Magic, Wizards Collide In Eastern Matchup
The Orlando Magic will host the Washington Wizards at Amway Center on Tuesday.
The Magic (29-44) are coming off a 111-105 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. They were led by Franz Wagner, tallying 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Paolo Banchero provided 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. Wendell Carter Jr amassed 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Markelle Fultz finished with 12 points, three rebounds and 10 assists. Cole Anthony led the bench with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Magic have gone 16-19 at home this season and enter this game having lost three of their last four.
The Wizards (32-39) are coming off a 132-118 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 32 minutes. Bradley Beal followed up with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. Corey Kispert added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Deni Avdija totaled three points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a steal. Washington has lost four of its last five games and enters this game with a 16-21 mark on the road.
The Magic (29-44) are coming off a 111-105 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. They were led by Franz Wagner, tallying 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Paolo Banchero provided 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. Wendell Carter Jr amassed 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Markelle Fultz finished with 12 points, three rebounds and 10 assists. Cole Anthony led the bench with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Magic have gone 16-19 at home this season and enter this game having lost three of their last four.
The Wizards (32-39) are coming off a 132-118 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal, in 32 minutes. Bradley Beal followed up with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. Corey Kispert added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Deni Avdija totaled three points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a steal. Washington has lost four of its last five games and enters this game with a 16-21 mark on the road.
Pistons and Hawks Clash in Peach State Battle
The Detroit Pistons take on the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on Tuesday night.
The Pistons (16-56) are playing out the string on another disappointing season, and they'll enter Tuesday's contest having lost three straight games. Their most recent stumble came Sunday evening, when they dropped a 112-100 decision to the Miami Heat. James Wiseman paced the Pistons with a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double. Cory Joseph managed 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. Rodney McGruder registered 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Marvin Bagley compiled 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and one block. Killian Hayes mustered a 13-point, 11-assist double-double that included four rebounds and two steals. Jaden Ivey offered 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Pistons will remain without Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles), Jalen Duren (head), Isaiah Stewart (shoulder/hip), Hamidou Diallo (ankle) and Alec Burks (foot) for Tuesday's game. Isaiah Livers (hip) and R.J. Hampton (back) will carry questionable tags.
The Hawks (35-36) remain in the fight for an Eastern Conference postseason spot, but they enter Tuesday's game in poor form with three losses in the last four contests. Their most recent stumble came Sunday afternoon, when they fell to the San Antonio Spurs by a 126-118 score. Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 22 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds and one steal. Onyeka Okongwu delivered 17 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block. Clint Capela and A.J. Griffin generated matching 15-point contributions while recording 12 and seven boards, respectively. John Collins supplied 14 points, six rebounds and two assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic poured in 13 points, while De'Andre Hunter registered 12 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Hawks will be without Jalen Johnson (hamstring/groin) for Tuesday's game. Murray (illness) will carry a questionable tag.
Tuesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Hawks hold a 3-0 series lead.
The Pistons (16-56) are playing out the string on another disappointing season, and they'll enter Tuesday's contest having lost three straight games. Their most recent stumble came Sunday evening, when they dropped a 112-100 decision to the Miami Heat. James Wiseman paced the Pistons with a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double. Cory Joseph managed 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. Rodney McGruder registered 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Marvin Bagley compiled 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and one block. Killian Hayes mustered a 13-point, 11-assist double-double that included four rebounds and two steals. Jaden Ivey offered 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Pistons will remain without Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles), Jalen Duren (head), Isaiah Stewart (shoulder/hip), Hamidou Diallo (ankle) and Alec Burks (foot) for Tuesday's game. Isaiah Livers (hip) and R.J. Hampton (back) will carry questionable tags.
The Hawks (35-36) remain in the fight for an Eastern Conference postseason spot, but they enter Tuesday's game in poor form with three losses in the last four contests. Their most recent stumble came Sunday afternoon, when they fell to the San Antonio Spurs by a 126-118 score. Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 22 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds and one steal. Onyeka Okongwu delivered 17 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block. Clint Capela and A.J. Griffin generated matching 15-point contributions while recording 12 and seven boards, respectively. John Collins supplied 14 points, six rebounds and two assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic poured in 13 points, while De'Andre Hunter registered 12 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Hawks will be without Jalen Johnson (hamstring/groin) for Tuesday's game. Murray (illness) will carry a questionable tag.
Tuesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Hawks hold a 3-0 series lead.
Cavaliers and Nets Meet in Big Apple
The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
The Cavaliers (45-28) continue to solidify their postseason positioning, and they've most recently accomplished that goal by prevailing in three of the last four games. Their most recent success came Friday night, when they toppled the Washington Wizards by a lopsided 117-94 score. Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 24 points, supplementing them with nine assists and four rebounds. Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell generated matching 20-point tallies while recording eight and six rebounds, respectively. Caris LeVert registered 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block.
The Cavaliers will list Jarrett Allen (eye) as questionable for Tuesday's game.
The Nets (39-32) are trying to sink no lower than their No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference, but they've done themselves no favors by losing three consecutive games. Their most recent stumble came Sunday afternoon in a 108-102 loss to the visiting Denver Nuggets. Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 23 points. Nic Claxton supplied 19 points, eight boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Cameron Johnson delivered 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Seth Curry netted 12 points.
The Nets will list Dorian Finney-Smith (wrist) as questionable for Tuesday's game. Ben Simmons (knee) will remain out.
Tuesday's game marks the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 1-0 series lead.
The Cavaliers (45-28) continue to solidify their postseason positioning, and they've most recently accomplished that goal by prevailing in three of the last four games. Their most recent success came Friday night, when they toppled the Washington Wizards by a lopsided 117-94 score. Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 24 points, supplementing them with nine assists and four rebounds. Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell generated matching 20-point tallies while recording eight and six rebounds, respectively. Caris LeVert registered 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block.
The Cavaliers will list Jarrett Allen (eye) as questionable for Tuesday's game.
The Nets (39-32) are trying to sink no lower than their No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference, but they've done themselves no favors by losing three consecutive games. Their most recent stumble came Sunday afternoon in a 108-102 loss to the visiting Denver Nuggets. Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 23 points. Nic Claxton supplied 19 points, eight boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Cameron Johnson delivered 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Seth Curry netted 12 points.
The Nets will list Dorian Finney-Smith (wrist) as questionable for Tuesday's game. Ben Simmons (knee) will remain out.
Tuesday's game marks the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 1-0 series lead.
Pelicans Host Hobbled Spurs
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday evening.
The Pelicans (34-37) hope to stay on track after a win in their last outing, as they return home with a chance to build on their, 22-13, home record. Brandon Ingram leads the team, averaging 23.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. CJ McCollum averages 21.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists, while Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 14.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. The Pelicans average 113.9 points per game, and they give up an average of 113.4 points. Jose Alvarado (leg) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Spurs (19-52) are coming off a win in their last outing and will look to add to their, 6-27, road record as they kick off a four-game road trip. They continue to deal with injury trouble, as Devin Vassell (knee), Jeremy Sochan (knee) and Zach Collins (rest) will be sidelined, while Tre Jones (hamstring) is listed as doubtful, Devonte' Graham (quadriceps) is questionable and Doug McDermott (hip) is probable. Keldon Johnson leads the team, averaging 21.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Malaki Branham is averaging 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while Keita Bates-Diop averages 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The Spurs average 112.8 points per game, but they give up a league-most 122.1 points.
The Pelicans (34-37) hope to stay on track after a win in their last outing, as they return home with a chance to build on their, 22-13, home record. Brandon Ingram leads the team, averaging 23.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. CJ McCollum averages 21.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists, while Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 14.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. The Pelicans average 113.9 points per game, and they give up an average of 113.4 points. Jose Alvarado (leg) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Spurs (19-52) are coming off a win in their last outing and will look to add to their, 6-27, road record as they kick off a four-game road trip. They continue to deal with injury trouble, as Devin Vassell (knee), Jeremy Sochan (knee) and Zach Collins (rest) will be sidelined, while Tre Jones (hamstring) is listed as doubtful, Devonte' Graham (quadriceps) is questionable and Doug McDermott (hip) is probable. Keldon Johnson leads the team, averaging 21.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Malaki Branham is averaging 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while Keita Bates-Diop averages 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The Spurs average 112.8 points per game, but they give up a league-most 122.1 points.
