The Wrap-Up: Bulls & Pelicans play for eternity without Rose & Davis
Keith Firmin brings you The Wrap-Up on all of last night’s NBA games including a thriller in Chicago and vintage Tim Duncan.
Orlando @ Washington
The Wizards beat the Magic with ease, 98-80. Trevor Ariza was 4-of-4 from distance and led all scorers with 24 points while John Wall helped out with a double-double. For the Magic, Arron Afflalo top scored with 21 points on 10-of-16 shooting.
Oladipo threads the needle:
New Orleans @ Chicago
Prior to Monday night’s meeting, both teams had been dealt huge blows with injuries to their respective superstars but it didn’t stop the supporting casts from dueling out a classic in Chicago. At the end of regulation, a Jrue Holiday jumpshot tied the game at 103 to force overtime and at the end of the first overtime period, an Eric Gordon trey rescued the Hornets and pushed it to a second extra period with the teams level at 109 a piece. A Luol Deng drive levelled the game again at 122 and meant that a third overtime was required to decide the contest. Noah gave the Bulls the lead in triple overtime with time running out but Jrue Holiday rescued the Pelicans one last time with an unguarded And-1 drive to the basket which sealed the win for the visitors, 131-128.
For Chicago, Luol Deng finished with 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Joakim Noah had 19 points and 10 boards and Kirk Hinrich had 13 points and 11 assists. Taj Gibson had 24 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots and Mike Dunleavy contributed 23 points (6-of-10 from distance), seven rebounds and five assists from the bench.
For New Orleans, Ryan Anderson moved into a starting role in place of the injured Anthony Davis and 36 points on seven-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc, Jason Smith and 12 points and 14 rebounds, Eric Gordon had 23 points and Jrue Holiday finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and 12 dimes.
Holiday forces OT:
Jrue’s game-winning And-1:
Atlanta @ San Antonio
The Spurs needed 37-year old Tim Duncan to win the game for them against the visiting Hawks on Monday night, which he duly did, nailing the elbow jump shot to give the Spurs a 102-100 win. Duncan drank from the fountain of youth in this one, finishing with an incredible 23 points and 21 rebounds in the win. For the Hawks, Paul Millsap had 15 points and four boards in defeat.
Duncan’s game-winner:
Houston @ Utah
The Jazz won their third game in four tries last night, beating the Rockets 109-103. Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke combined for 50 points, Derrick Favours recorded a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds and Alec Burks chipped in 21 points off the bench as the Jazz pulled together to overcome a Houston side led by James Harden’s season-high 37 points.
Indiana @ Portland
The Trailblazers broke the Pacers’ seven-game win streak with a 106-102 win. LaMarcus Aldridge had 28 points and 10 rebounds and teammate Damian Lillard contributed 26 points as the Blazers overcame a 43-point showing from Paul George. Roy Hibbert had a double-double in only Indy’s second loss of the season. Portland have now beaten the Spurs, Rockets, Warriors and Indiana this season. Joel Freeland had two points, four rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes of action.