Raptors Host Kings on Tuesday
The Sacramento Kings travel north of the border to play the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on Tuesday.
The Kings (24-23) have been one of the surprises of the NBA but had a downright ugly loss on Monday. In fact, the Kings took a 31-point loss at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, as a 30-9 fourth quarter made that game look really messy. That hideous defeat ended a pretty solid stretch for Sacramento, as they won five of their previous seven games. It's a miracle that this team is above .500 more than halfway through the year though, considering many experts had this team pegged as one of the top contenders for a top pick in next years draft. That says a lot about these young players, as they've made this team a threat in the west. Players like Buddy Hield, De'Aaron Fox and Willie Cauley-Stein have allowed this team to take a major step and Sacramento fans are ecstatic to see a competitive for the first time in a decade
The Raptors (35-13) come into this matchup winning seven of their last eight games, as they've established themselves as one of the elite in the Eastern Conference. They are currently tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the best record in the east and no other team is within three games of those two. One has to wonder what the deal is with Kawhi Leonard though, as he's missed the last two games for "rest". That's a bizarre designation and it's even more discouraging considering the superstar has yet to play in both ends of a back-to-back set this season. Having him healthy in the playoffs is the only thing that matters though and hopefully, this is all precautionary to accomplish those goals.
In the first game between these teams, Toronto prevailed, 114-105, on November 7. That marked the Raptors third-straight victory over the Kings, thanks to a season sweep last year.
The Kings (24-23) have been one of the surprises of the NBA but had a downright ugly loss on Monday. In fact, the Kings took a 31-point loss at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, as a 30-9 fourth quarter made that game look really messy. That hideous defeat ended a pretty solid stretch for Sacramento, as they won five of their previous seven games. It's a miracle that this team is above .500 more than halfway through the year though, considering many experts had this team pegged as one of the top contenders for a top pick in next years draft. That says a lot about these young players, as they've made this team a threat in the west. Players like Buddy Hield, De'Aaron Fox and Willie Cauley-Stein have allowed this team to take a major step and Sacramento fans are ecstatic to see a competitive for the first time in a decade
The Raptors (35-13) come into this matchup winning seven of their last eight games, as they've established themselves as one of the elite in the Eastern Conference. They are currently tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the best record in the east and no other team is within three games of those two. One has to wonder what the deal is with Kawhi Leonard though, as he's missed the last two games for "rest". That's a bizarre designation and it's even more discouraging considering the superstar has yet to play in both ends of a back-to-back set this season. Having him healthy in the playoffs is the only thing that matters though and hopefully, this is all precautionary to accomplish those goals.
In the first game between these teams, Toronto prevailed, 114-105, on November 7. That marked the Raptors third-straight victory over the Kings, thanks to a season sweep last year.
Red-Hot Trail Blazers Visit OKC
By Oscar Heanue
The Portland Trail Blazers will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Tuesday.
Portland (29-19) has won seven of its last nine games, helping the team climb to fourth in the Western Conference standings. The Trail Blazers are fresh off a win in Utah on Monday in which they saw another big performance from breakout big man Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic, who turned heads when he dropped a simultaneous 20-20 and five-by-five earlier this month, impressed again on Monday by scoring 22 points along with eight rebounds, six assists, and five blocks. The 24-year-old center has been one of Portland's key pieces during its hot streak, as he is averaging over 17 points and 11 rebounds in the month of January.
OKC (28-18), meanwhile, is coming off a 127-109 blowout of the New York Knicks on Monday. Paul George had a team-high 31 points, while Russell Westbrook delivered 17 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. The win was the Thunder's second straight after the team took down Philadelphia on Saturday. The back-to-back wins came at a critical time for the Thunder, as the team had dropped five of its previous six games. Still, OKC has retained third place in the Western Conference and the Thunder still boast an elite defense, ranking fourth league-wide in defensive rating.
Portland (29-19) has won seven of its last nine games, helping the team climb to fourth in the Western Conference standings. The Trail Blazers are fresh off a win in Utah on Monday in which they saw another big performance from breakout big man Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic, who turned heads when he dropped a simultaneous 20-20 and five-by-five earlier this month, impressed again on Monday by scoring 22 points along with eight rebounds, six assists, and five blocks. The 24-year-old center has been one of Portland's key pieces during its hot streak, as he is averaging over 17 points and 11 rebounds in the month of January.
OKC (28-18), meanwhile, is coming off a 127-109 blowout of the New York Knicks on Monday. Paul George had a team-high 31 points, while Russell Westbrook delivered 17 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. The win was the Thunder's second straight after the team took down Philadelphia on Saturday. The back-to-back wins came at a critical time for the Thunder, as the team had dropped five of its previous six games. Still, OKC has retained third place in the Western Conference and the Thunder still boast an elite defense, ranking fourth league-wide in defensive rating.