Kings Host Celtics on Tuesday
The Sacramento Kings play host to the Boston Celtics at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday.
The Celtics (49-23) come into this matchup winning four of their last six games. The problem is that the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers are seemingly winning every day, and it's going to be nearly impossible for Boston to catch the Bucks at this point. They're also tied with the Sixers for the two-seed in the Eastern Conference, and it's clear those two clubs will battle for the remaining three weeks. The good news is that those three teams are locked into the top-three spots, and that means they'll get homecourt advantage for at least one round. This club is also starting to get healthy because Robert Williams is expected to return sometime this week.
The Kings (43-28) have been the biggest surprise in the NBA this season. Many people considered than a borderline play-in team at the beginning of the year, but Sacramento is tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the second-best record in the Western Conference. This is a club that hasn't made the postseason in nearly 20 years, and they're just a few days away from snapping that streak. It also looks like Sacramento fans will get homecourt through the opening round, and they deserve that with the way this club has been performing. As long as De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis remain healthy, this team should be a threat in the postseason as well.
These teams played back on November 25, with Boston prevailing, 122-104. That gives the Celtics three straight wins in this series, winning by an average of 33 points per game.
The Celtics (49-23) come into this matchup winning four of their last six games. The problem is that the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers are seemingly winning every day, and it's going to be nearly impossible for Boston to catch the Bucks at this point. They're also tied with the Sixers for the two-seed in the Eastern Conference, and it's clear those two clubs will battle for the remaining three weeks. The good news is that those three teams are locked into the top-three spots, and that means they'll get homecourt advantage for at least one round. This club is also starting to get healthy because Robert Williams is expected to return sometime this week.
The Kings (43-28) have been the biggest surprise in the NBA this season. Many people considered than a borderline play-in team at the beginning of the year, but Sacramento is tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the second-best record in the Western Conference. This is a club that hasn't made the postseason in nearly 20 years, and they're just a few days away from snapping that streak. It also looks like Sacramento fans will get homecourt through the opening round, and they deserve that with the way this club has been performing. As long as De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis remain healthy, this team should be a threat in the postseason as well.
These teams played back on November 25, with Boston prevailing, 122-104. That gives the Celtics three straight wins in this series, winning by an average of 33 points per game.
Clippers, Thunder Clash In L.A.
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Clippers (38-34) have won five of their last six games and look to stay strong as the kick off a four-game home stand with a chance to add to their, 19-16, home record. Paul George leads the team, averaging 23.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Kawhi Leonard averages 23.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals, while Russell Westbrook is averaging 13.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.3 steals since joining the team. The Clippers average 112.8 points per game, and they give up an average of 112.6 points per game. Norman Powell (shoulder) remains out.
Meanwhile, the Thunder (35-36) have won four of their last five games and hope to keep rolling as they kick off a four-game road trip with the chance to improve on their, 13-21, road record. Shai GIlgeous-Alexander leads the team, averaging 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Josh GIddey averages 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists, while Luguentz Dort is averaging 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game. The Thunder average 117.9 points per game, which is third most in the league, and they hold opponents to an average of 116.4 points per game.
The Clippers (38-34) have won five of their last six games and look to stay strong as the kick off a four-game home stand with a chance to add to their, 19-16, home record. Paul George leads the team, averaging 23.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Kawhi Leonard averages 23.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals, while Russell Westbrook is averaging 13.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.3 steals since joining the team. The Clippers average 112.8 points per game, and they give up an average of 112.6 points per game. Norman Powell (shoulder) remains out.
Meanwhile, the Thunder (35-36) have won four of their last five games and hope to keep rolling as they kick off a four-game road trip with the chance to improve on their, 13-21, road record. Shai GIlgeous-Alexander leads the team, averaging 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Josh GIddey averages 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists, while Luguentz Dort is averaging 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game. The Thunder average 117.9 points per game, which is third most in the league, and they hold opponents to an average of 116.4 points per game.