Bucks Looking To Bounce Back, Visit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons will host the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Pistons (1-5) are coming off a 117-91 road loss against the Brooklyn Nets, and they could not string consecutive wins. Cory Joseph was the high-point man for the Pistons in this loss, with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, in 21 minutes off the bench. Jerami Grant was the only other player to score in double digits for the Pistons, with 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting. The Pistons shot 40 percent from the field including 12-of-33 from long range. Detroit has gone 1-1 at home so far.
The Pistons are listing Saddiq Bey (ankle) as questionable for this game, while Isaiah Livers (foot) and Chris Smith (knee) are both out.
The Bucks (3-4) are coming off a 107-95 home loss against the Utah Jazz the last time out, and that means they've dropped three games in a row. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, in 35 minutes. Grayson Allen followed up with 18 points and six rebounds, while Bobby Portis added 15 points and five rebounds, off the bench. The Bucks shot 41 percent from the field including 12-of-41 from deep. Milwaukee has also gone 2-1 on the road.
The Bucks are listing Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), Rodney Hood (hand) and Grayson Allen (knee) as questionable for this game. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez (back), Jrue Holiday (ankle), Khris Middleton (COVID-19) and Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) are all out.
The Pistons (1-5) are coming off a 117-91 road loss against the Brooklyn Nets, and they could not string consecutive wins. Cory Joseph was the high-point man for the Pistons in this loss, with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, in 21 minutes off the bench. Jerami Grant was the only other player to score in double digits for the Pistons, with 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting. The Pistons shot 40 percent from the field including 12-of-33 from long range. Detroit has gone 1-1 at home so far.
The Pistons are listing Saddiq Bey (ankle) as questionable for this game, while Isaiah Livers (foot) and Chris Smith (knee) are both out.
The Bucks (3-4) are coming off a 107-95 home loss against the Utah Jazz the last time out, and that means they've dropped three games in a row. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, in 35 minutes. Grayson Allen followed up with 18 points and six rebounds, while Bobby Portis added 15 points and five rebounds, off the bench. The Bucks shot 41 percent from the field including 12-of-41 from deep. Milwaukee has also gone 2-1 on the road.
The Bucks are listing Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), Rodney Hood (hand) and Grayson Allen (knee) as questionable for this game. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez (back), Jrue Holiday (ankle), Khris Middleton (COVID-19) and Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) are all out.
Heat and Mavericks Set for Lone Star Showdown
The Miami Heat takes on the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night.
The Heat (5-1) check into Tuesday's contest as one of the hottest teams in all of basketball, playing effectively on both ends of the floor while forging a four-game winning streak. Their most recent success came Saturday night, when they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies by a 129-103 score. Jimmy Butler led the way for Miami with 27 points, adding seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Tyler Herro supplied 22 points, six boards and five assists. Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson generated matching 15-point, five-rebound tallies, with Lowry dishing out eight assists and recording three steals. Caleb Martin and Max Strus posted matching 12-point, five-rebound contributions.
The Heat will list Bam Adebayo (knee) as questionable for Tuesday's game.
The Mavericks (4-2) started the season in highly inauspicious fashion with a 26-point loss to the Hawks, but they've gone on to win four of their next five games. Their most recent success came at the expense of the Sacramento Kings, which they edged by a 105-99 score on Sunday night. Luka Doncic led the way for Dallas with 23 points, adding 10 assists, eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Tim Hardaway poured in 16 points. Dorian Finney-Smith furnished 13 points, six rebounds, two steals and one block. Dwight Powell and Frank Ntilikina managed matching 12-point tallies, with Powell also hauling in eight rebounds.
The Mavericks will list Kristaps Porzingis and Maxi Kleber as questionable and out, respectively, with back injuries.
Tuesday’s game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Mavericks swept the two-game 2020-21 season series from the Heat.
The Heat (5-1) check into Tuesday's contest as one of the hottest teams in all of basketball, playing effectively on both ends of the floor while forging a four-game winning streak. Their most recent success came Saturday night, when they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies by a 129-103 score. Jimmy Butler led the way for Miami with 27 points, adding seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Tyler Herro supplied 22 points, six boards and five assists. Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson generated matching 15-point, five-rebound tallies, with Lowry dishing out eight assists and recording three steals. Caleb Martin and Max Strus posted matching 12-point, five-rebound contributions.
