NBA: Jordan Clarkson scores 41, but Jazz fall to Steph Curry, Warriors

Stephen Curry scored 36 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 14.5 seconds remaining, as the Golden State Warriors upended the Western Conference-leading Utah Jazz 119-116 on Monday in San Francisco.

The Warriors (36-33) won not long after their spot in the postseason play-in tournament was secured.

Jordan Poole added 20 points and Kent Bazemore had 19 for the Warriors, who pushed their lead to as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter before the Jazz rallied late. 

Curry has scored at least 30 points in 37 games this season, reaching that benchmark in 20 of his past 22 contests.

Jordan Clarkson had 41 points for the Jazz, including 24 in the fourth quarter. Bojan Bogdanovic added 27 as Utah (50-19) saw its five-game winning streak come to an end.

Utah pushed ahead on two occasions late, including a 116-114 advantage with 1:11 remaining on a Clarkson step-back 3-pointer. However, Clarkson missed all three of his shots the rest of the way, including a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 4.9 seconds remaining.

Utah was without leading scorer Donovan Mitchell (ankle) for the 13th consecutive game and without fellow starting guard Mike Conley (hamstring) for the eighth contest in a row. 

The Jazz lost for just the second time over those eight games.

One season after the Warriors finished with the worst record in the NBA, they will play at least one game after the current regular-season ends. Their play-in spot was clinched after the New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Memphis Grizzlies earlier Monday.

Andrew Wiggins scored 14 points for the Warriors, while Draymond Green added 12 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Kevon Looney added 13 rebounds for Golden State.

Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Jazz, who still have a 1 1/2-game lead on the second-place Phoenix Suns. Utah, which hasn't won a Western Conference regular-season title since 1997-98, has three regular-season games remaining.

Poole hit a shot from just beyond half court at the third-quarter buzzer that gave the Warriors a 89-75 lead. The hosts appeared ready to finish off the victory from there, but Utah stayed in it by outscoring the Warriors 41-30 in the final quarter.

-reuters-

NBA: Jazz agree to $52-million deal with Jordan Clarkson, report says

The Utah Jazz stayed busy during the truncated NBA offseason, reportedly agreeing to contracts with shooting guard Jordan Clarkson and forward-center Derrick Favors on Friday.

The team struck a four-year, $52 million deal with Clarkson, according to ESPN. Multiple outlets posted news of Favors, who previously played nine seasons in Utah, returning on a three-year, $30 million contract. Favors' contract reportedly will include a player option in the final season.

Clarkson, 28, averaged double-figure points in each of his six NBA seasons and has been a steady scorer, mostly used off the bench throughout his career. He was acquired by Utah, his third NBA home, in a trade last December with the Cleveland Cavaliers that shipped out guard Dante Exem.

Clarkson averaged 15.6 points per game on 46.2 percent shooting in 42 games after the Jazz acquired him, and he contributed 16.7 points per game in Utah's seven-game playoff defeat to the Denver Nuggets in the postseason -- despite Clarkson scoring a combined 50 points in a pair of early wins in the series.

For his career, Clarkson has averaged 14.8 points per game in 453 games (140 starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cavaliers and Jazz. He was originally a second-round pick by the Washington Wizards in 2014, though he spent just one day with the organization before being dealt to L.A.

Favors, 29, spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he averaged nine points per game along with a team-best 9.8 rebounds in 51 games (49 starts).

The 6-foot-9 Favors has averaged 11.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per game in his 10 NBA seasons. Originally picked by the then-New Jersey Nets with the third overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Favors was dealt to Utah during his rookie year.

Though he has never been an All-Star, Favors became a mainstay in his first Jazz stint, averaging more than 16 points in back-to-back seasons in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. A career 53 percent shooter, he sank a career-best 61.7 percent of his field-goal attempts last season with the Pelicans.

