By Jonas Terrado

Blackwater appears to be far from done with its firesale after reports surfaced the team has reached an agreement to send star rookie Ray Parks Jr. to TNT KaTropa.

A source confirmed the deal which apparently was made by both sides last week, with Parks set to become the latest major Elite player to change uniforms in less than a month.

Spin.ph reported late Wednesday that Parks will be sent to TNT in exchange for vastly-improved swingman Don Trollano, two future first round draft picks and one of the Semerad twins.

Key officials from both teams were unavailable for comment.

The deal is pending the approval of the PBA Commissioner’s Office, which is expected to decide on the proposal on Monday when offices resume after the holiday break.

A five-man committee will deliberate the proposal with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial to break the stalemate the situation presented itself.

Blackwater has been busy dealing some of its main players, beginning with the departure of shooter Mike DiGregorio to TNT for guard Brian Heruela.

Also dealt was high-scoring guard Allein Maliksi, who was shipped to Meralco along with Raymar Jose for veteran forward KG Canaleta and third-year guard Mike Tolomia.

The trades have put the Elite in a slow adjustment period, as evident with their 2-7 record in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup.

Blackwater also let go Poy Erram to NLEX and Paul Zamar to San Miguel in a pair of trade consummated last January.

Parks has struggled after a hot start in the season-ending conference as seen with his inconsistent scoring and assist numbers. He is averaging 20.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals.

The two-time UAAP and ASEAN Basketball League Most Valuable Player signed a two-conference contract with Blackwater last April and there are rumblings that a move is already moot and academic.

A move to TNT could give Parks renewed vigor, especially with the KaTropa holding a share of top spot with the NLEX Road Warriors at 7-1.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

REDONDO BEACH, California—Jerwin Ancajas is on the cusp of his fifth straight fight on American soil and but remains relatively unknown.

This Saturday at the Dignity Sports Health Park in the neighboring city of Carson, Ancajas puts his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown for the eighth time versus Jonathan Rodriguez of Mexico.

The IBF 115-lb champion since September 2016, Ancajas is apparently such a gifted fighter that Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has the Filipino southpaw under contract.

And yet, Ancajas is struggling to attract the adulation of the hardcore fight fans.

Here are a few factors why this is so.

First and foremost, Manny Pacquiao has become the yardstick among Filipino world champions and regardless of what Ancajas and Nonito Donaire, the other marquee name of Philippine boxing do, their exploits would always be compared with that of the eight-division legend.

Reason No. 2 is style.

Ancajas’ style is totally different from that of Pacquiao. While they are both lefties, Pacquiao has a daredevil attitude atop the ring, a fire that refuses to be extinguished. In contrast, Ancajas is very calculated to the point of methodical.
Third, Ancajas has yet to figure in a fight with the 115-lb division’s big guns, something that wasn’t the case with Pacquiao, who terrorized every weight class he campaigned into.

The good news is that Ancajas’ team has come to realize that it is high-time for the 27-year-old puncher to take on the division’s marquee names.

In fact, they are in pursuit of World Boxing Council titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico, who is widely recognized as the division’s top dog.

If an Estrada clash can’ be arranged in the first quarter of 2020, there are viable choices: World Boxing Association titlist Khalid Yafai of England or World Boxing Organization ruler Kazuto Ioka of Japan.

As of the moment, settling for the likes of Rodriguez next year is no longer an option.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin reminds his stalwarts not to get complacent despite a 14-0 eliminations sweep and an outright finals berth in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball.

“At this point, I can say that I’m very proud of these men, and I know that they will not take that as any sort of sign to relax,” he said.

“Our job is far from done. In fact, it’s going to get harder.”

The Blue Eagles blasted last year’s finals rival University of the Philippines Maroons 86-64 to become the second team after University of the East in 2007 to sweep the elims.

Baldwin lauded his team’s efforts both on practice and during the games and admitted that “this is the hardest practicing team that I’ve ever coached in 40 years.”

