Powerhouse’s bogey side revealed by latest shock; Giddey’s Thunder faceplant after streak: NBA Wrap
Zion Williamson and C.J. McCollum mixed for 51 factors because the New Orleans Pelicans upset the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves 117-106.
Pelicans energy ahead Williamson led the scoring with 27 factors whereas McCollum added 24 as New Orleans floor out a powerful victory on the highway.
McCollum’s tally included 4 three-pointers whereas Brandon Ingram (19 factors) and Herbert Jones (16) additionally chipped in with invaluable contributions. Jones’ 16 factors included 4 three-pointers from 5 makes an attempt. Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota scoring with 35 factors.
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Minnesota’s defeat got here simply two days after their New Year’s Day reverse to the New York Knicks, and marked the primary time this season the Wolves (24-9) have suffered consecutive losses.
The Pelicans’ fourth straight win in the meantime leaves them in fifth place within the Western Conference as they bid to return to the playoffs this yr after lacking out in 2022-2023.
“They’re a really good team; they’re the best team defensively, and sound offensively, so to come in here and get a win against a talented, well-coached team like Minnesota is huge for us,” Pelicans coach Willie Green mentioned.
“It was a good wire-to-win for us.”
NBA Wrap: Nuggets too elegant for Hornets | 02:13
Elsewhere Thursday, the Indiana Pacers received the most recent instalment of their simmering rivalry with the Milwaukee Bucks 142-130 to finish back-to-back victories over the 2021 NBA champions.
Point guard Tyrese Haliburton led the scoring for the Pacers with 31 factors on an evening when seven Indiana gamers posted double-digit tallies for the house facet, who trailed by two at half-time earlier than taking management of the competition with a 47-point third quarter.
“Winning is fun, and we’re having fun doing it right now – we’ve got to continue competing at a high level,” Haliburton mentioned.
“If we keep getting good shots, good things will happen.”
The Bucks have received 24 video games, however 4 of their 10 losses have come in opposition to Indiana.
Haliburton mentioned defensive enhancements had been the important thing to the Pacers’ game-changing third quarter show, which left Indiana main by 16 factors heading into the fourth quarter.
“We just had to lock in defensively – we’ve been scoring pretty well against those guys all year, so we had to figure out a way to get some stops, and we were able do that in the second half,” he mentioned.
Recent encounters between the 2 sides have seen tempers boil over, and there was a flashpoint within the fourth quarter when Bennedict Mathurin drew a foul from Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo that triggered a scuffle between a number of gamers from either side.
Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee’s scorers with 26 factors whereas Damian Lillard added 23 and Khris Middleton 19.
Bucks coach Adrian Griffin in the meantime blamed his crew’s turnover rely – 13 in all – for letting the sport slip away.
“We gave ourselves a chance but it’s hard when you turn the ball over,” Griffin mentioned.
Giddey guides Thunder to assertion win | 01:38
In Atlanta in the meantime, Jalen Johnson rattled in 28 factors and Trae Young added 24 because the Hawks downed the in-form Oklahoma City Thunder 141-138.
Oklahoma City had arrived in Georgia on the again of 5 straight victories, a run of outcomes which included a powerful house win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday in addition to a win over the NBA champion Denver Nuggets final week.
But regardless of one other virtuoso efficiency from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who completed with 33 factors, 13 rebounds and eight assists, the Thunder got here up simply quick as Atlanta accomplished a wire-to-wire win.
NBA SCORES
Wizards 101, Cavaliers 140
Bucks 130, Pacers 142
Thunder 138, Hawks 141
Nets 101, Rockets 112
Raptors 116, Grizzlies 111
Pelicans 117, Timberwolves 106
Bulls 100, Knicks 116
Trail Blazers 97, Mavericks 126
Clippers 131, Suns 122
Pistons 148, Jazz 154 (OT)
Heat 110, Lakers 96
Magic 135, Kings 138 (2OT)
