Ravens Earn MNF Win to Stay Alive in AFC
Despite the injury concerns involving quarterback Joe Flacco, the Baltimore Ravens are still alive in the AFC playoff picture. After a first-quarter touchdown for the Houston Texans, the Ravens' defense did not allow them in the end zone the rest of the way in a 23-16 win at home. Javorious Allen and Alex Collins each found the end zone on the ground, while Justin Tucker had three field goals in Baltimore's sixth win of the year. They now sit right behind the Buffalo Bills for the final AFC Wild Card spot, as the two teams currently have identical records.. Per usual, the Ravens' leaned on their defense, which forced three turnovers, including two in the final five minutes of the win. Terrell Suggs led that attack with two sacks, while Anthony Levine intercepted Tom Savage late to seal the home victory. That was Baltimore's NFL-leading 18th interception of the year. The win puts the Ravens over .500 for the first time since October 8th,, as they won consecutive games for the first time since starting the season 2-0. The Texans dropped to 4-7 on the year with Savage replacing injured starter Deshaun Watson, and the backup throwing for 252 yards and two interceptions. The Ravens will be at home next week to host the Detroit Lions, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC, while the Texans move on to Tennessee to battle the first-place Titans.
Drummond, Pistons Top Celtics in Boston
The Detroit Pistons earned the statement win of their young season, as they remain the No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference. They proved that they can compete with the top teams in the East on Monday, led by Andre Drummond's season-high 26 points and 22 rebounds in a 118-108 win over the Boston Celtics. Tobias Harris led the Pistons' scoring with 31 points in a back and forth affair that saw both teams shoot 51 percent from the floor. Drummond continued his recent success against the Celtics in Boston, as he has averaged 16.2 rebounds in 10 games at the TD Garden, including three games with at least 22 rebounds. Reggie Jackson added 20 points and seven assists to help the Pistons lead by as many as 11 in the first half of their third win in four games. Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 23 points in the loss, including shooting 6-of-9 from three-point range, while Kyrie Irving chipped in 18 points and nine assists. The Celtics have now dropped two of four since their 16-game win streak came to an end, with this loss being the worst of their four defeats on the year. Monday was also Avery Bradley's first game against Boston since being traded after playing seven years there. He had 13 points and five assists against his old team. The Pistons will return home on Wednesday to host the Phoenix Suns, while the Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
LeBron, Cavs Take Care of Embiid, Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers' motto of "trust the process" has worked so far this season, but the Cleveland Cavaliers wanted nothing to do with that on Monday night. LeBron James had 30 points. 13 rebounds, and six assists to help the Cavs cruise past the Sixers for a 113-91 win in Philly. Joel Embiid countered with 30 points of his own, but that was not enough against the Cavs, who shot 48 percent from the floor, including 40 percent from three-point range. The Sixers struggled from downtown and finished at just 10 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Dwayne Wade finished the night with 15 points, while Jeff Green had 14 points and 10 rebounds in what was the Cavs' eighth straight win. James once again led the defending Eastern Conference champs by scoring the first nine points of the game, and finished with 22 in the first half, capped off by a halftime buzzer beater. The loss for the Sixers snapped their mild three-game win streak, as they had won five of their past six. Ben Simmons, who led all rookies in points, rebounds, and assists per game coming in, was held to just 10 points before leaving in the fourth quarter with a right ankle sprain. Philadelphia is still 11-8 on the season and will host the Washington Wizards tomorrow night. The Cavs will play host to the Miami Heat tonight.
Despite the injury concerns involving quarterback Joe Flacco, the Baltimore Ravens are still alive in the AFC playoff picture. After a first-quarter touchdown for the Houston Texans, the Ravens' defense did not allow them in the end zone the rest of the way in a 23-16 win at home. Javorious Allen and Alex Collins each found the end zone on the ground, while Justin Tucker had three field goals in Baltimore's sixth win of the year. They now sit right behind the Buffalo Bills for the final AFC Wild Card spot, as the two teams currently have identical records.. Per usual, the Ravens' leaned on their defense, which forced three turnovers, including two in the final five minutes of the win. Terrell Suggs led that attack with two sacks, while Anthony Levine intercepted Tom Savage late to seal the home victory. That was Baltimore's NFL-leading 18th interception of the year. The win puts the Ravens over .500 for the first time since October 8th,, as they won consecutive games for the first time since starting the season 2-0. The Texans dropped to 4-7 on the year with Savage replacing injured starter Deshaun Watson, and the backup throwing for 252 yards and two interceptions. The Ravens will be at home next week to host the Detroit Lions, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC, while the Texans move on to Tennessee to battle the first-place Titans.
Drummond, Pistons Top Celtics in Boston
The Detroit Pistons earned the statement win of their young season, as they remain the No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference. They proved that they can compete with the top teams in the East on Monday, led by Andre Drummond's season-high 26 points and 22 rebounds in a 118-108 win over the Boston Celtics. Tobias Harris led the Pistons' scoring with 31 points in a back and forth affair that saw both teams shoot 51 percent from the floor. Drummond continued his recent success against the Celtics in Boston, as he has averaged 16.2 rebounds in 10 games at the TD Garden, including three games with at least 22 rebounds. Reggie Jackson added 20 points and seven assists to help the Pistons lead by as many as 11 in the first half of their third win in four games. Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 23 points in the loss, including shooting 6-of-9 from three-point range, while Kyrie Irving chipped in 18 points and nine assists. The Celtics have now dropped two of four since their 16-game win streak came to an end, with this loss being the worst of their four defeats on the year. Monday was also Avery Bradley's first game against Boston since being traded after playing seven years there. He had 13 points and five assists against his old team. The Pistons will return home on Wednesday to host the Phoenix Suns, while the Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
LeBron, Cavs Take Care of Embiid, Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers' motto of "trust the process" has worked so far this season, but the Cleveland Cavaliers wanted nothing to do with that on Monday night. LeBron James had 30 points. 13 rebounds, and six assists to help the Cavs cruise past the Sixers for a 113-91 win in Philly. Joel Embiid countered with 30 points of his own, but that was not enough against the Cavs, who shot 48 percent from the floor, including 40 percent from three-point range. The Sixers struggled from downtown and finished at just 10 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Dwayne Wade finished the night with 15 points, while Jeff Green had 14 points and 10 rebounds in what was the Cavs' eighth straight win. James once again led the defending Eastern Conference champs by scoring the first nine points of the game, and finished with 22 in the first half, capped off by a halftime buzzer beater. The loss for the Sixers snapped their mild three-game win streak, as they had won five of their past six. Ben Simmons, who led all rookies in points, rebounds, and assists per game coming in, was held to just 10 points before leaving in the fourth quarter with a right ankle sprain. Philadelphia is still 11-8 on the season and will host the Washington Wizards tomorrow night. The Cavs will play host to the Miami Heat tonight.
