Gordon scores 41, lifts Magic over Nets
On a team that’s at its best when consistently moving the ball, there are times Aaron Gordon seems to be working counter to his Orlando teammates.
However, Gordon’s habit of taking quick shots and playing isolation basketball came up big for the host Magic during their 125-121 comeback win over Brooklyn on Tuesday night. The Mitty alum scored a careerhigh 41 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 36 seconds remaining.
“I just shot confidently. It was a quick shot,” said Gordon, who also finished with a game-high 14 rebounds. “It felt good coming off my hands.”
Gordon was 5-for-5 from three-point range and 14-for-18 from the field in 37 minutes.
There were times when Gordon’s penchant for rushing shots worked against the Magic as they fell behind by 12 points in the third quarter. Gordon remained aggressive, and after the game, he defended his actions.
“I definitely shot the ball well,” he said. “Regardless of the statistics, regardless of the numbers that I shot, I’m going to continue to shoot my shot. I feel that I’m open and that I’m in rhythm, whatever happens after that, it’s out of my control.”
Cavaliers 119, Bulls 112: LeBron James scored 34 points in a rare start at point guard and host Cleveland perked up to win after a sluggish first half. James added 13 assists, including a no-look, behind-the-back dish to Jae Crowder for a three-pointer during Cleveland’s 15-3 spurt in the third quarter. Ex-Warriors guard Justin Holliday scored 25 points for Chicago.
Trail McCollum Blazers scored 103, 23 Pelicanspoints and 93: PortlandCJ extended its NBA-record winning streak in home openers to 17. DeMarcus Cousins had 39 points and 13 rebounds for New Orleans. The Pelicans’ Anthony Davis left the game in the first quarter after appearing to knock knees with the Blazers’ Damian Lillard..
Celtics 110, Knicks 89: Cal alum Jaylen Brown scored 23 points on his 21st birthday, Jayson Tatum added 22, and Kyrie Irving had 20 and seven assists as host Boston kept New York winless through three games.
Clippers 102, Jazz 84: Blake Griffin scored 22 points, Patrick Beverley added 19, and host Los Angeles remained unbeaten three games into the season. DeAndre Jordan had 18 rebounds.
Pacers 130, Timberwolves 107: Victor Oladipo scored 28 points and Cory Joseph added 21 for visiting Indiana, which shot 67 percent from the floor. Darren Collison had 16 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points for Minnesota, which played without forward Jimmy Butler (upper respiratory infection).
Briefly:Josh JacksonThe NBA $35,000 fined for Phoenix “making rookiea menacing gesture” and “directing inappropriate language at a fan” in Los Angeles on Saturday. Video appeared to show Jackson forming his fingers as a pretend gun and pointing it at the fan, but Jackson disputed that characterization . ... Utah swingman Joe Ingles was fined $15,000 for hitting Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams in the groin Saturday . ... The Lakers exercised their contract options on forwards Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr. for the 2018-19 season . ... Denver forward Juancho Hernangomez will be out for an undetermined time because of mononucleosis.