National Basketball Association Game Capsules
Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) – The Chicago Bulls sure looked like they were on the same page in Thursday’s 104-81 demolition of the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs. Derrick Rose expressed frustration following Monday’s loss to the Cavaliers — Chicago’s sixth over an eight-game span — and hinted at underlying issues going forward for the Central Division leaders. The immediate response showed otherwise. Rose poured in 22 points and handed out five assists, All-Star starter Pau Gasol totaled 12 points and 17 rebounds, and Jimmy Butler scored 17 points in the rout.
Final Score: Utah 101, Milwaukee 99
Milwaukee, WI (SportsNetwork.com) – Gordon Hayward scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to lift the Utah Jazz over the Milwaukee Bucks, 101-99, on Thursday. Enes Kanter added 23 points, 16 rebounds and two steals for the Jazz, who held on after blowing a 16-point lead. Dante Exum and Rudy Gobert tallied 15 and 14 points, respectively, with Gobert also pulling down 10 rebounds. Brandon Knight and Jared Dudley each scored 16 points for the Bucks, who have lost two straight. Zaza Pachulia contributed 10 points and 10 boards.
Final Score: Boston 90, Portland 89
Portland, OR (SportsNetwork.com) – Evan Turner nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer with a second remaining and the Boston Celtics defeated the LaMarcus Aldridge-less Portland Trail Blazers 90-89 on Thursday night. Jared Sullinger missed a potential go-ahead triple before tracking down the rebound following a scramble and calling a timeout with 8.5 seconds to play. Sullinger then got the ball at the right elbow, but Wesley Matthews poked it away. Sullinger retrieved the ball in the paint and from a sitting position, found a wide open Turner in the right corner and he knocked down the trey to put the Celtics in front. Portland was unable to get off another shot at the other end.
Final Score: LA Clippers 123, Brooklyn 84
Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Blake Griffin had 24 points with six rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers in a 123-84 beating of the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night. DeAndre Jordan finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Chris Paul deposited a season-high 17 assists in the Clippers third straight win. Mason Plumlee led the Nets with 16 points and Darius Morris added 11 points off the bench for Brooklyn, which has dropped nine of its last 11 games.
Categorized in: NBA