The Heat will list Bam Adebayo (knee) as questionable for Tuesday's game.
The Mavericks (4-2) started the season in highly inauspicious fashion with a 26-point loss to the Hawks, but they've gone on to win four of their next five games. Their most recent success came at the expense of the Sacramento Kings, which they edged by a 105-99 score on Sunday night. Luka Doncic led the way for Dallas with 23 points, adding 10 assists, eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Tim Hardaway poured in 16 points. Dorian Finney-Smith furnished 13 points, six rebounds, two steals and one block. Dwight Powell and Frank Ntilikina managed matching 12-point tallies, with Powell also hauling in eight rebounds.
The Mavericks will list Kristaps Porzingis and Maxi Kleber as questionable and out, respectively, with back injuries.
Tuesday’s game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Mavericks swept the two-game 2020-21 season series from the Heat.
Jazz Look To Stay Strong At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz play host to the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Jazz (5-1) will look to keep the momentum going, as they are coming off a win in Milwaukee in their most recent contest and return home, where they have 2-0 record so far. Donovan Mitchell leads the team, averaging 23.0 points, 4.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Rudy Gobert has been great in his role, averaging 16.3 points, 17.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic continue to provide solid scoring, averaging 16 points per game, each. The Jazz are averaging 111.2 points per game, while shooting an average of 44.8 percent from the field. On the other end, they are holding opponents to 98.3 points per game, which is third fewest in the league. Despite their success, the Jazz have had some trouble taking care of the ball, as they are giving up an average of 14.7 turnovers per game. They are also averaging a league-low, 17.7 assists per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the fourth and final game of a road trip the Kings (3-3), where they have gone 2-1 so far, with wins in Phoenix and New Orleans followed by a loss in Dallas in their most recent contest. The Kings will look to get back on track after the loss and build on their 3-1 road record. Harrison Barnes has been off to a great start to the season, averaging a team-high 23.3 points, along with 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game. De'Aaron Fox is averaging 18.5 points, 6.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game, while Richaun Holmes is averaging 16.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. The Kings are scoring an average of 109.0 points per game, but they are giving up an average of 111.8 points against. They are shooting an average of 31.7 percent from long range, which is seventh worst in the league.
The Jazz (5-1) will look to keep the momentum going, as they are coming off a win in Milwaukee in their most recent contest and return home, where they have 2-0 record so far. Donovan Mitchell leads the team, averaging 23.0 points, 4.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Rudy Gobert has been great in his role, averaging 16.3 points, 17.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic continue to provide solid scoring, averaging 16 points per game, each. The Jazz are averaging 111.2 points per game, while shooting an average of 44.8 percent from the field. On the other end, they are holding opponents to 98.3 points per game, which is third fewest in the league. Despite their success, the Jazz have had some trouble taking care of the ball, as they are giving up an average of 14.7 turnovers per game. They are also averaging a league-low, 17.7 assists per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the fourth and final game of a road trip the Kings (3-3), where they have gone 2-1 so far, with wins in Phoenix and New Orleans followed by a loss in Dallas in their most recent contest. The Kings will look to get back on track after the loss and build on their 3-1 road record. Harrison Barnes has been off to a great start to the season, averaging a team-high 23.3 points, along with 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game. De'Aaron Fox is averaging 18.5 points, 6.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game, while Richaun Holmes is averaging 16.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. The Kings are scoring an average of 109.0 points per game, but they are giving up an average of 111.8 points against. They are shooting an average of 31.7 percent from long range, which is seventh worst in the league.
Suns Host Pelicans on Tuesday
The Phoenix Suns play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at Footprint Center on Tuesday.
The Pelicans (1-6) had some high hopes, but they haven't performed since opening night. In fact, New Orleans has just one win through their first seven games, grabbing that victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. That's far from impressive, and it's clear that they're desperately missing Zion Williamson. The big man continues to deal with foot soreness, and it's unclear when he'll be ready to take the floor. They've actually been reticent on that front, and that's very frustrating because many fans didn't even know he was nicked up coming into the season. He's easily one of the most talented players in the NBA, and they won't win many games without him.
