Roundup: Pacers fall to 0-5 as NBA Cup begins

INDIANAPOLIS — Jalen Johnson scored 22 factors and had 13 rebounds, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 factors, and Atlanta beat Indiana in NBA Cup group play to maintain the Pacers winless this season.

Pascal Siakam completed with 18 factors and 5 assists whereas Jarace Walker added 17 factors for the 0-5 Pacers, who’re coping with a rash of accidents.

The workforce introduced Friday that ahead Obi Toppin will miss not less than three months as a result of a stress fracture in his proper foot that may require surgical procedure. Two-time all-star Tyrese Halliburton might miss the complete season after tearing his proper Achilles tendon within the Game 7 loss to Oklahoma City in final season’s championship collection.

The Pacers are additionally lacking starters Bennedict Mathurin (foot) and Andrew Nembhard (left shoulder pressure) in addition to T.J. McConnell (left hamstring pressure).

The Hawks performed with out four-time all-star Trae Young, who sprained his proper knee towards the Nets on Wednesday night time.

CHICAGO — Josh Giddey scored a career-high 32 factors with 10 rebounds and 9 assists, Nikola Vucevic added 26 factors, and the Chicago Bulls beat the New York Knicks 135-125 on Friday night time to remain undefeated and get out to their finest begin in almost three many years.

Ayo Dosunmu got here of the bench to attain 22 factors with 9 assists for the Bulls, who improved to 5-0 and are off to their finest begin for the reason that 1996-97 season once they opened 12-0 and went on to win the NBA Championship.

Billy Donovan earned his 2 hundredth teaching win with Chicago.

Jalen Brunson scored 29 factors and OG Anunoby had 26 to assist energy New York’s second-half comeback try. The Knicks minimize Chicago’s result in two factors halfway by means of the fourth quarter after trailing by 22 late within the second quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 factors and 10 rebounds regardless of enjoying with a proper quad pressure and touchdown onerous on his hip within the third quarter. Mikal Bridges scored 23 factors within the NBA Cup group play opener for each groups.

Both groups relied closely on three-pointers, with Chicago hitting 17 of 37 and New York changing 18 of 45. The Bulls outshot the Knicks general from the ground, 53.6 per cent to 49.5 p.c.

The Bulls opened a 72-53 lead on the half, penetrating with crisp passing performs.

PHILADELPHIA — Jaylen Brown scored 32 factors, Anfernee Simons added 19 and Boston by no means trailed in a win towards Philadelphia.

Payton Pritchard and Derrick White had 15 factors apiece for the Celtics, who evened their report at .500 by profitable their third straight after starting the season with three consecutive losses. Boston evened a 117-116 season-opening defeat to the 76ers on Oct. 22.

Tyrese Maxey scored 26 factors to guide Philadelphia, which entered as considered one of 4 unbeaten groups within the league.

The sport was the primary as a part of the NBA Cup for each groups.

Maxey’s drive with 20.8 seconds to play pulled Philadelphia to 109-108. After a Boston turnover on its ensuing possession, Maxey missed on an underhand scoop shot from the lane with 4 seconds left that will have given Philadelphia the lead.

Boston’s Josh Minott then missed each free throws with 3.8 seconds left, however Joel Embiid was lengthy on a three-pointer on the buzzer.

RAPTORS 112, CAVALIERS 101

CLEVELAND — Jamison Battle scored 20 factors, together with a pair of three-pointers that helped Toronto draw back within the last two minutes of a victory over Cleveland within the NBA Cup opener for each groups.

The Cavaliers, who had been with out All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and centre Jarrett Allen due to accidents, had been inside 4 when Battle made a 3 with 1:07 remaining and hit one other half a minute later for a 108-98 lead. Battle made all seven of his pictures, six from lengthy vary.

RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram additionally scored 20 factors apiece for the Raptors, who stopped a four-game dropping streak that adopted a season-opening win.

