Mavericks Looking To Bounce Back, Host Kings
The Dallas Mavericks will host the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Mavericks (3-2) are coming off one of their worst performances of the season in a dreadful 106-75 loss against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. It was a game where only two players scored in double digits for the Mavs, as Luka Doncic led the way with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 26 minutes, while Trey Burke chipped in 11 points, in 16 minutes off the bench. The Mavs shot 29.5 percent from the field, including 8-of-37 from downtown, in what was an atrocious offensive display. They have gone 2-0 at home this season, though, so that should boost their confidence ahead of this contest.
The Kings (3-2) are coming off a 113-109 win over the Pelicans on Friday, and now they've won two in a row and three of their last four. It's still early in the season, but they have looked good thus far. De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 23 points, complementing them with seven rebounds and five assists. Richaun Holmes provided 21 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Hield tallied 20 points, six boards, one assist and two steals. Barnes generated an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Tyrese Haliburton supplied 17 points, eight assists, two rebounds and one block. Sacramento has gone 3-0 on the road so far.
The Mavericks (3-2) are coming off one of their worst performances of the season in a dreadful 106-75 loss against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. It was a game where only two players scored in double digits for the Mavs, as Luka Doncic led the way with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, in 26 minutes, while Trey Burke chipped in 11 points, in 16 minutes off the bench. The Mavs shot 29.5 percent from the field, including 8-of-37 from downtown, in what was an atrocious offensive display. They have gone 2-0 at home this season, though, so that should boost their confidence ahead of this contest.
The Kings (3-2) are coming off a 113-109 win over the Pelicans on Friday, and now they've won two in a row and three of their last four. It's still early in the season, but they have looked good thus far. De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 23 points, complementing them with seven rebounds and five assists. Richaun Holmes provided 21 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Hield tallied 20 points, six boards, one assist and two steals. Barnes generated an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Tyrese Haliburton supplied 17 points, eight assists, two rebounds and one block. Sacramento has gone 3-0 on the road so far.
Jazz, Bucks Face Off In Milwaukee On Second Night Of Back-To-Backs
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks play host to the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum on Sunday evening.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Jazz (4-1), as they are coming off a loss in Chicago on Saturday, which marked their first loss of the season. They had a tough night offensively, as they shot 38 percent from the field, including 11-of-38 from deep. Donovan Mitchell was their high-point man in the contest, with 30 points on 9-of-27 shooting, and 10-of-10 shooting from the foul line, while Rudy Gobert totaled 17 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks and a steal, and Jordan Clarkson chipped in 16 points, off the bench. The contest got out to a tight start, but the Jazz fell apart late, as they trailed by a game-high 17 points mid way through the final quarter. They will look to get back on track as they take on the Bucks in what will be their third and final game of a road trip. The Jazz are now 2-1 on the road this season. Mike Conley (knee) did not play on Saturday and remains questionable for action on Sunday.
Meanwhile, this also marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Bucks (3-3), as they are coming off a loss against the Spurs on Saturday, which marked their second consecutive loss at home, falling to 0-2 on their current three-game home stand. The contest got out to a tight start and the Bucks held a two-point lead at halftime. However, they lost control in the fourth quarter, where the visitors rallied ahead and claimed the win. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 13 rebounds and three assists. Khris Middleton followed up with 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Grayson Allen added 12 points and five rebounds. The Bucks were without Brook Lopez (back) and Jrue Holiday (ankle), who are both expected to remain sidelined through Sunday's action.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Jazz (4-1), as they are coming off a loss in Chicago on Saturday, which marked their first loss of the season. They had a tough night offensively, as they shot 38 percent from the field, including 11-of-38 from deep. Donovan Mitchell was their high-point man in the contest, with 30 points on 9-of-27 shooting, and 10-of-10 shooting from the foul line, while Rudy Gobert totaled 17 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks and a steal, and Jordan Clarkson chipped in 16 points, off the bench. The contest got out to a tight start, but the Jazz fell apart late, as they trailed by a game-high 17 points mid way through the final quarter. They will look to get back on track as they take on the Bucks in what will be their third and final game of a road trip. The Jazz are now 2-1 on the road this season. Mike Conley (knee) did not play on Saturday and remains questionable for action on Sunday.
