Hawks, Pacers Tangle In StateFarm Arena
The Atlanta Hawks will host the Indiana Pacers at StateFarm Arena on Saturday.
The Hawks (36-37) are coming off a 125-124 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Trae Young led the Hawks with 29 points on 6-of-16 shooting, two rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 32 minutes. John Collins added 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Saddiq Bey tallied 16 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Onyeka Okongwu chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
The Pacers (33-41) are coming off a 120-95 road loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday. Tyrese Haliburton notched 20 points and nine assists to lead the Pacers. The star floor general also grabbed six rebounds. Myles Turner posted 20 points and six rebounds across 24 minutes. Isaiah Jackson posted 12 points and six rebounds coming off the bench. T.J. McConnell had 10 points and four boards. Bennedict Mathurin ended with two points while playing as a starter.
The Hawks (36-37) are coming off a 125-124 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Trae Young led the Hawks with 29 points on 6-of-16 shooting, two rebounds, eight assists and a steal, in 32 minutes. John Collins added 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Saddiq Bey tallied 16 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Onyeka Okongwu chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
The Pacers (33-41) are coming off a 120-95 road loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday. Tyrese Haliburton notched 20 points and nine assists to lead the Pacers. The star floor general also grabbed six rebounds. Myles Turner posted 20 points and six rebounds across 24 minutes. Isaiah Jackson posted 12 points and six rebounds coming off the bench. T.J. McConnell had 10 points and four boards. Bennedict Mathurin ended with two points while playing as a starter.
Heat, Nets Battle In Potential Playoff Preview
The Miami Heat will host the Brooklyn Nets at Miami-Dade Arena on Saturday.
The Heat (40-34) are coming off a 127-120 home win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 35 points, supplementing them with nine assists, four rebounds and four steals. Tyler Herro delivered 22 points, four assists and three rebounds. Gabe Vincent posted 19 points and three assists. Bam Adebayo compiled 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Kyle Lowry collected 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Nets (39-34) are coming off a 116-114 home loss to the Ceveland Cavaliers on Thursday. Mikal Bridges paced the Nets with 32 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and one assist. Spencer Dinwiddie turned in 25 points, 12 assists, four rebounds and one steal. Joe Harris recorded 15 points and three rebounds, while Royce O'Neal furnished 12 points, eight boards, two assists and one steal. Nic Claxton registered 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal.
The Heat (40-34) are coming off a 127-120 home win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 35 points, supplementing them with nine assists, four rebounds and four steals. Tyler Herro delivered 22 points, four assists and three rebounds. Gabe Vincent posted 19 points and three assists. Bam Adebayo compiled 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Kyle Lowry collected 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Nets (39-34) are coming off a 116-114 home loss to the Ceveland Cavaliers on Thursday. Mikal Bridges paced the Nets with 32 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and one assist. Spencer Dinwiddie turned in 25 points, 12 assists, four rebounds and one steal. Joe Harris recorded 15 points and three rebounds, while Royce O'Neal furnished 12 points, eight boards, two assists and one steal. Nic Claxton registered 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal.
Nuggets Host Streaking Bucks
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Milwaukee Bucks at Ball Arena on Saturday evening.
The Nuggets (49-24) have won three of their last four games and hope to add to their, 30-6, home record as they return home to kick off a three-game stand. Nikola Jokic leads the team, averaging 24.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Jamal Murray averages 20.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.0 steals, while Michael Porter is averaging 17.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. The Nuggets average 116.7 points per game, while shooting a league-best 50.9 percent from the field, and they hold opponents to an average of 112.8 points per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Bucks (53-20), after an impressive, 144-116, win in Utah on Friday evening. They jumped out to a great start in the game with a, 40-25, lead after one quarter and carried a 16-point lead into the break. The hosts had no answers in the third, as the Bucks doubled their advantage, to make it a 32-point deficit heading into the final frame. The Bucks had no trouble in the fourth, as they closed out their third straight win. Grayson Allen led the way with 25 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Giannis Antetokounmpo followed up with 24 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and two steals, and Pat Connaughton added 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. The Bucks will look to keep the momentum going on the second game of a four-game road trip, where they have the chance to add to their, 23-13, road record. Khris Middleton (knee) did not play on Friday and remains questionable for action.