Evan Mobley scored 29 factors and D’Andre Hunter added 26 for the Cavaliers. Mitchell didn’t play as a result of left hamstring tightness, and Allen was out two nights after breaking the ring finger on his left hand in a 125-105 loss to Boston.

LAKERS 117, GRIZZLIES 112

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Luka Doncic had 44 factors, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in his return after a three-game absence and Los Angeles beat Memphis Grizzlies within the opening sport of the NBA Cup for every workforce.

Austin Reaves added 21 factors for the Lakers and Jake LaRavia scored 13. It was Doncic’s eleventh straight video games of scoring not less than 25 towards the Grizzlies.

Jock Landale and Jaylen Wells scored 16 factors every to guide Memphis and Jaren Jackson Jr. completed with 15 factors. Ja Morant was held to eight factors — going 3 of 14 from the sector — and 7 assists.

The Lakers continued to play with out LeBron James, who’s coping with proper sciatica. But Doncic, who missed the final three video games with a left finger sprain and a decrease left leg contusion, returned to the beginning lineup.

Both groups had important runs earlier than it settled right into a intently performed sport. Memphis’ rally got here within the second quarter and the Lakers answered it within the third earlier than pulling away within the fourth.

The Grizzlies constructed a double-digit lead within the second quarter whereas scoring 42 factors, together with a 27-4 rally within the closing minutes of the half. That gave them a 69-55 lead on the break.

But the Lakers with Doncic controlling the offence, sliced away on the Memphis benefit within the second half, erasing the deficit within the first seven minutes of the third. That led to an trade of leads as Doncic had 16 within the quarter.

PHOENIX — Devin Booker scored 36 factors and had 9 assists to guide Phoenix to a win over Utah in NBA Cup group play.

Grayson Allen scored 14 factors, Royce O’Neale and Ryan Dunn had 13 factors every and Dunn grabbed 10 rebounds for the Suns, who snapped a four-game dropping streak.

Lauri Markkanen led the best way for the Jazz with 33 factors, his fourth straight sport scoring not less than 30 factors. Keyonte George completed with 17 factors, eight rebounds and 9 assists for Utah. Walker Kessler led Utah with 13 rebounds.

The Suns took command within the first quarter, outscoring the Jazz 37-17 within the body. Phoenix led 54-40 by halftime and slowly expanded the lead within the second half.

The Jazz turned the ball over 21 occasions, in comparison with 9 occasions for the Suns.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Jerami Grant made a pair of free throws with 1.4 seconds left and Portland Trail rallied for a victory over Denver within the NBA Cup opener for each groups.

Denver led 81-71 going into the fourth quarter. With 27.7 seconds left and the Nuggets in entrance 107-105, Grant hit a pair of free throws for the Blazers to tie it.

After a scramble on the opposite finish, Shaedon Sharpe blocked Aaron Gordon’s jumper and the Nuggets had been known as for a shot clock violation, giving Portland the ball with three seconds left.

A foul was known as on Gordon and Grant made the free throws. Nikola Jokic missed a 13-foot jumper because the clock ran out.

Jokic had 21 factors and 14 rebounds however fell simply in need of his fifth straight triple double to open the season with 9 assists.

CLIPPERS 126, PELICANS 124

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Kawhi Leonard made a buzzer-beater and completed with 34 factors to provide Los Angeles a win over New Orleans within the first sport of the NBA Cup group stage for each groups.

Leonard pump-faked to get Jeremiah Fears up within the air after which rose up for a protracted 2-point shot to win it after Zion Williamson had tied it with 9.6 seconds remaining by making two free throws.

James Harden had 24 factors and 14 assists, and the Clippers have gained all three house video games to begin the season. Derrick Jones Jr. scored 16 factors, and Ivica Zubac had 14 factors and 11 rebounds.

Jordan Poole had 30 factors and made seven three-pointers, Williamson completed with 29 factors, however the Pelicans remained winless by means of 5 video games. It is their worst begin since dropping eight in a row to start the 2016-17 marketing campaign.