“That doesn’t come because you’re super disciplined or because you’re robotic guys that just do what you’re told. It’s driven by an unbelievable sense of determination, passion, belief in one another, and I think that’s what equates the heart,” he said.

“And I’m just surrounded by a basketball team that humbles me as a competitor with how much heart they have, with how much passion they have to succeed.”

The record may be flawless, but graduating player Thirdy Ravena thinks otherwise.

“I think our elimination round campaign wasn’t really perfect. We had a lot of mistakes and we have a lot of things to work on. Pero I’m just proud of the team sa lahat ng ginawa namin, kahit yung obstacles na dinaanan namin nun game,” Ravena said.

UP, Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas battle for the remaining finals berth.

Game 1 of the best-of-three finals will be on Nov. 16.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

University of the Philippines coach Bo Perasol said they are quickly putting the past behind including their 86-64 defeat to defending champion Ateneo on Wednesday in UAAP season 82 men’s basketball.

“I need to put them in the right perspective because we cannot think about this game against Ateneo anymore,” he said. “The reality right now is the playoff game and we need to win that playoff game.”

UP enjoys a twice-to-beat semis incentive after finishing second in the double-round elims, awaiting the winner between Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas in the first stepladder round.

Ateneo propelled straight to the finals after a 14-0 elims sweep.

The Maroons have a two-week respite before the match, and Perasol said they need to maintain their energy for another shot at the crown.

“There’s too much to be done. We need to prepare for our next opponent and it’s not going to be an easy task,” he said.

For now, Perasol wants his stalwarts to focus on improving their game, particularly on executing better offense and being consistent against a strong squad like Ateneo.

They are also counting their blessings.

“We are thankful that we have landed in this position knowing that they have worked a lot of being in the No. 2 spot, because I couldn’t imagine ourselves if we have lost against De La Salle,” said Perasol, referring to last week’s 71-68 win that eliminated the Archers from the Final Four race.

Perasol hopes they could get another shot at facing the Blue Eagles for a second time in the finals.

“Maybe given another time, we will have the chance (of beating them),” he said.

Meanwhile, action resumes on Nov. 6 with FEU and UST facing in the knockout semis.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Mike Conley snapped an early-season slump with 29 points and the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers 110-96 on Wednesday night with Kawhi Leonard sitting out.

“I just wanted to get back to who I am,” Conley said.

Conley had 18 points in the third quarter as the Jazz scored 40 in the period and took a 90-71 lead. Utah (4-1) has won three in a row.

Leonard missed the game for scheduled rest, though coach Doc Rivers has said his star forward has been healthy and energized. The Clippers play the second half of a back-to-back Thursday against San Antonio in Los Angeles.

Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points, Bojan Bogdanovic had 14 and Rudy Gobert 13.

Lou Williams paced the Clippers (3-2) with 24 points, 16 before halftime.

The matchup of one of the league’s top defenses against one of the top offenses lost some its luster without Leonard, but the Jazz showed how potent they could be with 55 percent shooting while holding their opponents below 100 points for the fifth straight game.

JaMychal Green, who had 23 points, led his fellow Clipper reserves in a fourth-quarter rally, cutting a 23-point edge to 99-89. Conley responded with a 3-pointer and a lob to Gobert for a dunk.

Conley struggled in his first four games with Utah after playing 12 years in Memphis, including a 1-for-16 shooting performance in the opener and an 0-for-7 outing in the last game. In recent days, he admitted it has taken more time than he expected to feel comfortable with the Jazz plays and terminology.

When Conley hit a 3-pointer and followed it with a tough layup high off the backboard in third quarter, he pumped his fist and yelled to the rafters. When Los Angeles called timeout, the entire Jazz bench leaped off the bench and ran onto the court to greet the point guard.

A few minutes later, Conley hit a high-arcing 3-pointer and motioned for the crowd to get louder. Cheers rang out and then turned into chants of “Con-ley, Con-ley, Con-ley”.

