National Basketball Association Game Capsules
Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – Dwyane Wade had 29 points and seven assists in the Miami Heat’s 102-97 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers. LeBron James added 18 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Heat, who have won three straight since beginning the year 1-2. Blake Griffin tallied 27 points and 14 boards, Chris Paul registered 11 points and 12 assists and DeAndre Jordan netted 11 points to go with 14 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has dropped back-to-back tilts on the heels of a three-game winning streak.
Final Score: Denver 108, Atlanta 107
Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) – Ty Lawson poured in a team-high 23 points to go with seven rebounds and eight assists to help Denver secure its first win and hold off the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. Lawson banked home a three with 58.8 seconds left to put the Nuggets up 107-102. The Hawks responded with a quick Jeff Teague jumper three seconds later to make it a three-point game. Lawson then got tied up with Paul Millsap, and the Hawks controlled the tip. Millsap was fouled while attempting a close turnaround jumper, and converted on the subsequent free throws to pull Atlanta within 107-106 with just over 26 ticks remaining. Atlanta was forced to foul Lawson, who missed the first free throw, but was able to convert the next for a 108-106 edge. The Hawks went to Al Horford, who couldn’t get his tough layup to go, but Millsap was fouled on the rebound. Millsap’s first free throw rimmed out, but he drained the second to cut it to 108-107 with just eight seconds left. After a timeout advanced the ball past half court, the Hawks quickly fouled Nate Robinson, who sunk the first free throw, but missed his second to give Atlanta a chance to tie or win the game. Millsap took the ball on the left block and fired a step-back jumper that rimmed out. Horford was there for the rebound, but couldn’t get his shot to go at the buzzer and Denver held on for their first win of the season.
Final Score: LA Lakers 99, Houston 98
Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) – Dwight Howard was late recovering defensively and Steve Blake made him pay. It was that kind of night for the former Los Angeles Laker. Blake’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left lifted the Lakers to a 99-98 victory over the Houston Rockets. Howard had 15 points and 14 rebounds, but was just 5-of-16 from the foul line, including two key misses with 53.8 seconds left and the Rockets up 98-96. Howard blocked Wes Johnson’s layup at the other end before Harden’s right elbow jumper was off the mark. Pau Gasol corralled the rebound and called timeout with 10.9 seconds left. Johnson had to track down a loose ball along the right sideline after Jodie Meeks threw away the inbounds pass and LA retained possession with 3.9 ticks on the clock. Coming off a double screen from the high post, Blake had a wide open look from the left wing and swished it over the outstretched arms of Howard. Patrick Beverley’s desperation 3-pointer from the right wing was off the mark at the horn.
Categorized in: NBA