Pelicans Host Nuggets Looking To Extend Streak
The New Orleans Pelicans will host the Denver Nuggets at Smoothie King Center on Sunday.
The Pelicans (14-8) continue to move in the right direction and are looking more and more like a playoff team as the season progresses. They enter this game fresh off a 117-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, on what was their third straight win. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 30 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 15 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block, in 33 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas followed up with 21 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block. Trey Murphy added 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Jose Alvarado and Naji Marshall chipped in 15 points each. New Orleans has now gone 4-1 in its last five games.
Brandon Ingram (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game, the same as Herbert Jones (ankle) and E.J. Liddell (knee).
The Nuggets (14-8) are coming off a 117-109 loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Nikola Jokic was the best player for the Nuggets and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Jalen Murray finished with 20 points and seven assists while also adding three boards. Aaron Gordon delivered 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bones Hyland looked impressive off the bench and finished with 16 points. Denver saw the ends of its winning streak with the loss to Atlanta, but the team has still won four of its last five.
Jeff Green (knee) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) are both game-time decisions, while Michael Porter (heel) and Collin Gillespie (lower leg) have been ruled out.
The Pelicans (14-8) continue to move in the right direction and are looking more and more like a playoff team as the season progresses. They enter this game fresh off a 117-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, on what was their third straight win. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 30 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 15 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block, in 33 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas followed up with 21 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block. Trey Murphy added 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block, while Jose Alvarado and Naji Marshall chipped in 15 points each. New Orleans has now gone 4-1 in its last five games.
Brandon Ingram (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game, the same as Herbert Jones (ankle) and E.J. Liddell (knee).
The Nuggets (14-8) are coming off a 117-109 loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Nikola Jokic was the best player for the Nuggets and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Jalen Murray finished with 20 points and seven assists while also adding three boards. Aaron Gordon delivered 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bones Hyland looked impressive off the bench and finished with 16 points. Denver saw the ends of its winning streak with the loss to Atlanta, but the team has still won four of its last five.
Jeff Green (knee) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) are both game-time decisions, while Michael Porter (heel) and Collin Gillespie (lower leg) have been ruled out.
Slumping Spurs Host Suns
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs play host to the Phoenix Suns at AT&T Center on Sunday.
The Spurs (6-17) have dropped 10 straight games. They look to put an end to the woes, as they face the second game of a three-game home stand, with an opportunity to add to their 3-9 home record. Devin Vassell leads the team, averaging 20.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Keldon Johnson averages 20.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists, while Tre Jones averages 12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The Spurs continue to deal with injury trouble, as Jeremy Sochan (quadriceps) and Jakob Poeltl (knee) are expected to remain sidelined, while Josh Richardson (ankle) and Doug McDermott (ankle) are listed as questionable for action. The Spurs average 110.1 points per game, but they are giving up a league-high 120.8 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Suns (15-7) hope to get back on track after a loss in their last games. They face the first game of a two-game road trip, with a chance to improve on their 3-5 road record. Devin Booker leads the team, averaging 29.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Deandre Ayton averages 16.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while Mikal Bridges is averaging 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Cameron Johnson (knee) will remain sidelined, while Chris Paul (heel) is listed as questionable for action. The Suns average 116.0 points per game, while shooting an average of 47.9 percent from the field.
The Spurs (6-17) have dropped 10 straight games. They look to put an end to the woes, as they face the second game of a three-game home stand, with an opportunity to add to their 3-9 home record. Devin Vassell leads the team, averaging 20.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Keldon Johnson averages 20.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists, while Tre Jones averages 12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The Spurs continue to deal with injury trouble, as Jeremy Sochan (quadriceps) and Jakob Poeltl (knee) are expected to remain sidelined, while Josh Richardson (ankle) and Doug McDermott (ankle) are listed as questionable for action. The Spurs average 110.1 points per game, but they are giving up a league-high 120.8 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Suns (15-7) hope to get back on track after a loss in their last games. They face the first game of a two-game road trip, with a chance to improve on their 3-5 road record. Devin Booker leads the team, averaging 29.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Deandre Ayton averages 16.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while Mikal Bridges is averaging 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Cameron Johnson (knee) will remain sidelined, while Chris Paul (heel) is listed as questionable for action. The Suns average 116.0 points per game, while shooting an average of 47.9 percent from the field.
Pistons Look To Build At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Detroit Pistons play host to the Memphis Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday.
