Hornets Host Struggling Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers play host to the Charlotte Hornets at Quicken Loans Arena on Tuesday.
The Hornets (7-6) come into this matchup winning three of their last four games, as they're one of the surprises of the NBA. What's really intriguing about this team is their new-look offense, with Charlotte ranking fifth in scoring. That looks even better when you consider that this defense sits 11th in points allowed, as there aren't many teams who sit top-11 in both of those categories. Much of the offensive success has to be credited to Kemba Walker, as he's averaging 27.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Those are easily the best numbers of his career, as he's really taken the reigns on this team. They need more from their role players though, with players like Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams struggling. In fact, no other player on this team is averaging more than 12 points per game and that's simply not good enough to compete with some of the elite in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers (1-11) are easily the worst team in the NBA, as they have just one win in 12 games. It's not like that win was too impressive either, as that victory came against an Atlanta Hawks team who is right there with the Cavs. It's easy to see why this team is struggling so badly, as they have none of the players who carried them the last few years. LeBron James is in Los Angeles, Kyrie Irving is in Boston and Kevin Love (foot) is on the sideline. That's about 80 percent of the team's production across the last five years, as it's a mishmash of random players that are making up this roster. The only bit of good news with that is the fact that young players have been asked to take on much bigger roles, with Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton all seeing expanded roles. That's the core for the future but it's a wonder if that's good enough to compete in this new landscape of the NBA.
Charlotte dominated Cleveland in their one meeting earlier this season, 126-94, on November 3. Prior to that, the Cavaliers beat the Hornets in nine-straight games, albeit all nine games being with LeBron James on the roster.
The Hornets (7-6) come into this matchup winning three of their last four games, as they're one of the surprises of the NBA. What's really intriguing about this team is their new-look offense, with Charlotte ranking fifth in scoring. That looks even better when you consider that this defense sits 11th in points allowed, as there aren't many teams who sit top-11 in both of those categories. Much of the offensive success has to be credited to Kemba Walker, as he's averaging 27.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Those are easily the best numbers of his career, as he's really taken the reigns on this team. They need more from their role players though, with players like Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams struggling. In fact, no other player on this team is averaging more than 12 points per game and that's simply not good enough to compete with some of the elite in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers (1-11) are easily the worst team in the NBA, as they have just one win in 12 games. It's not like that win was too impressive either, as that victory came against an Atlanta Hawks team who is right there with the Cavs. It's easy to see why this team is struggling so badly, as they have none of the players who carried them the last few years. LeBron James is in Los Angeles, Kyrie Irving is in Boston and Kevin Love (foot) is on the sideline. That's about 80 percent of the team's production across the last five years, as it's a mishmash of random players that are making up this roster. The only bit of good news with that is the fact that young players have been asked to take on much bigger roles, with Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton all seeing expanded roles. That's the core for the future but it's a wonder if that's good enough to compete in this new landscape of the NBA.
Charlotte dominated Cleveland in their one meeting earlier this season, 126-94, on November 3. Prior to that, the Cavaliers beat the Hornets in nine-straight games, albeit all nine games being with LeBron James on the roster.
Bucks Looking To End Slide
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Houston Rockets, at Pepsi Center on Tuesday evening.
After a 9-1 start to the season, the Nuggets (9-4) have slipped a little, as they have dropped three games in a row, with losses to the Grizzlies, Nets and Bucks. This marks the third game of a four-game home stand for the Nuggets, where they have gone 0-2 so far. However, the Nuggets are still 6-2 at home, where, aside from their last two games, they have been very good this season. Nikola Jokic has been off to a good start. He has had a couple of quieter games in the points column, but on those nights has found other ways to contribute. He also has a 37-point effort under his belt already this season. Jokic is averaging 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. The Nuggets have displayed one of the better defenses in the early season, as they hold opponents to an average of 103.5 points per game, which is third lowest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Rockets (5-7) have had some troubles early on, partially due to Chris Paul's suspension and James Harden missing a couple of games with injury. However, they managed to pull off an impressive win in their most recent contest, as they defeated the Pacers by 12 points, at home in Houston. Unfortunately, the Rockets' experiment with Carmelo Anthony has not gone too well. Although Anthony has topped 20 points three times already, he also had one night where he went 1-of-11 from the field, and another where he went 2-of-12. Melo has sat out the last two games with an "illness", however, it is being speculated that he may not return to the Rockets at all. On the other hand, James Harden was looking back to himself, with 40 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the win over Indiana. With Paul and Harden back together and healthy, the Rockets should be looking to build off the last win.