The Suns (2-3) surprised the NBA world by reaching the NBA Finals last season, but many people wondered if it was a legitimate run. They were fortunate to have many of their opponents decimated by injuries, but the Suns capitalized and did everything right to get to that unlikely point. That isn't how things have gone this season, though, losing three of their first four games en route to this disappointing record. The offense has been plodding to get going, with the Suns ranked 18th in scoring. It's hard to put the blame on one player because Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul have all had their fair share of struggles this season. That's quite the core they've put together, though, and it's not time to panic quite yet.
These teams played three times last season, with Phoenix prevailing in two of three. That gives the Suns five wins in their last seven meetings with the Pelicans dating back three years.
The Pelicans (1-6) had some high hopes, but they haven't performed since opening night. In fact, New Orleans has just one win through their first seven games, grabbing that victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. That's far from impressive, and it's clear that they're desperately missing Zion Williamson. The big man continues to deal with foot soreness, and it's unclear when he'll be ready to take the floor. They've actually been reticent on that front, and that's very frustrating because many fans didn't even know he was nicked up coming into the season. He's easily one of the most talented players in the NBA, and they won't win many games without him.
The Suns (2-3) surprised the NBA world by reaching the NBA Finals last season, but many people wondered if it was a legitimate run. They were fortunate to have many of their opponents decimated by injuries, but the Suns capitalized and did everything right to get to that unlikely point. That isn't how things have gone this season, though, losing three of their first four games en route to this disappointing record. The offense has been plodding to get going, with the Suns ranked 18th in scoring. It's hard to put the blame on one player because Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul have all had their fair share of struggles this season. That's quite the core they've put together, though, and it's not time to panic quite yet.
These teams played three times last season, with Phoenix prevailing in two of three. That gives the Suns five wins in their last seven meetings with the Pelicans dating back three years.
Lakers Host Rockets on Tuesday
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Tuesday.
The Rockets (1-5) were supposed to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, and they've certainly lived up to those low expectations. They have just one win through six games, losing to these Lakers in their most recent game on Sunday. That makes this a strange back-to-back, with Houston having to deal with these superstars twice in a row. They're simply outmatched when they play an opponent like this, and it's no surprise to see the lopsided nature of that result. What is nice to see is the growth of their youngsters. Guys like Jalen Green, Kevin Porter, and Christian Wood have all shown flashes over the last two years, and that's all fans can ask for after the rebuild that proceeded from the James Harden trade.
The Lakers (4-3) got off to a nightmare start with two losses in their first two games, but they've bounced back by winning four of their last five games since then. That's the team we've been waiting to see, and it has them right where they want to be. What's really changed recently is the play of Russell Westbrook. The former MVP has returned to his triple-double ways, and it appears that he's finally figuring out how to play with these other superstars. What's also been nice is the play of the role players. Carmelo Anthony has been a revelation coming off the bench, averaging 15.7 points per game. That's quite the total from a guy playing just 27 minutes a night, giving this club a much-needed scoring punch off of the bench.
These teams just played on Sunday, with Los Angeles winning in dominating fashion. That gives the Lakers four straight wins in this series, despite the Rockets winning 17 of their previous 21 meetings before that.
The Rockets (1-5) were supposed to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, and they've certainly lived up to those low expectations. They have just one win through six games, losing to these Lakers in their most recent game on Sunday. That makes this a strange back-to-back, with Houston having to deal with these superstars twice in a row. They're simply outmatched when they play an opponent like this, and it's no surprise to see the lopsided nature of that result. What is nice to see is the growth of their youngsters. Guys like Jalen Green, Kevin Porter, and Christian Wood have all shown flashes over the last two years, and that's all fans can ask for after the rebuild that proceeded from the James Harden trade.
The Lakers (4-3) got off to a nightmare start with two losses in their first two games, but they've bounced back by winning four of their last five games since then. That's the team we've been waiting to see, and it has them right where they want to be. What's really changed recently is the play of Russell Westbrook. The former MVP has returned to his triple-double ways, and it appears that he's finally figuring out how to play with these other superstars. What's also been nice is the play of the role players. Carmelo Anthony has been a revelation coming off the bench, averaging 15.7 points per game. That's quite the total from a guy playing just 27 minutes a night, giving this club a much-needed scoring punch off of the bench.
These teams just played on Sunday, with Los Angeles winning in dominating fashion. That gives the Lakers four straight wins in this series, despite the Rockets winning 17 of their previous 21 meetings before that.