Clippers Aim To Extend Streak, Visit Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks will host the Los Angeles Clippers at State Farm Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Hawks (8-8) are coming off a 129-115 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, though it was a tough assignment for them since they played against one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference while also being without two of their top players in Trae Young and Clint Capela. De'Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 33 points on 13-of-21 shooting, in 41 minutes. John Collins followed up with 30 points, seven rebounds an three assists, while Danilo Gallinari was the only other player to score in double digits for the Hawks, with 17 points off the bench. The Hawks have now gone 4-3 at home this season but their recent form has been less than inspiring, with a 3-3 mark over their last six games.
Trae Young (back) and Clint Capela (hand) are both game-time calls for Tuesday, and their presence would boost Atlanta's chances of pulling an upset drastically. Kris Dunn (ankle) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) are out.
The Clippers (13-4) have been one of the best teams in The Association this season and are coming off a 108-100 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder the last time out -- that result extended their winning streak to seven games. Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers with 34 points, supplementing them with nine boards and eight assists. Serge Ibaka supplied 17 points, six rebounds and one assist. Jackson finished with 14 points. Paul George registered 11 points, five boards, four assists and one steal. Ivica Zubac managed a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench. It is worth noting George tweaked his hamstring and didn't play down the stretch, so his availability for this game might not be certain until closer to tip-off. The Clippers have gone 5-2 away from home.
The Clippers are listing Paul George (hamstring) as questionable, while Patrick Beverley (knee) and Marcus Morris (illness) have received the same tag. Jay Scrubb (foot) has been ruled out.
The Hawks (8-8) are coming off a 129-115 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, though it was a tough assignment for them since they played against one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference while also being without two of their top players in Trae Young and Clint Capela. De'Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 33 points on 13-of-21 shooting, in 41 minutes. John Collins followed up with 30 points, seven rebounds an three assists, while Danilo Gallinari was the only other player to score in double digits for the Hawks, with 17 points off the bench. The Hawks have now gone 4-3 at home this season but their recent form has been less than inspiring, with a 3-3 mark over their last six games.
Trae Young (back) and Clint Capela (hand) are both game-time calls for Tuesday, and their presence would boost Atlanta's chances of pulling an upset drastically. Kris Dunn (ankle) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) are out.
The Clippers (13-4) have been one of the best teams in The Association this season and are coming off a 108-100 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder the last time out -- that result extended their winning streak to seven games. Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers with 34 points, supplementing them with nine boards and eight assists. Serge Ibaka supplied 17 points, six rebounds and one assist. Jackson finished with 14 points. Paul George registered 11 points, five boards, four assists and one steal. Ivica Zubac managed a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench. It is worth noting George tweaked his hamstring and didn't play down the stretch, so his availability for this game might not be certain until closer to tip-off. The Clippers have gone 5-2 away from home.
The Clippers are listing Paul George (hamstring) as questionable, while Patrick Beverley (knee) and Marcus Morris (illness) have received the same tag. Jay Scrubb (foot) has been ruled out.
Rockets Looking To Build On Two-Game Winning Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets play host to the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center on Tuesday evening.
The Rockets come into the contest after a 2-0 road trip, with wins win Detroit and Dallas. They will look to build momentum and add to their, 3-4, home record, as they begin a two-game home stand. The Rockets are 3-3 in six games since moving on from James Harden, as they are getting solid contributions from a variety of guys. DeMarcus Cousins came up with 28 points, 17 rebounds and five assists in the most recent contest, as he remains a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Eric Gordon has also been playing well, as he is averaging 24.0 points per game, over the last four games. Christian Wood (ankle) has missed the last two games and remains doubtful for action on Tuesday. John Wall was quiet in the Rockets' most recent contest, which marked his first game after a short absence, but he is expected to be ready to go on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, after having six straight games postponed, the Wizards (3-9) finally got back in action on Sunday, where they fell short in San Antonio. Bradley Beal poured in 31 points in the loss, and leads the Wizards with a league-high 34.5 points per game. Jerome Robinson and Alex Len were the only other players to score in double digits for the Wizards on Sunday, where Russell Westbrook was quiet, with nine points, eight rebounds and six assists, in 25 minutes. The Wizards will be looking to add to their, 2-4, road record, and get back on track in the second game of a three-game road trip. The Wizards are managing to score the ball well, as they average 118.8 points per game, which is third most in the league, and they are shooting 38.3 percent from long range, which is sixth best in the league. However, their problems exist mostly on defense, as they are giving up a league-worst 121.3 points per game.