-Field Level Media/Reuters-

Lakers outlast Mavs in overtime, 107-101

Julius Randle recorded 23 points and 15 rebounds and Jordan Clarkson scored five of his 19 points in overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers stretched their season-best winning streak to four games with a 107-101 road victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

Kyle Kuzma scored 18 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tallied 17 for the Lakers. Kuzma also collected 10 rebounds as Los Angeles held a 59-39 edge on the boards.

Dennis Smith Jr. scored 17 of his 23 points in the first half for Dallas. Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews added 17 points apiece and Dwight Powell scored 13 on 6-of-7 shooting for the Mavericks, who had a modest two-game winning streak snapped.


Clarkson drained a 3-pointer for the first points of overtime. He later added a jumper to make it 104-99 with two minutes left, and Dallas managed only two free throws the rest of the way.

Los Angeles used a strong fourth-quarter push to force overtime. The Lakers posted a 7-0 run to hold a 92-87 edge with 1:25 remaining in regulation as Caldwell-Pope began the spurt with a go-ahead 3-pointer and Clarkson and Randle added baskets to make it 92-87.

Consecutive baskets by Barnes and Smith pushed Dallas within 94-93 with 14 seconds left. After Caldwell-Pope split two free throws, Barnes' hoop knotted the score at 95 with 5.9 seconds remaining, and Los Angeles' Lonzo Ball missed a jumper just prior to the buzzer.

Lakers forward Brandon Ingram exited in the second quarter due to a sprained left ankle.

Dallas began a 10-0 run in the final minute of the third quarter and took an 80-70 lead on Dirk Nowitzki's 3-pointer with 9:32 to play. The Lakers answered with a 15-3 burst and took the lead on a Kuzma shot with 4:40 remaining before a free throw by Randle made it 85-83 with 3:59 to play.

Randle scored 10 first-quarter points as the Lakers jumped out to a 31-20 lead.

Los Angeles led by six with just over five minutes left in the second quarter before the Mavericks erupted with 15 straight points. Smith scored seven points during the surge and Ferrell capped it with a 3-pointer to give Dallas a 52-43 lead with 2:13 to play.

The Mavericks took a 52-46 lead into the break.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Lakers shoot down Rockets to launch new era

LOS ANGELES -- The new-look Los Angeles Lakers, with Kobe Bryant retired and coach Luke Walton at the helm, opened their NBA season with a 120-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. D'Angelo Russell scored 20 points and Julius Randle added 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Lakers, who overcame James Harden's 34 points and career-high 17 assists for Houston -- who lost in former Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni's first game in charge of the Rockets.

"It feels good," said Walton, a former Laker who cut his coaching teeth as an assistant to Steve Kerr at Golden State.

"It feels really good. The guys really fought tonight. A big part of what we're trying to do here is develop this identity, this culture ... learning how to win games is a skill at this level. We did some things that could have cost us the win at the end of the game tonight, so obviously we can learn from that -- and that fact that we still got that win feels really good."

Walton admitted to "nerves and excitement" before the contest, but was buoyed by the presence of his father, former NBA star Bill Walton.

"The Walton force will be strong tonight," said the 36-year-old coach, who has been tasked with turning around a Lakers team that plunged to a 21-61 record in 2014-15, only to follow up with a franchise worst 17-65 campaign last season.



Two free throws from Clarkson lifted the Lakers to a 108-104 lead with 6:41 to play. But Harden converted a pair of foul shots with 3:53 left to knot the score at 110.

Two Russell free throws boosted the Lakers to a 113-112 lead with 2:47 remaining and the hosts wouldn't trail from there.

The Rockets, who led by as many as 10 points, grabbed a 71-63 edge at the half. They connected on 64.4 percent of their shots compared to 53.2 percent for the Lakers before the break.

"I was real proud of the way they accepted the challenge in the second half," Walton said of his young team, "real proud that they stuck with it."