After a 9-1 start to the season, the Nuggets (9-4) have slipped a little, as they have dropped three games in a row, with losses to the Grizzlies, Nets and Bucks. This marks the third game of a four-game home stand for the Nuggets, where they have gone 0-2 so far. However, the Nuggets are still 6-2 at home, where, aside from their last two games, they have been very good this season. Nikola Jokic has been off to a good start. He has had a couple of quieter games in the points column, but on those nights has found other ways to contribute. He also has a 37-point effort under his belt already this season. Jokic is averaging 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. The Nuggets have displayed one of the better defenses in the early season, as they hold opponents to an average of 103.5 points per game, which is third lowest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Rockets (5-7) have had some troubles early on, partially due to Chris Paul's suspension and James Harden missing a couple of games with injury. However, they managed to pull off an impressive win in their most recent contest, as they defeated the Pacers by 12 points, at home in Houston. Unfortunately, the Rockets' experiment with Carmelo Anthony has not gone too well. Although Anthony has topped 20 points three times already, he also had one night where he went 1-of-11 from the field, and another where he went 2-of-12. Melo has sat out the last two games with an "illness", however, it is being speculated that he may not return to the Rockets at all. On the other hand, James Harden was looking back to himself, with 40 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the win over Indiana. With Paul and Harden back together and healthy, the Rockets should be looking to build off the last win.
Hawks Visit Warriors at Oracle
By Oscar Heanue
The Atlanta Hawks will visit the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on Tuesday evening.
Atlanta (3-10) kicked off its West Coast road trip in Los Angeles on Sunday night, narrowly losing to the Lakers at Staples Center. The Hawks fell, 107-106, after rookie point guard Trae Young's floater was blocked at the buzzer. The loss was the fourth straight for the Hawks, a team that many had projected to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference after a 24-58 season a year ago. Atlanta is on track to do just that, sitting at 14th in the East and in the midst of a season-worst skid. Still, the Hawks can take solace in the early promise shown by Young, the fifth overall pick in last year's draft. Young is averaging 18.5 points and 8.2 assists through 13 games, though his 42 percent shooting from the floor leaves room to be desired.
Golden State (11-3), on the other hand, has predictably been one of the league's top teams. The reigning back-to-back champions sit atop the Western Conference standings, despite dealing with several injuries. On Monday night, the Warriors were without league-leading scorer Steph Curry (groin). Curry will remain out as his team takes on Atlanta. His absence was felt on Monday, as his team fell to the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime. Still, his fellow All-Stars did a nice job filling in for his scoring, as Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant combined to score 64 points in the narrow loss.
Atlanta (3-10) kicked off its West Coast road trip in Los Angeles on Sunday night, narrowly losing to the Lakers at Staples Center. The Hawks fell, 107-106, after rookie point guard Trae Young's floater was blocked at the buzzer. The loss was the fourth straight for the Hawks, a team that many had projected to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference after a 24-58 season a year ago. Atlanta is on track to do just that, sitting at 14th in the East and in the midst of a season-worst skid. Still, the Hawks can take solace in the early promise shown by Young, the fifth overall pick in last year's draft. Young is averaging 18.5 points and 8.2 assists through 13 games, though his 42 percent shooting from the floor leaves room to be desired.
Golden State (11-3), on the other hand, has predictably been one of the league's top teams. The reigning back-to-back champions sit atop the Western Conference standings, despite dealing with several injuries. On Monday night, the Warriors were without league-leading scorer Steph Curry (groin). Curry will remain out as his team takes on Atlanta. His absence was felt on Monday, as his team fell to the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime. Still, his fellow All-Stars did a nice job filling in for his scoring, as Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant combined to score 64 points in the narrow loss.