Post Up: The Thrill

Pacers 106 (14-9), Raptors 90 (16-10)

The Raptors opened this game up 26-5, believe it or not. But the Pacers turned the tables before the first quarter was even over. They trailed by a single point by the end of the period and took the lead in the second quarter. Jordan Hill led the Pacers with 20 points and 13 rebounds off the bench and Monta Ellis poured in 18 as Indiana took care of the Raps at home.

Magic 105 (13-11), Nets 82 (7-17)

The Orlando Magic led by as many as 26 points in Brooklyn on Monday, as they earned their first win at Barclays. Nikola Vucevic led Orlando with 18 points, and the Magic shot a solid 53 percent from the field while holding the home team to 38 percent.

Clippers 105 (15-10), Pistons 103 (14-12) OT

A 3-pointer from J.J. Redick (24 points) to this game to overtime, and a 3-pointer from Jamal Crawford (14 points) in the extra period won this game for the Clippers. Who cares if Andre Drummond made CP3 (13 points, 12 assists) fall down? (Did everyone totally miss the off shot he took at the end of that play?) L.A. managed to get the W with the help of Blake Griffin’s game-high 34 points, and that’s the end of the story.

Heat 100 (14-9), Hawks 88 (14-12)

Goran Dragic lost his tooth, thanks to an elbow from Al Horford…

Dragic retrieved it sometime after that and stuck it in a jar, as anyone would.

What he didn’t lose though, was the game. Dragic finished with 12 points and 8 assists, Chris Bosh added 24 points and 10 boards, and the Heat finished with an even 100 points to walk out of Atlanta with a W and bits of Dragic’s tooth in a jar.

Bulls 115 (14-8), Sixers 96 (1-25)

Philly had a 5 point lead at the start of the latter half  in Chicago Monday night after scoring 37 in the second quarter. But the Bulls held the visiting team to just 12 points in the third quarter as they poured in 34. Jimmy Butler led the squad with 23 points, and Tony Snell added 16 points and 11 boards in the win. Jahlil Okafor finished with 22 in his hometown, but Philly couldn’t pull through.

Grizzlies 112 (14-12), Wizards 95 (10-13)

The Memphis Grizzlies led by as many as 23 points when the Washington Wizards came to town. Marc Gasol finished with 24 points and 12 boards, and Mike Conley added 18 points and 11 assists for the home team on an awesome 56.4 percent shooting night. Gary Neal was the high-scoring man for the Wiz with 24 off the bench, but the Grizz took care of their business.

Mavericks 104 (14-11), Suns 94 (11-15)

The Suns’ Tyson Chandler faced his former team on Monday as Phoenix traveled to Dallas to take on the Mavericks. Six of the Mavs’ nine players who saw minutes finished in double-figures. It was a late 3-ball from Deron Williams in the final period that helped the Mavs secure the win.

Spurs 118 (21-5), Jazz 81 (10-13)

The Spurs led the Jazz in this game by as many as 46 points. Forty-six. This is a week after San Antonio won by their largest margin ever of 51. Needless to say, the Spurs never trailed in their game against the Jazz. Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 22, and Tony Parker and LaMarcus Aldridge added in 18 points apiece to take care of Utah.

Nuggets 114 (10-14), Rockets 108 (12-13)

Will The Thrill Barton, everyone.

Barton was the leading scorer for the Nuggets with 23 off the bench as Denver beat the Houston Rockets for the third time this season. The Nuggets outscored the Rockets 62-36 in the paint and outrebounded ’em 52-26.

Trail Blazers 105 (11-15), Pelicans 101 (6-18)

Damian Lillard scored 30 points, and Mason Plumlee added 15 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists in the Blazers’ win over the Pelicans. Dame hit free throws late to put the Pels away, despite 28 points from Anthony Davis.