While the Lakers are in rebuilding mode -- embarking on their first season since 1995 without superstar Bryant -- there was plenty of glamour at Staples Center, where Hollywood stars Jack Nicholson and Denzel Washington were among the crowd, as was NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

"We're just going to go out there and fight every night and play the right way," Randle said of the Lakers' expectations. "That's all we can promise -- to get better every day and play the right way."

Revamped Heat down Magic

The Miami Heat, forging ahead after the free agent departure of Dwayne Wade, opened the season with a 108-96 victory over the Magic in Orlando.

The Heat made up for what they lack in star power with energy, a well-balanced attack and determined defense.

Hassan Whiteside scored 18 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked four shots.

"We need Hassan to be great, and he was when we needed him," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He really anchored us defensively and ignited everyone out there."

Six Heat players scored in double figures and six players notched at least six rebounds.

"It's just game one, so it's early, but you're starting to see the foundation we want to build," Spoelstra said. "Guys really have to buy into the concept for this to work. You enjoy when it's being played the correct way out there."

The Oklahoma City Thunder, also adjusting to the departure of a star after Kevin Durant signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors, leaned on Russell Westbrook in a 103-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Big nights, mixed results

In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan poured in 40 points to lead the Raptors to a 109-91 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

DeRozan connected on 17 of 27 shots from the field and six of six free throws in what coach Dwane Casey called "one of the most efficient" performances he'd seen from his star.

A monster 50-point game from New Orleans' Anthony Davis couldn't save the New Orleans Pelicans, however, as they fell 107-102 to the Denver Nuggets.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lakers build on Warriors win, beat Magic

D'Angelo Russell scored 27 points and Jordan Clarkson added 24 points, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-98 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night at Staples Center.

Julius Randle collected 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers (14-51), who won a second consecutive game for only the third time this season. Tuesday's win comes on the heels of a rout Sunday of the Golden State Warriors.

The Magic (27-36), who were coming off a 119-113 loss to the Warriors on Monday night, were led by Victor Oladipo's 26 points. Evan Fournier chipped 23 points for Orlando, which lost its third straight.

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant sat out with a sore right shoulder. It marked the fourth time in the past six games Bryant was out of the lineup and the 14th game he missed this season.

A strained right groin kept Magic center Nikola Vucevic out of for the second game in a row.

Los Angeles turned a seven-point lead entering the fourth quarter into a double-digit advantage and dictated for much of the period. Orlando closed within 97-86 with 5:13 remaining in the contest on a jumper by Oladipo but got no closer until the final moments.

The Magic led 51-45 at halftime before the Lakers took control in the third quarter. Los Angeles grabbed a 79-69 lead after a 3-pointer by Marcelo Huertas with 3:20 left, but the Magic cut the deficit to four on two free throws by C.J. Watson with 2:12 remaining.

However, Los Angeles pushed the margin to 84-77 heading into the fourth quarter. Los Angeles outscored Orlando, 39-26, in the third, which tied the highest output in a quarter this season for the Lakers.

The Lakers shot 49.4 percent overall to 48.7 percent for the Magic. Los Angeles made nine of 26 (34.6 percent) from 3-point range, while Orlando made five of 18 (27.8 percent).

Los Angeles had a 56-44 edge on points in the paint and also had a 19-8 advantage in second-chance points. The Lakers outrebounded the Magic, 45-35.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Highlights of Lakers' win over Golden State

The Los Angeles Lakers registered one of the biggest regular season upsets in NBA history on Sunday when they stunned the league-leading Golden State Warriors, 112-95, at the Staples Center.

Jordan Clarkson led the way for the Lakers with 25 points, while rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell added 21 points and five assists. Julius Randle had a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds, while Kobe Bryant scored 12 points in his final game against the Warriors.

Marcelo Huertas came off the bench to give the Lakers a huge boost, tallying 10 points and nine assists in the shocking victory.

