Pelicans Look To End 11-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Orlando Magic at Smoothie King Center on Sunday.
The Pelicans (6-20) have dropped 11 straight games but look to get back on track as they kick off a short, two-game home stand. They have dropped four straight at home, where they are 4-9 this season. The Pelicans are averaging 112.6 points per game but are giving up an average of 119.7 points against, which is second most in the league. Brandon Ingram leads the team with 25.2 points and 7.0 rebounds, in 34 minutes per game. Jrue Holiday is averaging 19.0 points and team highs with 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. J.J. Redick continues to provide efficient offense, as he. is averaging 16.5 points, while shooting 41 percent from long range and 91 percent from the foul line, in 30 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the first game of a four-game road trip for the Magic (11-14), who are 3-8 on the road this season. Despite their road record, they have won two of their last three road games and can make up some lost ground with a successful road trip. The Magic are holding opponents to an average of 103.8 points per game, which is second fewest in the league, but they are scoring 102.5 points per game, which is also second fewest in the league. Evan Fournier leads the Magic with an average of 20.2 points per game. Aaron Gordon has picked up his play lately and is averaging 15.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists, over his last eight games. Markelle Fultz is also picking up speed, averaging 13.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals over his last nine games. Nikola Vucevic (ankle) is listed as questionable for action on Sunday.
The Pelicans (6-20) have dropped 11 straight games but look to get back on track as they kick off a short, two-game home stand. They have dropped four straight at home, where they are 4-9 this season. The Pelicans are averaging 112.6 points per game but are giving up an average of 119.7 points against, which is second most in the league. Brandon Ingram leads the team with 25.2 points and 7.0 rebounds, in 34 minutes per game. Jrue Holiday is averaging 19.0 points and team highs with 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. J.J. Redick continues to provide efficient offense, as he. is averaging 16.5 points, while shooting 41 percent from long range and 91 percent from the foul line, in 30 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the first game of a four-game road trip for the Magic (11-14), who are 3-8 on the road this season. Despite their road record, they have won two of their last three road games and can make up some lost ground with a successful road trip. The Magic are holding opponents to an average of 103.8 points per game, which is second fewest in the league, but they are scoring 102.5 points per game, which is also second fewest in the league. Evan Fournier leads the Magic with an average of 20.2 points per game. Aaron Gordon has picked up his play lately and is averaging 15.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists, over his last eight games. Markelle Fultz is also picking up speed, averaging 13.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals over his last nine games. Nikola Vucevic (ankle) is listed as questionable for action on Sunday.
Pacers Look To Continue Momentum At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Indiana Pacers play host to the Charlotte Hornets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday.
The Pacers (17-9) have won two in a row and seven of their last 10 contests. This marks their first game of a three-game home stand. They have won five of their last six contests at home, where they are 10-3 this season. Malcolm Brogdon leads the Pacers with team highs of 19.5 points and 7.7 assists per game. Domantas Sabonis is averaging 18.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists, while Myles Turner is averaging 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. The Pacers are averaging 109.3 points per game but are holding their opponents to 105.0 points per game, which is sixth fewest in the league. The Pacers are attempting 26.5 three-pointers per game, which is second fewest in the league, and they are making an average of 9.7 threes per game, which is third fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, this marks the third and final game of a road trip for the Hornets (12-16), where they have gone 2-0, with wins in Brooklyn and Chicago. They are 6-8 on the road, and they have won six of their last 10 games, including the last three in a row. The Hornets are averaging 105.2 points per game, which is fifth fewest in the league, while they are giving up an average of 111.3 points against. Devonte' Graham continues to impress, averaging team highs with 23.0 points and 8.4 assists over the last 10 games. He is also shooting 45 percent from long range and 86 percent from the foul line over the last 10 games. Terry Rozier is averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals, while Miles Bridges is averaging 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. P.J. Washington (finger) is expected to miss the next couple of weeks.
