Raptors Destroy Hawks
(Toronto, Ontario) — The Raptors outscored the Hawks 42-14 in the final quarter to cap a 128-84 win at the Air Canada Centre. DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 21 points. Kyle Lowry and Patrick Patterson each added 17 points. Toronto has won six straight to improve to 14-and-6 on the season. Dwight Howard finished with 10 points and 17 rebounds for Atlanta. The Hawks have lost nine of their past ten games.
Bucks Survive Nets
(Milwaukee, WI) — The Bucks blew a 16-point lead but survived the Nets in a 112-103 win in Milwaukee. John Henson scored a team-high 20 points, and Matthew Dellavedova added 18 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks as the Bucks earned their fourth straight win. Bojan Bogdanovic led Brooklyn with 24 points in defeat. The Nets have lost nine of their past 10 games and are 1-and-8 on the road.
Timberwolves Top Hornets In Overtime
(Charlotte, NC) — The Timberwolves erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and held on to top the Hornets, 125-120 in overtime from Charlotte. Andrew Wiggins dropped 29 points and Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Zach LaVine, Ricky Rubio, and Andrew Wiggins all nailed three-pointers in the final minute of regulation to key the comeback. Kemba Walker finished with 22 points and eight assists for Charlotte. Frank Kaminsky the Third added 21 points and nine boards in defeat. Charlotte is 11-and-9.
Celtics Hang On, Clip Sixers
(Philadelphia, PA) — Isaiah Thomas scored 37 points to lead the way as the Celtics held on to top the Sixers 107-106 in Philadelphia. Avery Bradley contributed 20 with nine rebounds as Boston improved to 12-and-8. The victory is the Celtics eighth in their last 11 games. Al Horford scored 11 in the winning effort. Dario Saric paced the 4-16 Sixers with 21-points and 12 boards off the bench. Joel Embiid was given the night off to rest, with Jahlil Okafor scoring 15 in his place. Philly has lost six straight games.
Grizzlies Down Lakers Late
(Memphis, TN) — Julius Randle missed three free throws in the final seconds as the Grizzlies downed the Lakers, 103-100, in Memphis. Troy Daniels scored a career-high 31 points to lead Memphis. Marc Gasol added 19 points and eight assists in the second straight win for the Grizzlies. Lou Williams piled up 40 points for the Lakers, who fell to 10-and-12. Luol Deng scored 18 points and collected four steals. Jordan Clarkson missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime.
Mavericks Dominate Bulls
(Dallas, TX) — Wesley Matthews scored a team-high 26 points as the Mavericks cruised past the Bulls, 107-82, at the American Airlines Center. Deron Williams had 15 assists and nine points, Harrison Barnes added 22 points, and Dwight Powell contributed 17 off the bench for Dallas as it improved to 4-and-15. The victory was just the second in the last 12 games for Dallas. Jimmy Butler paced Chicago with 26 points in defeat. Dwyane Wade was given the night off as the Bulls dropped to 11-and-8.
Hayward, Jazz Down Nuggets
(Salt Lake City, UT) — Gordon Hayward scored a game-high 32 points as the Jazz downed the Nuggets, 105-98, in Salt Lake City. Rodney Hood added 15 points for Utah. The Jazz won for the fifth time in their past six games to improve to 12-and-9 on the season. Denver’s Will Barton and Wilson Chandler each 20 scored points in defeat. The Nuggets have dropped three straight to fall to 7-and-13 on the year.
Trail Blazers Down Heat
(Portland, OR) — Five players scored in double figures as the Trail Blazers downed the Heat, 99-92, at the Moda Center. Damian Lillard led Portland with 19 points. C.J. McCollum and Maurice Harkless each added 17 points. The Blazers have won three of four to improve to 11-and-10 on the season. Hassan Whiteside paced Miami with 28 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks. The Heat are 7-and-13 on the year.
Warriors Cruise Past Suns
(Oakland, CA) — Steph Curry led the way with 31 points as the Warriors cruised past the Suns, 138-109, in Oakland. Klay Thompson added 26 points, and Kevin Durant contributed 20 points of his own. Draymond Green dished out 13 assists in the win. It was the 13th victory in the past 14 games for Golden State. Eric Bledsoe paced Phoenix with 27 points as it fell to 6-and-14. Devin Booker scored 21 in defeat as the Suns have now lost eight of their last 11 games.
Big Second Half Lifts Flyers Past Blackhawks
(Philadelphia, PA) — Ivan Provorov scored two of Philadelphia’s three second period goals as the Flyers dropped the Blackhawks, 3-1, at the Wells Fargo Center. The goals were Provorov’s second and third of the year. Brayden Schenn lit the lamp and Steve Mason stopped 26 shots for the Flyers. They have won two straight. Artemi Panarin scored for Chicago in the first. Scott Darling made 27 save in defeat.