Golden State entered the game with a 55-5 record and on track to better the 72-10 mark set by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls, but suffered a rare setback against a Lakers team that entered the game with a 12-51 slate.

    Season lows of four three-point field goals on 13.3 percent from three-point range for the Warriors (4-of-30 3FG)

— GSWStats (@gswstats) March 6, 2016
 
The Warriors, however, did not play up to their usual standards. Reigning MVP Stephen Curry had 18 points but shot only 6-of-20 from the field, while Klay Thompson had 15 points on 7-of-20 shooting. The "Splash Brothers" made only one of their combined 18 attempts from beyond the arc.

The Warriors fall for the sixth time this season. Despite the loss, their 55-6 record is the best mark through 61 games in NBA history

— GSWStats (@gswstats) March 6, 2016

The loss dropped Golden State to 55-6, which is still the best record through 61 games in NBA history.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Warriors thump Lakers in Bryant's last trip to Oakland

Kobe Bryant scored eight points in what is expected to be his final NBA game in Oakland but it was not enough to prevent the Golden State Warriors from beating the Los Angeles Lakers 116-98 for their 37th consecutive home win on Thursday.

Point guard Stephen Curry bombed in 24 of his game-high 26 points on three-pointers, helping the Warriors (37-3) record a seventh straight home victory over the hapless Lakers (9-32).

The Oakland fans treated Bryant like one of their own, however, rather than the one that got away in the 1996 draft, during a lengthy pre-game introduction.

The Warriors selected North Carolina State center Todd Fuller 11th overall 20 years ago, two spots before Charlotte took Bryant and dealt him to the Lakers.

He responded with a poor shooting night, though, going just 4-for-15, but he did find time for six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot in 27 minutes.

Bryant's eight points were far less than the 27.1 average he accumulated in his first 32 visits to the San Francisco Bay Area.

He managed only two points in the third quarter while the Warriors were extending a three-point halftime advantage to 86-72 going into the fourth.

Curry had a hoop and two assists in a 13-2, quarter-closing run as the Warriors won for the third time this season in games that immediately followed a loss.

Golden State fell 112-110 at Denver on Wednesday.

Curry finished 9-for-18 from the field overall and 8-for-16 on three-pointers. Reserves Shaun Livingston (17) and Leandro Barbosa (15) combined for 32 points for the Warriors, who improved to 19-0 at home this season.

Power forward Draymond Green, who was rested for Wednesday's loss, had team highs in rebounds (nine), assists (five) and steals (three) to go with seven points.

Golden State made half its shots in the game and 13 of its 33 three-point attempts. Los Angeles shot 44.4 percent from the floor, 4-for-24 from outside the arc.


Point guard Jordan Clarkson had 22 points and backcourt mate Lou Williams added 21 for the Lakers, who were coming off a home win over New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

The Lakers also got 14 points apiece off the bench from point guard D'Angelo Russell and power forward Julius Randle.

Bryant was much more effective on the defensive end than on offense, limiting Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson to 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting. (Editing by John O'Brien)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Clarkson stumbles against Warriors

Watch how Steph Curry shook off Los Angeles' Jordan Clarkson with a sneaky move while bringing the ball down to the Golden State's court.

At first look, it seemed that Clarkson fell prey to one of Curry's ankle breakers. But it turned out that Curry faked a move to the left and forced Clarkson to move to that direction.


While chasing the ball, the Filipino-American guard tripped on Draymond Green's hind leg, nearly sending Clarkson crashing to the floor.

The Warriors steamrolled the Lakers, 111-77, and set a new record for the longest unbeaten start to an NBA season with 16-0.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Kobe stakes Lakers to victory over misfiring Pistons

Forward Kobe Bryant compiled 17 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game losing skid with a 97-85 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on Sunday.

Guard Jordan Clarkson also had 17 points for Los Angeles (2-8) as Bryant made just 6-of-19 shots from the floor but was effective in involving his team mates.

