Nuggets Aim To Start Streak, Visit Wizards
The Washington Wizards will host the Denver Nuggets at Capital One Arena on Wednesday.
The Wizards (32-40) enter the second leg of a back-to-back set following a 122-112 road loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Wizards with 30 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Bradley Beal finished with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Monte Morris contributed 14 points and eight assists, and Daniel Gafford had 13 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while coming off the bench. Washington has gone 16-18 at home this season. They enter this contest having dropped three in a row and five of their last six.
The Nuggets (48-24) are coming off a 108-102 road win against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Nikola Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with a triple-double of 22 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Michael Porter was Denver’s leading scorer with 28 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Jamal Murray finished with 25 points and eight assists. Aaron Gordon had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. Denver shot 52.5 percent from the field and 52.2 percent from three-point range. Denver has gone 18-18 on the road this season. The team has struggled of late and has lost five of its last seven games. At the same time, though, the Nuggets have won two of their last three.
The Wizards (32-40) enter the second leg of a back-to-back set following a 122-112 road loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the Wizards with 30 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Bradley Beal finished with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Monte Morris contributed 14 points and eight assists, and Daniel Gafford had 13 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while coming off the bench. Washington has gone 16-18 at home this season. They enter this contest having dropped three in a row and five of their last six.
The Nuggets (48-24) are coming off a 108-102 road win against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Nikola Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with a triple-double of 22 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Michael Porter was Denver’s leading scorer with 28 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Jamal Murray finished with 25 points and eight assists. Aaron Gordon had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. Denver shot 52.5 percent from the field and 52.2 percent from three-point range. Denver has gone 18-18 on the road this season. The team has struggled of late and has lost five of its last seven games. At the same time, though, the Nuggets have won two of their last three.
Mavericks Host Struggling Warriors
The Dallas Mavericks will host the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center on Wednesday.
The Mavericks (36-36) are coming off a 112-108 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 28 points, four rebounds, two blocks and a steal, in 33 minutes. Christian Wood tallied 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Jaden Hardy added 20 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Mavs shot 46.4 percent from the field, including 11-of-36 from long range. Dallas has gone 22-14 at home this season and enters this game having dropped three of its last five games.
Kyrie Irving (foot), Luka Doncic (thigh) and Markieff Morris (knee) are all questionable for Wednesday.
The Warriors (37-36) are coming off a 121-108 road win over the Houston Rockets on Monday. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 36 minutes. Klay Thompson followed up with 29 points, seven rebounds, a steal and a block, while Jonathan Kuminga added 17 points, three rebounds, four assists and a block. The Warriors shot 50 percent from the field, including 17-of-48 from long range. Golden State has struggled massively on the road this season, posting an 8-29 record. The Warriors have also lost three of their last four games.
Kevon Looney (back) and Draymond Green (wrist) are game-time calls for Wednesday. Andrew Wiggins (personal), Gary Payton (abdomen), Ty Jerome (not injury related), Andre Iguodala (wrist) and Ryan Rollins (foot) are out.
The Mavericks (36-36) are coming off a 112-108 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 28 points, four rebounds, two blocks and a steal, in 33 minutes. Christian Wood tallied 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Jaden Hardy added 20 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal. The Mavs shot 46.4 percent from the field, including 11-of-36 from long range. Dallas has gone 22-14 at home this season and enters this game having dropped three of its last five games.
Kyrie Irving (foot), Luka Doncic (thigh) and Markieff Morris (knee) are all questionable for Wednesday.
The Warriors (37-36) are coming off a 121-108 road win over the Houston Rockets on Monday. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 36 minutes. Klay Thompson followed up with 29 points, seven rebounds, a steal and a block, while Jonathan Kuminga added 17 points, three rebounds, four assists and a block. The Warriors shot 50 percent from the field, including 17-of-48 from long range. Golden State has struggled massively on the road this season, posting an 8-29 record. The Warriors have also lost three of their last four games.
Kevon Looney (back) and Draymond Green (wrist) are game-time calls for Wednesday. Andrew Wiggins (personal), Gary Payton (abdomen), Ty Jerome (not injury related), Andre Iguodala (wrist) and Ryan Rollins (foot) are out.
Heat Host Knicks In Eastern Matchup
The Miami Heat will host the New York Knicks at Miami-Dade Arena on Wednesday.
The Heat (39-34) are coming off a 112-110 road win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 26 points, complementing them with 10 assists, four rebounds and one steal. Bam Adebayo generated a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists and three blocks. Herro furnished 19 points, six boards and four assists. Caleb Martin supplied 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Kevin Love delivered 12 points, eight boards and two assists. Miami enters this game having won three of its last four games and own a 24-13 mark at home.
