76ers Host Bulls Looking To Extend Streak
The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center on Monday.
The 76ers (48-22) are coming off a 141-121 road win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey co-led the 76ers with matching 31-point, seven-assist tallies, with Embiid adding seven rebounds and two blocks. Tobias Harris furnished 24 points, five boards, four assists and two blocks. De'Anthony Melton delivered 14 points, five boards, five assists, six steals and one block. Georges Niang and Paul Reed generated matching 10-point, one-assist, one-steal contributions off the bench. Philadelphia has gone 26-10 at home and enters this game on an eight-game winning streak.
The Bulls (33-37) are coming off a 113-99 home win over the Miami Heat on Saturday. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, five rebounds, 10 assists and three steals, in 41 minutes. Zach LaVine tallied 18 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a block. Coby White added 18 points, six assists and two steals, while Patrick Beverley finished with 17 points, three rebounds and four assists. The Bulls shot 56.3 percent from the field, including 17-of-34 from long range. The Bulls have gone 13-21 on the road this season and have won four of their last five games, including their last two.
The 76ers (48-22) are coming off a 141-121 road win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey co-led the 76ers with matching 31-point, seven-assist tallies, with Embiid adding seven rebounds and two blocks. Tobias Harris furnished 24 points, five boards, four assists and two blocks. De'Anthony Melton delivered 14 points, five boards, five assists, six steals and one block. Georges Niang and Paul Reed generated matching 10-point, one-assist, one-steal contributions off the bench. Philadelphia has gone 26-10 at home and enters this game on an eight-game winning streak.
The Bulls (33-37) are coming off a 113-99 home win over the Miami Heat on Saturday. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, five rebounds, 10 assists and three steals, in 41 minutes. Zach LaVine tallied 18 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a block. Coby White added 18 points, six assists and two steals, while Patrick Beverley finished with 17 points, three rebounds and four assists. The Bulls shot 56.3 percent from the field, including 17-of-34 from long range. The Bulls have gone 13-21 on the road this season and have won four of their last five games, including their last two.
Hornets Host Pacers In Battle Of Rebuilding Teams
The Charlotte Hornets will host the Indiana Pacers at Spectrum Center on Monday.
The Hornets (22-50) are coming off a 121-82 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Terry Rozier was the leading scorer for the Hornets with 14 points, and he also added four assists, three steals and two rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 11 points, and P.J. Washington chipped in with 12 points, six rebounds and two steals. Kai Jones finished with 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench. The Hornets have gone 11-24 at home this season and enter this game on a four-game losing streak, with all those losses coming at home.
The Pacers (32-39) are coming off a 141-121 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with 25 points, complementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Andrew Nembhard turned in 22 points, two assists and one rebound. Myles Turner posted 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block. Jordan Nwora, Buddy Hield and Jalen Smith managed matching 13-point tallies. Nwora and Smith recorded nine and five rebounds, respectively, with Nwora adding five assists. The Pacers have gone 13-22 on the road this season and enter this game having won three of their last five contests.
The Hornets (22-50) are coming off a 121-82 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Terry Rozier was the leading scorer for the Hornets with 14 points, and he also added four assists, three steals and two rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 11 points, and P.J. Washington chipped in with 12 points, six rebounds and two steals. Kai Jones finished with 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench. The Hornets have gone 11-24 at home this season and enter this game on a four-game losing streak, with all those losses coming at home.
The Pacers (32-39) are coming off a 141-121 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with 25 points, complementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Andrew Nembhard turned in 22 points, two assists and one rebound. Myles Turner posted 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block. Jordan Nwora, Buddy Hield and Jalen Smith managed matching 13-point tallies. Nwora and Smith recorded nine and five rebounds, respectively, with Nwora adding five assists. The Pacers have gone 13-22 on the road this season and enter this game having won three of their last five contests.
Timberwolves and Knicks Clash in Big Apple
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
The Timberwolves (35-37) are fighting to keep themselves postseason-viable over in the Western Conference, but they'll enter Monday's game having lost three straight games. Minnesota's most recent stumble came Saturday night in the form of a 122-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Naz Reid led the Timberwolves with 22 points, adding four rebounds and one assist. Jaden McDaniels delivered 18 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Rudy Gobert generated a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that included three assists and one block. Kyle Anderson and Mike Conley posted matching 12-point efforts, with Anderson adding seven rebounds and five assists.