Guard Nick Young came off the bench to score 13 points for the Lakers, whose only other victory was over the Brooklyn Nets. Center Roy Hibbert chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.


 Despite suffering a woeful start to the new season, the Lakers defeated the Pistons for the seventh consecutive time and the 10th time in the past 11 meetings.

Reserve guard Spencer Dinwiddie scored 17 points for the Pistons (5-5). Center Andre Drummond extended his streak of double-doubles to 10 in a row with 17 points and 17 rebounds, but he and the Pistons saw their losing streak reach four games.

Los Angeles was clinging to a 78-74 lead after a dunk by Drummond on an alley-oop pass from Reggie Jackson with 7:28 remaining but the Lakers scored seven consecutive points, starting with a three-pointer by Bryant with 3:44 left.

That sealed the outcome as Detroit got no closer than eight the rest of the way.

The Lakers led by as many as 11 in the first half before taking a 48-44 lead at the break. They held the Pistons to 39.6 percent shooting while making 43.2 percent of their shots.

The Lakers also had the edge in free throws, making 12-of-18 (66.7 percent) attempts to only two of three for the Pistons.

The teams entered the final period tied at 66-66.

Overall, Los Angeles converted 41.3 percent of its shots compared to only 36.5 percent for Detroit. Both teams struggled from behind the three-point stripe. The Lakers made just six of 19 (31.6 percent) to 25.9 percent (seven of 27) for the Pistons.

The Lakers prevailed despite committing 16 turnovers to 12 for the Pistons. (Editing by John O'Brien)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Clarkson scores 30 against Nuggets, but Lakers lose

Jordan Clarkson matched his career high with 30 points when the LA Lakers battled Denver Nuggets at the Staples Center.

This, however, was not enough to lift Los Angeles as the Lakers lost 120-109 to the Nuggets, according to LA Times.

It was the lack of defense that kept on bugging the Lakers, who has yet to win a game in four starts, all at home.

"Basically, they averaged 30 points each quarter," Lakers coach Byron Scott said. "We're just not reacting like we need to. We've just got to continue to harp on it."



Kobe Bryant struggled from the field, connecting only four out of his 11 attempts to finish with 11 points. He also missed four of five from beyond the arc.

Scott believes the 37-year-old Bryant will be able to get his old game back as the season goes on.

"It's just a matter of time," Scott said.

The last time Clarkson churned out 30 points was when the Lakers lost to Oklahoma City Thunder, 127-117, last March.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Clarkson in high spirits ahead of 2nd year with Lakers

LOS ANGELES – A year ago, Jordan Clarkson was shy rookie, but this year, he drew a lot of attention when he hit the court for the Los Angeles Lakers' media day ahead of the 2015-2016 NBA season.

It has been a busy summer for Clarkson after he was named a part of the NBA All-Rookie team, becoming one of Los Angeles' newest sports stars, dominating the NBA Summer League, and even dating a super model.

"I love my life," Clarkson said. "That's all I can say. It's great."

Nothing was more fulfilling for the 24-year-old Clarkson than a pair of trips to the Philippines, including training with the Philippine national basketball team whom he hopes to join in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

"It was good. I had a fun time over there. I got to see my culture, and where my mom was from, and definitely it was a good thing to see," said Clarkson.

Clarkson was unable to join Gilas Pilipinas for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, but he is keeping a close watch on his teammates and offered a few words of support ahead of their game against India on Tuesday afternoon.

"Just continue to put it all on the line," he said. "Continue to play, and good things are going to happen and continue to win."

"That's all anybody asks for, but most importantly, keep representing the flag," he stressed.

One reason Clarkson was unable to join Gilas in the FIBA Asia Championship was because it coincides with the Lakers' training camp, which begins on Tuesday in Hawaii.

With the addition of second overall pick D'Angelo Russell and the return of Kobe Bryant, Clarkson is excited to help bring the Lakers back to contention.

