Undefeated Pistons Host Winless Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Michigan to play the Detroit Pistons at Little Ceasar's Arena on Thursday.
The Cavaliers (0-4) look like one of the worst teams in the league, as they simply can't compete without LeBron James. What makes this winless start even more discouraging is the fact that the schedule has been relatively easy, with Cleveland taking losses at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets in their last two games. They were ugly losses too, as they each came by double-digit margins. It's no fault of Kevin Love though, as he's leading this team with 20.7 points and 14.3 rebounds per game. While he looks back to his Minnesota form, it simply won't lead to wins until this team starts playing some defense. In fact, the Cavaliers are allowing 121 points per game, which is obviously one of the worst marks in the NBA.
The Pistons (3-0) have been one of the surprise teams in the league, as they're just one of five teams who remain undefeated. Many skeptics had the perfect 2-0 start attributed to the fact that they played the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets but the most recent win over the Philadelphia 76ers quieted those question marks. Blake Griffin was unstoppable in that overtime victory, as he collected a career-high 50 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. That got Griffin's season averages to 36.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists, as he's playing the best ball of his career right now. While those averages are unlikely to sustain, it shows why Detroit made the move for him at least year's trade deadline. The fact that Reggie Jackson is back to his old form doesn't hurt either, as he's averaging 20 points and 4.3 assists per game. That's all you can ask for, especially considering a 20-20 threat like Andre Drummond hasn't even been mentioned. Those three are the reason why this team will stay competitive, as they simply need to keep these injury-prone guys on the floor if they want to remain a top threat in the east.
Cleveland has won four of their last five games over Detroit.
The Cavaliers (0-4) look like one of the worst teams in the league, as they simply can't compete without LeBron James. What makes this winless start even more discouraging is the fact that the schedule has been relatively easy, with Cleveland taking losses at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets in their last two games. They were ugly losses too, as they each came by double-digit margins. It's no fault of Kevin Love though, as he's leading this team with 20.7 points and 14.3 rebounds per game. While he looks back to his Minnesota form, it simply won't lead to wins until this team starts playing some defense. In fact, the Cavaliers are allowing 121 points per game, which is obviously one of the worst marks in the NBA.
The Pistons (3-0) have been one of the surprise teams in the league, as they're just one of five teams who remain undefeated. Many skeptics had the perfect 2-0 start attributed to the fact that they played the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets but the most recent win over the Philadelphia 76ers quieted those question marks. Blake Griffin was unstoppable in that overtime victory, as he collected a career-high 50 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. That got Griffin's season averages to 36.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists, as he's playing the best ball of his career right now. While those averages are unlikely to sustain, it shows why Detroit made the move for him at least year's trade deadline. The fact that Reggie Jackson is back to his old form doesn't hurt either, as he's averaging 20 points and 4.3 assists per game. That's all you can ask for, especially considering a 20-20 threat like Andre Drummond hasn't even been mentioned. Those three are the reason why this team will stay competitive, as they simply need to keep these injury-prone guys on the floor if they want to remain a top threat in the east.
Cleveland has won four of their last five games over Detroit.
Magic Welcome Blazers to Amway Center
The Portland Trail Blazers travel all the way to Florida to play the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Thursday.
The Trail Blazers (2-1) have to make one of the longest plane rides in the NBA for this fixture, as they'll travel nearly 3,000 miles to face the Magic. That's no fun for any team, especially considering the fact that Portland played an overtime game on Monday. The Trail Blazers were on the wrong end of that outing too, as the Washington Wizards handed Portland a 125-124 defeat. The offense struggled mightily in that loss, with Portland connecting on just 40 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range while committing 19 turnovers. What was positive in that win was the rebounding though, as Portland grabbed 70 boards and catapulted themselves to the top rebounding team in the league. That's an underrated asset for this team, as they'll surely get the offense going with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum at the helm.
The Magic (2-2) have had an incredibly tough schedule to start the season but have been a pleasant surprise thus far. While they did suffer losses at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets, they were able to find a way to beat the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. The most recent win came against those aforementioned Celtics, as Orlando pulled out that upset on the road. The catalyst in this solid start is clearly Nikola Vucevic, as he is leading this team with 18.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. This is a player who has been a huge discussion point in trade rumors and this stellar play is surely raising his price tag. While Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier are doing their job, those are the only three players on this roster averaging double figures in scoring. They'll simply need more from their role players if they want to keep up this impressive play and battle for a playoff spot in the east.
Not only did Portland sweep the two-game season series over Orlando last season, they've won four of their last five games over the Magic in total.
The Trail Blazers (2-1) have to make one of the longest plane rides in the NBA for this fixture, as they'll travel nearly 3,000 miles to face the Magic. That's no fun for any team, especially considering the fact that Portland played an overtime game on Monday. The Trail Blazers were on the wrong end of that outing too, as the Washington Wizards handed Portland a 125-124 defeat. The offense struggled mightily in that loss, with Portland connecting on just 40 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range while committing 19 turnovers. What was positive in that win was the rebounding though, as Portland grabbed 70 boards and catapulted themselves to the top rebounding team in the league. That's an underrated asset for this team, as they'll surely get the offense going with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum at the helm.
