January 21st NBA Game Recaps

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New York Knicks, 127-109, at Madison Square Garden on Monday afternoon.

The Thunder (28-18) and the Knicks (10-35) opened the MLK-Day-slate on the NBA this Monday, but this was a one-sided game as soon as the ball started rolling. The Thunder destroyed the Knicks in the first quarter and quickly jumped to a 34-16 lead following the first 12 minutes of action. As expected, they never relinquished that lead but they never gave New York a chance to mount a comeback, either. OKC won both the second (33-31) and third quarters (36-35), so the final 12 minutes of action, where the Knicks won 27-24, were not going to change the outcome of the game. A silver lining for the Knicks is that the final three quarters were quite tight, but it's impossible to hide the fact that the Thunder always played with a huge lead on their favor.

Russell Westbrook came close to register a triple-double thanks to 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while Paul George contributed with 31 points, four rebounds and four assists to the winning cause. Jerami Grant chipped in with 16 points and six boards, while Steven Adams added 10 points, seven boards and three dimes. Dennis Schroder had 17 points coming off the bench.

Tim Hardaway Jr. led the way for the Knicks since he finished with 23 points in 27 minutes of action while shooting 7-14 from the field. Emmanuel Mudiay added 14 points, while Noah Vonleh contributed 10 points and five boards to the losing cause. Allonzo Trier had a strong effort off the bench thanks to 16 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Enes Kanter had 11 points.

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 104-88, at Quicken Loans Arena on Monday afternoon.

The Bulls (11-36) and the Cavaliers (9-39) have been two of the worst teams in the entire Association this season and in this battle of struggling teams, the one with the better record - by a slim margin - came out on top with little to no problems. Chicago quickly jumped to a decent lead following the first quarter since they were up 31-18 following the first 12 minutes of action, and they would never let that lead slip away. Cleveland showed some signs of life when they won the second quarter by a seven-point differential (24-17), but Chicago would close the door on a potential comeback when they won the remaining two quarters by 28-25 and 28-21, respectively.

Zach LaVine was the top scorer for the Bulls since he finished with 25 points while shooting 9-16 from the field. Lauri Markkanen chipped in with 13 points while adding eight rebounds, and Kris Dunn filled the stat sheet admirably since he finished with 13 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals. Bobby Portis (15 points) and Jabari Parker (10 points) also reached double-digit scoring while coming off the bench.

Rookie point guard Collin Sexton led the way for the Cavaliers since he finished with 18 points and three rebounds, but didn't deliver a single assist during the entire contest. Ante Zizic looked productive, as the big man chipped in with 13 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes. Jordan Clarkson had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists off the bench. Cameron Payne had 11 points as well.

The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 116-106, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday.

After opening up an early nine-point lead, the Bucks (34-12) struggled mightily in the second quarter and only put up 22 points. As a result, they entered halftime down two points against one of the NBA's worth road teams. It didn't take long for Milwaukee to regain control of the game, however, as the team went on to win the third quarter by 10 points and managed to hold off the Mavericks (20-26) from that point on.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had yet another stellar all-around performance in the win, posting 31 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes. Eric Bledsoe struggled from behind the arc, going just 1-of-7 from deep, but he was efficient inside and finished with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field. All five Bucks starters ended up reach double figures in points, with Malcolm Brogdon scoring 18 points, Brook Lopez adding 16 and Khris Middleton topping things off with 13 points of his own. The starting unit ended up scoring 100 of the team's 116 points Monday.

As for the Mavericks, they failed to put up an efficient enough performance to keep up with the high-powered Bucks. As a team, they shot just 41.4 percent from the field overall and went just 10-of-17 from the free throw line. Rookie Luka Doncic led the way for the team again, posting a triple-double of 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 33 minutes, while another rookie, Jalen Brunson, was close behind him with 16 points and five assists in 30 minutes. DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews each added 15 points, while Harrison Barnes struggled mightily, going 5-of-14 from the field for just 8 points.

The Washington Wizards defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 101-87, at Capital One Arena on Monday.

While this wasn't necessarily a wire-to-wire win for the Wizards, they led for all but a couple minutes in the first quarter. In fact, a 29-17 first quarter really set the tone for the rest of the game, as Washington held a double-digit lead for the final three quarters. The Wizards simply looked like a better team, as they had seven players reach double figures in scoring while the Pistons had just two. Washington did a ton of their damage down low, outscoring Detroit in the paint, 46-32. They also won the transition scoring battle, 25-10.

The Pistons (20-26) were led by Blake Griffin, as he collected 29 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Reggie Bullock was the only other Detroit player in double figures, as he accrued 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Bruce Brown Jr. finished with four points, five rebounds and four assists.