"It's definitely a versatile backcourt," he said. "We could throw a lot of looks at people. It's definitely going to be exciting to see. We can get up and down, and it's going to be fun to watch."

The Lakers begin their preseason next week with a pair of exhibition games against the Utah Jazz in Hawaii.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Jordan Clarkson throws first pitch at Dodgers game

The Los Angeles Lakers' Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson took to a different playing field as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the Los Angeles Dodgers' Lakers night.

Clarkson, a member of the 2014-2015 All-Rookie First Team, met with some of the Dodgers players, and on Instagram, expressed his gratitude to the organization.


"Had a great experience throwing the first pitch," he said. "Thanks for having me. Time to enjoy this game!"

 Report by Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN News North America

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Wiggins is Rookie of the Year; Clarkson makes All-Rookie team

Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been selected the NBA Rookie of the Year, the league announced on Monday.

Wiggins, the first Canadian player to win the honor, was the only unanimous choice in voting for the NBA rookie team by 130 American and Canadian sports writers and broadcasters.

The first overall draft pick in 2014, he played in all 82 games for the Timberwolves, averaging a rookie-high 16.9 points.

Joining Wiggins on the first team were Nikola Mirotic (Chicago Bulls), Nerlens Noel (Philadelphia 76ers), Elfrid Payton (Orlando Magic) and Jordan Clarkson (Los Angeles Lakers).

Montenegro-born power forward Mirotic, who plays internationally for Spain, averaged 10.2 points for the Bulls.

American Noel had a stellar season with a poor team, pulling down 8.1 rebounds per game. He also ranked 10th in the NBA in steals and seventh in blocks, the only player in the league to rank in the top 10 in both categories.

Point guard Payton was the rookie leader in assists, while guard Clarkson averaged 16.7 points in 28 games after the All-Star break.

(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North , editing by Gene Cherry)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lakers sign Fil-Am rookie Clarkson

MANILA, Philippines – The Los Angeles Lakers have officially signed Filipino-American rookie guard Jordan Clarkson, the 46th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, general manager Mitch Kupchak announced on Tuesday (Manila time).

Clarkson's rights were acquired by the Lakers from the Washington Wizards on draft night.

The details of the deal were not disclosed, but the Los Angeles Times reported that he will earn the rookie minimum of $507,336 this season.

The 6-5 guard out of Missouri led the Lakers in scoring during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas with 15.8 points per game and in rebounding as well with 5.0 boards per game.

Clarkson welcomed the announcement on Twitter, saying: "Blessed to officially be a part of this organization."



He also announced that he will be wearing jersey No. 6 for the Lakers.

Clarkson's mother was born in Angeles City, Pampanga, though he was born in the United States and grew up in Texas

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lakers select Fil-Am point guard in NBA draft

MANILA, Philippines – The Los Angeles Lakers selected a Filipino-American in the 2014 NBA Draft on Friday.

Using the 46th pick they acquired from the Washington Wizards, the Lakers selected Missouri’s 6’5” Jordan Clarkson, who has a Filipino mother.

According to NBA.com, Clarkson was named Second Team All-SEC by the coaches in his lone season with the Missouri Tigers.

Clarkson, who spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Tulsa, ranked among NCAA leaders in both free throws made (72nd) and percentage (101st), as well as field goals (51st) in 2013-14.

NBA.com Philippines’ Bernard Pagusara described the 22-year-old as “a valuable asset on the running game” as he averaged 18.4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists while shooting 46 percent from the floor. 

“He is not only a talented individual, he is also highly ranked. As of this time, Clarkson is 10th among shooting guards projected for the NBA draft,” Pagusara said in his report.

He also cited that Clarkson averaged 20 points in a five-game stretch from late November to early December 2013.

Just recently, the Lakers also invited former National University (NU) standout Ray Parks Jr., son of legendary PBA import Bobby Parks, to join their workout at the Toyota Sports Center.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com