The Knicks (42-31) are coming off a 140-134 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Randle posted 57 points but also added four rebounds and one assist to his game-high scoring total. Jalen Brunson generated a 23-point, 10-assist double-double that included two rebounds and two steals. Immanuel Quickley registered 19 points, three assists, one rebound and one steal. R.J. Barrett finished with 13 points, three assists and two rebounds. The Knicks have gone 22-14 on the road this season and that loss against Minnesota snapped a three-game winning streak.
The Heat (39-34) are coming off a 112-110 road win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 26 points, complementing them with 10 assists, four rebounds and one steal. Bam Adebayo generated a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double that included five assists and three blocks. Herro furnished 19 points, six boards and four assists. Caleb Martin supplied 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Kevin Love delivered 12 points, eight boards and two assists. Miami enters this game having won three of its last four games and own a 24-13 mark at home.
The Knicks (42-31) are coming off a 140-134 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Randle posted 57 points but also added four rebounds and one assist to his game-high scoring total. Jalen Brunson generated a 23-point, 10-assist double-double that included two rebounds and two steals. Immanuel Quickley registered 19 points, three assists, one rebound and one steal. R.J. Barrett finished with 13 points, three assists and two rebounds. The Knicks have gone 22-14 on the road this season and that loss against Minnesota snapped a three-game winning streak.
Pacers and Raptors Tangle North of the Border
The Indiana Pacers take on the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night.
The Pacers (32-40) are trying to keep themselves postseason-viable, but they'll enter Wednesday's contest having lost three of the last four games. Their most recent stumble came Tuesday night, when they fell to the Charlotte Hornets by a 115-109 score. Myles Turner and Buddy Hield co-led the Pacers with matching 20-point efforts while pulling down seven and four rebounds, respectively and Turner also dishing out five assists. Bennedict Mathurin furnished 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Isaiah Jackson generated a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three blocks and one steal. Jalen Smith went for 10 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block.
The Pacers will list Tyrese Haliburton (knee) and Chris Duarte (ankle) as questionable for Wednesday's game.
The Raptors (35-37) are in a slightly better position than their opponent with respect to the postseason, but Toronto needs to continue stacking up wins and checks in having just seen a streak of three straight victories snapped with a 118-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night. Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with a 23-point, 11-assist double-double that included four rebounds and one steal. O.G. Anunoby totaled 22 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Jakob Poeltl furnished 20 points, six boards and two blocks. Gary Trent netted 18 points, while Pascal Siakam generated a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double that included seven assists and two steals.
The Raptors will list Scottie Barnes (wrist) and Dalano Blanton (thumb) as out for Wednesday's game.
Wednesday's contest marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Pacers hold a 2-0 series lead.
The Pacers (32-40) are trying to keep themselves postseason-viable, but they'll enter Wednesday's contest having lost three of the last four games. Their most recent stumble came Tuesday night, when they fell to the Charlotte Hornets by a 115-109 score. Myles Turner and Buddy Hield co-led the Pacers with matching 20-point efforts while pulling down seven and four rebounds, respectively and Turner also dishing out five assists. Bennedict Mathurin furnished 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Isaiah Jackson generated a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three blocks and one steal. Jalen Smith went for 10 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block.
The Pacers will list Tyrese Haliburton (knee) and Chris Duarte (ankle) as questionable for Wednesday's game.
The Raptors (35-37) are in a slightly better position than their opponent with respect to the postseason, but Toronto needs to continue stacking up wins and checks in having just seen a streak of three straight victories snapped with a 118-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night. Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with a 23-point, 11-assist double-double that included four rebounds and one steal. O.G. Anunoby totaled 22 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Jakob Poeltl furnished 20 points, six boards and two blocks. Gary Trent netted 18 points, while Pascal Siakam generated a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double that included seven assists and two steals.
The Raptors will list Scottie Barnes (wrist) and Dalano Blanton (thumb) as out for Wednesday's game.
Wednesday's contest marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Pacers hold a 2-0 series lead.
76ers and Bulls Set for Windy City Rematch
The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Chicago Bulls at United Center on Wednesday night.
The 76ers (48-23) have enjoyed an excellent post-All-Star-break portion of the season overall and still have a chance to garner the East's top seed, but their most recent time on the floor resulted in a 109-105 double-overtime loss to these same Bulls on Monday night. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with a 37-point, 16-rebound double-double that included one assist, three blocks and one steal. Tyrese Maxey registered 22 points, six assists, five rebounds and one block. De'Anthony Melton delivered 19 points, six boards, one assist, four steals and one block. Tobias Harris furnished 14 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
The 76ers will list Harden (Achilles) and P.J. Tucker (ankle) as questionable for Wednesday's contest.
