INDIANAPOLIS — Ja Morant had 23 points, 10 assists and another ferocious dunk, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Indiana Pacers 130-112 on Saturday night to extend the NBA’s longest current winning streak to nine games.
Desmond Bane scored 25 points to lead the Grizzlies, who tied Denver for the Western Conference’s best record at 29-13.
Neither Bane nor Morant was needed in the fourth quarter. Morant’s soaring slam over Jalen Smith made it a 20-point game with 4:20 left in the third, and Memphis led by as much as 34 in the fourth.
Santi Aldama added 17 points and Ziaire Williams 13 for the Grizzlies.
Reserve guard Chris Duarte scored 25 points for the Pacers. Rookie Bennedict Mathurin had 16 and T.J. McConnell 13.
CELTICS 122, HORNETS 106
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jayson Tatum scored 17 of his 33 points in a pivotal third quarter, Malcolm Brogdon added 30 points and Boston beat Charlotte to push its winning streak to six.
Al Horford had 16 points and Marcus Smart added 13 points and 12 assists for the Celtics, who made 19 3-pointers and erased a 16-point, first-half deficit.
LaMelo Ball finished with 31 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Charlotte. Terry Rozier had 21 points for the Hornets, who have lost seven of their last eight games.
Tatum, who had 35 points in a 140-105 rout of the Hornets on Nov. 28, shook off a slow start and an early technical foul and finished 12 of 27 from the field.
HEAT 111, BUCKS 95
MIAMI — Gabe Vincent scored 27 points, Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 13 rebounds and Miami beat Milwaukee.
Victor Oladipo added 20 points and Jimmy Butler had 16 for the Heat. Miami won its second straight against the Bucks after a 108-102 home victory on Thursday.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the two games against Miami because of left knee soreness. The Heat also were short-handed as guards Tyler Herro (Achilles soreness) and Kyle Lowry (knee discomfort) sat out.
Bobby Portis scored 15 points, Pat Connaughton had 14 points and Brook Lopez finished with 13 for the Bucks, who finished 2-2 on their road trip.
HAWKS 114, RAPTORS 103
TORONTO — Trae Young scored 29 points, Dejounte Murray had 27 and Atlanta never trailed in a victory over Toronto.
Onyeka Okongwu had 10 points and 13 rebounds, and AJ Griffin came off the bench to score 13 as the Hawks won for the third time in four games after losing five of their previous six. Atlanta won at Indiana on Friday on a last-second basket by John Collins.
Ninth-place Atlanta came in one game ahead of 10th-place Toronto in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks won the third and final regular-season meeting between the teams to take the series 2-1.
Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Pascal Siakam scored 15 points before fouling out.
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Associated Press
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/nba-roundup-morant-grizzlies-beat-pacers-run-win-streak-to-9/
By: Associated Press
Title: NBA Roundup: Morant, Grizzlies beat Pacers, run win streak to 9
Sourced From: www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/nba-roundup-morant-grizzlies-beat-pacers-run-win-streak-to-9/
Published Date: 01-15-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best defender of all time in the NBA?
No one who knows basketball would be shocked to see "The Dream", the number one player on this list. Hakeem Olajuwon blocked 3,830 shots throughout his 18-year career, which is more than any other player in the history of the NBA. He was also a 9-time All-Defensive player and 2-time DPOY, leading his team to win two NBA Championships. He was a formidable defender. His quickness, timing, athleticism and footwork allowed him to be an exceptional shot blocker, rebounder, and runner. He was an opponent's nightmare because of his ability to defend any position on the court. Not only that, but he was also one of the greatest offensive players as well. He was an extraordinary player with incredible agility and quickness. His deadly spin moves allowed him scoring in the post. His all-around versatility made him one of the best players, let alone defenders. This list should include Hakeem Olajuwon.
Bill Russell barely makes #2 on this list due to his average of 15.1 ppg, but he was the best defender during his era and gave opposing teams nightmares. Bill Russell is an NBA legend. He has won 11 NBA Championships throughout his career and has the highest defensive win rates in NBA history with 133.64. He was a key component of the Boston Celtics' fantastic success, as his defensive prowess and rebounding ability were essential to their championship wins. Many consider him the most decorated NBA defender. His ability to read and anticipate play made him an intimidating presence on court.
This is the third place list, with Dennis Rodman. He was a unique player in the NBA's history and made an immediate impact on the game. Rodman succeeded by playing tough defence, rebounding well, and not needing the ball to score; this allowed his team to win often. Dennis Rodman was a 7th-time Rebounding Champion, 8th-time All Defensive Players, 2nd-time DPOY, 5th-time NBA Champion and 2-time All Defensive Player. His perseverance on defense was unmatched. He seemed to always be in the right spot at exactly the right moment. He was also an excellent rebounder, often out-jumping much taller players and snatching boards away from them.
Which NBA star is the most dominant scorer in the league now?
This question is subjective because different players play different ways that make them successful and unique. Kevin Durant (LeBron James), Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Stephen Curry are the top choices for most dominant scorers in the NBA.
