Bucks Aiming At Top Seed, Visit Pacers
The Indiana Pacers will host the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday.
The Pacers (33-43) have been struggling of late and enter this game on a three-game losing skid following a 127-104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Bennedict Mathurin posted 26 points, four rebounds and two assists to lead the Pacers in that loss. Andrew Nembhard delivered 17 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jalen Smith had 11 points and six rebounds. Jordan Nwora recorded 13 points and nine rebounds. T.J. McConnell registered 15 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals coming off the bench. Oshae Brissett had 10 points. Indiana has also lost four of its last five games and owns a 19-18 record at home.
Myles Turner (back), Buddy Hield (illness) and Chris Duarte (ankle) are all questionable for Wednesday. Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) is out, same as Kendall Brown (lower leg).
The Bucks (54-21) are alive to secure the top spot in the Eastern Conference and enter this game fresh off a 126-117 win over the Detroit Pistons. Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks with 34 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Brook Lopez had 24 points and 14 rebounds while also adding two assists and two blocks. Jevon Carter finished with 22 points and two assists. Bobby Portis delivered 21 points, 14 rebounds and two assists. No other Milwaukee player scored in double digits in this one. The win over the Pistons means Milwaukee has now won four of its last five games. The Bucks have also gone 24-14 on the road.
Goran Dragic, Khris Middleton, Joe Ingles and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all listed as game-time decisions due to knee injuries. Meyers Leonard and Jae Crowder are both out due to calf problems.
The Pacers (33-43) have been struggling of late and enter this game on a three-game losing skid following a 127-104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Bennedict Mathurin posted 26 points, four rebounds and two assists to lead the Pacers in that loss. Andrew Nembhard delivered 17 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jalen Smith had 11 points and six rebounds. Jordan Nwora recorded 13 points and nine rebounds. T.J. McConnell registered 15 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals coming off the bench. Oshae Brissett had 10 points. Indiana has also lost four of its last five games and owns a 19-18 record at home.
Myles Turner (back), Buddy Hield (illness) and Chris Duarte (ankle) are all questionable for Wednesday. Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) is out, same as Kendall Brown (lower leg).
The Bucks (54-21) are alive to secure the top spot in the Eastern Conference and enter this game fresh off a 126-117 win over the Detroit Pistons. Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks with 34 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Brook Lopez had 24 points and 14 rebounds while also adding two assists and two blocks. Jevon Carter finished with 22 points and two assists. Bobby Portis delivered 21 points, 14 rebounds and two assists. No other Milwaukee player scored in double digits in this one. The win over the Pistons means Milwaukee has now won four of its last five games. The Bucks have also gone 24-14 on the road.
Goran Dragic, Khris Middleton, Joe Ingles and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all listed as game-time decisions due to knee injuries. Meyers Leonard and Jae Crowder are both out due to calf problems.
Rockets, Nets Collide In Battle Of Struggling Teams
The Brooklyn Nets will host the Houston Rockets at Barclays Center on Wednesday.
The Nets (40-35) are coming off a 119-106 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 44 points, six rebounds, a steal and a block, in 34 minutes. Cam Thomas followed up with 18 points and two assists, while Nicolas Claxton tallied nine points, nine rebounds, two assists, four blocks and a steal. The Nets shot 40.7 percent from the field, including 8-of-35 from deep. The Nets have been struggling of late and have dropped four of their last five contests. They’ve also gone 19-16 at home.
Edmond Sumner (hip) is listed as questionable for Wednesday. Ben Simmons (knee) is out for the rest of the season.
The Rockets (18-58) are coming off a 137-115 loss to the New York Knicks. Kevin Porter led the Rockets with 26 points, adding four assists and one block. Jalen Green delivered 19 points, four assists, three boards and one steal. Kenyon Martin supplied 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jabari Smith generated a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that included six assists, one steal and one block. Tari Eason registered 13 points, eight boards, one assist and two steals. Josh Christopher netted 12 points, while Alperen Sengun managed 11 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block. Houston has been one of the worst road teams in the league and owns a 6-32 record. The team has also lost six games in a row and nine of the last 12.
Jae’Sean Tate (knee) has been ruled out of Wednesday’s game.
The Nets (40-35) are coming off a 119-106 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 44 points, six rebounds, a steal and a block, in 34 minutes. Cam Thomas followed up with 18 points and two assists, while Nicolas Claxton tallied nine points, nine rebounds, two assists, four blocks and a steal. The Nets shot 40.7 percent from the field, including 8-of-35 from deep. The Nets have been struggling of late and have dropped four of their last five contests. They’ve also gone 19-16 at home.
