MINNEAPOLIS – Trae Young had 29 points and added 11 assists, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 121-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.
It was a three-point shooting feast for the Hawks, who set a franchise record with their 25 successful long-distance shots.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot stood out with seven such shots, a career-high, while Atlanta made 49 attempts in total. Young added four in the win, as did Danillo Gallinari.
In the loss, Karl-Anthony Towns amassed 31 points and 16 rebounds, returning from an absence due to a tailbone injury. Anthony Edwards provided 20 points for Minnesota, who had to make do without D’Angelo Russell and Patrick Beverly.
The Hawks, who started Monday with the NBA’s second three-point efficiency at 37.8 percent, had eight of their first 12 wide throws.
DeRozan in protocol, but Chicago wins
Chicago Bulls leading scorer DeMar DeRozan has entered NBA health and safety protocols.
That didn’t stop the Bulls from winning convincingly, 109-87 over the Denver Nuggets.
DeRozan had participated in the morning warm-up before the duel against the Nuggets. Head coach Billy Donovan could not confirm that the all-star has tested positive for COVID-19.
“I can’t really confirm or deny that this is a positive or a false positive test,” Donovan said. I don’t know at the moment. Obviously our medical staff are working with the league to come up with guidelines to follow. Hope we can hear from you soon. “
Acquired from the San Antonio Spurs in the offseason, DeRozan was instrumental in moving the Bulls up to second in the Eastern Conference.
DeRozan sits fourth in the NBA averaging 26.4 points per game and leads the league in fourth quarter points (178).
The Bulls are 17-8 and reclaimed the top of the Eastern standings from the Brooklyn Nets. The Chicago team are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016-2017.
Donovan has indicated he’s not sure DeRozan will travel with the team to Cleveland for their game on Wednesday. NBA protocols require a player to be on the sidelines for a period of at least 10 days or to present two negative tests within a 24 hour interval before resuming activities.
DeRozan joins teammates Coby White and Javonte Green in NBA health and safety protocols.
Backup point guard Alex Caruso will miss a week of play with a strained right hamstring, according to Donovan. He left Saturday’s clash against the Nets.
Elsewhere in the NBA
Thunder 114 – Pistons 103
OKC: Shea Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points, 13 assists and 2 blocks
DET: Cade Cunningham had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists
Wizards 110 – Pacers 116
WAS: Bradley Beal provided 34 points and 4 assists
IND: Domantas Sabonis had 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists
76ers 127 – Hornets 124 (prol.)
WAS: Joel Embiid totaled 43 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists
CHA: Kelly Oubre got 35 points, 4 interceptions and 3 assists
Grizzlies 105 – Heat 90
MEM: Steven Adams had 17 points, 16 rebounds and 2 assists
MIA: Kyle Lowry ended his night with 17 points and 8 assists
Cavaliers 104 – Bucks 112
CLE: Jarrett Allen scored 25 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks
MIL: Giannis Antetokounmpo provided 27 points and 12 rebounds after 2 games of absence
Spurs c. Suns
SAS:
PHO :
Magic c. Warriors
ENT:
GSW :
Clippers c. Trail Blazers
LAC :
BY :