The Bulls' (34-37) win over Philadelphia on Monday night was their fifth victory in the last six games, keeping them firmly in the postseason conversation and affording them a hold on the No. 10 seed for the time being. Against the 76ers, Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points, seven assists, two rebounds, three steals and one block. DeMar DeRozan turned in 25 points, eight boards, two assists, three steals and one block. Nikola Vucevic generated a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists and four steals. Coby White and Derrick Jones compiled 11 and 10 points, respectively, while recording three rebounds apiece.
The Bulls will list Javonte Green (knee) as probable and Alex Caruso (foot) as questionable for Wednesday's game.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Bulls hold a 2-1 series lead.
The 76ers (48-23) have enjoyed an excellent post-All-Star-break portion of the season overall and still have a chance to garner the East's top seed, but their most recent time on the floor resulted in a 109-105 double-overtime loss to these same Bulls on Monday night. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with a 37-point, 16-rebound double-double that included one assist, three blocks and one steal. Tyrese Maxey registered 22 points, six assists, five rebounds and one block. De'Anthony Melton delivered 19 points, six boards, one assist, four steals and one block. Tobias Harris furnished 14 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
The 76ers will list Harden (Achilles) and P.J. Tucker (ankle) as questionable for Wednesday's contest.
The Bulls' (34-37) win over Philadelphia on Monday night was their fifth victory in the last six games, keeping them firmly in the postseason conversation and affording them a hold on the No. 10 seed for the time being. Against the 76ers, Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points, seven assists, two rebounds, three steals and one block. DeMar DeRozan turned in 25 points, eight boards, two assists, three steals and one block. Nikola Vucevic generated a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists and four steals. Coby White and Derrick Jones compiled 11 and 10 points, respectively, while recording three rebounds apiece.
The Bulls will list Javonte Green (knee) as probable and Alex Caruso (foot) as questionable for Wednesday's game.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Bulls hold a 2-1 series lead.
Bucks Hope To Stay Strong At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks play host to the San Antonio Spurs at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday evening.
The Bucks (51-20) have won three of their last four games and will look to keep rolling as they face the third and final game of a home stand with a chance to build on their, 29-7, home record. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the team, averaging 31.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Jrue Holiday averages 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals, while Brook Lopez is averaging 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. The Bucks average 116.3 points per game, and they hold opponents to an average of 112.4 points, which is eighth-fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Spurs (19-53), after a rough loss in New Orleans on Tuesday evening. They fell behind early in the game and trailed, 27-16, after one quarter. They had no answers in the second and saw the deficit grow to 25 points by halftime. They came out better in the third quarter but could not cut into the deficit, as they trailed by 26, heading into the final frame. They had no response in the fourth, as they short in the end. Sandro Mamukelashvili led they with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Devonte' Graham and Tre Jones added 15 points each. Keita Bates-Diop chipped in 12 points and three rebounds. The Spurs will look to get back on track and improve on their, 6-28, road record.
The Bucks (51-20) have won three of their last four games and will look to keep rolling as they face the third and final game of a home stand with a chance to build on their, 29-7, home record. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the team, averaging 31.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Jrue Holiday averages 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals, while Brook Lopez is averaging 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. The Bucks average 116.3 points per game, and they hold opponents to an average of 112.4 points, which is eighth-fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Spurs (19-53), after a rough loss in New Orleans on Tuesday evening. They fell behind early in the game and trailed, 27-16, after one quarter. They had no answers in the second and saw the deficit grow to 25 points by halftime. They came out better in the third quarter but could not cut into the deficit, as they trailed by 26, heading into the final frame. They had no response in the fourth, as they short in the end. Sandro Mamukelashvili led they with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Devonte' Graham and Tre Jones added 15 points each. Keita Bates-Diop chipped in 12 points and three rebounds. The Spurs will look to get back on track and improve on their, 6-28, road record.
Timberwolves, Hawks Clash In Minnesota
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the Atlanta Hawks at Target Center on Wednesday evening.