Edmond Sumner (hip) is listed as questionable for Wednesday. Ben Simmons (knee) is out for the rest of the season.
The Rockets (18-58) are coming off a 137-115 loss to the New York Knicks. Kevin Porter led the Rockets with 26 points, adding four assists and one block. Jalen Green delivered 19 points, four assists, three boards and one steal. Kenyon Martin supplied 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jabari Smith generated a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that included six assists, one steal and one block. Tari Eason registered 13 points, eight boards, one assist and two steals. Josh Christopher netted 12 points, while Alperen Sengun managed 11 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block. Houston has been one of the worst road teams in the league and owns a 6-32 record. The team has also lost six games in a row and nine of the last 12.
Jae’Sean Tate (knee) has been ruled out of Wednesday’s game.
Heat and Knicks Tangle in Big Apple
The Miami Heat takes on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
The Heat (40-36) are virtually guaranteed a postseason spot, but they're failing to pick up much late-season momentum on the way there. Miami enters Wednesday's game with two straight losses, their most recent a 106-92 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 33 points, adding six assists and three rebounds. Bam Adebayo generated a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double that included four assists and one steal. Caleb Martin and Victor Oladipo provided matching seven-point efforts while recording five and two rebounds, respectively.
The Heat will likely list Jimmy Butler (neck) as no better than questionable for Wednesday's contest. Nikola Jovic (back) will remain out.
The Knicks (43-33) were in worrisome form in their own right recently with three straight losses, but they snapped that skid in definitive fashion with a 137-115 thumping of the Houston Rockets on Monday night. Immanuel Quickley paced the Knicks with 40 points, complementing them with nine assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Julius Randle posted 26 points, four boards, three assists and one steal. R.J. Barrett provided 19 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Obi Toppin turned in 15 points, two boards and one block. Quentin Grimes turned in 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals.
The Knicks will list Jalen Brunson (hand) and Derrick Rose (illness) as questionable for Wednesday's game. DaQuan Jeffries (calf) and Duane Washington (hip) will remain out.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Knicks own a 2-1 series lead.
The Heat (40-36) are virtually guaranteed a postseason spot, but they're failing to pick up much late-season momentum on the way there. Miami enters Wednesday's game with two straight losses, their most recent a 106-92 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 33 points, adding six assists and three rebounds. Bam Adebayo generated a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double that included four assists and one steal. Caleb Martin and Victor Oladipo provided matching seven-point efforts while recording five and two rebounds, respectively.
The Heat will likely list Jimmy Butler (neck) as no better than questionable for Wednesday's contest. Nikola Jovic (back) will remain out.
The Knicks (43-33) were in worrisome form in their own right recently with three straight losses, but they snapped that skid in definitive fashion with a 137-115 thumping of the Houston Rockets on Monday night. Immanuel Quickley paced the Knicks with 40 points, complementing them with nine assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Julius Randle posted 26 points, four boards, three assists and one steal. R.J. Barrett provided 19 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Obi Toppin turned in 15 points, two boards and one block. Quentin Grimes turned in 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals.
The Knicks will list Jalen Brunson (hand) and Derrick Rose (illness) as questionable for Wednesday's game. DaQuan Jeffries (calf) and Duane Washington (hip) will remain out.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Knicks own a 2-1 series lead.
Mavericks and 76ers Tangle in Key Interconference Clash
The Dallas Mavericks take on the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night.
The Mavericks (37-39) went into a Monday night battle against the Indiana Pacers with a worrisome four-game losing streak, but they were able to snap it with a 127-104 win. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 25 points, adding seven rebounds, six assists and one steal. Jaden Hardy furnished 20 points, four boards, four assists and three steals. Kyrie Irving delivered 16 points, six assists, three rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Tim Hardaway and Reggie Bullock registered 13 and 11 points, respectively, while recording two rebounds apiece.
The Mavericks will list Maxi Kleber (hamstring) and Frank Ntilikina (knee) as questionable for Wednesday's game.
The 76ers (49-26) haven't been at their best recently either, as they'll enter Wednesday's interconference clash with three consecutive defeats. Their most recent stumble came Monday night, when they fell to the Denver Nuggets by a 116-111 score, albeit without Joel Embiid (calf) and James Harden (Achilles). Tyrese Maxey led the way with 29 points, adding five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Paul Reed and Tobias Harris posted 16 points each while recording nine and five rebounds, respectively. Jalen McDaniels managed 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The 76ers list Embiid and Harden as questionable with their respective injuries for Wednesday's contest.