Conley made 11 of 17 shots, including five 3-pointers, and had five assists with a season-low two turnovers.

The Jazz were hot from the start and led by 14 points early in the second quarter. The Clippers trimmed the advantage to 52-51 at halftime.

Hornets rally from 14 down to beat winless Kings

P.J. Washington controlled the post well enough to keep Charlotte close until the rest of his teammates found their rhythm.

The Hornets rookie showed some versatility, too, when he stepped out and made a pair of shots beyond the arc.

Washington scored 23 points to lead seven Charlotte players in double figures and the Hornets rallied from 14 down to beat the winless Sacramento Kings 118-111 on Wednesday night.

“I thought he imposed his will on that game immediately when he stepped on the floor,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said. “Right now we have a young man that has that potential to go down in the post and play out in the perimeter. That’s a very complete young man.”

The 12th overall pick in the draft, Washington has been everything the Hornets hoped for, particularly playing center when Borrego goes with his small lineup.

Washington’s perimeter shooting has provided an equally big boost. He had two 3s against the Kings and is shooting 13 of 25 beyond the arc through five games.

“I’m shooting it with confidence,” Washington said. “If I have an open look I’m definitely taking it. If you don’t have a hand up I’m shooting it.”

Terry Rozier had 22 points, six assists and five rebounds for Charlotte, which hadn’t won since beating Chicago in the season-opener. The Hornets set a franchise-record with 23 3-pointers against the Bulls and had another big night beyond the arc against Sacramento, going 16 of 32.

Cody Zeller added 12 points and 15 rebounds for Charlotte (2-3) while Malik Monk scored 18.

Buddy Hield scored 23 points and Harrison Barnes had 22 for the Kings. Sacramento (0-5) is off to its worst start since 1990-91 when the Kings lost their first seven on the way to a 25-57 record.

“We have to punch back,” said Sacramento’s Richaun Holmes, who started at center as part of coach Luke Walton’s attempt to shake the Kings out of their funk. “Teams are going to make runs and we haven’t responded, especially in the third quarter. We get punched. We have to be ready to respond.”

The Hornets trailed 49-35 midway through the second quarter but closed within 66-61 at halftime, then took control in the third quarter. Rozier, Monk and Miles Bridges each made two 3-pointers, and Devonte Graham added a pair of free throws that made it 93-84.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — It wasn’t as dramatic as the end of his last game against Oklahoma City, but Damian Lillard still reminded the Thunder what time it was — Dame Time.

Lillard had 23 points and 13 assists to help the Portland Trail Blazers hold off Oklahoma City 102-99 on Wednesday night.

In last year’s first-round playoff matchup between the teams, Lillard’s deep 3-pointer over Paul George won Game 5 and the series. This time, after making just 4 of 15 shots the first three quarters, Lillard made three 3-pointers in an 86-second flurry in the fourth that turned a three-point deficit into a five-point lead.

Lillard rested to start the final period and mapped out his strategy.

“The whole time I was sitting on the bench, I knew I was going to come in and try to keep it in my hands a little bit more and try to impose my will on the game a little bit more,” he said. “And it worked out.”

The Trail Blazers led the rest of the way.

The Thunder have been competitive in their losses, but they haven’t had a scorer like Lillard step up at critical moments to get them over the top.

“I was telling the guys postgame that’s why guys get paid the big bucks — to make big shots like that in the fourth quarter,” Thunder guard Chris Paul said. “Dame got it going.”

C.J. McCollum scored 22 points and Kent Bazemore added 14 for the Trail Blazers.

Paul scored 21 points, Dennis Schroder scored 17 and Nerlens Noel added 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Thunder.

Portland led 49-44 at halftime. The Trail Blazers shot 38.1% in the first half while the Thunder shot 35%. Lillard made just 2 of 8 shots in the first half and scored seven points.

A 3-pointer by Paul tied the game at 53 early in the third quarter, and then he made a jumper to put the Thunder ahead by two. The Thunder took a 69-68 lead into the final period.