The Pistons (6-18) can build off a win in their last game, as they face the fourth and final game of a home stand, looking to build on their 4-7 home record. Bojan Bogdanovic leads the team, averaging 20.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Jaden Ivey averages 16.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals, while Saddiq Bey averages 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds, in 32 minutes per game The Pistons average 110.0 points per game, but they give up 118.0 points per game, which is second most in the league. Cade Cunningham (leg) remains sidelined, while Isaiah Livers (shoulder) will also be out for Sunday's action.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies (13-9) dropped two of their last three road games but look to build off a win in their last outing, as they have a chance to add to their 5-7 road record. Ja Morant leads the team, averaging 28.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.0 steals, in 33 minutes per game. Dillon Brooks averages 17.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while Jaren Jackson averages 19.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. The Grizzlies average 115.0 points per game, and they are holding opponents to an average of 113.8 points per game. Desmond Bane (toe) and Ziaire Williams (knee) are both expected to remain out.
The Pistons (6-18) can build off a win in their last game, as they face the fourth and final game of a home stand, looking to build on their 4-7 home record. Bojan Bogdanovic leads the team, averaging 20.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Jaden Ivey averages 16.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals, while Saddiq Bey averages 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds, in 32 minutes per game The Pistons average 110.0 points per game, but they give up 118.0 points per game, which is second most in the league. Cade Cunningham (leg) remains sidelined, while Isaiah Livers (shoulder) will also be out for Sunday's action.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies (13-9) dropped two of their last three road games but look to build off a win in their last outing, as they have a chance to add to their 5-7 road record. Ja Morant leads the team, averaging 28.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.0 steals, in 33 minutes per game. Dillon Brooks averages 17.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while Jaren Jackson averages 19.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. The Grizzlies average 115.0 points per game, and they are holding opponents to an average of 113.8 points per game. Desmond Bane (toe) and Ziaire Williams (knee) are both expected to remain out.
Nets Look To Keep Rolling At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Brooklyn Nets play host to the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on Sunday.
The Nets (13-11) have won their last four games. They look to keep the momentum going as they face the fifth game of a seven-game home stand, with the chance to continue improving upon their 8-4 home record. Kevin Durant leads the team, averaging 29.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.4 assist and 1.8 blocks per game. Kyrie Irving is averaging 24.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals, while Nicolas Claxton averages 11.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. The Nets average 111.7 points per game, while shooting an average of 49.8 percent from the field, which is second best in the league. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 110.4 points against. Ben Simmons (knee) and Yuta Watanabe (hamstring) will remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Celtics (18-5) look to bounce back from a loss in their last game as they kick off a six-game road trip with a chance to add to their 7-3 road record. Jayson Tatum leads the team, averaging 30.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Jaylen Brown averages 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals, while Marcus Smart averages 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Celtics average a league-high 121.6 points per game, while shooting an NBA-third-best 49.6 percent from the field. On the defensive end, they are holding opponents to an average of 113.6 points per game.
The Nets (13-11) have won their last four games. They look to keep the momentum going as they face the fifth game of a seven-game home stand, with the chance to continue improving upon their 8-4 home record. Kevin Durant leads the team, averaging 29.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.4 assist and 1.8 blocks per game. Kyrie Irving is averaging 24.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals, while Nicolas Claxton averages 11.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. The Nets average 111.7 points per game, while shooting an average of 49.8 percent from the field, which is second best in the league. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 110.4 points against. Ben Simmons (knee) and Yuta Watanabe (hamstring) will remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Celtics (18-5) look to bounce back from a loss in their last game as they kick off a six-game road trip with a chance to add to their 7-3 road record. Jayson Tatum leads the team, averaging 30.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Jaylen Brown averages 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals, while Marcus Smart averages 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Celtics average a league-high 121.6 points per game, while shooting an NBA-third-best 49.6 percent from the field. On the defensive end, they are holding opponents to an average of 113.6 points per game.
Knicks Aiming For Bounce Back, Face Cavaliers
The New York Knicks will host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
The Knicks (10-13) couldn’t sustain their strong start and ended up losing to the Dallas Mavericks by a 121-100 score on Saturday. Julius Randle was the best player for the Knicks with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists, while both Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett had 13 points with three assists. Brunson also had two boards, and Barrett had six rebounds. Immanuel Quickley impressed and scored 23 points coming off the bench. Quentin Grimes posted nine points, and he also finished with two steals. The Knicks have now lost two in a row and four of their last five.