The Magic (2-2) have had an incredibly tough schedule to start the season but have been a pleasant surprise thus far. While they did suffer losses at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets, they were able to find a way to beat the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. The most recent win came against those aforementioned Celtics, as Orlando pulled out that upset on the road. The catalyst in this solid start is clearly Nikola Vucevic, as he is leading this team with 18.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. This is a player who has been a huge discussion point in trade rumors and this stellar play is surely raising his price tag. While Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier are doing their job, those are the only three players on this roster averaging double figures in scoring. They'll simply need more from their role players if they want to keep up this impressive play and battle for a playoff spot in the east.
Not only did Portland sweep the two-game season series over Orlando last season, they've won four of their last five games over the Magic in total.
Winless Thunder Looking To Get It Together
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Boston Celtics, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday evening.
The Thunder (0-3) have had a very rough start to the season, dropping their first three games in a row, including losses in Golden State versus the Warriors, in L.A. against the Clippers, and most recently, as well as most concerning, a home loss against the Kings on Sunday. Russell Westbrook did not play in the first two games of the season, as he recovered from a knee injury. He returned in the Thunder's home opener, and filled the stat sheet with 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, however it did not result in a win for the squad. Steven Adams has been solid early on, averaging 14.7 points, 14.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game, while Paul George is averaging 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists over the first three games of the season. The Thunder's winless record has them sitting at the bottom of the standings.
On the other hand, the Celtics (2-2) have had a decent start to the season, as they have won and lost once at home and on the road. They have not looked like the powerhouse they were at times last year, especially with a home loss against the Magic in their last contest. Kyrie Irving has been solid, averaging 16.5 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game, while Jayson Tatum has been their biggest star so far, averaging 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Gordon Hayward has looked good so far, although he did not play i the second nigh of a back-to-back, he is averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists over three games. The Celtics are averaging 99.8 points per game, which is the lowest in the league to start the season so far.
The Thunder (0-3) have had a very rough start to the season, dropping their first three games in a row, including losses in Golden State versus the Warriors, in L.A. against the Clippers, and most recently, as well as most concerning, a home loss against the Kings on Sunday. Russell Westbrook did not play in the first two games of the season, as he recovered from a knee injury. He returned in the Thunder's home opener, and filled the stat sheet with 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, however it did not result in a win for the squad. Steven Adams has been solid early on, averaging 14.7 points, 14.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game, while Paul George is averaging 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists over the first three games of the season. The Thunder's winless record has them sitting at the bottom of the standings.
On the other hand, the Celtics (2-2) have had a decent start to the season, as they have won and lost once at home and on the road. They have not looked like the powerhouse they were at times last year, especially with a home loss against the Magic in their last contest. Kyrie Irving has been solid, averaging 16.5 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game, while Jayson Tatum has been their biggest star so far, averaging 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Gordon Hayward has looked good so far, although he did not play i the second nigh of a back-to-back, he is averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists over three games. The Celtics are averaging 99.8 points per game, which is the lowest in the league to start the season so far.
Lakers Host Nuggets
By Jason Rubin
The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on Thursday.
The Lakers will welcome the undefeated Nuggets after capturing their first win of the season in Phoenix on Wednesday. The back-to-back poses a brutal task for the Lakers as Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets have gotten off to the best start of any team this NBA season. Denver (4-0) already boasts one win at Staples Center against the Clippers and a win against the defending champion Warriors. Most recently, the Nuggets handled business against the Sacramento Kings with 126-112 home win. Jokic rounded out the box score 14 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Jamal Murray and Gary Harris combined to shoot 14-of-22 in the back court. Denver went eight players deep off the bench in the win with eight players in total scoring in double figures.
The Lakers (1-3) routed the Suns to grab their first win of the season on Tuesday. LeBron James and company hammered home a 44 point second quarter and did not look back. Lance Stephenson did not start, but finished with a game high 23 points off the bench, while James finished with 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and three steals.
The Lakers will welcome the undefeated Nuggets after capturing their first win of the season in Phoenix on Wednesday. The back-to-back poses a brutal task for the Lakers as Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets have gotten off to the best start of any team this NBA season. Denver (4-0) already boasts one win at Staples Center against the Clippers and a win against the defending champion Warriors. Most recently, the Nuggets handled business against the Sacramento Kings with 126-112 home win. Jokic rounded out the box score 14 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Jamal Murray and Gary Harris combined to shoot 14-of-22 in the back court. Denver went eight players deep off the bench in the win with eight players in total scoring in double figures.
The Lakers (1-3) routed the Suns to grab their first win of the season on Tuesday. LeBron James and company hammered home a 44 point second quarter and did not look back. Lance Stephenson did not start, but finished with a game high 23 points off the bench, while James finished with 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and three steals.