Diallo grabbed three offensive rebounds on one possession before finally scoring to put the Thunder up 79-76, and Mike Muscala’s layup on an assist from Paul put the Thunder up by five before the Trail Blazers rallied.

“It was an ugly game,” Lillard said. “Both teams turned it over, missing shots, a lot of bad possessions, low-scoring. So you knew it was going to come to the last five, six minutes.”

Pacers beat Nets for first victory of season

In New York, Domantas Sabonis and the Indiana Pacers finally got their first victory of the season.

Sabonis scored 29 points, Jeremy Lamb added 25 and Indiana Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 118-108 on Wednesday night for their first victory in five games.

“(Sabonis) was a monster down there,” Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. “Just defending, rebounding, initiating offense. Had to play a lot of minutes, but was fired up and I thought we rode his energy.”

Sabonis carried the frontcourt load when Myles Turner left the game after spraining his right ankle in the first quarter.

“It’s tough,” Sabonis said about losing Turner. “Because it’s the beginning of the season, we’re also trying to find each other and find that chemistry and play together, and obviously he’s going to be out for a little bit. It’s tough. I wish him a speedy recovery. When he comes back he’s going to help us, he’s the best defender in the league.”

Malcolm Brogdon added 21 points and 13 assists for Indiana.

Kyrie Irving led Brooklyn with 28 points, Spencer Dinwiddie had 20 and Caris LeVert 15. The Nets have lost two in a row to fall to 1-3.

“We’re not really running anything (on offense),” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. “In training camp you’re practicing a lot, but you have a nice flow, you kind of know what you’re doing. I think we’ve lost a little bit of our structure and organization, which is natural with a new team and new guys.”

The Pacers took their largest lead at 112-96 on Brogdan’s 3-pointer with 4:43 remaining. Indiana took a 90-83 lead into the fourth quarter, with Sabonis and Lamb each scoring seven points in the third.

With three new starters in Irving, DeAndre Jordan and Taurean Prince, the Nets have become more of an isolation team than the cohesive group from a season ago.

“Basketball has a way of being sequentially sound or it can be sequentially off completely,” Irving said. “Be able to weather the storm out there. Some possessions are not going to be perfect. We want to limit the mistakes out there where you have opportunities to attack the basket, shoot threes and get everyone confident. Wins and losses come and go. It just gives us a chance to dive into practice and really take it day by day. The details are really what separates the good and the bad teams in the league.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

BOSTON — The Bucks exploited gaps in the Celtics’ defense on their way to beating Boston in five games last season in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Celtics used a balanced, barrage of offense to return the favor in their first matchup this season.

Kemba Walker had 21 of his 32 points in the second half and Boston rallied to beat Milwaukee 116-105 on Wednesday night.

Jayson Tatum added 25 points, Gordon Hayward had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Marcus Smart finished with 19 points and six assists. Boston shot 54% from the field over the final two quarters.

“We’ve got so many talented guys on this team everybody should be chipping in to be the team we want to be,” Tatum said.

Milwaukee dominated in the first half, leading by 19 at one point. But the Celtics responded in the third quarter, using a 26-7 run over the final 6:38 of the period to take an 80-76 edge into the fourth.

“They got going pretty good,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Kemba’s a great player, but they played through Hayward a little bit. Tatum made some big shots, tough shots. They mixed and matched well — those three tonight.”

Boston kept that momentum, beginning the final period with an 11-4 run to open a 91-80 lead.

“I think it started on the defensive end,” Hayward said. “We kept getting stops, our energy picked up and that kind of turned it around for us in the second half.”

Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 26 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points and 14 rebounds, but the reigning MVP lost his composure late, first picking up a hard foul on Smart and then a technical foul in the final minute.

Antetokounmpo said there was no malicious intent on the play with Smart.

“Nothing,” Antetokounmpo said. “I tried to go for the rebound. He tried to go for the rebound. Two guys that play hard and we both ended up on the floor.”