Ryan Arcidiacono (ankle) has been ruled out of Sunday’s contest.
The Cavaliers (15-8) have won six of their last nine games and enter this game fresh off a 107-96 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday. Donovan Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 34 points, supplementing them with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Evan Mobley generated a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double that included four assists, two blocks and one steal. Darius Garland supplied 18 points, six assists, one rebound and one steal. Kevin Love produced 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal. Cleveland have been streaky this season, but the team is finding its groove again with two straight wins and three out of their last four contests.
The Cavaliers are listing several absences. The list includes Jarrett Allen (back), Dylan Windler (ankle), Dean Wade (shoulder) and Ricky Rubio (knee).
The Knicks (10-13) couldn’t sustain their strong start and ended up losing to the Dallas Mavericks by a 121-100 score on Saturday. Julius Randle was the best player for the Knicks with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists, while both Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett had 13 points with three assists. Brunson also had two boards, and Barrett had six rebounds. Immanuel Quickley impressed and scored 23 points coming off the bench. Quentin Grimes posted nine points, and he also finished with two steals. The Knicks have now lost two in a row and four of their last five.
Ryan Arcidiacono (ankle) has been ruled out of Sunday’s contest.
The Cavaliers (15-8) have won six of their last nine games and enter this game fresh off a 107-96 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday. Donovan Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 34 points, supplementing them with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Evan Mobley generated a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double that included four assists, two blocks and one steal. Darius Garland supplied 18 points, six assists, one rebound and one steal. Kevin Love produced 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal. Cleveland have been streaky this season, but the team is finding its groove again with two straight wins and three out of their last four contests.
The Cavaliers are listing several absences. The list includes Jarrett Allen (back), Dylan Windler (ankle), Dean Wade (shoulder) and Ricky Rubio (knee).
Kings Host Bulls Following Impressive Win Saturday
The Sacramento Kings will host the Chicago Bulls at Golden 1 Center on Sunday.
The Kings (11-9) had an excellent performance on both ends of the court Saturday and defeated the Los Angeles Clippers by a 123-96 score. All five starters scored in double digits for the Kings in this one. Domantas Sabonis had a team-high 24 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds, while Keegan Murray finished with 23 points and seven boards. De’Aaron Fox posted 14 points, six boards and four dimes, Kevin Huerter delivered 12 points, and Harrison Barnes ended up with 10 points. Malik Monk enjoyed a strong game off the bench as well and finished with 13 points. Chimezie Metu had 10 points. The Kings have now won two games in a row.
The Kings are not announcing any injuries prior to Sunday’s contest.
The Bulls (9-12) continue to stumble and enter this game fresh off a loss, as they suffered a 119-111 defeat against the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 23 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Zach LaVine totaled 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists. DeMar DeRozan collected 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists. It has been a struggling stretch for the Bulls of late, as they’ve now lost three of their last four games while allowing at least 119 points in each of those defeats.
Alex Caruso (ankle) has been tabbed as a game-time call for Sunday, while Lonzo Ball (knee) remains out. Justin Lewis (knee) is out for the season.
The Kings (11-9) had an excellent performance on both ends of the court Saturday and defeated the Los Angeles Clippers by a 123-96 score. All five starters scored in double digits for the Kings in this one. Domantas Sabonis had a team-high 24 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds, while Keegan Murray finished with 23 points and seven boards. De’Aaron Fox posted 14 points, six boards and four dimes, Kevin Huerter delivered 12 points, and Harrison Barnes ended up with 10 points. Malik Monk enjoyed a strong game off the bench as well and finished with 13 points. Chimezie Metu had 10 points. The Kings have now won two games in a row.
The Kings are not announcing any injuries prior to Sunday’s contest.
The Bulls (9-12) continue to stumble and enter this game fresh off a loss, as they suffered a 119-111 defeat against the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 23 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Zach LaVine totaled 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists. DeMar DeRozan collected 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists. It has been a struggling stretch for the Bulls of late, as they’ve now lost three of their last four games while allowing at least 119 points in each of those defeats.
Alex Caruso (ankle) has been tabbed as a game-time call for Sunday, while Lonzo Ball (knee) remains out. Justin Lewis (knee) is out for the season.
Wizards Host Lakers on Sunday
The Washington Wizards play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at Capital One Arena on Sunday.
