NBA News Wire
NBA game roundup: Spurs end Hornets’ win streak
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Guard Manu Ginobili came off the bench to score 27 points, and the San Antonio Spurs snapped the Charlotte Hornets’ five-game winning streak with a 98-93 victory Wednesday night.
The Spurs led by as many as 16 in the first half but had to fight off a Charlotte rally that got as close as one in the final five minutes. Ginobili hit a jumper and a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push a one-point lead to 91-85 with 3:22 left, and from there the Spurs went on to lead by as many as eight.
Ginobili finished 10 of 14 from the field with three 3-pointers. The Spurs also got 18 points from guard Danny Green, 14 points and 10 rebounds from forward Tim Duncan, and 10 points from guard Tony Parker. The Spurs won for the fifth time in seven games after a stretch when they went 2-7.
The Hornets, who got a game-high 28 points from guard Kemba Walker, were looking for their first six-game winning streak since the 2009-10 season.
Grizzlies 103, Nets 92
NEW YORK — Forward Zach Randolph collected 20 points and 14 rebounds, helping Memphis dominate the paint en route to a victory over Brooklyn, which dropped its seventh consecutive game.
Playing in his third game following a nine-game absence due to a sore right knee, Randolph shot 8-for-11 and posted his 19th double-double, and center Marc Gasol added 18 points and eight rebounds. The Grizzlies held a commanding 66-40 edge on points in the paint.
Forward Mason Plumlee scored 15 points for Brooklyn, which is winless since Jan. 2.
Pelicans 105, Pistons 94
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Anthony Davis poured in 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and New Orleans opened up a 22-point halftime lead and cruised to a win over Detroit.
Davis, the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer, collected his 22nd double-double, and the power forward also added four blocks for the Pelicans. Guard Tyreke Evans supplied 18 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, and forward Ryan Anderson tossed in 17 points.
Point guard Brandon Jennings led the Pistons, who had won nine of their last 10, with 19 points. Power forward Greg Monroe added 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists but saw his streak of consecutive double-doubles snapped at seven.
Magic 120, Rockets 113
ORLANDO, Fla. — Guard Victor Oladipo scored 32 points, and center Nikola Vucevic had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead Orlando past Houston.
The Rockets were paced by NBA leading scorer James Harden, who had 26 points and nine assists. Houston center Dwight Howard added 23 points and eight rebounds.
The Rockets had their four-game winning streak snapped, while the Magic won their second consecutive game.
Raptors 100, 76ers 84
TORONTO — Guard DeMar DeRozan, who missed the previous 21 games with a groin injury, celebrated his return with 20 points, and Toronto defeated Philadelphia.
Raptors reserve guard Lou Williams added 19 points as the Raptors won for the second time in the past seven games. The Sixers took their second loss in a row.
Guard Kyle Lowry scored 18 points and added 12 assists for the Raptors, while center Jonas Valanciunas contributed 12 points and forward Amir Johnson scored 10 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Philadelphia guard Michael Carter-Williams led all scorers with 29 points.
Hawks 105, Celtics 91
BOSTON — Soaring Atlanta, again resting key players, cruised to its 10th consecutive victory.
On Tuesday night in Philadelphia, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer sat four starters in a victory over the lowly 76ers. On Wednesday, facing another weak opponent, big man Al Horford and key reserve Kyle Korver were inactive, but the Hawks still had no trouble posting their club-record 10th straight road victory.
Forward DeMarre Carroll and guard Jeff Teague led the Hawks with 22 points apiece. Guard Avery Bradley led four Celtics in double figures with 17 points.
Wizards 105, Bulls 99
CHICAGO — Guard Paul Pierce scored 22 points, and guard John Wall added 21 points and nine assists to lead Washington past Chicago.
Guard Bradley Beal added 17 points, forward Nene had 13 and center Marcin Gortat finished with 11 points and nine rebounds as all five Wizards starters finished in double-figures scoring.
Guard Derrick Rose led all scorers with 32 points for the Bulls, who coughed up a 50-44 halftime lead and were outscored 61-49 in the second half. It was Chicago’s second straight loss, both at home, and fourth loss in the past five home games.
Nuggets 114, Mavericks 107
DENVER — Guard Ty Lawson had 29 points and 12 assists, forward Kenneth Faried scored 22 and pulled down 14 rebounds, and Denver beat Dallas.
Forward Wilson Chandler added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who had to hold on down the stretch for their fifth straight victory.
Guard J.J. Barea led Dallas (27-13) with 17 points. Forward Richard Jefferson scored 16 for the Mavericks, who lost for the third time in four games. Dallas coach Rick Carlisle sat forward Dirk Nowitzki, guard Rajon Rondo and center Tyson Chandler for rest after an overtime game in Sacramento on Tuesday.