Wednesday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Mavericks own a 1-0 series lead.
The Mavericks (37-39) went into a Monday night battle against the Indiana Pacers with a worrisome four-game losing streak, but they were able to snap it with a 127-104 win. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 25 points, adding seven rebounds, six assists and one steal. Jaden Hardy furnished 20 points, four boards, four assists and three steals. Kyrie Irving delivered 16 points, six assists, three rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Tim Hardaway and Reggie Bullock registered 13 and 11 points, respectively, while recording two rebounds apiece.
The Mavericks will list Maxi Kleber (hamstring) and Frank Ntilikina (knee) as questionable for Wednesday's game.
The 76ers (49-26) haven't been at their best recently either, as they'll enter Wednesday's interconference clash with three consecutive defeats. Their most recent stumble came Monday night, when they fell to the Denver Nuggets by a 116-111 score, albeit without Joel Embiid (calf) and James Harden (Achilles). Tyrese Maxey led the way with 29 points, adding five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Paul Reed and Tobias Harris posted 16 points each while recording nine and five rebounds, respectively. Jalen McDaniels managed 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The 76ers list Embiid and Harden as questionable with their respective injuries for Wednesday's contest.
Wednesday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Mavericks own a 1-0 series lead.
Bulls, Lakers Clash For Second Meeting In Four Days
By Dan Bruno
The Chicago Bulls play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at United Center on Wednesday evening.
The Bulls face the final game in a stretch where they play six games in nine days. They fell short in a meeting with the Clippers on Monday in their last outing, the day after they earned an impressive win over the Lakers.
This marks the second meeting in four days between the Bulls (36-39) and the Lakers (37-38), after the Bulls earned an impressive home win in their first clash on Sunday. The game got out to a tight start as the Bulls led by three after one quarter, and they pushed it to an eight-point game by halftime. They did not let up in the third and rallied to a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Lakers put up a fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as they saw a three-game win streak come to an end.
Zach LaVine was the high-point man in the game, leading the Bulls with 32 points on 13-of-19 shooting, in 37 minutes. DeMar DeRozan followed up with 17 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and a block, while Coby White added 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal. On the other side, LeBron James led the Lakers with 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Anthony Davis added 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are looking for revenge as they kick off a five-game road trip with the hopes of improving on their, 16-20, road record. D'Angelo Russell (hip) missed the last two games and remains questionable for action.
The Bulls face the final game in a stretch where they play six games in nine days. They fell short in a meeting with the Clippers on Monday in their last outing, the day after they earned an impressive win over the Lakers.
This marks the second meeting in four days between the Bulls (36-39) and the Lakers (37-38), after the Bulls earned an impressive home win in their first clash on Sunday. The game got out to a tight start as the Bulls led by three after one quarter, and they pushed it to an eight-point game by halftime. They did not let up in the third and rallied to a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Lakers put up a fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as they saw a three-game win streak come to an end.
Zach LaVine was the high-point man in the game, leading the Bulls with 32 points on 13-of-19 shooting, in 37 minutes. DeMar DeRozan followed up with 17 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and a block, while Coby White added 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal. On the other side, LeBron James led the Lakers with 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Anthony Davis added 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are looking for revenge as they kick off a five-game road trip with the hopes of improving on their, 16-20, road record. D'Angelo Russell (hip) missed the last two games and remains questionable for action.
Slumping Spurs Look To Bounce Back At Home
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs play host to the Utah Jazz at AT-and-T Center on Wednesday evening.
The Spurs (19-56) return home after an 0-4 road trip and they look to improve on their,13-25, home record. Devin Vassell is playing well lately, averaging 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals over his last five games. Tre Jones averages 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals, while Zach Collins is averaging 11.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The Spurs average 112.0 points per game, but they give up a a league-high 122.5 points per game. Keldon Johnson (foot) and Jeremy Sochan are listed as questionable for action.
Meanwhile, the Jazz (35-40) have dropped four in a row but have a chance to turn things around as they kick off a three-game road trip. They are 13-24 on the road and have dropped their last two games away from home. Lauri Markkanen leads the team averaging 25.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Kelly Olynyk averages 12.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists, while Kris Dunn is averaging 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Jazz average 117.1 points per game, which is sixth-most in the league, but they give up an average of 117.8 points. Jordan Clarkson (finger) and Collin Sexton remain questionable for action.
The Spurs (19-56) return home after an 0-4 road trip and they look to improve on their,13-25, home record. Devin Vassell is playing well lately, averaging 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals over his last five games. Tre Jones averages 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals, while Zach Collins is averaging 11.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The Spurs average 112.0 points per game, but they give up a a league-high 122.5 points per game. Keldon Johnson (foot) and Jeremy Sochan are listed as questionable for action.