The Pacers (17-9) have won two in a row and seven of their last 10 contests. This marks their first game of a three-game home stand. They have won five of their last six contests at home, where they are 10-3 this season. Malcolm Brogdon leads the Pacers with team highs of 19.5 points and 7.7 assists per game. Domantas Sabonis is averaging 18.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists, while Myles Turner is averaging 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. The Pacers are averaging 109.3 points per game but are holding their opponents to 105.0 points per game, which is sixth fewest in the league. The Pacers are attempting 26.5 three-pointers per game, which is second fewest in the league, and they are making an average of 9.7 threes per game, which is third fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, this marks the third and final game of a road trip for the Hornets (12-16), where they have gone 2-0, with wins in Brooklyn and Chicago. They are 6-8 on the road, and they have won six of their last 10 games, including the last three in a row. The Hornets are averaging 105.2 points per game, which is fifth fewest in the league, while they are giving up an average of 111.3 points against. Devonte' Graham continues to impress, averaging team highs with 23.0 points and 8.4 assists over the last 10 games. He is also shooting 45 percent from long range and 86 percent from the foul line over the last 10 games. Terry Rozier is averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals, while Miles Bridges is averaging 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. P.J. Washington (finger) is expected to miss the next couple of weeks.
Lakers and Hawks Face Off in Peach State Showdown
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on Sunday evening.
The Lakers (23-3) check into Sunday's contest on another one of the winning streaks that has defined their season thus far, as they've notched six straight victories. Their most recent success came in a thrilling interconference matchup against the Miami Heat, which they defeated by a 113-110 margin Friday night. Anthony Davis led the way with a 33-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist and three blocks. LeBron James followed with 28 points, 12 assists, nine rebounds and one steal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 15 points, adding four assists and three rebounds. Avery Bradley poured in 10 points.
The Lakers will list James (elbow) as questionable for Sunday's game, while Davis (shoulder), Rajon Rondo (hamstring) and Bradley (leg) will all be listed as probable. Kyle Kuzma (ankle) will remain out.
The Hawks (6-20) are, as their record indicates, on the completely opposite end of the spectrum from their opponent Sunday. Atlanta has dropped four of its last five games, and 14 of their last 16 overall. Their most recent defeat was delivered by the Indiana Pacers, which toppled them by a 110-100 score Friday night. Trae Young led the Hawks with 23 points, adding eight assists, seven rebounds and one block. De'Andre Hunter totaled 21 points, four boards, two assists and two steals. Jabari Parker furnished 20 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Alex Len generated an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included two assists, one steal and one block.
The Hawks will continue to be without John Collins (suspension) for Sunday's game.
Sunday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Lakers hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 122-101 win Nov. 17.
The Lakers (23-3) check into Sunday's contest on another one of the winning streaks that has defined their season thus far, as they've notched six straight victories. Their most recent success came in a thrilling interconference matchup against the Miami Heat, which they defeated by a 113-110 margin Friday night. Anthony Davis led the way with a 33-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist and three blocks. LeBron James followed with 28 points, 12 assists, nine rebounds and one steal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope poured in 15 points, adding four assists and three rebounds. Avery Bradley poured in 10 points.
The Lakers will list James (elbow) as questionable for Sunday's game, while Davis (shoulder), Rajon Rondo (hamstring) and Bradley (leg) will all be listed as probable. Kyle Kuzma (ankle) will remain out.
The Hawks (6-20) are, as their record indicates, on the completely opposite end of the spectrum from their opponent Sunday. Atlanta has dropped four of its last five games, and 14 of their last 16 overall. Their most recent defeat was delivered by the Indiana Pacers, which toppled them by a 110-100 score Friday night. Trae Young led the Hawks with 23 points, adding eight assists, seven rebounds and one block. De'Andre Hunter totaled 21 points, four boards, two assists and two steals. Jabari Parker furnished 20 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Alex Len generated an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included two assists, one steal and one block.
The Hawks will continue to be without John Collins (suspension) for Sunday's game.
Sunday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Lakers hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 122-101 win Nov. 17.
76ers and Nets Clash in Atlantic Division Battle
The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Sunday evening.
