Magic Play Host to Sixers on Monday
The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Florida to play the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Monday.
The Sixers (47-26) come into this matchup winning six of their last seven games, as they've capitulated themselves all the way up to third in the Eastern Conference. In fact, they are now 2.5 games up on the Indiana Pacers in fourth and it appears Philly is locked into that three-seed with the Toronto Raptors up 3.5 games in second. Landing in third isn't the worst-case scenario, as that gives them homecourt advantage in the first-round. That's something this club desperately wants because of their road struggles. In fact, Philly is just 18-17 on the road this season and many wonder if they can go into Toronto or Milwaukee and win a seven-game series on the road when that eventually comes around.
The Magic (35-38) come into this matchup winning four-straight games, as they're making one final push to reach the postseason. In fact, Orlando is just one game back on the Miami Heat in eighth and it's clear that this race is going to go down to the wire. That's not the only club they have to compete with though either, with the Charlotte Hornets just one game behind the Magic too. What's impressive about Orlando this season is their defense, as they currently rank fifth in points allowed. That's something you don't see often from an Orlando team and it really shows just how much this group has grown throughout the year.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams this season, with Philly winning two of three. In fact, the home team has prevailed in all three matchups thus far.
The Sixers (47-26) come into this matchup winning six of their last seven games, as they've capitulated themselves all the way up to third in the Eastern Conference. In fact, they are now 2.5 games up on the Indiana Pacers in fourth and it appears Philly is locked into that three-seed with the Toronto Raptors up 3.5 games in second. Landing in third isn't the worst-case scenario, as that gives them homecourt advantage in the first-round. That's something this club desperately wants because of their road struggles. In fact, Philly is just 18-17 on the road this season and many wonder if they can go into Toronto or Milwaukee and win a seven-game series on the road when that eventually comes around.
The Magic (35-38) come into this matchup winning four-straight games, as they're making one final push to reach the postseason. In fact, Orlando is just one game back on the Miami Heat in eighth and it's clear that this race is going to go down to the wire. That's not the only club they have to compete with though either, with the Charlotte Hornets just one game behind the Magic too. What's impressive about Orlando this season is their defense, as they currently rank fifth in points allowed. That's something you don't see often from an Orlando team and it really shows just how much this group has grown throughout the year.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams this season, with Philly winning two of three. In fact, the home team has prevailed in all three matchups thus far.
Grizzlies Looking To End Two-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder, at FedEx Forum on Monday evening.
This marks the second game of a three-game home stand for the Grizzlies (29-44), which began with a loss to the Timberwolves on Saturday. The Grizzlies are 19-18 at home this season. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games overall, but have lost their last two in a row. Despite the rough season, and a trade that sent Marc Gasol away, the Grizzlies have been looking good lately, as Jonas Valanciunas and Delon Wright have had some impressive showings already. Valanciunas is averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks, in 28 minutes per game, while Wright is averaging 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game, over their last 10 games. The Grizzlies remain a solid defensive club, as they hold opponents to an average of 105.2 points per game, which is second lowest in the league.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Thunder (43-30), who have had a few days since grabbing a win in Toronto on March 22nd. Prior to the win in Toronto, the Thunder had lost four games in a row. They are 20-18 on the road this season and sit sixth place in the tightly packed West, with a 0.5-game lead over eighth place. Russell Westbrook is on the verge of averaging a triple-double for the third straight season, as he is averaging 23.1 points, 10.4 assists and 11,1 rebounds per game. Paul George has also been very productive, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Jerami Grant has been a consistent force, averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 blocks, in 32 minutes per game. The Thunder score an average of 114.5 points per game, which is sixth most in the league.
This marks the second game of a three-game home stand for the Grizzlies (29-44), which began with a loss to the Timberwolves on Saturday. The Grizzlies are 19-18 at home this season. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games overall, but have lost their last two in a row. Despite the rough season, and a trade that sent Marc Gasol away, the Grizzlies have been looking good lately, as Jonas Valanciunas and Delon Wright have had some impressive showings already. Valanciunas is averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks, in 28 minutes per game, while Wright is averaging 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game, over their last 10 games. The Grizzlies remain a solid defensive club, as they hold opponents to an average of 105.2 points per game, which is second lowest in the league.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Thunder (43-30), who have had a few days since grabbing a win in Toronto on March 22nd. Prior to the win in Toronto, the Thunder had lost four games in a row. They are 20-18 on the road this season and sit sixth place in the tightly packed West, with a 0.5-game lead over eighth place. Russell Westbrook is on the verge of averaging a triple-double for the third straight season, as he is averaging 23.1 points, 10.4 assists and 11,1 rebounds per game. Paul George has also been very productive, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Jerami Grant has been a consistent force, averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 blocks, in 32 minutes per game. The Thunder score an average of 114.5 points per game, which is sixth most in the league.
Suns Visit Jazz For Conference Showdown
The Phoenix Suns take on the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday night.