Meanwhile, the Jazz (35-40) have dropped four in a row but have a chance to turn things around as they kick off a three-game road trip. They are 13-24 on the road and have dropped their last two games away from home. Lauri Markkanen leads the team averaging 25.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Kelly Olynyk averages 12.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists, while Kris Dunn is averaging 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Jazz average 117.1 points per game, which is sixth-most in the league, but they give up an average of 117.8 points. Jordan Clarkson (finger) and Collin Sexton remain questionable for action.
Thunder Host Slumping Pistons
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Detroit Pistons at Paycom Center on Wednesday evening.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Thunder (37-29), after a hard-fought home loss against the Hornets on Tuesday. The game got out to a tight start as the Thunder trailed, 26-23, after one quarter. They came out much better in the second and outscored the visitors by 14 points to carry an 11-point advantage into the break. They held strong in the third and maintained a six-point edge heading into the final frame. Both sides picked up the pace in the fourth, but the Thunder lost their grip in the end. Isaiah Joe led the way with 33 points on 11-of-18 shooting, in 32 minutes. Jalen Williams tallied 31 points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Josh Giddey finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and a block. The Thunder will look to bounce back as they face the second and final game of a home stand with a chance to add to their, 22-16, home record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) did not play on Tuesday and remains questionable for action.
Meanwhile, the Pistons (16-59) have dropped six in a row and hope to get back on track as they kick off a three-game road trip with the opportunity to improve on their, 7-29, road record. Jaden Ivey continues to play well, averaging 15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Alec Burks averages 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while Marvin Bagley is averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The Pistons average 110.7 points per game, which is third fewest in the league, but they give up an average of 118.7 points, which is third most in the league. Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles), Alec Burks (foot) and Rodney McGruder (foot) are listed as questionable for action, while Hamidou Diallo (ankle) and Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) will be sidelined.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Thunder (37-29), after a hard-fought home loss against the Hornets on Tuesday. The game got out to a tight start as the Thunder trailed, 26-23, after one quarter. They came out much better in the second and outscored the visitors by 14 points to carry an 11-point advantage into the break. They held strong in the third and maintained a six-point edge heading into the final frame. Both sides picked up the pace in the fourth, but the Thunder lost their grip in the end. Isaiah Joe led the way with 33 points on 11-of-18 shooting, in 32 minutes. Jalen Williams tallied 31 points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Josh Giddey finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and a block. The Thunder will look to bounce back as they face the second and final game of a home stand with a chance to add to their, 22-16, home record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) did not play on Tuesday and remains questionable for action.
Meanwhile, the Pistons (16-59) have dropped six in a row and hope to get back on track as they kick off a three-game road trip with the opportunity to improve on their, 7-29, road record. Jaden Ivey continues to play well, averaging 15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Alec Burks averages 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while Marvin Bagley is averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The Pistons average 110.7 points per game, which is third fewest in the league, but they give up an average of 118.7 points, which is third most in the league. Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles), Alec Burks (foot) and Rodney McGruder (foot) are listed as questionable for action, while Hamidou Diallo (ankle) and Isaiah Stewart (shoulder) will be sidelined.
Grizzlies Host Clippers on Wednesday
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Los Angeles Clippers at FedEx Forum on Wednesday.
The Clippers (40-36) have traded off wins and losses in their last seven games, trying to cope without Paul George. That's a solid stretch considering Los Angeles has a 7-3 record across their last 10 games. The recent run has moved the Clippers into a promising spot, sitting fifth in the convoluted Western Conference. With that said, they're only 2.5 games up on the teams in ninth and 10th. It remains to be seen if the Clippers can avoid the play-in, but it's going to be challenging since Paul George is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. Russell Westbrook and Bones Hyland have been much better since PG13 went down, though, and having their roles players step up is huge going into the final two weeks.
The Grizzlies (48-27) look locked into the two-seed in the Western Conference. They're 3.5 games back of the Denver Nuggets in first but are 2.5 games up on the Sacramento Kings in third. This team's ticker is also pointing up, with Memphis winning seven straight and 10 of their last 11 games in total. They also got Ja Morant back from his suspension, and this truly looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA. Many people might assume it's these offensive weapons, but the Grizzlies own the best defensive rating in the NBA. That's quite an accomplishment for such a young team, and it'll be fun to watch them in the fast-approaching postseason.