The 76ers (20-7) have largely lived up to the lofty preseason expectations placed upon them, and they'll come into Sunday's contest with five straight wins. Their most recent victory came against the New Orleans Pelicans, which they toppled by a 116-109 margin Friday night. Tobias Harris paced the 76ers with 31 points and also registered five rebounds and two assists. Ben Simmons turned in 24 points, 11 assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Joel Embiid posted 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. James Ennis managed 10 points.
The 76ers will list Al Horford (knee) and Zhaire Smith (leg) as questionable for Sunday's game.
The Nets (13-12) haven't been quite as successful as their Sunday opponent, but they've done a solid job in the face of multiple key injuries. Brooklyn is an impressive 8-4 over its last 12 games, but half of those losses have come their last two times on the floor. The most recent came Saturday night, when the Nets dropped a 110-102 decision to the Toronto Raptors. Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets with 24 points, adding eight assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Garrett Temple produced 16 points, four rebounds and two assists. Taurean Prince generated a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two assists, one steal and one block. Joe Harris went for 13 points, four assists and three boards.
The Nets will list Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Caris LeVert (thumb), Wilson Chandler (suspension) and Nicholas Claxton (hamstring) as out for Sunday's contest.
Sunday's game is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. The 76ers split the four-game 2018-19 regular-season series with Brooklyn and then won the Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against the Nets by a 4-1 margin.
The 76ers (20-7) have largely lived up to the lofty preseason expectations placed upon them, and they'll come into Sunday's contest with five straight wins. Their most recent victory came against the New Orleans Pelicans, which they toppled by a 116-109 margin Friday night. Tobias Harris paced the 76ers with 31 points and also registered five rebounds and two assists. Ben Simmons turned in 24 points, 11 assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Joel Embiid posted 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. James Ennis managed 10 points.
The 76ers will list Al Horford (knee) and Zhaire Smith (leg) as questionable for Sunday's game.
The Nets (13-12) haven't been quite as successful as their Sunday opponent, but they've done a solid job in the face of multiple key injuries. Brooklyn is an impressive 8-4 over its last 12 games, but half of those losses have come their last two times on the floor. The most recent came Saturday night, when the Nets dropped a 110-102 decision to the Toronto Raptors. Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets with 24 points, adding eight assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Garrett Temple produced 16 points, four rebounds and two assists. Taurean Prince generated a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two assists, one steal and one block. Joe Harris went for 13 points, four assists and three boards.
The Nets will list Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Caris LeVert (thumb), Wilson Chandler (suspension) and Nicholas Claxton (hamstring) as out for Sunday's contest.
Sunday's game is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. The 76ers split the four-game 2018-19 regular-season series with Brooklyn and then won the Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against the Nets by a 4-1 margin.
Nuggets Host Knicks on Sunday
The Denver Nuggets play host to the New York Knicks at Pepsi Center on Sunday.
The Knicks (6-20) come into this matchup winning their last two games. That's a miraculous stretch from one of the worst teams in basketball and it directly correlates with the firing of David Fizdale. The former head coach had numerous issues coaching this team and the recent results certainly aren't a good indicator of what he was doing for this club. What makes those wins even more impressive is the fact that both games came on the road against Western Conference foes. Those were actually just their second and third road victories of the season, to match their three wins at home. The simple fact is, this team doesn't have enough to compete with good NBA teams and they have an uphill battle here against a talented team like the Nuggets.
The Nuggets (16-8) are now 10-3 at home after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday and it's nice to see this team playing so well after a short slump. They actually come into this matchup winning two-straight, with both being decided in dominating fashion. That's what fans expect to see here again, as they should be heavy favorites against this putrid Knicks squad. The big advantage here is their defense, with Denver allowing the fewest points in the NBA while facing a New York club who sits dead-last in offensive efficiency. Nikola Jokic appears to be hitting his stride too, recording a triple-double on Saturday. What those last two wins did do is end a stretch in which they lost five of seven, which is simply inexcusable from a club who believes they should be the top-seeded team in the west.
Denver obliterated New York in their first meeting this season, 129-92, on December 5. That marked the Nuggets ninth win in their last 10 games against the Knicks.