The Celtics started Daniel Theis at center and the defensive-minded Smart at guard with Jaylen Brown out with an illness and Enes Kanter sidelined for the third straight game with a bruised left knee.

It did little to stop the much bigger Bucks front line from getting in the paint early on as Milwaukee sliced through Boston’s interior and hit nine 3-pointers on their way to a 58-42 halftime lead.

Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson lead Cavaliers past Bulls

A year after losing their first six games, the Cleveland Cavaliers are putting a scare into other people during the first week of this season.

Kevin Love, who had 17 points and 20 rebounds in Cleveland’s 117-111 win over Chicago on Wednesday night, went with the Halloween theme while sitting at his locker talking to reporters following the game.

Love donned a hockey mask in honor of Jason, the evil character from the “Friday the 13th” movies. He also arrived at the arena before the game wearing the mask.

“I know my scary movies,” said Love. “That’s my favorite scary movie.”

Cleveland, which has split its first four games didn’t get its second win until its 13th game last season.

Love and Tristan Thompson, who had 23 points 10 rebounds, have had double-doubles in each of Cleveland’s four games.

“We’re just feeding off each other,” Love said. “We talk every day that we need to set the tone for the rest of the team.”

Love’s basket on a goal-tending call on Lauri Markkanen gave Cleveland a 91-90 lead early in the tightly played fourth quarter. His jumper from the left wing put the Cavaliers ahead 110-106 with just under a minute to play.

Collin Sexton, who sat most of the third quarter because of foul trouble, scored 10 points in the final eight minutes, including a dunk over Chicago center Wendell Carter Jr. following an assist from Love on Cleveland’s next possession.

Cleveland’s first-year coach John Beilein’s goal to establish a homecourt advantage for his rebuilding team is off to a good start. The Cavaliers won their home opener over Indiana and rallied to beat the Bulls.

“We talked about that today,” Beilein said. “We want it to be special for us. The goal always is to win at home. We want to continue that trend to have people watch us grow.”

Sexton had 18 points, a day after the Cavaliers exercised his third-year contract option.

Markkanen and Zach LaVine each scored 16 points for Chicago, which has lost three straight. Carter and Otto Porter Jr. added 15 apiece.

The Bulls, who allowed 15 consecutive points in the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss to New York, saw another game get away.

“As the game went on, their energy grew and ours didn’t,” coach Jim Boylen said. “They drove it at us and they rebounded us and brought the physicality you need in the fourth quarter. We battled, but we haven’t played as well in key moments as I hoped they would.”

Chicago went on a 15-0 run to take a 21-11 lead in the first quarter, but led only 53-50 at halftime.

Sexton picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter and sat out most of the period. Cleveland hit five 3-pointers, including three by Cedi Osman. Jordan Clarkson was fouled while making a 3-pointer from the corner and converted the free throw.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns got into a brawl that overshadowed a rout on the court.

Embiid scored 19 points before he was ejected for fighting with Towns, and the Philadelphia 76ers cruised to a 117-95 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night for their fourth straight win to begin the season.

The Sixers were leading 75-55 midway through the third quarter when Embiid and Towns went at it. The two big men have a history of talking trash to each other. After they got tangled under the basket, Embiid shoved Towns, who answered with a punch that missed as both men fell to the floor.

Ben Simmons jumped in and forcefully held Towns down as other players and coaches ran onto the court to separate everyone.

“I didn’t throw any punches, so I shouldn’t get suspended,” Embiid said.

Embiid and Towns were tossed after a video review.

“We deemed the altercation a fight. Therefore, by rule, they’re both ejected,” said Mark Ayotte, the officials’ crew chief. “I just saw them each lock arms. And that escalated to the fight.”

Embiid shadowboxed to the crowd’s delight on his way back to the locker room. Fans responded with “MVP!” chants.

