NBA News Wire
NBA game roundup: Evans, Pelicans tip Raptors
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
TORONTO — Guard Tyreke Evans made the winning hook shot with 1.6 seconds left, and he finished with 26 points as the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Toronto Raptors 95-93 Sunday.
Reserve center Alexis Ajinca added 22 points for the Pelicans, who led by 16 points early in the second half and trailed by 12 in the fourth quarter. Guard Eric Gordon added 14 points for the Pelicans, and center Omer Asik scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Guard DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points to lead the Raptors, who lost for the seventh time in nine games and finished a six-game homestand 2-4. DeRozan’s jumper tied the game at 91 with 1:31 to play. Gordon gave New Orleans a two-point lead with 56 seconds left. DeRozan tied it 14 seconds later by sinking two free throws.
Guard Lou Williams added 17 points for Toronto, and guard Greivis Vasquez had 16. Forward Amir Johnson contributed 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while forward Patrick Patterson scored 10 points.
Spurs 89, Jazz 69
SAN ANTONIO — Center Tiago Splitter became the 12th player to lead San Antonio in scoring this season, producing 14 points during the Spurs’ victory over Utah.
The Spurs won an eighth consecutive home game against Utah, last losing to the Jazz in San Antonio in January 2010.
Guard Danny Green scored 13 for the Spurs, all in the fourth quarter, when he made three 3-point baskets. Forward Kawhi Leonard, the team leader with 15.4 points a game before Sunday, had 12 points and nine rebounds. Reserve center Rudy Gobert led Utah with 13 points, a career-best 18 rebounds and four blocks.
Thunder 127, Magic 99
ORLANDO — Forward Kevin Durant had 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in just 27 minutes, leading Oklahoma City to a victory over Orlando.
The Thunder built a 38-point lead in the first half, then coasted through the second, giving them an easier-than expected start to a five-game, Eastern Conference road trip.
Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook had 17 points and six assists in 24 minutes. Forward Serge Ibaka had 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and eight rebounds in 28 minutes. Guard Victor Oladipo led the Magic with 23 points.