The Wizards (20-26) were led by Trevor Ariza, as he tallied 20 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Bradley Beal accumulated 16 points, four assists and three blocks. Thomas Bryant amassed 11 points and 12 boards while Tomas Satoransky totaled 10 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Otto Porter Jr. led the bench with 19 points and four rebounds.

Detroit will return to action on Wednesday when they play the New Orleans Pelicans on the road. As for Washington, they travel to face the Golden State Warriors for their next fixture on Thursday.

The Orlando Magic defeated the host Atlanta Hawks, 122-103, at State Farm Arena on Monday.

While Atlanta led for the majority of the first quarter, Orlando dominated from there. In fact, the Magic won each of the final three quarters by at least six points apiece, outscoring the Hawks, 94-72. Orlando ended up shooting 51 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 91 percent from the free-throw line while holding Atlanta to 45 percent from the field, 30 percent from long range and 70 percent from the charity stripe. Ball movement played a big factor in that, with the Magic out-assisting the Hawks, 29-23. Rim protection was also huge, with Orlando recording eight blocks and Atlanta picking up just three.

The Magic (20-27) got another spectacular effort from Nikola Vucevic, as he tallied 29 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Evan Fournier finished with 29 points, three rebounds and seven assists. D.J. Augustin amassed 15 points and four assists while Terrence Ross led the bench with 16 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

The Hawks (14-32) were led by Dewayne Dedmon, as he amassed 24 points and nine rebounds. Trae Young accumulated 21 points, three rebounds and six assists. John Collins collected 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while DeAndre' Bembry generated 11 points, seven assists and four steals.

On deck for Atlanta is a road game versus the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. As for Orlando, they travel to play the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday for their next fixture.

The Brooklyn Nets defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 123-94, at Barclay's Center on Monday.

While Sacramento held a small lead at the half, Brooklyn absolutely dominated the second half. In fact, the Nets rode a 38-25 third quarter to take control and used a 30-9 fourth quarter to bludgeon the Kings. Rebounding was key for Brooklyn, as they outrebounded Sacramento, 56-37. The shooting disparity was critical as well, with the Nets shooting 50 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free-throw line while holding the Kings to 42 percent from the field and 55 percent from the free-throw line. They did a ton of their damage down low, outscoring Sacramento in the paint, 62-46.

The Kings (24-23) had no starter score more than 12 points, as Bogdan Bogdanovic led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and two steals off the bench. Willie Cauley-Stein led the starters with 12 points, six rebounds and two assists. Buddy Hield amassed 11 points and seven boards.

The Nets (25-23) were led by D'Angelo Russell, as he collected 31 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Joe Harris totaled 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Rodions Kurucs amassed 16 points and two boards while Jarrett Allen generated eight points and 12 rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie led the bench with 11 points, three rebounds and six assists while Ed Davis snatched down 16 boards off the bench as well.

On deck for Sacramento is a road matchup on Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors. As for Brooklyn, they play host to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday for their next fixture.

The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the host Memphis Grizzlies, 105-85, at FedEx Forum on Monday evening.

The Grizzlies got out to a good start at home, with a 28-21 lead after on quarter. However, the Pelicans turned it up in the second, where they outscored the home team by 11, to take a 54-50 lead into halftime. The Pelicans kept it up in the third, as they outscored the Grizzlies by 10 in the quarter, to expand their lead to 14 by the start of the final frame. The Pelicans held on to a double-digit cushion through the fourth, as they cruised to a much-needed win, ending a two-game slide, despite missing Anthony Davis (finger). This marks the sixth straight loss for the Grizzlies.

Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans with 21 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. Julius Randle followed up with 20 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Jahlil Okafor tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal. The Pelicans shot 53 percent from the field, including 9-of-26 from long range.

Meanwhile, Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one steal, in 34 minutes. Mike Conley followed up with 20 points, eight assists, four rebounds and four steals, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block. The Grizzlies shot 38 percent from the field, including 9-of-35 from long range.

The Grizzlies (19-28) will look to get back on track as they play host to the Hornets on Wednesday. The Pelicans (22-25) play host to the Pistons on Wednesday.

The Boston Celtics defeated the visiting Miami Heat, 107-99, at TD Garden on Monday evening.

The Celtics got out to a great start at home, with a 33-23 lead after one quarter. However, the visitors picked it up in the second, where they outscored the Celtics by 10, to tie it up at 50 by halftime. The Celtics came out strong in the third, as they outscored the Heat 37-18 in the quarter, to take a 19-point lead heading into the final frame. The Heat did not give up and put together a strong fourth quarter, where they outscored the Celtics by 11 points. However, it was not enough, as the Celtics held on for their fourth straight win.