“I was built for this city,” Embiid said. “The love they have for me, I can’t thank them enough. I appreciate all the love. That reaction was probably the loudest I ever heard them. That’s what the city of Philadelphia is all about. You gotta come in here, you gotta fight, you gotta play hard, you gotta be gritty, you gotta be a Broad Street Bully. We’re gonna keep on fighting and try to accomplish the goal we have set for us.”

Towns downplayed the fight. “It’s a competitive game. As a team, we need to play better with our system. We didn’t execute our game plan,” he said. “I’m disappointed in the (loss). I don’t think we played our game. We were playing a different type of basketball. It wasn’t what got us to 3-0. We can learn a lot from this game.”

Embiid said the fight “happened out of nowhere,” but added: “I like to get in people’s mind.”

Sixers coach Brett Brown said he’s not concerned that Embiid will receive a suspension.

“I don’t see punches being thrown (by Embiid) and I don’t believe he was the instigator,” Brown said.

Both teams entered 3-0. The Spurs, at 3-0, are the only other unbeaten team in the NBA.

Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points, Towns had 13 points and former Sixer Robert Covington had seven for the Timberwolves.

Tobias Harris scored 18 points, Furkan Korkmaz had 17 off the bench and Simmons added 16 for Philadelphia. Al Horford grabbed 16 rebounds to go with 12 points.

Minnesota led 11-9 midway through the first quarter before Harris hit a 3-pointer. Harris followed with a driving layup and Philadelphia led the rest of the way.

Embiid punctuated a dominant first half with a 3 to put the Sixers up 63-42 going into the break.

“It’s competitive, we knew it was going to be that way,” Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said.

Nikola Vucevic, Magic rally to beat Knicks

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic’s shooting woes continue early in the season. So has their dogged defense.

Nikola Vucevic scored 21 points and had 14 rebounds and Aaron Gordon scored 10 of his 15 points in the final five minutes of the game to help Orlando beat New York 95-83 on Wednesday night to end a two-game losing streak.

Evan Fournier added 14 points, Jonathan Isaac had 10 and Orlando finished on a 16-3 run.

The Magic limited New York to just one basket and one free throw in the final eight minutes to rally from an 80-79 deficit. Orlando allowed the Knicks just one of 11 shooting and forced three turnovers in that game-deciding stretch.

“We’re trying to find our way offensively, but I do believe we had great defensive talent on this roster,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said. “Through these first 10-12 games, we can defend and compete our way through until we get our offense going. That’s what we did tonight.”

The defense was very much needed. Orlando, the worst shooting team in the NBA going into the game, had a nice run in the third quarter — hitting 13 of 20 shots — but the rest of the game was a struggle.

Gordon had only five points when he nailed a 3-pointer that ignited the Magic’s fourth quarter rally. After a Vucevic layup, Gordon drilled another 3-pointer, a follow shot and capped the run with a reverse dunk. It was his most impressive offensive stretch in the young season.

“It was part of the process of getting to the open spots, being in the right place and trusting my teammates,” Gordon said. “They made great passes that allowed me to shoot the shots in rhythm.”

Julius Randle led New York with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Mitchell Robinson had 12 points, all in the first half, and Bobby Portis added 12.

The Knicks withstood Orlando’s offensive surge in the third quarter by scoring the last 10 points of the period. New York, which trailed by 15 at one point in the quarter, erased the last of that deficit when Portis hit a 3-pointer to put the Knicks up 80-79 with 8:05 left in the game.

However, there wasn’t much offense to talk about after that.

“Two things happened in the fourth quarter: we didn’t come up with loose balls and the ball stopped moving,” Knicks coach David Fizdale said. “It was a trust factor. In tight situations, you’ve got to share the ball. When the ball stops moving for us, it’s death.”

The Magic, who have struggled with their shooting in every game, entered the game last in the NBA in shooting percentage, lived down to that reputation in the first half, hitting just 15 of 45 shots. No Magic player reached double figures in the first half, but New York couldn’t make them pay for it.