Kevin Durant can be described as a shooting star and an offensive machine. This player is no joke, with 2 NBA Championships and 2 Finals MVPs to his credit and a regular-season MVP title.
What is the NBA Draft and how does it work?
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which teams select eligible players entering the league. The draft takes place each June and is divided into two rounds with each team receiving one pick. The order of the draft will be determined by the teams' records from previous seasons. The worst team receiving the first and best picks respectively. Teams can choose college or international players between the ages of 19 and 19. This is an essential event for teams as it allows them to acquire a new talent and build their rosters. It is also an excellent opportunity for players to jump from college or international leagues to the NBA.
How much does the NBA pay a ref?
Referees working in the National Basketball Association are paid competitive salaries for their officiating roles. Average NBA referees earn between $150,000- $550,000 annually. This pay scale can depend on experience, with more experienced referees earning higher salaries. Refs who work in the playoffs or Finals earn even higher salaries than referees who take on additional roles, such as training new refs or working in the video review center. Some NBA refs also receive income from endorsements and royalty payments for their work in television broadcasts or other media outlets. All in all, being an NBA referee is a lucrative job that can provide a stable source of income if one is willing to put in the necessary work and dedication.
Referees of the NBA receive a salary and also have access to health insurance, retirement plans, as well as other benefits. Referees are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make critical calls that can affect a game's outcome. Referees can also receive subsidised accommodations, meals and travel costs to away games. This can be a comforting factor for referees who strive to achieve perfection on the courts.
NBA referees receive a decent wage for their hardwork and dedication. This is especially true when they are responsible to enforce the rules in one of the most popular sports in world. While the job can be difficult, referees have the opportunity to make a positive impact on basketball.
How long does a player stay on waivers?
If a NBA player is dismissed by their team during the regular season, they will be on the waiver. Waived NBA players are eligible for a waiver 48 hours before another team can claim them. If more than one team claims a player within this timeframe, priority is given to the team that has the worst record.
Which NBA Player is the NBA's all-time leading scorer?
Kareem AbdulJabbar is the NBA's most prolific scorer. He has scored 38.387 points over his entire career. LeBron is in second position with 37.062 points. Karl Malone is in the third spot with 36.928. Kobe Bryant, with 33 643 points, is in fourth. Michael Jordan is fifth, with 32 922 points.
Which free throw shooter is the best?
While the answer to this question is still controversial among basketball fans, most people agree that Stephen Curry of Golden State Warriors is the greatest free-throw shooter. This fantastic player set the record for most 3-point conversions in a season with an incredible 402.
Karl Malone currently holds the record for most free throws made in a career, with 9,787 successful shots. With 13,188 attempts, Malone has attempted 74.20% more free throws than any other player.
Statistics
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nba.com
twitter.com
- Tweet / Twitter
- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
si.com
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
How To
What is the best way to get drafted into the NBA?
High school and college are the two main routes to becoming a NBA basketball player.
NCAA schools include Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of Kentucky for college students. These schools offer four years of education and training. Players develop ball handling, shooting, and rebounding skills during this period. They learn how to run an offense and defense. And they hone the mental aspects of being a professional athlete.
Prep schools exist outside the home states of high school players. These schools provide personalized attention to athletes and help them develop their talent. These schools focus on teaching academics and character development as well as sportsmanship.
Before they can be allowed to join the draft, both types of players must pass the exact same physical test. The test involves running 40m, jumping over a 5ft6" box, standing on 1 leg, and throwing the football through a tire.
All players who pass these tests will be invited to participate at workouts for different NBA teams. They are evaluated based on their height and weight as well as their speed.
Teams also take into account their past experience. For instance, if a player has played AAU basketball, he will likely receive preferential treatment.
Some players are considered too small for professional play and are known as "one-and done" prospects. These players are usually selected in the second round.
Some players skip college to join the NBA. These players are known as "prospects." Prospects do not need to wait for the end of the calendar year to be declared eligible for the draft.
Prospects can request an exemption to be allowed to draft earlier. If a prospect does, he will be eligible to compete with other prospects during pre-draft.
Prospects can improve their chances of getting selected by participating in summer leagues. Summer league games are usually held in July or august.
Scouts can see players live without having to worry about injuries.
June marks the start of the NBA Draft. It's when the 30 NBA teams evaluate all the top prospects. Each team gets a certain number of picks within each round.
In other words, the first selection in the first round is usually the 15th overall. In the third round the 20th selection will be the 60th.
After the draft, teams make trades in order to fill their rosters. Some teams even hold mini-camp tryouts inviting potential draftees to train with them.
It is an exciting day on draft day! What happens next?
There is no waiting around for your name to come up once the draft has begun. Every NBA team takes turns selecting players from the pool of available hopefuls.
When a team has selected a player, it sends him his contract, which details his salary and playing time as well as benefits. He is a member the organization.
He also receives a jersey that bears his name and a uniform that includes his new nickname.
He signs the contract. He officially joins NBA.
