November 27th NBA Game Previews

The Brooklyn Nets will host the Portland Trail Blazers at Barclays Center on Sunday.

The Nets (9-11) are coming off a 128-117 loss against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Kevin Durant led the Nets with 36 points, adding nine rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Ben Simmons furnished 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and one block. Kyrie Irving matched Simmons' scoring and added four rebounds and four assists. Seth Curry delivered 14 points, five assists and two rebounds. Nicolas Claxton generated a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one assist and five blocks. The loss against the Pacers means Brooklyn has now lost two of its last three, but the team has still gone 3-2 in its last five.

The Nets are listing T.J. Warren (foot) and Alondes Williams (undisclosed) as game-time decisions, while Yuta Watanabe (hamstring) is out.

The Trail Blazers (11-8) are coming off a 132-129 overtime win over the New York Knicks on Friday. Jerami Grant had his best game as a Portland player and finished with 44 points, while Anfernee Simons had an impressive outing and posted 38 points to go along with five assists and four rebounds. Josh Hart notched 10 points, four assists and two steals, but he stood out as a rebounder with 19 boards. Jusuf Nurkic ended with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. The Trail Blazers managed to snap a four-game losing streak with the win over Portland.

Drew Eubanks (back) and Keon Johnson (hip) are questionable, while Damian Lillard (calf) and Gary Payton (abdomen) are out.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Golden State Warriors at Target Center on Sunday.

The Timberwolves (10-9) are coming off a 110-108 loss against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. Anthony Edwards was the best player for Minnesota since he ended up with 25 points, five rebounds and four assists, while D’Angelo Russell racked up with 20 points, 10 assists and four rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns ended with 19 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Rudy Gobert finished with 17 points, 17 rebounds, two steals, two blocks and one assist. The loss against the Hornets snapped Minnesota’s winning streak at five games, but they’ve still gone 4-1 in its last five.

Jordan McLaughlin (calf) is a game-time decision for Sunday’s game, while Taurean Prince (shoulder) is out.

The Warriors (10-10) are coming off a 129-118 win over the Utah Jazz on Friday. They were led by Stephen Curry, who tallied 33 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Klay Thompson finished with 20 points and six boards. Andrew Wiggins accrued 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Draymond Green accumulated 13 points, three rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Kevon Looney also had 10 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Jordan Poole led the bench with 19 points, four rebounds and six assists. Golden State has won two games in a row and four of its last five.

The Warriors are close to being at full strength, with Andre Iguodala (hip) being the only confirmed absentee.

The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.

The Clippers (11-9) hope to end a two-game slide, as the face the second and final game of a short home stand with a chance to add to their 6-5 home record. They have been dealing with injury trouble but may be getting some help back in the lineup, as Paul George (hamstring), Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and Luke Kennard (calf) are all listed as questionable for action. Ivica Zubac continues to play well, averaging 9.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. Reggie Jackson averages 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists, while Marcus Morris averages 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists. The Clippers are averaging a league-low 106.1 points per game, while they are giving up an average of 107.2 points per game, which is third fewest in the league.

Meanwhile, the Pacers (11-7) will look to build off a win in their last game as they kick off a seven-game road trip with the chance to build on their 4-3 road record. Tyrese Haliburton continues to lead the way with his impressive play, averaging 19.9 points, 11.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Bennedict Mathurin averages 19.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists, while Myles Turner averages 18.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.8 blocks per game. The Pacers average 116.6 points per game, and they are holding opponents to an average of 114.3 points per game. However, they are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 37.5 from long range, which is fourth highest in the league. Chris Duarte (ankle) and Andrew Nembhard (knee) are listed as questionable for action, while Daniel Theis (knee) remains out.

The Atlanta Hawks play host to the Miami Heat at State Farm Arena on Sunday.

The Hawks (11-8) return home after a loss in Houston in their last game. They are 7-3 at home this season and hope to add to their solid home record before they head back on the road for another short road trip. Trae Young leads the team, averaging 28.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. Dejounte Murray averages 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 2.0 steals, while John Collins is averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds 1.2 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. Clint Capela (mouth) missed the last game and is listed as questionable for action, while Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) will remain sidelined. The Hawks average 114.8 points per game, but they are giving up an average of 114.7 points against.

Meanwhile, the Heat (9-11) will look to build on a two-game win streak as they kick off a four-game road trip. hoping to build on their dismal, 1-7 road record. They continue to deal with a number of injuries, as Duncan Robinson (ankle) and Max Strus (shoulder) are listed as questionable for action, while Jimmy Butler (knee), Victor Oladipo (knee) and Omer Yurtseven (ankle) will remain sidelined. Kyle Lowry is playing well, averaging 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals over the last five games. Bam Adebayo averages 19.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals, while Tyler Herro averages 18.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. The Heat average 108.6 points per game, which is fourth fewest in the league. They are also struggling defensively, allowing opponents to score an average of 109.5 points per game.

The Boston Celtics play host to the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on Sunday.

The Celtics (15-4) face the third game of a six-game home stand, where they have gone 2-0 so far, and they need to keep the momentum going to added to their impressive, 8-1 home record. Jayson Tatum leads the team with MVP calibre numbers, averaging 30.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. Jaylen Brown averages 25.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals, while Marcus Smart averages 10.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Celtics average a league-best 119.8 points per game, while shooting an average of 48.8 percent from the field. Defensively they have also been impressive, holding opponents to an average of 112.9 points per game.