The Knicks, playing without their two top point guards, Dennis Smith Jr. and Elfrid Payton, got an unexpected 12 points from Robinson in the first half, but not much else from his teammates. New York did take a 44-42 into halftime.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

WASHINGTON — James Harden scored 59 points and made one of two free throws with 2.4 seconds to play to give the Houston Rockets a 159-158 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

Bradley Beal scored 46 points for Washington, hitting three throws with 8.1 seconds left to tie it at 158.

Harden was 18 of 32 from the field, 6 of 14 from 3-point range, and made 17 of 18 free throws. He also had nine assists in 37 minutes.

Russell Westbrook had had just three points in the first three quarters, then scored 14 in the fourth quarter and finished with his second triple-double of the season. He had 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

Clint Capela added 21 points and 12 rebounds to help Houston improved to 3-1.

Rui Hachimura had 23 points in his home debut for the Wizards, Davis Bertans added 21 and Washington shot 62.6% from the field. The Wizards dropped to 1-3.

Hachimura, the highest drafted Japanese-born player in NBA history, had lots of fans in his home debut, including Shinsuke Sugiyama, the Japanese ambassador to the U.S.

Washington coach Scott Brooks coached Harden and Westbrook for three seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder and is intrigued to see what the two, who were reunited in the offseason, can do with Houston.

“They’re going to do wonderful things together,” Brooks predicts.

Raptors beat Pistons behind Pascal Siakam’s third quarter rally

In Toronto, Pascal Siakam scored 30 points, including 19 in the third quarter, and Fred VanVleet had 13 points and 11 assists as the Toronto Raptors beat the Detroit Pistons 125-113 on Wednesday night for their fourth victory in five games to start the season.

Siakam made eight of 12 shots in the third, including three of four from 3-point range, as the defending NBA champions outscored Detroit 37-27 to take a 101-85 lead into the fourth.

Kyle Lowry scored 20 points, Serge Ibaka and Norman Powell each had 19 and OG Anonuby added 13 for the Raptors. Toronto shot 59% from the field (51 for 86), its best mark of the season. Siakam finished 13 of 21, Ibaka went 9 for 15 and Powell was 7 for 10.

Andre Drummond had 21 points and 22 rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost three of four. Derrick Rose added 16 points and 10 assists.

Langston Galloway scored 17 points and Markieff Morris had 16 as Detroit coach Dwane Casey finished on the losing end of a Pistons-Raptors game for the first time in three seasons.

Casey coached Toronto to four wins over Detroit during the 2017-18 season but was fired after the Raptors lost in the second round of the playoffs.

After being chosen NBA Coach of the Year for his 59-win regular season with Toronto, Casey ended up being hired by the Pistons. Detroit won all three meetings with the Raptors last season, including a 106-104 victory north of the border last November in Casey’s return to Toronto.

Casey hadn’t been the losing coach in a meeting between the teams since a 102-101 Detroit win in Toronto on Feb. 12, 2017, when Stan Van Gundy coached the visitors.

Siakam scored nine points in the first as the Raptors led 37-28 after one.

Morris scored nine points in the second but Lowry and Powell each had six for the Raptors, who led 64-58 at halftime.

Siakam had seven straight points as Toronto outscored Detroit 15-4 over the first 4:11 of the second half, turning a six-point edge into a commanding 79-62 lead.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors star Stephen Curry fell hard on his left wrist in the third quarter of Golden State’s game against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

The two-time MVP drove to his left defended by Kelly Oubre Jr. and with big man Aron Baynes standing solidly in the paint. Curry leapt with the ball then came down head first landing awkwardly on his hands to brace himself from the court, with Baynes crashing onto Curry’s left wrist.

Curry grimaced in pain grabbing his hand then walked to the locker room with 8:31 left in the third quarter.

Losing Curry, Golden State’s longest-tenured player and oldest at age 31, for an extended period would be a huge blow for a young Warriors team.

Golden State is struggling to start the season with Kevin Durant’s departure to Brooklyn and Klay Thompson out for perhaps the entire season recovering from July 2 surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee.

Source: Manila Bulletin