The Timberwolves will list Anthony Edwards (ankle), Gobert (ankle), Reid (calf) and Austin Rivers (back) as questionable for Monday's contest. Jaylen Nowell (knee) will carry a doubtful tag, while Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) will remain out.
The Knicks (42-30) are in much more secure position with respect to the playoffs over in the Eastern Conference, as they'll check into Monday's interconference clash securely ensconced into the No. 5 seed and having won three straight. New York's most recent success came Saturday afternoon when they topped the Denver Nuggets by a 116-110 score. Jalen Brunson led the way with 24 points, complementing them with five assists and two rebounds. R.J. Barrett supplied 21 points, four boards and two assists. Julius Randle totaled 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Josh Hart furnished 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Immanuel Quickley netted 10 points.
The Knicks will come into Monday's game without any injuries to report.
Monday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Knicks hold a 1-0 series lead.
The Timberwolves (35-37) are fighting to keep themselves postseason-viable over in the Western Conference, but they'll enter Monday's game having lost three straight games. Minnesota's most recent stumble came Saturday night in the form of a 122-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Naz Reid led the Timberwolves with 22 points, adding four rebounds and one assist. Jaden McDaniels delivered 18 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Rudy Gobert generated a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that included three assists and one block. Kyle Anderson and Mike Conley posted matching 12-point efforts, with Anderson adding seven rebounds and five assists.
The Timberwolves will list Anthony Edwards (ankle), Gobert (ankle), Reid (calf) and Austin Rivers (back) as questionable for Monday's contest. Jaylen Nowell (knee) will carry a doubtful tag, while Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) will remain out.
The Knicks (42-30) are in much more secure position with respect to the playoffs over in the Eastern Conference, as they'll check into Monday's interconference clash securely ensconced into the No. 5 seed and having won three straight. New York's most recent success came Saturday afternoon when they topped the Denver Nuggets by a 116-110 score. Jalen Brunson led the way with 24 points, complementing them with five assists and two rebounds. R.J. Barrett supplied 21 points, four boards and two assists. Julius Randle totaled 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Josh Hart furnished 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Immanuel Quickley netted 10 points.
The Knicks will come into Monday's game without any injuries to report.
Monday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Knicks hold a 1-0 series lead.
Rockets Host Slumping Warriors
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets play host to the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center on Monday evening.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Rockets (18-53), after they fell short at home against the Pelicans on Sunday. They fell behind early in the game and were not able to gain their footing, as they saw their three-game win streak come to an end. Jalen Green went off with 40 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while Kevin Porter totaled 25 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Rockets will look to bounce back as they face the sixth and final game of a home stand, with a chance to improve on their, 12-25, home record.
Meanwhile, the Warriors (36-36) have dropped three in a row and hope to get back on track on the fourth game of a five-game road trip with a chance to improve on their, 7-29, road record. Stephen Curry continues to lead the team, averaging 29.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. Klay Thompson averages 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while Jordan Poole is averaging 20.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists. The Warriors average 118.3 points per game, which is second most in the league, but they give up an average of 118.1 points per game. Andre Iguodala (wrist) and Andrew Wiggins (personal) will remain out.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Rockets (18-53), after they fell short at home against the Pelicans on Sunday. They fell behind early in the game and were not able to gain their footing, as they saw their three-game win streak come to an end. Jalen Green went off with 40 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while Kevin Porter totaled 25 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Rockets will look to bounce back as they face the sixth and final game of a home stand, with a chance to improve on their, 12-25, home record.
Meanwhile, the Warriors (36-36) have dropped three in a row and hope to get back on track on the fourth game of a five-game road trip with a chance to improve on their, 7-29, road record. Stephen Curry continues to lead the team, averaging 29.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. Klay Thompson averages 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while Jordan Poole is averaging 20.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists. The Warriors average 118.3 points per game, which is second most in the league, but they give up an average of 118.1 points per game. Andre Iguodala (wrist) and Andrew Wiggins (personal) will remain out.
Grizzlies Host Mavericks on Monday
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Dallas Mavericks at FedEx Forum on Monday.
The Mavericks (36-35) pulled off one of their most impressive wins of the season on Friday. They went into Los Angeles and grabbed a road win against the Lakers at the buzzer. They got that win without Luka Doncic, who continues to miss games due to a quad issue. It's unclear when the superstar point guard will be able to return, but getting Kyrie Irving back in that victory was huge. He finished that game with 38 points, six rebounds and six assists, making the game-winning assist on that Maxi Kleber game-winner. That was huge from a record perspective because the Mavs now sit sixth in the west but are just 1.5 games up on the teams in seventh, eighth and ninth.
