quarter. The Hawks picked it up to start the second, and cut the deficit to nine, however the Nuggets kept up the pace and managed to increase their lead to 73-57 by halftime. Denver remained relentless, as the Nuggets outscored the Hawks by 20 in the third quarter, to put the game entirely out of reach, with a 36-point deficit heading into the fourth. The win marks the end of a four-game skid for the Nuggets, and also the sixth straight loss for Atlanta.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Nuggets, led by Juancho Hernangomez, who tallied 25 points, nine rebounds, one assists and one steal, in 31 minutes. Garry Harris followed up with 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and two blocks, while Paul Millsap finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks. The Nuggets shot 56 percent from the field, including 13-of-31 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Lin led the Hawks with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, in 25 minutes off the bench. Kent Bazemore added 14 points and two rebounds, while Omari Spellman finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. The Hawks shot just 35 percent from the field, including 9-of-42 from long range.
The Hawks (3-12) will look to end the slide as they take on the Pacers in Indiana on Saturday. The Nuggets (10-5) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Saturday.
The Nuggets went straight to work, as they kicked the game off with a 13-0 run, through the four minutes of the quarter. They went on to outscore the Hawks, 35-23, in the first quarter. The Hawks picked it up to start the second, and cut the deficit to nine, however the Nuggets kept up the pace and managed to increase their lead to 73-57 by halftime. Denver remained relentless, as the Nuggets outscored the Hawks by 20 in the third quarter, to put the game entirely out of reach, with a 36-point deficit heading into the fourth. The win marks the end of a four-game skid for the Nuggets, and also the sixth straight loss for Atlanta.
Seven players scored in double digits for the Nuggets, led by Juancho Hernangomez, who tallied 25 points, nine rebounds, one assists and one steal, in 31 minutes. Garry Harris followed up with 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and two blocks, while Paul Millsap finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks. The Nuggets shot 56 percent from the field, including 13-of-31 from deep.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Lin led the Hawks with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, in 25 minutes off the bench. Kent Bazemore added 14 points and two rebounds, while Omari Spellman finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. The Hawks shot just 35 percent from the field, including 9-of-42 from long range.
The Hawks (3-12) will look to end the slide as they take on the Pacers in Indiana on Saturday. The Nuggets (10-5) take on the Pelicans in New Orleans on Saturday.
Clippers Down Spurs, Earn Third Straight Win
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 116-11, at Staples Center on Thursday.
The Clippers (9-5) have made a statement over the last week, with Thursday's win serving as their third straight win after the team knocked off both the Bucks and Warriors within the last seven days. Thursday night, Los Angeles let the Spurs (7-7) remain within striking distance, but it never allowed the visiting team to breakthrough. This was thanks in large part to Lou Williams in the closing moments, as his game-winning three-pointer with 40 seconds left put the Clippers up for good. Williams finished with 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting in 28 minutes off the bench to lead the way for the Clippers. Danilo Gallinari was close behind with 19 points, while Tobias Harris put together a great all-around performance with 18 points, eight rebounds and assists in 28 minutes.
For the Spurs, it was all about DeMar Derozan, who scored a game-high 34 points on 14-of-30 shooting to go along with six rebounds, five assists and three steals in 41 minutes. Unfortunately for DeRozan, when the Spurs had a chance to tie the game down three points in the closing moments, their star turned the ball over, and the game was officially out of reach. DeRozan still didn't get much help Thursday night, however, as LaMarcus Aldridge shot a miserable 3-of-15 from the field en route to scoring just 10 points in 38 minutes, but he did have a game-high 16 rebounds. Rudy Gay posted 19 points off the bench in what was the team's third straight loss.
The Clippers (9-5) have made a statement over the last week, with Thursday's win serving as their third straight win after the team knocked off both the Bucks and Warriors within the last seven days. Thursday night, Los Angeles let the Spurs (7-7) remain within striking distance, but it never allowed the visiting team to breakthrough. This was thanks in large part to Lou Williams in the closing moments, as his game-winning three-pointer with 40 seconds left put the Clippers up for good. Williams finished with 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting in 28 minutes off the bench to lead the way for the Clippers. Danilo Gallinari was close behind with 19 points, while Tobias Harris put together a great all-around performance with 18 points, eight rebounds and assists in 28 minutes.
For the Spurs, it was all about DeMar Derozan, who scored a game-high 34 points on 14-of-30 shooting to go along with six rebounds, five assists and three steals in 41 minutes. Unfortunately for DeRozan, when the Spurs had a chance to tie the game down three points in the closing moments, their star turned the ball over, and the game was officially out of reach. DeRozan still didn't get much help Thursday night, however, as LaMarcus Aldridge shot a miserable 3-of-15 from the field en route to scoring just 10 points in 38 minutes, but he did have a game-high 16 rebounds. Rudy Gay posted 19 points off the bench in what was the team's third straight loss.