The Timberwolves (36-27) ended a three-game slide with a win in their last outing. They will look to stay on track as they return home with a chance to improve on their, 20-17, home record. They continue to deal with injury trouble, as Anthony Edwards (ankle) has missed the last two games and remains questionable for action, along with Jaylen Nowell (knee) and Karl-Anthony Towns (calf). Rudy Gobert continues to deliver a solid effort in the paint, averaging 13.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Jaden McDaniels averages 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks, while Kyle Anderson is averaging 9.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Timberwolves average 115.9 points per game, but they give up an average of 116.2 points.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Hawks (36-36), after they came came up with a 22-point home win over the Pistons on Tuesday. They got out to a good start in the game, with a six-point lead after one quarter, and they stayed in front to take a seven-point lead into the break. They turned up the heat in the third and outscored the visitors, 33-19, to make it a 21-point deficit heading into the final frame. They stayed strong in the fourth and held on to close out their second win in three games. Trae Young led the way with 30 points, three rebounds and 12 assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic followed up with 18 points, and Saddiq Bey totaled 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Hawks hope to stay on track, as they head out on the road with a chance to build on their, 16-21, road record.
The Timberwolves (36-27) ended a three-game slide with a win in their last outing. They will look to stay on track as they return home with a chance to improve on their, 20-17, home record. They continue to deal with injury trouble, as Anthony Edwards (ankle) has missed the last two games and remains questionable for action, along with Jaylen Nowell (knee) and Karl-Anthony Towns (calf). Rudy Gobert continues to deliver a solid effort in the paint, averaging 13.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Jaden McDaniels averages 12.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks, while Kyle Anderson is averaging 9.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Timberwolves average 115.9 points per game, but they give up an average of 116.2 points.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Hawks (36-36), after they came came up with a 22-point home win over the Pistons on Tuesday. They got out to a good start in the game, with a six-point lead after one quarter, and they stayed in front to take a seven-point lead into the break. They turned up the heat in the third and outscored the visitors, 33-19, to make it a 21-point deficit heading into the final frame. They stayed strong in the fourth and held on to close out their second win in three games. Trae Young led the way with 30 points, three rebounds and 12 assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic followed up with 18 points, and Saddiq Bey totaled 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Hawks hope to stay on track, as they head out on the road with a chance to build on their, 16-21, road record.
Grizzlies Host Rockets on Wednesday
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Houston Rockets at FedEx Forum on Wednesday.
The Rockets (18-54) had a three-game winning streak just last week, but this is not the time Houston fans wanted to see some wins. That run moved the Rockets up to the second-worst record in the NBA, with the Detroit Pistons two games behind them. The San Antonio Spurs are the only other team that's close, and it looks like one of those three clubs will finish with the worst record in the NBA. Battling for the worst record is not something to be proud of, but the top pick in next year's draft is going to earn a generational talent in Victor Wembenyama. He could change everything for this franchise, especially since young pieces like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun have looked brilliant at times this year.
The Grizzlies (44-27) come into this matchup winning three straight and six of their last seven games in total. Many people thought this club would collapse when they lost Ja Morant to a suspension, but they've been playing some of their best basketball without the superstar point guard. Tyus Jones, Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane have been amazing without him, but there's some talk that Ja will be ready to return here. Adding one of the most dynamic playmakers to one of the hottest teams is a scary sight for the rest of the league, and you know this home crowd will be hyped in Morant's return to the lineup.
This is the third of four meetings between these teams, with Memphis winning the first two matchups. They now have seven wins in their last eight meetings with Houston in total.
The Rockets (18-54) had a three-game winning streak just last week, but this is not the time Houston fans wanted to see some wins. That run moved the Rockets up to the second-worst record in the NBA, with the Detroit Pistons two games behind them. The San Antonio Spurs are the only other team that's close, and it looks like one of those three clubs will finish with the worst record in the NBA. Battling for the worst record is not something to be proud of, but the top pick in next year's draft is going to earn a generational talent in Victor Wembenyama. He could change everything for this franchise, especially since young pieces like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun have looked brilliant at times this year.
The Grizzlies (44-27) come into this matchup winning three straight and six of their last seven games in total. Many people thought this club would collapse when they lost Ja Morant to a suspension, but they've been playing some of their best basketball without the superstar point guard. Tyus Jones, Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane have been amazing without him, but there's some talk that Ja will be ready to return here. Adding one of the most dynamic playmakers to one of the hottest teams is a scary sight for the rest of the league, and you know this home crowd will be hyped in Morant's return to the lineup.
This is the third of four meetings between these teams, with Memphis winning the first two matchups. They now have seven wins in their last eight meetings with Houston in total.
Jazz Host Blazers on Wednesday
The Portland Trail Blazers travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena on Wednesday.
The Trail Blazers (31-40) come into this matchup losing six straight games. That has ended almost all the playoff hopes this club had, sitting 13th in the Western Conference. While they're only 3.5 games back of the team in 10th, the issue is that there are still two teams ahead of them. It's hard to imagine that a team on a six-game losing streak will sneak into the playoffs with only 11 games remaining, but as long as Damian Lillard is playing, this team has some hope. The superstar point guard is leading the NBA in scoring over the last month, averaging 40 points per game. If he keeps doing that, this team can't be counted out.