The Grizzlies (43-27) have been one of the best home teams in the NBA this season, posting a 29-5 record at FedEx Forum. They showed that moxie on Saturday, scoring 132 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors. That gives Memphis five wins in their last six games in total, which is a miraculous run since they've done all of it without Ja Morant. The All-Star point guard continues to miss games because of a suspension, but this is where he's eligible to return. It's unclear if he'll be ready to go in this game, but it's got to be exciting for Memphis fans to get the showman back with how well this club is playing right now.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Memphis winning two of three.
The Mavericks (36-35) pulled off one of their most impressive wins of the season on Friday. They went into Los Angeles and grabbed a road win against the Lakers at the buzzer. They got that win without Luka Doncic, who continues to miss games due to a quad issue. It's unclear when the superstar point guard will be able to return, but getting Kyrie Irving back in that victory was huge. He finished that game with 38 points, six rebounds and six assists, making the game-winning assist on that Maxi Kleber game-winner. That was huge from a record perspective because the Mavs now sit sixth in the west but are just 1.5 games up on the teams in seventh, eighth and ninth.
The Grizzlies (43-27) have been one of the best home teams in the NBA this season, posting a 29-5 record at FedEx Forum. They showed that moxie on Saturday, scoring 132 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors. That gives Memphis five wins in their last six games in total, which is a miraculous run since they've done all of it without Ja Morant. The All-Star point guard continues to miss games because of a suspension, but this is where he's eligible to return. It's unclear if he'll be ready to go in this game, but it's got to be exciting for Memphis fans to get the showman back with how well this club is playing right now.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Memphis winning two of three.
Jazz Host Kings on Monday
The Sacramento Kings travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on Monday.
The Kings (43-27) are playing some of the best basketball in the NBA right now, entering this matchup winning 11 of their last 13 games. That has skyrocketed Sacramento up the Western Conference standings, sitting second in the conference. That's hard to fathom since this team hasn't made the postseason in nearly 20 years, but they're just a few days away from snapping that nightmarish streak. They also looked locked into second or third-seed in the west, and having homecourt in the first round will be a massive boost for his team. The guy who's really gotten them to this point is Domantas Sabonis, who's flirting with triple-double averages over the last month.
The Jazz (34-36) pulled off a huge win on Saturday, beating the Boston Celtics at home. Utah trailed for all but a handful of minutes in that game but closed on a 10-3 run over the final 2:15 to prevail. That win was mandatory for this club, too, because Utah is tied for 10th in the Western Conference. That's the final play-in spot, and there are five teams within 1.5 games of one another right now. That means anyone can sneak into the postseason, and this was one of the most unlikely clubs at the beginning of the year. They traded away three franchise players at the beginning of what looked like a rebuilding season, but it's a testament to this club to compete in what was supposed to be a terrible year.
This is the third of four meetings between these teams, with the Kings winning the first two outings. With that said, the Jazz won eight straight in this series coming into the year.
The Kings (43-27) are playing some of the best basketball in the NBA right now, entering this matchup winning 11 of their last 13 games. That has skyrocketed Sacramento up the Western Conference standings, sitting second in the conference. That's hard to fathom since this team hasn't made the postseason in nearly 20 years, but they're just a few days away from snapping that nightmarish streak. They also looked locked into second or third-seed in the west, and having homecourt in the first round will be a massive boost for his team. The guy who's really gotten them to this point is Domantas Sabonis, who's flirting with triple-double averages over the last month.
The Jazz (34-36) pulled off a huge win on Saturday, beating the Boston Celtics at home. Utah trailed for all but a handful of minutes in that game but closed on a 10-3 run over the final 2:15 to prevail. That win was mandatory for this club, too, because Utah is tied for 10th in the Western Conference. That's the final play-in spot, and there are five teams within 1.5 games of one another right now. That means anyone can sneak into the postseason, and this was one of the most unlikely clubs at the beginning of the year. They traded away three franchise players at the beginning of what looked like a rebuilding season, but it's a testament to this club to compete in what was supposed to be a terrible year.
This is the third of four meetings between these teams, with the Kings winning the first two outings. With that said, the Jazz won eight straight in this series coming into the year.