Rockets Look To Stay Strong At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets play host to the Miami Heat at Toyota Center on Thursday evening.
The Rockets (9-18) have won three of their last four games and will look to keep trending in the right direction as they face the third game of a seven-game home stand, with a chance to build on their 6-5 home record. Jalen Green leads the team, averaging 21.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists, in 34.5 minutes per game. Kevin Porter averages 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals, while Alperen Sengun is averaging 14.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. The Rockets average 110.3 points per game, which is seventh fewest in the league, and they are giving up an average of 115.5 points, which is ninth most in the league. Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) will remain out.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Heat (14-15), as they are coming off a hard-fought win in OKC on Tuesday night. The game got out to a tight start and was tied at 31, after one quarter. The Heat turned it up in the second and built a 12-point lead by halftime, but they let it slip away in the third and held just a two-point lead heading into the fourth. They trailed by seven points with four minutes left, but they closed the game on a 15-6 run to claim their second straight win. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 35 points, three rebounds and two assists, in 40 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 15 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Kyle Lowry added 14 points, three rebounds and six assists. The Heat will look to keep it rolling as they face the third game of a four-game road trip, hoping to improve on their 5-9 road record.
The Rockets (9-18) have won three of their last four games and will look to keep trending in the right direction as they face the third game of a seven-game home stand, with a chance to build on their 6-5 home record. Jalen Green leads the team, averaging 21.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists, in 34.5 minutes per game. Kevin Porter averages 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals, while Alperen Sengun is averaging 14.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. The Rockets average 110.3 points per game, which is seventh fewest in the league, and they are giving up an average of 115.5 points, which is ninth most in the league. Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) will remain out.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Heat (14-15), as they are coming off a hard-fought win in OKC on Tuesday night. The game got out to a tight start and was tied at 31, after one quarter. The Heat turned it up in the second and built a 12-point lead by halftime, but they let it slip away in the third and held just a two-point lead heading into the fourth. They trailed by seven points with four minutes left, but they closed the game on a 15-6 run to claim their second straight win. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 35 points, three rebounds and two assists, in 40 minutes. Bam Adebayo followed up with 15 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Kyle Lowry added 14 points, three rebounds and six assists. The Heat will look to keep it rolling as they face the third game of a four-game road trip, hoping to improve on their 5-9 road record.
Grizzlies Host Bucks In Battle Of Contenders
The Memphis Grizzlies will host the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum on Thursday.
The Grizzlies (18-9) have been one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season and engage into this battle knowing they’re playing their best basketball of the season, as their 128-103 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday represented their sixth win in a row and eighth of their last nine contests. During that win, Tyus Jones paced the Grizzlies with 22 points, supplementing them with 11 assists, one rebound and three steals. Dillon Brooks delivered 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Santi Aldama registered 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jaren Jackson netted 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists and eight blocks. Brandon Clarke produced 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. David Roddy matched Clarke's scoring and also brought down three boards. Xavier Tillman turned in 10 points, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Memphis has also gone 12-2 at home this season.
Steven Adams (ankle) and Ja Morant (thigh) are game-time calls for Thursday, while Desmond Bane (toe) and Danny Green (knee) are out.
The Bucks (20-7) have not looked extremely dominant this season, but they still enter this game as the second team to reach the 20-win mark in The Association and fresh off a 128-111 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, a result that means they’ve won five of their last six games, as well as eight of their last 10. During that win over the reigning NBA champions, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 30 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while Khris Middleton ended with 20 points, four rebounds and three dimes. Grayson Allen finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Bobby Portis had an impressive game off the bench with 25 points and 11 rebounds across 32 minutes of action. Brook Lopez had seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Milwaukee has gone 7-4 on the road this season.
Jrue Holiday (illness) is a game-time call for Thursday, while Joe Ingles (knee) has been ruled out.
The Grizzlies (18-9) have been one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season and engage into this battle knowing they’re playing their best basketball of the season, as their 128-103 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday represented their sixth win in a row and eighth of their last nine contests. During that win, Tyus Jones paced the Grizzlies with 22 points, supplementing them with 11 assists, one rebound and three steals. Dillon Brooks delivered 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Santi Aldama registered 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jaren Jackson netted 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists and eight blocks. Brandon Clarke produced 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. David Roddy matched Clarke's scoring and also brought down three boards. Xavier Tillman turned in 10 points, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Memphis has also gone 12-2 at home this season.
Steven Adams (ankle) and Ja Morant (thigh) are game-time calls for Thursday, while Desmond Bane (toe) and Danny Green (knee) are out.