The Jazz (35-36) pulled off one of their most impressive wins of the season on Monday. They had three starters ruled out against the Sacramento Kings but grabbed that upset win. There were actually eight lead changes in the fourth quarter, but the role players came in and snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat. Ochai Agbaji finished with a career-high 27 points, while Kelly Olynyk fell two assists shy of a triple-double. They also got 10 assists from Kris Dunn off the bench, and that's been the recipe for this club all year. In what looked like a rebuilding season, this rag-tag group has come together and is battling for a playoff spot. Utah now sits 10th in the west after that win but is only 0.5 games up on the New Orleans Pelicans in 12th.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Portland winning two of three. With that said, the Jazz has won five of their last seven matchups in this series.
The Trail Blazers (31-40) come into this matchup losing six straight games. That has ended almost all the playoff hopes this club had, sitting 13th in the Western Conference. While they're only 3.5 games back of the team in 10th, the issue is that there are still two teams ahead of them. It's hard to imagine that a team on a six-game losing streak will sneak into the playoffs with only 11 games remaining, but as long as Damian Lillard is playing, this team has some hope. The superstar point guard is leading the NBA in scoring over the last month, averaging 40 points per game. If he keeps doing that, this team can't be counted out.
The Jazz (35-36) pulled off one of their most impressive wins of the season on Monday. They had three starters ruled out against the Sacramento Kings but grabbed that upset win. There were actually eight lead changes in the fourth quarter, but the role players came in and snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat. Ochai Agbaji finished with a career-high 27 points, while Kelly Olynyk fell two assists shy of a triple-double. They also got 10 assists from Kris Dunn off the bench, and that's been the recipe for this club all year. In what looked like a rebuilding season, this rag-tag group has come together and is battling for a playoff spot. Utah now sits 10th in the west after that win but is only 0.5 games up on the New Orleans Pelicans in 12th.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Portland winning two of three. With that said, the Jazz has won five of their last seven matchups in this series.
Lakers Host Suns on Wednesday
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Phoenix Sun at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.
The Suns (38-33) come into this matchup losing four of their last five games. That poor stretch directly correlates with the Kevin Durant injury, and it's clear just how much this team is missing Mikal Bridges. It would have been fine if KD were healthy, but losing Bridges and Cameron Johnson in that trade has killed this team's depth. Chris Paul and Devin Booker have done wonderfully in Durant's absence, but that's simply not enough with how deep the Western Conference is right now. Phoenix sits fourth in the west, but they're only three games up on the teams in eighth and ninth. That means this club needs to be careful because falling to the play-in would be a disaster.
The Lakers (35-37) have been trying to get above .500 ever since they started with a nightmarish 2-10 record, and this is the closest they've been in some time. The recent run has moved Los Angeles up to the 10th seed in the Western Conference, and they could be the most dangerous team in the league if they snuck into the playoffs. LeBron James hasn't even been playing in this resurgence, but there's some thought he'll be ready to go in the postseason if the Lakers can sneak in. Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell have been carrying the load in his absence, but the play of Auston Reaves can't be overlooked. The bench player scored a career-high 35 points on Sunday, and he's looking like one of the most improved players of the year.
This is the third meeting between these teams, with Phoenix winning the first two. They've now won six straight games over the Lakers in total.
The Suns (38-33) come into this matchup losing four of their last five games. That poor stretch directly correlates with the Kevin Durant injury, and it's clear just how much this team is missing Mikal Bridges. It would have been fine if KD were healthy, but losing Bridges and Cameron Johnson in that trade has killed this team's depth. Chris Paul and Devin Booker have done wonderfully in Durant's absence, but that's simply not enough with how deep the Western Conference is right now. Phoenix sits fourth in the west, but they're only three games up on the teams in eighth and ninth. That means this club needs to be careful because falling to the play-in would be a disaster.
The Lakers (35-37) have been trying to get above .500 ever since they started with a nightmarish 2-10 record, and this is the closest they've been in some time. The recent run has moved Los Angeles up to the 10th seed in the Western Conference, and they could be the most dangerous team in the league if they snuck into the playoffs. LeBron James hasn't even been playing in this resurgence, but there's some thought he'll be ready to go in the postseason if the Lakers can sneak in. Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell have been carrying the load in his absence, but the play of Auston Reaves can't be overlooked. The bench player scored a career-high 35 points on Sunday, and he's looking like one of the most improved players of the year.
This is the third meeting between these teams, with Phoenix winning the first two. They've now won six straight games over the Lakers in total.