Meanwhile, this also marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Bucks (3-3), as they are coming off a loss against the Spurs on Saturday, which marked their second consecutive loss at home, falling to 0-2 on their current three-game home stand. The contest got out to a tight start and the Bucks held a two-point lead at halftime. However, they lost control in the fourth quarter, where the visitors rallied ahead and claimed the win. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 13 rebounds and three assists. Khris Middleton followed up with 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Grayson Allen added 12 points and five rebounds. The Bucks were without Brook Lopez (back) and Jrue Holiday (ankle), who are both expected to remain sidelined through Sunday's action.
Hornets Tangle With Blazers At Home
The Charlotte Hornets will host the Portland Trail Blazers at Spectrum Center on Sunday evening.
The Hornets (4-2) are coming off a 114-99 loss against the Miami Heat, and this means they've now lost two of their last three after beginning the year with three straight wins. Gordon Hayward was the best player for Charlotte since he ended with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Miles Bridges ended with 22 points and eight rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. ended with 17 points and four boards, while LaMelo Ball only mustered six points while adding six assists and five boards. Cody Martin also had a good game off the bench with 15 points, three boards and two dimes. Charlotte has gone 1-1 at home this season.
The Trail Blazers (3-2) are coming off a 111-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, and they were led by Damian Lillard and his 25 points, four rebounds and six assists. C.J. McCollum amassed 14 points and two blocks. Jusuf Nurkic collected 14 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Norman Powell returned to provide 12 points and three boards, while Cody Zeller led the bench with nine points and seven boards. Portland enters this matchup with two wins in a row and three out of its last four contests. The Blazers have also posted a 0-1 record on the road, so they'll travel to Charlotte looking for their first road win of the season.
The Hornets (4-2) are coming off a 114-99 loss against the Miami Heat, and this means they've now lost two of their last three after beginning the year with three straight wins. Gordon Hayward was the best player for Charlotte since he ended with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Miles Bridges ended with 22 points and eight rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. ended with 17 points and four boards, while LaMelo Ball only mustered six points while adding six assists and five boards. Cody Martin also had a good game off the bench with 15 points, three boards and two dimes. Charlotte has gone 1-1 at home this season.
The Trail Blazers (3-2) are coming off a 111-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, and they were led by Damian Lillard and his 25 points, four rebounds and six assists. C.J. McCollum amassed 14 points and two blocks. Jusuf Nurkic collected 14 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Norman Powell returned to provide 12 points and three boards, while Cody Zeller led the bench with nine points and seven boards. Portland enters this matchup with two wins in a row and three out of its last four contests. The Blazers have also posted a 0-1 record on the road, so they'll travel to Charlotte looking for their first road win of the season.
Pistons Visit Brooklyn On Second Night Of Back-To-Back
By Dan Bruno
The Brooklyn Nets play host to the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center on Sunday evening.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Pistons (1-4), who are coming off their first win of the season on Saturday night against the Magic. They got out to a good start in the contest but lost control and trailed by seven points mid way through the third. However, they reestablished a lead with a, 27-11, run to take a nine-point advantage into the final frame. The Pistons pushed their lead to a game-high 18 points, mid way through the fourth and were able to close out their first win of the season. The contest marked the season debut for first-overall pick, Cade Cunningham, who had a quiet outing with just two points on 1-of-8 shooting, in 19 minutes, while Jerami Grant led the way with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal. Kelly Olynyk followed up with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, while Josh Jackson chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, off the bench. The Pistons will have their hands full with a tough matchup in Brooklyn, but they will have momentum on their side as they search for their first road win of the season.