The Nuggets (49-24) have won three of their last four games and hope to add to their, 30-6, home record as they return home to kick off a three-game stand. Nikola Jokic leads the team, averaging 24.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Jamal Murray averages 20.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.0 steals, while Michael Porter is averaging 17.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. The Nuggets average 116.7 points per game, while shooting a league-best 50.9 percent from the field, and they hold opponents to an average of 112.8 points per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Bucks (53-20), after an impressive, 144-116, win in Utah on Friday evening. They jumped out to a great start in the game with a, 40-25, lead after one quarter and carried a 16-point lead into the break. The hosts had no answers in the third, as the Bucks doubled their advantage, to make it a 32-point deficit heading into the final frame. The Bucks had no trouble in the fourth, as they closed out their third straight win. Grayson Allen led the way with 25 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Giannis Antetokounmpo followed up with 24 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and two steals, and Pat Connaughton added 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. The Bucks will look to keep the momentum going on the second game of a four-game road trip, where they have the chance to add to their, 23-13, road record. Khris Middleton (knee) did not play on Friday and remains questionable for action.
Suns Host Sixers on Saturday
The Phoenix Suns play host to the Philadelphia 76ers at Footprint Center on Saturday.
The Sixers (49-24) looked well on their way to a huge win on Friday, but they collapsed in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors. They led for the majority of that game, but the Warriors rode a 41-24 fourth quarter to that 120-112 win. That's a blip on an otherwise clean radar because Philly only has a handful of losses over the last month. They've climbed all the way up to third in the Eastern Conference and are just one game behind the Boston Celtics and 3.5 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks. The most important thing going forward is to get James Harden healthy. The former All-Star has missed the last two games due to an Achilles issue, and this club won't be the same until the assists leader is ready to return.
The Suns (38-35) are freefalling down the standings, losing six of their last seven games. That's one of the worst stretches this club has had in two years, and it couldn't come at a worse time. While Phoenix still sits fifth in the west, they're only three games up on the Utah Jazz in 12th. That means there's a long way to fall if the losing ways continue, and falling out of the playoffs altogether is not out of the realm of possibility. The Suns also have one of the toughest remaining schedules, and they desperately need Kevin Durant to return. The former MVP is supposedly close to returning, and there's some thought he could be back early next week.
These teams played back on November 7, with Philly prevailing, 100-88. That snapped a six-game winning streak by Phoenix in this series.
The Sixers (49-24) looked well on their way to a huge win on Friday, but they collapsed in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors. They led for the majority of that game, but the Warriors rode a 41-24 fourth quarter to that 120-112 win. That's a blip on an otherwise clean radar because Philly only has a handful of losses over the last month. They've climbed all the way up to third in the Eastern Conference and are just one game behind the Boston Celtics and 3.5 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks. The most important thing going forward is to get James Harden healthy. The former All-Star has missed the last two games due to an Achilles issue, and this club won't be the same until the assists leader is ready to return.
The Suns (38-35) are freefalling down the standings, losing six of their last seven games. That's one of the worst stretches this club has had in two years, and it couldn't come at a worse time. While Phoenix still sits fifth in the west, they're only three games up on the Utah Jazz in 12th. That means there's a long way to fall if the losing ways continue, and falling out of the playoffs altogether is not out of the realm of possibility. The Suns also have one of the toughest remaining schedules, and they desperately need Kevin Durant to return. The former MVP is supposedly close to returning, and there's some thought he could be back early next week.
These teams played back on November 7, with Philly prevailing, 100-88. That snapped a six-game winning streak by Phoenix in this series.
Kings Host Jazz on Saturday
The Sacramento Kings play host to the Utah Jazz at Golden 1 Center on Saturday.
The Jazz (35-38) come into this matchup losing two straight and seven of their last 11 games in total. That has put a massive dent in their playoff hopes, sitting 12th in the convoluted Western Conference. The good news is that they're only 2.5 games back of the teams in fourth and fifth, so, anything can happen over these closing two weeks. Time is running out on this club, though, because there are only nine games remaining. This team was supposed to have a rebuilding season, but to be in the playoff hunt at this point is quite an accomplishment. The pieces are in play for them to continue building, with Lauri Markkanen developing into an All-Star and Walker Kessler dominating the center position.
