NBA on Oct. 30: Revitalized Leonard-led Raptors beat 76ers

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Eight 2018-19 NBA regular season games took place on Tuesday. After resting last game, Toronto small forward Kawhi Leonard came back with 31 points and seven rebounds to lead the Raptors in a win over the 76ers. A season-high 26 points for Rodney Hood helped Cleveland earn its first win in seven games this season without LeBron James.

Leonard, Raptors rout 76ers

Kawhi Leonard (R) of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against a Philadelphia defender at Soctiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas added 23 points off the bench as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 129-112 on Tuesday night.

Kyle Lowry added 20 points and 12 assists for his fifth double-double of the season for Toronto, and Pascal Siakam finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

Serge Ibaka chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds, and Danny Green scored 10 points, putting all five starters in double digits in points.

It was the sixth straight home victory to open the season for the Raptors, a franchise best. They also have defeated the 76ers in 12 consecutive home games.

Joel Embiid scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Philadelphia, and Ben Simmons finished with 11 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds – along with 11 turnovers. Robert Covington added 15 points while JJ Redick (13) and Mike Muscala (12) combined for 25 off the bench.

Celtics survive, earn 2nd straight win over Pistons

Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics disputes a call with a referee during the game against the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, October 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Kyrie Irving capped a 23-7 third-quarter run with 11 consecutive points, including three 3-pointers, propelling host Boston to a big lead, which the Celtics nearly blew before hanging on in a wild one against Detroit.

Irving led all scorers with 31 points, helping the Celtics beat the Pistons for the second time in four days. Blake Griffin (24 points, 15 rebounds) and Andre Drummond (17 points, 12 rebounds) each had double-doubles for the Pistons.

Detroit led 60-58 in the third minute of the third quarter before the Celtics scored 10 straight points to take a lead they never relinquished. The Pistons rallied within 90-89 on a Reggie Bullock free throw with 4:21 remaining, but Irving, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris countered with consecutive hoops to create some breathing room and the Celtics went on to win their third straight.

Trail Blazers thump miserable Rockets in Houston

Damian Lillard (#0) of the Portland Trail Blazers goes to the basket against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, October 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Jusuf Nurkic, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 63 points and visiting Portland dismantled suddenly hapless Houston, handing them their fourth straight loss.

The Trail Blazers, completing a four-game, six-day road trip, overcame a sluggish start and pulled away from the rested Rockets with a 15-3 run in the second quarter. Nurkic and Lillard each had 22 points, and McCollum added 19.

The Rockets, playing a second consecutive game without All-NBA guard James Harden (Grade 1-plus left hamstring strain), offered token resistance in the second half, trailing by as many as 28 points while remaining winless at home.

Chris Paul led Houston with 17 points and nine assists, and Clint Capela had 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Cavs blow out Hawks for first win of season

Tristan Thompson (#13) and Sam Dekker (#15) celebrate with Rodney Hood (#1) of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, October 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

Rodney Hood scored a season-high 26 points and helped Cleveland beat visiting Atlanta to earn its first win in seven games this season.

The win marked the debut of Cleveland coach Larry Drew, who took over following the firing of Tyronn Lue on Sunday.

The Cavaliers also got 20 points from Cedi Osman, who has reached that mark in the past two games.

The Cavaliers were playing without Kevin Love, who missed his third straight game with a sore left foot. Trae Young led Atlanta with 24 points, and Alex Len had 20 points and nine rebounds.

Other games on Tuesday included (Home team in bold):

Oklahoma Thunder 128-110 Los Angeles Clippers

Sacramento Kings 107-99 Orlando Magic

Charlotte Hornets 125-113 Miami Heat

Memphis Grizzlies 107-95 Washington Wizards

Source(s): Reuters