The Bucks (20-7) have not looked extremely dominant this season, but they still enter this game as the second team to reach the 20-win mark in The Association and fresh off a 128-111 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, a result that means they’ve won five of their last six games, as well as eight of their last 10. During that win over the reigning NBA champions, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with 30 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while Khris Middleton ended with 20 points, four rebounds and three dimes. Grayson Allen finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Bobby Portis had an impressive game off the bench with 25 points and 11 rebounds across 32 minutes of action. Brook Lopez had seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Milwaukee has gone 7-4 on the road this season.
Jrue Holiday (illness) is a game-time call for Thursday, while Joe Ingles (knee) has been ruled out.
Pelicans and Jazz Face Off in Desert
The New Orleans Pelicans take on the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on Thursday night.
The Pelicans (18-9) come into Thursday's contest just one game removed from a strong stretch of play, as they'd won seven straight games before taking a 121-100 loss at the hands of the Jazz on Tuesday night. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jonas Valanciunas furnished 15 points, six boards, one assist and two steals. C.J. McCollum supplied 14 points, six rebounds and two steals.
The Pelicans will remain without Brandon Ingram (toe) for Thursday's game.
Malik Beasley paced the Jazz with 21 points, complementing them with four assists and two rebounds. Lauri Markkanen followed with 19 points, supplementing them with 11 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Nickeil Alexander-Walker matched Markkanen's scoring and added six assists, three rebounds and two blocks. Jarred Vanderbilt generated an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double that included six assists, one steal and one block. Walker Kessler produced 11 points, 16 boards and three blocks.
The Jazz will list Simone Fontecchio (ankle) as out for Thursday's contest.
Thursday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Jazz leads the series 2-0.
The Pelicans (18-9) come into Thursday's contest just one game removed from a strong stretch of play, as they'd won seven straight games before taking a 121-100 loss at the hands of the Jazz on Tuesday night. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jonas Valanciunas furnished 15 points, six boards, one assist and two steals. C.J. McCollum supplied 14 points, six rebounds and two steals.
The Pelicans will remain without Brandon Ingram (toe) for Thursday's game.
Malik Beasley paced the Jazz with 21 points, complementing them with four assists and two rebounds. Lauri Markkanen followed with 19 points, supplementing them with 11 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Nickeil Alexander-Walker matched Markkanen's scoring and added six assists, three rebounds and two blocks. Jarred Vanderbilt generated an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double that included six assists, one steal and one block. Walker Kessler produced 11 points, 16 boards and three blocks.
The Jazz will list Simone Fontecchio (ankle) as out for Thursday's contest.
Thursday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Jazz leads the series 2-0.
Clippers Host Suns on Thursday
The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday.
The Suns (16-12) come into this matchup amid a five-game losing streak. That's the worst stretch this club has had in over two years, and it's easy to understand why. They've been playing without Devin Booker, who continues to miss games because of a hamstring issue. The good news is that his absence isn't expected to be long-term, and some are hopeful that he'll be ready to return here. That looks even worse since Chris Paul missed 14 games earlier in the year while Deandre Ayton suffered an ankle injury in their most recent defeat. Not many teams in the NBA can compete with their three best players nicked up, and Phoenix will try its best to steady the ship.
The Clippers (17-13) have been much better over recent weeks, posting a 15-9 record across their last 24 games. They also grabbed a 20-point win over the Boston Celtics just a few days ago, and a victory over the best team in the NBA shows how scary this team can be. Kawhi Leonard had the best game of his season, finishing with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 10-of-12 from the field. Clippers fans have been waiting to see that all season and it's scary since Paul George continues to ball out. That's one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA, and they're surrounded by a bunch of talented role players as well. Don't count this team out quite yet!
These teams played on October 23, with Phoenix prevailing, 112-95. That gives the Suns three wins in their last four matchups with the Clippers in this series.
The Suns (16-12) come into this matchup amid a five-game losing streak. That's the worst stretch this club has had in over two years, and it's easy to understand why. They've been playing without Devin Booker, who continues to miss games because of a hamstring issue. The good news is that his absence isn't expected to be long-term, and some are hopeful that he'll be ready to return here. That looks even worse since Chris Paul missed 14 games earlier in the year while Deandre Ayton suffered an ankle injury in their most recent defeat. Not many teams in the NBA can compete with their three best players nicked up, and Phoenix will try its best to steady the ship.
The Clippers (17-13) have been much better over recent weeks, posting a 15-9 record across their last 24 games. They also grabbed a 20-point win over the Boston Celtics just a few days ago, and a victory over the best team in the NBA shows how scary this team can be. Kawhi Leonard had the best game of his season, finishing with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 10-of-12 from the field. Clippers fans have been waiting to see that all season and it's scary since Paul George continues to ball out. That's one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA, and they're surrounded by a bunch of talented role players as well. Don't count this team out quite yet!
These teams played on October 23, with Phoenix prevailing, 112-95. That gives the Suns three wins in their last four matchups with the Clippers in this series.