Kyrie Irving led the Celtics with 26 points, 10 assists, eight steals, three rebounds and one block, in 34 minutes. Al Horford tallied 16 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal, while Jayson Tatum added 19 points, six rebounds and one assist. The Celtics shot 49 percent from the field, including 12-of-30 from long range.

Meanwhile, Derrick Jones Jr. led the heat with 18 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block, in 28 minutes off the bench. Dion Waiters added 18 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal, in 25 minutes off the bench, while Josh Richardson finished with 11 points, four steals, three assists and one rebound. The Heat shot 42 percent from the field, including 11-of-35 from long range.

The Heat (22-23) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Clippers on Wednesday. The Celtics (29-18) play host to the Cavs on Wednesday.

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the visiting Houston Rockets, 121-93, at Wells Fargo Center on Monday evening.

The contest got out to a competitive start, with the Sixers taking the early advantage, with a four-point lead after one quarter. They held the edge in the second, where they outscored the visitors by 11, to take a 65-50 lead by halftime. The 76ers took it to another level in the third quarter by outscoring the Rockets 29-13, to push their lead to 31, heading into the final frame. Despite missing Jimmy Butler (wrist), the 76ers held on for their 20th home win of the season.

Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 32 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and two assists, in 26 minutes. Landry Shamet added 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, and one rebound, in 20 minutes off the bench, while J.J. Redick tallied 16 points, two rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block. The 76ers shot 49 percent from the field, including 8-of-23 from long range.

Meanwhile, James Harden led the Rockets with 37 points on 12-of-26 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, in 30 minutes. Gerald Green followed up with 18 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Kenneth Faried chipped in 13 points and six rebounds, in 23 minutes off the bench. The Rockets shot 36 percent from the field, including 11-of-42 from long range.

The Rockets (26-20) will look to bounce back as they take on the Knicks in New York on Wednesday. The Sixers (31-17) play host to the Spurs on Wednesday.

The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Utah Jazz, 109-104, at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday evening.

Portland (29-19) seemed to have things locked up in the fourth after leading by double-digits late in the game. Utah (26-22), however, was not ready to go down without a fight. After trailing by 11 with four minutes remaining, Donovan Mitchell scored Utah's last 14 points and helped cut the deficit to as little as four. Mitchell's scoring outburst was not enough, however, as Portland was able to hold off a three-pointer from Joe Ingles on Utah's final possession to help seal the win.

Damian Lillard was uncharacteristically cold in crunch time, missing two last-minute shots and a free-throw in the final 30 seconds. It ultimately did not matter, though, and Lillard still delivered a memorable performance. The All-Star point guard led Portland with 26 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. The Trail Blazers also got a gem from Jusuf Nurkic, who finished with 22 points, six assists, and five blocked shots. The win was Portland's seventh in its last nine games.

For Utah, Mitchell contributed a game-high 36 points. He shot 12-of-28 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line while adding seven rebounds and five assists. Rudy Gobert added 10 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocked shots in the loss.

The Trail Blazers will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder for another in-division matchup on Tuesday. Utah, meanwhile, will see Denver on Wednesday.

The Golden State Warriors took down the Los Angeles Lakers, 130-111, at Staples Center on Monday evening.

The Warriors' (33-14) win evened the season series after the Lakers (25-23) trounced them on their home court on Christmas Day. Of course, that game saw the Lakers take a significant blow, as superstar LeBron James went down with a groin injury. James has been out of the Lakers' lineup ever since, and did not suit up for Monday's tilt. The Warriors, on the other hand, added one more All-Star to their already loaded lineup, as big man DeMarcus Cousins made his second appearance since returning from his Achilles tear.

In characteristic fashion, the Warriors blew Monday's game wide open in the third quarter, where they outscored LA 45-25. Golden State already held a 10-point halftime advantage, thanks in large part to a white-hot 21-point first-half from Klay Thompson. The Warriors did not take their foot off the gas, however, as they racked up another 65 second-half points. Thompson in particular remained on fire, knocking down his first 10 three-point attempts in a row. He exited the game with 44 points on 17-of-20 shooting.

On top of Thompson's impressive night, the Warriors saw 20 points from Kevin Durant, who shot 8-of-13 from the field. Steph Curry, meanwhile, had an off shooting night, going just 3-of-12 from the floor. He did, however, tally 12 assists.

The Lakers, meanwhile, were without LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, or Lonzo Ball, each of whom was sidelined by an injury. In their absence, the team struggled, with only two starters scoring in double digits. Kyle Kuzma tallied 16 points, while Ivica Zubac led the team with 18 off the bench.

On Thursday, the Warriors will visit the Wizards in DC, while the Lakers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves.