Villanova Stunned by Providence
The Villanova Wildcats are many's favorites to go far in the NCAA Tournament, despite all of the upsets that have taken place this season. Unfortunately for the third-ranked team in the country, they were added to that list on Wednesday night when Providence took care of business at home in a shocking 76-71 win. Kyron Cartwright had 17 points to lead the Friars, who had five players finish in double figures. The Wildcats were playing from behind just about the entire night, as multiple late surges were not enough in their third loss of the season and in conference play. The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Friars against Nova, a streak that dates back to January of 2016. Rodney Bullock and Alpha Diallo had 14 points apiece for Providence, who overcame a tough 80-63 loss to DePaul. Mikal Bridges' 19 points led the Wildcats, but the star fouled out with 1:12 to play in the game. The Wildcats finished just 3-of-20 from beyond the arc and turned the ball over 19 times on the night. They will look to bounce back on Saturday in a top-four showdown with Xavier. The Friars move on to visit the Butler Bulldogs that same day.
Durant's 50 Points Not Enough as Warriors Fall to Blazers
It seems as if every time Kevin Durant goes off, which is often, the Golden State Warriors cruise even more than they usually do. Durant had another big game on Wednesday night, as he put up 50 points, but the Warriors fell to the Portland Trail Blazers, 123-117. Durant's performance was retaliated by Damian Lillard's 44 points and eight assists, as Portland was able to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Warriors. C.J. McCollum added 29 points, while Lillard became the first player in the NBA this season with at least 39 points in three straight games. That helped the Trail Blazers overcome Durant's fifth career 50-point game and first of this season, as the star added seven rebounds and six assists in the loss. The Blazers led by as many as 20 points on the night, but the Warriors made things interesting in the second half, and even tied the game at one point. The Warriors enter the All-Star break behind the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference, as they will host the Los Angeles Clippers after the break. The Blazers are six games over .500 and will visit the surging Utah Jazz after All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.
Jazz Enter All-Star Break on 11-Game Win Streak
Speaking of those Utah Jazz, they are easily the hottest team in the NBA heading to Los Angeles this weekend. Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points as the Jazz won their 11th straight game, 107-97, over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. Royce O'Neal added a career-high 19 points, as Utah pulled away in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Suns, 35-26, in the final 12 minutes. That late run was lead by Jae Crowder, who scored 12 of his 15 points in that frame. Other contributors included Drerick Favors with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds and Rudy Gobert with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Mitchell and Joe Ingles each added six assists, helping the Jazz send the Suns to their seventh straight loss. Phoenix's drought continues despite Devin Booker returning from a hip injury and scoring 28 points. Josh Jackson finished with 22 points, while Elfrid Payton had a triple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. They will return from the All-Star break to host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz will continue to put their streak to the test at home against the Portland Trail Blazers after the break.
The Villanova Wildcats are many's favorites to go far in the NCAA Tournament, despite all of the upsets that have taken place this season. Unfortunately for the third-ranked team in the country, they were added to that list on Wednesday night when Providence took care of business at home in a shocking 76-71 win. Kyron Cartwright had 17 points to lead the Friars, who had five players finish in double figures. The Wildcats were playing from behind just about the entire night, as multiple late surges were not enough in their third loss of the season and in conference play. The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Friars against Nova, a streak that dates back to January of 2016. Rodney Bullock and Alpha Diallo had 14 points apiece for Providence, who overcame a tough 80-63 loss to DePaul. Mikal Bridges' 19 points led the Wildcats, but the star fouled out with 1:12 to play in the game. The Wildcats finished just 3-of-20 from beyond the arc and turned the ball over 19 times on the night. They will look to bounce back on Saturday in a top-four showdown with Xavier. The Friars move on to visit the Butler Bulldogs that same day.
Durant's 50 Points Not Enough as Warriors Fall to Blazers
It seems as if every time Kevin Durant goes off, which is often, the Golden State Warriors cruise even more than they usually do. Durant had another big game on Wednesday night, as he put up 50 points, but the Warriors fell to the Portland Trail Blazers, 123-117. Durant's performance was retaliated by Damian Lillard's 44 points and eight assists, as Portland was able to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Warriors. C.J. McCollum added 29 points, while Lillard became the first player in the NBA this season with at least 39 points in three straight games. That helped the Trail Blazers overcome Durant's fifth career 50-point game and first of this season, as the star added seven rebounds and six assists in the loss. The Blazers led by as many as 20 points on the night, but the Warriors made things interesting in the second half, and even tied the game at one point. The Warriors enter the All-Star break behind the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference, as they will host the Los Angeles Clippers after the break. The Blazers are six games over .500 and will visit the surging Utah Jazz after All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.
Jazz Enter All-Star Break on 11-Game Win Streak
Speaking of those Utah Jazz, they are easily the hottest team in the NBA heading to Los Angeles this weekend. Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points as the Jazz won their 11th straight game, 107-97, over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. Royce O'Neal added a career-high 19 points, as Utah pulled away in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Suns, 35-26, in the final 12 minutes. That late run was lead by Jae Crowder, who scored 12 of his 15 points in that frame. Other contributors included Drerick Favors with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds and Rudy Gobert with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Mitchell and Joe Ingles each added six assists, helping the Jazz send the Suns to their seventh straight loss. Phoenix's drought continues despite Devin Booker returning from a hip injury and scoring 28 points. Josh Jackson finished with 22 points, while Elfrid Payton had a triple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. They will return from the All-Star break to host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz will continue to put their streak to the test at home against the Portland Trail Blazers after the break.