The Suns (17-57) come into Monday's contest in the midst of another spiral, as they've dropped six of their last eight contests on their way to wrapping up a rebuilding season. Phoenix's most recent stumble came against the Sacramento Kings, which toppled them by a 112-103 margin on Saturday night. Devin Booker led the way for the Suns with 32 points, adding 10 assists, two rebounds and two steals. Deandre Ayton generated a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one steal and one block. Troy Daniels furnished 16 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block. Richaun Holmes totaled 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The Suns will be without Tyler Johnson (knee) and T.J. Warren (ankle) again on Monday. Josh Jackson (ankle) will carry a questionable designation.
The Jazz (43-30) currently slot into the seventh seed in the Western Conference, a spot they've reached by winning six of their last seven games. Utah's most recent success came at the expense of the Chicago Bulls, which they dominated by a 114-83 score on Saturday night. Rudy Gobert led the way with a 21-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included two assists and four blocks. Donovan Mitchell provided 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Joe Ingles and Derrick Favors generated matching 13-point, six-rebound efforts, with Ingles also dishing out five assists. Ricky Rubio delivered 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Jazz will remain without Dante Exum (knee) in Monday's contest.
Monday's game marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The Jazz holds a 2-0 series lead, having notched 116-88 and 114-97 wins on Feb. 6 and March 13, respectively.
The Suns (17-57) come into Monday's contest in the midst of another spiral, as they've dropped six of their last eight contests on their way to wrapping up a rebuilding season. Phoenix's most recent stumble came against the Sacramento Kings, which toppled them by a 112-103 margin on Saturday night. Devin Booker led the way for the Suns with 32 points, adding 10 assists, two rebounds and two steals. Deandre Ayton generated a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one steal and one block. Troy Daniels furnished 16 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block. Richaun Holmes totaled 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. Mikal Bridges finished with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The Suns will be without Tyler Johnson (knee) and T.J. Warren (ankle) again on Monday. Josh Jackson (ankle) will carry a questionable designation.
The Jazz (43-30) currently slot into the seventh seed in the Western Conference, a spot they've reached by winning six of their last seven games. Utah's most recent success came at the expense of the Chicago Bulls, which they dominated by a 114-83 score on Saturday night. Rudy Gobert led the way with a 21-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included two assists and four blocks. Donovan Mitchell provided 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Joe Ingles and Derrick Favors generated matching 13-point, six-rebound efforts, with Ingles also dishing out five assists. Ricky Rubio delivered 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Jazz will remain without Dante Exum (knee) in Monday's contest.
Monday's game marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The Jazz holds a 2-0 series lead, having notched 116-88 and 114-97 wins on Feb. 6 and March 13, respectively.
Nets Continue Road Trip, Visit Portland
By Oscar Heanue
The Portland Trail Blazers will play host to the Brooklyn Nets at Moda Center on Monday evening.
Monday's matchup will be the sixth in a seven-game road trip for Brooklyn (38-36). The Nets started the trip by dropping three straight games, but have since rebounded with two straight wins. Most recently, Brooklyn picked up a 111-106 win over the Lakers in LA. Former Laker D'Angelo Russell continued his strong play, tallying a 21-point, 13-assist double-double. The Nets also saw 26 points from sharpshooting wing Joe Harris. Harris went 6-of-8 from three-point range, bringing his league-best three-point percentage up to 47.1 percent. With their two recent wins and Detroit's loss on Sunday, the Nets now occupy sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Portland (45-27), meanwhile, has won six of its last seven games. The strong stretch has lifted the Trail Blazers to fourth in the Western Conference. Since the All-Star break, Portland has emerged as one of the league's most dominant offensive teams. The Blazers are scoring 117.1 points per game since the break. Superstar guard Damian Lillard has been playing some of his best basketball over that stretch, averaging 26.3 points and 8.1 assists post-ASB. Lillard is fresh off a 28-poiont, nine-assist night in Portland's win over Detroit on Saturday.
The Trail Blazers will be without C.J. McCollum once again on Monday. McCollum has missed the team's last three games with a knee sprain. Brooklyn, meanwhile, will be without Allen Crabbe for the fifth straight game as the shooting guard recovers from soreness in his right knee.
Monday's matchup will be the sixth in a seven-game road trip for Brooklyn (38-36). The Nets started the trip by dropping three straight games, but have since rebounded with two straight wins. Most recently, Brooklyn picked up a 111-106 win over the Lakers in LA. Former Laker D'Angelo Russell continued his strong play, tallying a 21-point, 13-assist double-double. The Nets also saw 26 points from sharpshooting wing Joe Harris. Harris went 6-of-8 from three-point range, bringing his league-best three-point percentage up to 47.1 percent. With their two recent wins and Detroit's loss on Sunday, the Nets now occupy sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Portland (45-27), meanwhile, has won six of its last seven games. The strong stretch has lifted the Trail Blazers to fourth in the Western Conference. Since the All-Star break, Portland has emerged as one of the league's most dominant offensive teams. The Blazers are scoring 117.1 points per game since the break. Superstar guard Damian Lillard has been playing some of his best basketball over that stretch, averaging 26.3 points and 8.1 assists post-ASB. Lillard is fresh off a 28-poiont, nine-assist night in Portland's win over Detroit on Saturday.
The Trail Blazers will be without C.J. McCollum once again on Monday. McCollum has missed the team's last three games with a knee sprain. Brooklyn, meanwhile, will be without Allen Crabbe for the fifth straight game as the shooting guard recovers from soreness in his right knee.