Mavericks Sink Wizards, NBA Roundup

Mavs Sink Wizards

(Washington, DC) -- Monta Ellis posted 23 points with five rebounds to help the Mavericks pull past the Wizards, 87-78, at the Verizon Center. Dallas outscored Washington by 11 in the fourth quarter to sweep its three-game road trip. Dirk Nowitzki suffered an injured ankle, but returned to action.  He struggled in the win scoring nine points on 3-of-14 shooting, which was his first game in single digits this season. John Wall scored a team-high 22 points with seven boards and five assists in the loss. Trevor Booker had a double-double with 10 points and 19 rebounds for the Wizards, who had a two-game winning streak come to an end.

Raptors Punk Packers

(Toronto, Ontario) -- The Raptors' success without Rudy Gay continued as they stormed the Pacers, 95-82, at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto is 9-3 since shipping Gay to Sacramento and sits in first place in the Atlantic Division at 15-15. Kyle Lowry tallied a double-double with 13 points and 14 assists, while DeMar DeRozan dropped a game-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Paul George was limited to 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting in the loss. Roy Hibbert posted 16 points but only played 21 minutes after eventually fouling out. Indiana had a five-game winning streak snapped.

T'wolves Eat Up Pelicans

(Minneapolis, MN) -- Ricky Rubio filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks as the Timberwolves cruised to a 124-112 win against the Pelicans at the Target Center. Nikola Pekovic had a team-high 22 points, while Kevin Martin added 20. J.J. Barea hit seven of nine shots off the bench on his way to 17 points. Minnesota is at .500 through 32 games. Ryan Anderson tallied 25 points and Tyreke Evans added 16 points and seven rebounds for New Orleans. The Pelicans are 14-and-16.

76ers Outrun Nuggets

(Denver, CO) -- A 44-point second quarter spearheaded Philadelphia's, 114-102, victory over the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Evan Turner led the way with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds while Thaddeus Young contributed a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards. Philadelphia has won two in-a-row for the first time since the beginning the year with three straight wins. All five Denver starters were in double figures led by J.J. Hickson with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Ty Lawson contributed 15 points, 11 helpers and six boards as the Nuggets lost their eighth straight game.

Clippers Dump Bobcats

(Los Angeles, CA) -- The Clippers bounced back from their most embarrassing loss of the season with a 112-85 stomping of the Bobcats at the STAPLES Center.  Los Angeles was coming off a 19-point home defeat to the Suns. Blake Griffin led the way with 31 points and 12 rebounds and Chris Paul chipped in 17 points and 14 assists in the victory. Charlotte struggled shooting 38-percent from the field. Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker each posted 14 points as the Bobcats have lost four in-a-row.

Bulls Battle Boston

(Chicago, IL) -- The Chicago Bulls host the Boston Celtics tonight at the United Center. The Bulls have lost two-of-three to fall to 12-18 on the season. The Celtics are a bit better at 13-18 so far this year. This is the first of three meetings between the teams this season.

 

Wednesday, January 1 Scoreboard

NBA

Dallas Mavericks 87, Washington Wizards 78

Toronto Raptors 95, Indiana Pacers 82

Minnesota Timberwolves 124, New Orleans Pelicans 112

Philadelphia 76ers 114, Denver Nuggets 102

Los Angeles Clippers 112, Charlotte Bobcats 85

 

Thursday, January 2 Schedule (All Times Central)

NBA

6:00 p.m. - Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers

6:30 p.m. - Golden State Warriors at Miami Heat

7:00 p.m. - Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls

7:00 p.m. - Brooklyn Nets at Oklahoma City Thunder

7:30 p.m. - New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs

8:00 p.m. - Milwaukee Bucks at Utah Jazz

8:00 p.m. - Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns

9:00 p.m. - Philadelphia 76ers at Sacramento Kings

9:00 p.m. - Charlotte Bobcats at Portland Trail Blazers