The Lakers (9-12) have been the talk of the NBA for all the wrong reasons this season, but they're starting to turn things around. They come into this matchup winning seven of their last nine games, with one of those defeats being a fourth-quarter collapse. The most recent win was the one that has fans encouraged, beating the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. That's something almost no team has done this season, and it's exciting watching LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook all play well together. Davis has been especially good, averaging nearly 40 points and 15 rebounds over the last two weeks. If he can keep playing like that, the wins and MVP votes will likely keep coming.
The Wizards (11-11) looked like one of the best teams in the east two weeks ago, but they come into this matchup losing five of their last six games. That has the Wiz back to .500, but that's still better than most people anticipated at the beginning of the season. It's hard to understand why people were sleeping on this team because the threesome of Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis is as good as any other in the league. All three of those guys have been incredible so far this season, but one injury could derail them. That's why many people still think Washington is in rebuild mode, but one more addition could make them a legitimate contender as well.
These teams split their two meetings last season, with the home team winning both outings.
The Lakers (9-12) have been the talk of the NBA for all the wrong reasons this season, but they're starting to turn things around. They come into this matchup winning seven of their last nine games, with one of those defeats being a fourth-quarter collapse. The most recent win was the one that has fans encouraged, beating the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. That's something almost no team has done this season, and it's exciting watching LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook all play well together. Davis has been especially good, averaging nearly 40 points and 15 rebounds over the last two weeks. If he can keep playing like that, the wins and MVP votes will likely keep coming.
The Wizards (11-11) looked like one of the best teams in the east two weeks ago, but they come into this matchup losing five of their last six games. That has the Wiz back to .500, but that's still better than most people anticipated at the beginning of the season. It's hard to understand why people were sleeping on this team because the threesome of Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis is as good as any other in the league. All three of those guys have been incredible so far this season, but one injury could derail them. That's why many people still think Washington is in rebuild mode, but one more addition could make them a legitimate contender as well.
These teams split their two meetings last season, with the home team winning both outings.
Blazers Host Pacers on Sunday
The Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Indiana Pacers at Moda Center on Sunday.
The Pacers (12-10) were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, but this team has come together nicely. The acquisition of Tyrese Haliburton at the end of last year was the biggest move this organization had made in years because he looks like an All-Star talent. The Pacers point guard is leading the NBA with over 10 assists per game, and he does that damage with very few turnovers. That looks even better with Myles Turner dominating the paint, posting career-high averages across the board. That has fans wondering why there's talk of Indiana trading Turner because he looks like one of the best centers in the NBA. If this team keeps winning, there's no chance they move him.
The Trail Blazers (12-11) got off to an amazing start this season, but it's been a struggle since then. They enter this matchup losing seven of their last nine games. That horrific run directly correlates with an injury to Damian Lillard (calf), and that's the exact same thing that happened last season. The good news is that he's expected to return for this game, and having his 30 points back in the lineup will obviously be a massive boost. Anfernee Simons has been unbelievable in his absence, averaging over 30 points per game since he went out. Simons also dropped a career-high 45 points in their most recent win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday, and he truly looks like a star in the making.
These teams split their two meetings last season, with the road team winning both matchups. With that said, Portland won 11 of their previous 14 games in this series.
The Pacers (12-10) were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, but this team has come together nicely. The acquisition of Tyrese Haliburton at the end of last year was the biggest move this organization had made in years because he looks like an All-Star talent. The Pacers point guard is leading the NBA with over 10 assists per game, and he does that damage with very few turnovers. That looks even better with Myles Turner dominating the paint, posting career-high averages across the board. That has fans wondering why there's talk of Indiana trading Turner because he looks like one of the best centers in the NBA. If this team keeps winning, there's no chance they move him.
The Trail Blazers (12-11) got off to an amazing start this season, but it's been a struggle since then. They enter this matchup losing seven of their last nine games. That horrific run directly correlates with an injury to Damian Lillard (calf), and that's the exact same thing that happened last season. The good news is that he's expected to return for this game, and having his 30 points back in the lineup will obviously be a massive boost. Anfernee Simons has been unbelievable in his absence, averaging over 30 points per game since he went out. Simons also dropped a career-high 45 points in their most recent win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday, and he truly looks like a star in the making.
These teams split their two meetings last season, with the road team winning both matchups. With that said, Portland won 11 of their previous 14 games in this series.