National Basketball Association Game Capsules
Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Growing pains were expected and the Philadelphia 76ers are a loss away from a dubious distinction. The hope is that the drastic rebuild will eventually lead to what the San Antonio Spurs did last season. But that possibility is in the far distant future. Kawhi Leonard had 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists as the Tim Duncan and Tony Parker-less Spurs defeated the Sixers 109-103 on Monday night. Philly can tie the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets (0-18) for the worst start to an NBA season when it travels to Minnesota to play the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. The Sixers, of course, endured an NBA-record 26-game losing streak last season en route to a 19-63 campaign. San Antonio, which played Sunday, sat Duncan and Parker for rest purposes. Tiago Splitter didn’t suit up due to calf tightness. Aron Baynes posted 15 points and nine boards, Manu Ginobili netted 14 points and Cory Joseph added 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Spurs, who have won eight in a row and 11 of their last 12 games. Michael Carter-Williams tallied 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven helpers to lead Philadelphia, which set its franchise record for most losses to start a season Saturday.
Final Score: Washington 107, Miami 86
Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) – Rasual Butler had 23 points off the bench and the Washington Wizards cruised past the Miami Heat, 107-86, on Monday. John Wall added 18 points, 13 assists and two steals for the Wizards, who avenged a 107-95 loss to these Heat in Miami on Oct. 29. Marcin Gortat tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Chris Bosh ended with 21 points, eight boards and two blocks for the Heat, who went 2-of-22 from beyond the arc. Dwyane Wade donated 20 points.
Final Score: Denver 103, Utah 101
Salt Lake City, UT (SportsNetwork.com) – Ty Lawson made a go-ahead jumper with 29.6 seconds left to lead the Denver Nuggets past the Utah Jazz, 103-101, on Monday. Lawson ended with 15 points and 12 assists for the Nuggets, who almost let a 22-point lead slip away. Wilson Chandler also scored 15 points. Denver guard Arron Afflalo had 14 points before being ejected with 5:55 to play. Darrell Arthur and Kenneth Faried tallied 12 and 11 points, respectively. Gordon Hayward ended with 25 points for the Jazz, who have lost six in a row. Alec Burks and Enes Kanter had 22 and 17 points, respectively, with Kanter also pulling down 15 rebounds.
Final Score: LA Clippers 127, Minnesota 101
Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Blake Griffin had 23 points and eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-101 on Monday night. The Clippers went on an elongated 66-27 run after the Timberwolves took a 37-31 lead early in the second quarter. J.J. Redick supplied 23 points, Chris Paul provided 12 points and eight assists and DeAndre Jordan added 11 points and 13 boards for Los Angeles, which has won five in a row and seven of its last eight games. Shabazz Muhammad posted 18 points, 10 boards and four assists for the Wolves, who have dropped 10 of their last 12 contests.
Categorized in: NBA