Kreider, Rangers Top Hurricanes
(New York, NY) — Chris Kreider scored two goals in the third period as the Rangers topped the Hurricanes, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden. Kreider’s first goal broke a two-all tie, and the second goal iced the cake. Michael Grabner and Derek Stepan also lit the lamp for the Rangers. New York has alternated wins and losses for the past eight games. Viktor Stalberg scored in the second for Carolina and Victor Rask tied it in the third. ‘The Canes have dropped five of their past six games.
Bruins Edge Sabres
(Buffalo, NY) — Tuukka Rask knocked away 35 shots as the Bruins edged the Sabres, 2-1, in Buffalo. David Krejci scored in the first for Boston, and Patrice Bergeron padded the lead in the third. The Bruins have won three of their past four games. Evander Kane scored his first goal of the season in the third for Buffalo. Jack Eichel sat out for the Sabres after making his season debut on Tuesday.
Senators Blank Panthers
(Ottawa, Ontario) — Erik Karlsson and Derick Brassard [[ bruh-SAHRD ]] each scored first-period goals as the Senators blanked the Panthers, 2-0, at the Canadian Tire Centre. Goalie Mike Condon [[ KAWN-duhn ]] stopped all 24 shots, and Ottawa improved to 15-8-and-2 with the win. Florida’s Roberto Luongo [[ loo-WAHN-goh ]] stopped 19-of-21 shots in defeat. The Panthers were unable to convert on four power-play opportunities and dropped to 12-11-and-2 on the season.
Penguins Rally Past Red Wings
(Pittsburgh, PA) — The Penguins reeled off four third period goals as they rallied past the Red Wings, 5-3, in Pittsburgh. Phil Kessel’s second goal broke a three-all tie in the third period. Nick Bonino, Justin Schultz, and Matt Cullen also lit the lamp in the third. Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves for the Pens. Henrik Zetterberg scored in the first for Detroit, and Frans Nielsen and Dylan Larkin recorded goals in the second. The Red Wings have dropped seven of their past 10 games.
Jets Fly Past Blues In Overtime
(St. Louis, MO) — Bryan Little scored 17 seconds into overtime to lift the Jets past the Blues, 3-2, in St. Louis. Chris Thorburn got the scoring started with a shorthanded goal in the first period, and Patrik Laine found the back of the net for the 16th time this season. Winnipeg improved to 12-13-and-2. Alexander Steen and Dmitrij Jaskin lit the lamp for the Blues in defeat. Alex Pietrangelo assisted on both St. Louis goals as the team dropped to 14-7-and-4.
Devils Get Past Predators In Overtime
(Nashville, TN) — The Devils capped a vicious rally with Michael Cammalleri’s overtime goal as the got past the Predators, 5-4, in Nashville. Cammalleri scored the first of three third-period goals for New Jersey before netting the game-winner in overtime. Andy Greene and Adam Henrique also lit the lamp in the third as the Devils ended a four-game skid. Keith Kinkaid made 38 saves in the win. Pekka Rinne allowed goals on three of the four shots he faced in the third for Nashville. Kevin Fiala scored twice in the loss.
Lightning Down Capitals In Shootout
(Tampa, FL) — Brian Boyle scored the winning goal in the shootout as the Lightning downed the Capitals, 2-1, in Tampa. Nikita Kuckerov scored on a power play in the second period for the Bolts. Ben Bishop racked up 34 saves and Tampa Bay ended a four-game skid. Nicklas Backstrom tied the game up on a power play in the third for Washington. Braden Holtby made 32 saves in defeat. The Caps fell to 13-7-and-3.
Blue Jackets Edge Coyotes
(Glendale, AZ) — Sam Gagner scored the game-winning goal in the shootout as the Blue Jackets edged the Coyotes, 3-2, at Gila River Arena. Boone Jenner and Alexander Wennberg each found the back of the net for Columbus. The Blue Jackets have won three in a row to improve to 14-5-and-4. Radim Vrbata and Shane Doan each scored for Arizona, and goalie Mike Smith stopped 59 shots in defeat. The Coyotes have dropped three straight to fall to 8-11-and-4 on the year.
Stars Cruise, Blank Avalanche
(Denver, CO) — Kari Lehtonen stopped all 23 shots that he faced as the Stars defeated the Avalanche 3-0 at the Pepsi Center. Tyler Seguin scored a goal and added an assist as Dallas improved to 10-10-and-6. Patrick Eaves lit the lamp for the for the 10th time and Curtis McKenzie found the back of the net in the winning effort. The loss was Colorado’s fifth straight as it dropped to 9-13-and-1. Semyon Varlamov made 30 saves in defeat.
Oilers Edge Ducks In OT
(Edmonton, Alberta) — Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winner in overtime as the Oilers edged the Ducks, 3-2, at Rogers Place. Drake Caggiula and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored second-period goals to give Edmonton the lead at the end of two. Cam Talbot stopped 31-of-33 shots, and the Oilers improved to 14-10-and-2 with their second straight win. Anaheim’s Ryan Kesler and Rickard Rakell each scored in defeat. The Ducks fall to 12-8-and-5 on the season.