Meanwhile, the Wizards (10-9) look to bounce back from two straight losses as they face the third and final game of a road trip with a chance to build on their 3-5 road record. Kyle Kuzma continues to impress, averaging 20.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists, while Kristaps Porzingis is also at the top of his game, averaging 20.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. Bradley Beal averages 23.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. The Wizards average 108.3 points per game, which is second fewest in the league. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 109.6 points against. Rui Hachimura (ankle) and Monte Morris (ankle) are listed as questionable for action, while Delon Wright (hamstring) remains out.

The Detroit Pistons play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Ceasar's Arena on Sunday.

The Cavaliers (12-7) looked unstoppable when they started the season with an 8-1 record, but they've lost six of their last 10 games since then. Most of that damage was done in a five-game losing streak last week, but they come into this matchup winning four of their last five games. They've beaten some of the best teams in the NBA in that span, with the only defeat coming against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. That's nothing to be ashamed of, and it's exciting to watch this team click. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have formed the best defensive frontcourt in the NBA, while Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland have developed into one of the most dynamic backcourts. That's too many weapons for other teams to compete with, and it has Cleveland looking like one of the best teams in the NBA.

The Pistons (5-16) are returning after a west coast road trip. They actually have just two road wins all year, but those two victories came in unlikely circumstances. The Pistons had a rare back-to-back set in Denver and in Utah but grabbed both of those games earlier in the week, despite having a winless road record before that. It's hard to understand how that happened, but it has fans encouraged. They followed that up with a road defeat against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, but that game was close throughout. No one ever grabbed a double-digit lead in that contest, and it's clear this Detroit team is starting to find some rhythm. With that said, they have the worst record in the Eastern Conference and will likely battle for ping-pong balls all year, especially with Cade Cunnigham (shin) out for the foreseeable future.

These teams played on November 4, with Cleveland prevailing, 112-88. That gives the Cavaliers seven wins in their last 10 meetings with the Pistons, dating back four years.

The Memphis Grizzlies travel to The Big Apple to face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

The Grizzlies (11-8) enter this matchup losing four of their last six games, but a dominating win on Friday might be just what the doctor ordered. Memphis handed a talented New Orleans team a 132-111 beatdown, with the Grizzlies leading by at least 15 points for the final three quarters of that game. They also got their lead up to 40 points at times, and it was encouraging to see this group bounce back after their worst stretch of the season. They had six players reach double figures in scoring, with three of them recording double-doubles. That's the diversified production we've been waiting to see, and it could be the start of another impressive run.

The Knicks (9-10) come into this matchup losing three of their last four games. The most recent defeat was a disappointing one, taking an overtime loss at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland grabbed that 132-129 OT win without Damian Lillard, and it's a game New York was dominating in the first half. They simply allowed too much production from the other team's starters, with Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant combining for 82 points. There aren't many defensive stoppers on this roster, and it'll be up to Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett to keep them in games. The offseason signee finished that defeat with 32 points, five rebounds and four assists, but Barrett continued his shooting woes with another 6-of-22 shooting night. He's had lines like that far too often, and it's a wonder how long they'll let him keep firing up so many shots with such little efficiency.

These teams played an overtime thriller on October 19, with Memphis prevailing, 115-112. That gives them five wins in their last seven matchups with New York.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Florida to face the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Sunday.

The Sixers (10-9) have been obliterated by the injury bug this season, but they continue to play well. They come into this matchup winning six of their last nine games, despite playing most of those without James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Those three starts were expected to carry the load this season, but the role players have come in and stepped up big-time in their absence. Tobias Harris has been the focal point of the offense, while Shake Milton and De'Anthony Melton have been running the backcourt. Milton and Melton have really brought a defensive dynamic to this team, and it's been fun watching these guys develop together. It's also a nice boost for the future because all three of the injured studs could be back within the next few weeks, making them one of the deepest teams in the league.

The Magic (5-14) are battling the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons for the worst record in the NBA. While they do sit 0.5 games above both of those teams, they appear to be headed in the right direction. Top picks like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner look like the real deal, with Banchero returning from his ankle issue in the most recent defeat on Friday That doesn't even include big men like Bol Bol, Wendell Carter and Mo Bamba, making this a fun team to watch. They send out one of the most lengthy lineups in NBA history, and the acquisition of Bol looks like one of the biggest steals over recent years. With all that said, they enter this matchup losing five of their last six games and will have an uphill battle to get out of this deep hole.

These teams played on Friday, with Philly riding a 30-20 third quarter to a 107-99 comeback win. That gives the Sixers nine straight wins in this series, dating back four years.

The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum on Sunday.

The Bucks (13-5) remain one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and they enter this matchup knowing they’ve won three of their last five games. They’re coming off a 117-102 win against another East contender, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 38 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks, in 31 minutes. Jevon Carter followed up with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Bobby Portis tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a block. The Bucks shot 51 percent from the field, including 15-of-32 from deep. Milwaukee has looked excellent at home as well, posting a 10-2 mark in front of their fans.

Khris Middleton (wrist) and Pat Connaughton (illness) are both game-time decisions for Sunday, while Serge Ibaka (illness) and Joe Ingles (knee) are out.

The Mavericks (9-9) have lost three games in a row and suffered a disappointing 105-100 loss against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. Luka Doncic led the way for the Mavericks with 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but his efforts were not enough. Spencer Dinwiddie posted 15 points and seven assists, and Dorian Finney-Smith recorded 16 points, four boards, two assists and two steals. Maxi Kleber had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists coming off the bench, and Christian Wood ended with 10 points and six boards as well. Dallas has also gone 1-6 on the road this season.

The Mavericks are not announcing any injuries prior to Sunday’s game.