Struggling Mavs Host Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers will head to Dallas on Tuesday to take on the Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
The Clippers (25-21) come into Tuesday's contest having finally put an end to their five-game losing streak with an impressive road win over the Spurs. A big part of that success seems to have come as a result of switching up the starting lineup, as head coach Doc Rivers moved Montrezl Harrell into the starting five and put Marcin Gortat on the bench. The switch made for a more explosive first unit with much better spacing thanks to Harrell's aggressiveness around the rim, and the Clippers jumped out to a 12-point lead in the first quarter as a result. While Harrell's energy was well-utilized off the bench, it's clear that he gives a much-needed punch to the starting five, and Rivers is expected to keep it that way moving forward. The hope is that Harrell's presence will allow Los Angeles to continue its bounce-back from a stretch where the team lost seven of its last 11 games.
As for the Mavericks (20-26), they are going through a really rough slide, as after Monday's road loss to the Bucks, the team has lost four in a row and seven of its last nine. After creeping into the playoff picture, Dallas now sits six games under .500, and its schedule isn't getting any easier. Fortunately for the Mavericks, they'll be returning home for the next three games starting Tuesday, where they have performed much better this season with a 16-6 record on home turf. They will expect to be getting point guard Dennis Smith back Tuesday after a five-game absence due to an "illness." Smith's absence is believed to be a result of the team's desire to trade him, but head coach Rick Carlisle has said the plan is to now keep Smith on the roster.
The Clippers (25-21) come into Tuesday's contest having finally put an end to their five-game losing streak with an impressive road win over the Spurs. A big part of that success seems to have come as a result of switching up the starting lineup, as head coach Doc Rivers moved Montrezl Harrell into the starting five and put Marcin Gortat on the bench. The switch made for a more explosive first unit with much better spacing thanks to Harrell's aggressiveness around the rim, and the Clippers jumped out to a 12-point lead in the first quarter as a result. While Harrell's energy was well-utilized off the bench, it's clear that he gives a much-needed punch to the starting five, and Rivers is expected to keep it that way moving forward. The hope is that Harrell's presence will allow Los Angeles to continue its bounce-back from a stretch where the team lost seven of its last 11 games.
As for the Mavericks (20-26), they are going through a really rough slide, as after Monday's road loss to the Bucks, the team has lost four in a row and seven of its last nine. After creeping into the playoff picture, Dallas now sits six games under .500, and its schedule isn't getting any easier. Fortunately for the Mavericks, they'll be returning home for the next three games starting Tuesday, where they have performed much better this season with a 16-6 record on home turf. They will expect to be getting point guard Dennis Smith back Tuesday after a five-game absence due to an "illness." Smith's absence is believed to be a result of the team's desire to trade him, but head coach Rick Carlisle has said the plan is to now keep Smith on the roster.
Suns Looking For Revenge Against Timberwolves
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves, at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Tuesday evening.
This marks the first game back home after a four-game road trip for the Suns (11-37), where they went 0-4, with losses in Indiana, Toronto, Charlotte and Minnesota. This contest will mark off the Suns a chance at revenge against the Timberwolves, whom they lost to in their most recent contest. The Suns have dropped eight of their last 10 games overall, but have won their last two in a row at home, where they are 7-17 this season. Still, they sit dead last in the West, 8.5 games behind 14th place. Kelly Oubre Jr. has played well since joining the Suns, averaging 16.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals over his last 10 games. Devin Booker leads the Suns, averaging 24.5 points, 7.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. Deandre Ayton (ankle) is expected to remain sidelined on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, this marks the first game of a three-game road trip for the Timberwolves (22-24), who are 6-16 on the road this season. The Timberwolves are 5-5 in their last 10 games, and are coming off a home win over the Suns in their most recent contest. They sit 11th place in the West, 3.0 games behind the eighth spot. Karl-Anthony Towns leads Minnesota, averaging 22.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. Andrew Wiggins has been relatively quiet so far, averaging 17.5 points on 40 percent shooting, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game. The Timberwolves average 111.6 points per game, but are giving up an average of 112.0 points against.
This marks the first game back home after a four-game road trip for the Suns (11-37), where they went 0-4, with losses in Indiana, Toronto, Charlotte and Minnesota. This contest will mark off the Suns a chance at revenge against the Timberwolves, whom they lost to in their most recent contest. The Suns have dropped eight of their last 10 games overall, but have won their last two in a row at home, where they are 7-17 this season. Still, they sit dead last in the West, 8.5 games behind 14th place. Kelly Oubre Jr. has played well since joining the Suns, averaging 16.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals over his last 10 games. Devin Booker leads the Suns, averaging 24.5 points, 7.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. Deandre Ayton (ankle) is expected to remain sidelined on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, this marks the first game of a three-game road trip for the Timberwolves (22-24), who are 6-16 on the road this season. The Timberwolves are 5-5 in their last 10 games, and are coming off a home win over the Suns in their most recent contest. They sit 11th place in the West, 3.0 games behind the eighth spot. Karl-Anthony Towns leads Minnesota, averaging 22.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. Andrew Wiggins has been relatively quiet so far, averaging 17.5 points on 40 percent shooting, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game. The Timberwolves average 111.6 points per game, but are giving up an average of 112.0 points against.