Meanwhile, this marks the fifth game of a six-game home stand for the Nets (3-3), where they have gone 2-2, so far, with losses against the Hornets and Heat, and wins against the Wizards and the Pacers in their most recent contest, on Friday. Kevin Durant has been dominant early in the season, averaging 28.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game. On the other hand, James Harden has been off to a slower start by his own standards, averaging 18.7 points, 8.0 assists, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, but he is coming off his best outing of the season, as he totaled 29 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and a steal, in the Nets' most recent contest. The Nets are averaging 102.2 points per game, which is sixth fewest in the league.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Pistons (1-4), who are coming off their first win of the season on Saturday night against the Magic. They got out to a good start in the contest but lost control and trailed by seven points mid way through the third. However, they reestablished a lead with a, 27-11, run to take a nine-point advantage into the final frame. The Pistons pushed their lead to a game-high 18 points, mid way through the fourth and were able to close out their first win of the season. The contest marked the season debut for first-overall pick, Cade Cunningham, who had a quiet outing with just two points on 1-of-8 shooting, in 19 minutes, while Jerami Grant led the way with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal. Kelly Olynyk followed up with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, while Josh Jackson chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, off the bench. The Pistons will have their hands full with a tough matchup in Brooklyn, but they will have momentum on their side as they search for their first road win of the season.
Meanwhile, this marks the fifth game of a six-game home stand for the Nets (3-3), where they have gone 2-2, so far, with losses against the Hornets and Heat, and wins against the Wizards and the Pacers in their most recent contest, on Friday. Kevin Durant has been dominant early in the season, averaging 28.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game. On the other hand, James Harden has been off to a slower start by his own standards, averaging 18.7 points, 8.0 assists, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, but he is coming off his best outing of the season, as he totaled 29 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and a steal, in the Nets' most recent contest. The Nets are averaging 102.2 points per game, which is sixth fewest in the league.
Lakers Host Rockets on Sunday
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Sunday.
The Rockets (1-4) were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, and they definitely appear as such through five games. Their only win came against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that is equally as bad, followed by losses to the Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Most teams would struggle with that schedule, but they've suffered double-digit losses in all of them. That's sadly where this team is at right now, and it's all about development. The good news is that the young core has a bright future, with Jalen Green, Kevin Porter and Christian Wood all showing signs of growth. The next step is to figure out the John Wall dilemma. He's been practicing with the team and mentoring these young guys, but it remains to be seen where he's playing after saying he's done with the Rockets.
The Lakers (3-3) have been the talk of the NBA, but it's all a bit of an overreaction. An 0-2 start had fans wondering if the sky was falling, but three wins in their last four games is a good sign going forward. More importantly, LeBron James returned from his ankle injury in the team's most recent win on Friday, and it appears that he, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook are finally starting to gel. That's all that really matters for this club because it's up to those three guys to take them as far as they can carry them. We've yet to see all three play well in the same game, but it's just a matter of time before they're clicking and the wins are flowing like water.
These teams played three times last season, with Los Angeles sweeping the season series. Before that, the Rockets won 19 of their previous 24 games over the Lakers in this series.
The Rockets (1-4) were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, and they definitely appear as such through five games. Their only win came against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that is equally as bad, followed by losses to the Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Most teams would struggle with that schedule, but they've suffered double-digit losses in all of them. That's sadly where this team is at right now, and it's all about development. The good news is that the young core has a bright future, with Jalen Green, Kevin Porter and Christian Wood all showing signs of growth. The next step is to figure out the John Wall dilemma. He's been practicing with the team and mentoring these young guys, but it remains to be seen where he's playing after saying he's done with the Rockets.
The Lakers (3-3) have been the talk of the NBA, but it's all a bit of an overreaction. An 0-2 start had fans wondering if the sky was falling, but three wins in their last four games is a good sign going forward. More importantly, LeBron James returned from his ankle injury in the team's most recent win on Friday, and it appears that he, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook are finally starting to gel. That's all that really matters for this club because it's up to those three guys to take them as far as they can carry them. We've yet to see all three play well in the same game, but it's just a matter of time before they're clicking and the wins are flowing like water.
These teams played three times last season, with Los Angeles sweeping the season series. Before that, the Rockets won 19 of their previous 24 games over the Lakers in this series.