The Rockets come into the contest after a 2-0 road trip, with wins win Detroit and Dallas. They will look to build momentum and add to their, 3-4, home record, as they begin a two-game home stand. The Rockets are 3-3 in six games since moving on from James Harden, as they are getting solid contributions from a variety of guys. DeMarcus Cousins came up with 28 points, 17 rebounds and five assists in the most recent contest, as he remains a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Eric Gordon has also been playing well, as he is averaging 24.0 points per game, over the last four games. Christian Wood (ankle) has missed the last two games and remains doubtful for action on Tuesday. John Wall was quiet in the Rockets' most recent contest, which marked his first game after a short absence, but he is expected to be ready to go on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, after having six straight games postponed, the Wizards (3-9) finally got back in action on Sunday, where they fell short in San Antonio. Bradley Beal poured in 31 points in the loss, and leads the Wizards with a league-high 34.5 points per game. Jerome Robinson and Alex Len were the only other players to score in double digits for the Wizards on Sunday, where Russell Westbrook was quiet, with nine points, eight rebounds and six assists, in 25 minutes. The Wizards will be looking to add to their, 2-4, road record, and get back on track in the second game of a three-game road trip. The Wizards are managing to score the ball well, as they average 118.8 points per game, which is third most in the league, and they are shooting 38.3 percent from long range, which is sixth best in the league. However, their problems exist mostly on defense, as they are giving up a league-worst 121.3 points per game.
Jazz Host Knicks on Tuesday
The New York Knicks travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Tuesday.
The Knicks (8-10) have been all over the radar recently, entering this matchup losing their last two games. That actually followed up a three-game winning streak which ironically came after a season-worst five-game losing streak. Altogether, that means they've lost seven of their last 10 games in total which is obviously a discouraging stretch. Where they've really been struggling is on the offensive end, scoring the fewest points in the NBA. Part of that has to do with their slow pace but it's becoming clear that they don't have much shooting on this team. A lack of shooting in today's NBA is a complete nightmare and it simply won't make up for their elite defense. In any case, there's a lot of promising things happening in New York with guys like Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley, making this a team to watch in the second half.
The Jazz (12-4) are arguably the hottest team in the NBA right now, entering this matchup in the midst of an eight-game winning streak. If it weren't for a ridiculous run by the Los Angeles Lakers, this would be the hottest team and it would be impossible to argue otherwise. Much like past seasons, it's the defense that's gotten them to this point. Utah currently sits Top-3 in both points allowed and rebounding, thanks to the heroics of Rudy Gobert down low. The thing that's really made them different this year is the resurgence of Mike Conley though. The former Grizzlies point guard really struggled in his first season with the Jazz but his numbers this year match the special ones we saw throughout his Memphis career. As long as he does that with Donovan Mitchell balling out and Rudy Gobert controlling the defense, this will remain one of the scariest teams in the NBA.
These teams just played on January 6, with New York prevailing, 112-100. Prior to that, the Jazz won nine of their previous 12 games over the Knicks dating back six years.
The Knicks (8-10) have been all over the radar recently, entering this matchup losing their last two games. That actually followed up a three-game winning streak which ironically came after a season-worst five-game losing streak. Altogether, that means they've lost seven of their last 10 games in total which is obviously a discouraging stretch. Where they've really been struggling is on the offensive end, scoring the fewest points in the NBA. Part of that has to do with their slow pace but it's becoming clear that they don't have much shooting on this team. A lack of shooting in today's NBA is a complete nightmare and it simply won't make up for their elite defense. In any case, there's a lot of promising things happening in New York with guys like Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley, making this a team to watch in the second half.
The Jazz (12-4) are arguably the hottest team in the NBA right now, entering this matchup in the midst of an eight-game winning streak. If it weren't for a ridiculous run by the Los Angeles Lakers, this would be the hottest team and it would be impossible to argue otherwise. Much like past seasons, it's the defense that's gotten them to this point. Utah currently sits Top-3 in both points allowed and rebounding, thanks to the heroics of Rudy Gobert down low. The thing that's really made them different this year is the resurgence of Mike Conley though. The former Grizzlies point guard really struggled in his first season with the Jazz but his numbers this year match the special ones we saw throughout his Memphis career. As long as he does that with Donovan Mitchell balling out and Rudy Gobert controlling the defense, this will remain one of the scariest teams in the NBA.
These teams just played on January 6, with New York prevailing, 112-100. Prior to that, the Jazz won nine of their previous 12 games over the Knicks dating back six years.