The Kings (44-29) grabbed a narrow win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday in their most recent outing. That means this is the second half of a back-to-back set, which is discouraging because De'Aaron Fox had to leave that win on Friday. The All-Star suffered a hamstring strain, and it's unclear just how much time he'll miss. They ironically got Kevin Huerter back from a hammy issue in that victory, though, and he led the team with 29 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Role players stepping up has been the recipe all season, and it has Sacramento locked into either second or third in the west. They're just one win away from guaranteeing a playoff berth, and that'll mark their first appearance in nearly 20 years.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Sacramento winning two of three. With that said, Utah has won nine of its last 11 games in this series.
The Jazz (35-38) come into this matchup losing two straight and seven of their last 11 games in total. That has put a massive dent in their playoff hopes, sitting 12th in the convoluted Western Conference. The good news is that they're only 2.5 games back of the teams in fourth and fifth, so, anything can happen over these closing two weeks. Time is running out on this club, though, because there are only nine games remaining. This team was supposed to have a rebuilding season, but to be in the playoff hunt at this point is quite an accomplishment. The pieces are in play for them to continue building, with Lauri Markkanen developing into an All-Star and Walker Kessler dominating the center position.
The Kings (44-29) grabbed a narrow win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday in their most recent outing. That means this is the second half of a back-to-back set, which is discouraging because De'Aaron Fox had to leave that win on Friday. The All-Star suffered a hamstring strain, and it's unclear just how much time he'll miss. They ironically got Kevin Huerter back from a hammy issue in that victory, though, and he led the team with 29 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Role players stepping up has been the recipe all season, and it has Sacramento locked into either second or third in the west. They're just one win away from guaranteeing a playoff berth, and that'll mark their first appearance in nearly 20 years.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Sacramento winning two of three. With that said, Utah has won nine of its last 11 games in this series.
Pelicans and Clippers Meet in Key Late-Season Clash
The New Orleans Pelicans take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night.
The Pelicans (36-37) remain in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race and head into Saturday's contest having won three consecutive games. Their most recent success came Thursday night, when they disposed of the Charlotte Hornets by a 115-96 score. Brandon Ingram led the way with 30 points, adding 11 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal. Jonas Valanciunas generated a 20-point, 19-rebound double-double that included three assists and one steal. C.J. McCollum matched Valanciunas' scoring and also recorded three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Trey Murphy registered 19 points, two rebounds, one assist and four steals. Naji Marshall totaled 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Pelicans will remain without Jose Alvarado (leg) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) for Saturday's game. Murphy (toe) will carry a questionable tag.
The Clippers (39-35) are in better shape overall with respect to the postseason than their opponent, but Los Angeles needs to continue collecting wins in order to lock in a top-6 spot. They check into Saturday's matchup with three wins in the last five games, with the most recent coming via 127-105 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 32 points, complementing them with six rebounds, six assists and four steals. Russell Westbrook managed 24 points, seven assists, two rebounds and one block. Bones Hyland turned in 16 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Terance Mann went for 14 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Clippers will list Paul George (leg), Norman Powell (shoulder) and Brandon Boston (lower body) as out for Saturday's game.
Saturday's contest marks the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Pelicans hold a 1-0 series lead.
The Pelicans (36-37) remain in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race and head into Saturday's contest having won three consecutive games. Their most recent success came Thursday night, when they disposed of the Charlotte Hornets by a 115-96 score. Brandon Ingram led the way with 30 points, adding 11 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal. Jonas Valanciunas generated a 20-point, 19-rebound double-double that included three assists and one steal. C.J. McCollum matched Valanciunas' scoring and also recorded three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Trey Murphy registered 19 points, two rebounds, one assist and four steals. Naji Marshall totaled 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Pelicans will remain without Jose Alvarado (leg) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) for Saturday's game. Murphy (toe) will carry a questionable tag.
The Clippers (39-35) are in better shape overall with respect to the postseason than their opponent, but Los Angeles needs to continue collecting wins in order to lock in a top-6 spot. They check into Saturday's matchup with three wins in the last five games, with the most recent coming via 127-105 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 32 points, complementing them with six rebounds, six assists and four steals. Russell Westbrook managed 24 points, seven assists, two rebounds and one block. Bones Hyland turned in 16 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Terance Mann went for 14 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Clippers will list Paul George (leg), Norman Powell (shoulder) and Brandon Boston (lower body) as out for Saturday's game.
Saturday's contest marks the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Pelicans hold a 1-0 series lead.