Clemson Fights Off Virginia Tech, Claims ACC Title
(Orlando, FL) — Deshaun Watson accounted for five touchdowns as Clemson fought off Virginia Tech, 42-35, to win the ACC Championship Game in Orlando. Watson threw for 288 yards and three scores while rushing for 85 yards and another two touchdowns for the Tigers. Jordan Leggett caught two scores as Clemson held off the pesky Hokies. Jerod Evans threw for 264 yards, a touchdown, and a pair of interceptions for Virginia Tech. He also ran for two scores as the Hokies fell to 9-and-4.
Penn State Rallies To Snatch Big Ten Title From Wisconsin
(Indianapolis, IN) — The Nittany Lions erased a 21-point deficit to beat Wisconsin, 38-31, and claim the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis. Trace McSorley keyed the comeback by throwing for 384 yards and four touchdowns. Saquon Barkley caught a score and ran for one as Penn State outscored Wisconsin, 24-3 in the second half. Saeed Blacknall finished with six catches for 155 yards and two scores. Corey Clement rushed for 164 yards and a TD for the Badgers, who played without starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook. Wisconsin dropped to 10-and-3 with the loss.
Alabama Pounds Florida, Wins SEC Championship
(Atlanta, GA) — Top-ranked Alabama pounded Florida, 54-16, to win its third straight SEC Championship in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide shut out the 15th-ranked Gators in the second half to clinch the victory. Jalen Hurts threw for a score and Bo Scarbrough rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Joshua Jacobs returned a blocked punt 27 yards for a score and added a six-yard rushing touchdown for 13-and-0 Alabama. Minkah Fitzpatrick recorded a 44-yard pick-six and the Tide defense held Florida to zero rushing yards on 30 carries. Austin Appleby threw for 263 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions for the 8-and-4 Gators.
Temple Tops Navy For AAC Title
(Annapolis, MD) — The Temple defense stuffed Navy’s triple-option as the Owls won the AAC Championship Game, 34-10, in Annapolis. Navy quarterback Will Worth left the game with an ankle injury in the second quarter and the Owls held them to 168 yards on 44 carries. Phillip Walker tossed two touchdowns for Temple, which is 10-and-3. Backup quarterback Zach Abey threw two interceptions and rushed for a touchdown for 9-and-3 Navy, which ends the season against Army next Saturday.
Oklahoma Shakes Oklahoma State In Bedlam, Wins Big 12
(Norman, OK) — Oklahoma used a big second half to shake off Oklahoma State, 38-20, in Norman, clinching the Big 12 title along the way. Baker Mayfield tossed three touchdowns and Samaje Perine [[ sa-MA-jay P-rine ]] bruised his way to 239 yards and a score for the Sooners. Dede Westbrook finished with four catches for 111 yards and a touchdown and Joe Mixon found the end zone twice in the second half as OU racked up 629 yards of offense. The Sooners are 10-and-2 overall and a perfect 9-and-0 in the Big 12. Chris Carson and Mason Rudolph rushed for scores in the second quarter to for Oklahoma State, which fell to 9-and-3.
UCLA Knocks Off Kentucky In Lexington
(Lexington, KY) — UCLA ended Kentucky’s 42-game home winning streak with a 97-92 win over the top-ranked Wildcats in Lexington. The ninth-ranked Bruins led the entire second half, and held off a late surge for the second win over UK in as many seasons. T.J. Leaf finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assists for UCLA, and Isaac Hamilton added 19 points. Lonzo Ball put up 14 points, seven dimes and six boards. The Bruins are 9-and-0. Malik Monk led Kentucky with 24 points and De’Aaron Fox contributed 20 points and nine assists. The Wildcats are now 7-and-1.
West Virginia Takes Down Virginia
(Charlottesville, VA) — Number-19 West Virginia scored 11 of the game’s final 13 points as it took down sixth-ranked Virginia, 66-57, in Charlottesville. Jevon Carter led the Mountaineers with 11 points, five assists, and three steals. Esa Ahmad nailed the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:30 left and 6-and-1 West Virginia pulled away for the win. Darius Thompson finished with 14 points as the only Cavalier in double-figures. Virginia’s 24-game home win streak is over.
Baylor Drills Xavier
(Waco, TX) — Manu Lecomte scored a game-high 24 points as 11th-ranked Baylor drilled number-seven Xavier, 76-61, in Waco. The Bears trailed by three at halftime, but pulled away with a huge second half at home. Jonathan Motley added 17 points and eight rebounds for 8-and-0 Baylor. Trevor Bluiett led the Musketeers with 23 points. Xavier had an almost nine-minute stretch without a field goal in the second half as it dropped to 7-and-1.
Gonzaga Slips Past Arizona
(Los Angeles, CA) — Number-eight Gonzaga opened a 12-point lead at halftime and held on to slip past 15th-ranked Arizona, 69-62, in Los Angeles. Przemek Karnowski led the Bulldog with 18 points and Josh Perkins scored 16 in the win. Gonzaga never trailed as it moved to 8-and-0. Rawle Alkins paced the Wildcats with 16 points. Arizona fell to 6-and-2.