The Knicks (6-20) come into this matchup winning their last two games. That's a miraculous stretch from one of the worst teams in basketball and it directly correlates with the firing of David Fizdale. The former head coach had numerous issues coaching this team and the recent results certainly aren't a good indicator of what he was doing for this club. What makes those wins even more impressive is the fact that both games came on the road against Western Conference foes. Those were actually just their second and third road victories of the season, to match their three wins at home. The simple fact is, this team doesn't have enough to compete with good NBA teams and they have an uphill battle here against a talented team like the Nuggets.
The Nuggets (16-8) are now 10-3 at home after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday and it's nice to see this team playing so well after a short slump. They actually come into this matchup winning two-straight, with both being decided in dominating fashion. That's what fans expect to see here again, as they should be heavy favorites against this putrid Knicks squad. The big advantage here is their defense, with Denver allowing the fewest points in the NBA while facing a New York club who sits dead-last in offensive efficiency. Nikola Jokic appears to be hitting his stride too, recording a triple-double on Saturday. What those last two wins did do is end a stretch in which they lost five of seven, which is simply inexcusable from a club who believes they should be the top-seeded team in the west.
Denver obliterated New York in their first meeting this season, 129-92, on December 5. That marked the Nuggets ninth win in their last 10 games against the Knicks.
Warriors Host Kings on Sunday
The Sacramento Kings travel to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on Sunday,
The Kings (11-14) come into this matchup winning three of their last four games but Sacramento fans would tell you that it should be four-straight. The reason for that is because the Kings narrowly lost to the New York Knicks in their most recent outing, at home nonetheless. That's in inexcusable loss to a bad basketball team and it emphasizes just how much this team is playing below expectations. Part of that surely has to do with De'Aaron Fox's injury but the good news is that he's expected back sometime within the next week or two. That would be a welcomed sight to get an All-Star caliber player like that back in the lineup and they're obviously missing his play-making ways right now.
The Warriors (5-22) own the worst record in the Western Conference right now which is truly miraculous for a club who owns the best record in the NBA over the last decade. Injuries and departures can do that to a franchise though, as both of those things have crippled this team. Many people didn't know what to expect when Kevin Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason but there was still optimism that Stephen Curry could carry this team. A broken hand to Curry in the opening weeks ended those hopes quickly though and they simply can't compete with Klay Thompson out for the year as well. It didn't end there though, with D'Angelo Russell, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney all dealing with injuries early on. The one bit of good news is that all three of those guys are back now but the hole is simply too deep to dig out of at this point and it doesn't appear that Golden State is anywhere close to landing anywhere but dead-last in the conference.
Golden State has dominated this series over recent years, sweeping the four-game season series last year.
The Kings (11-14) come into this matchup winning three of their last four games but Sacramento fans would tell you that it should be four-straight. The reason for that is because the Kings narrowly lost to the New York Knicks in their most recent outing, at home nonetheless. That's in inexcusable loss to a bad basketball team and it emphasizes just how much this team is playing below expectations. Part of that surely has to do with De'Aaron Fox's injury but the good news is that he's expected back sometime within the next week or two. That would be a welcomed sight to get an All-Star caliber player like that back in the lineup and they're obviously missing his play-making ways right now.
The Warriors (5-22) own the worst record in the Western Conference right now which is truly miraculous for a club who owns the best record in the NBA over the last decade. Injuries and departures can do that to a franchise though, as both of those things have crippled this team. Many people didn't know what to expect when Kevin Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason but there was still optimism that Stephen Curry could carry this team. A broken hand to Curry in the opening weeks ended those hopes quickly though and they simply can't compete with Klay Thompson out for the year as well. It didn't end there though, with D'Angelo Russell, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney all dealing with injuries early on. The one bit of good news is that all three of those guys are back now but the hole is simply too deep to dig out of at this point and it doesn't appear that Golden State is anywhere close to landing anywhere but dead-last in the conference.
Golden State has dominated this series over recent years, sweeping the four-game season series last year.