These teams just played on March 5, with LA prevailing, 135-129. That snapped a four-game winning streak by Memphis in this series.
The Clippers (40-36) have traded off wins and losses in their last seven games, trying to cope without Paul George. That's a solid stretch considering Los Angeles has a 7-3 record across their last 10 games. The recent run has moved the Clippers into a promising spot, sitting fifth in the convoluted Western Conference. With that said, they're only 2.5 games up on the teams in ninth and 10th. It remains to be seen if the Clippers can avoid the play-in, but it's going to be challenging since Paul George is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. Russell Westbrook and Bones Hyland have been much better since PG13 went down, though, and having their roles players step up is huge going into the final two weeks.
The Grizzlies (48-27) look locked into the two-seed in the Western Conference. They're 3.5 games back of the Denver Nuggets in first but are 2.5 games up on the Sacramento Kings in third. This team's ticker is also pointing up, with Memphis winning seven straight and 10 of their last 11 games in total. They also got Ja Morant back from his suspension, and this truly looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA. Many people might assume it's these offensive weapons, but the Grizzlies own the best defensive rating in the NBA. That's quite an accomplishment for such a young team, and it'll be fun to watch them in the fast-approaching postseason.
These teams just played on March 5, with LA prevailing, 135-129. That snapped a four-game winning streak by Memphis in this series.
Suns Host T'Wolves on Wednesday
The Phoenix Suns play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Footprint Center on Wednesday.
The Timberwolves (39-37) looked to be in big trouble when they were out of the playoffs this time last week, but this club has been rolling since then. Minnesota enters this matchup amid a four-game winning streak, beating some of the best teams in the NBA in that span. The direct correlation with the winning streak is the health of this roster, with Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns both returning. The hot streak has moved Minnesota all the way up to sixth, and avoiding the play-in tournament could be a massive boon for this young team. With that said, they're only 1.5 games up on the teams in ninth and 10th, so, anything can happen over these closing two weeks.
The Suns (40-35) come into this matchup winning their last two games. Those two victories couldn't have come at a better time either because Phoenix lost six of their previous seven games before that. This club is desperately trying to hold on to the four-seed in the west, but they'll have to fend off a ton of teams over the closing two weeks. There are seven teams within 3.5 games, and a losing streak could knock any team out of the playoffs altogether. The good news keeps flowing in for Phoenix, though, because there's some talk that Kevin Durant could make his return here. The All-Star missed a few weeks because of an ankle issue, and having him back makes this one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Phoenix winning two of three. That gives the Suns nine wins in their last 11 matchups with the Timberwolves in total.
The Timberwolves (39-37) looked to be in big trouble when they were out of the playoffs this time last week, but this club has been rolling since then. Minnesota enters this matchup amid a four-game winning streak, beating some of the best teams in the NBA in that span. The direct correlation with the winning streak is the health of this roster, with Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns both returning. The hot streak has moved Minnesota all the way up to sixth, and avoiding the play-in tournament could be a massive boon for this young team. With that said, they're only 1.5 games up on the teams in ninth and 10th, so, anything can happen over these closing two weeks.
The Suns (40-35) come into this matchup winning their last two games. Those two victories couldn't have come at a better time either because Phoenix lost six of their previous seven games before that. This club is desperately trying to hold on to the four-seed in the west, but they'll have to fend off a ton of teams over the closing two weeks. There are seven teams within 3.5 games, and a losing streak could knock any team out of the playoffs altogether. The good news keeps flowing in for Phoenix, though, because there's some talk that Kevin Durant could make his return here. The All-Star missed a few weeks because of an ankle issue, and having him back makes this one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Phoenix winning two of three. That gives the Suns nine wins in their last 11 matchups with the Timberwolves in total.
Blazers Host Kings on Wednesday
The Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Sacramento Kings at Moda Center on Wednesday.
The Kings (45-30) are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning 13 of their last 18 games. That run has secured a top-three seed in the Western Conference, but they're 2.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies in second. They're also just one win away from securing a playoff berth, and that's a massive deal for this franchise. This team hasn't made the postseason in nearly 20 years, and to have homecourt in the first round is the cherry on top. We also saw De'Aaron Fox return from his hamstring issue on Monday, and having their All-Star ball-handler fully healthy is the most important factor heading into the fast-approaching postseason.
The Trail Blazers (32-43) were hanging around this time last month, but everything has collapsed since then. Portland comes into this matchup losing 14 of their last 18 games. That has all but ended Portland's playoff hopes, but the Trail Blazers have already thrown in the white flag. It appears that Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons are all done for the year, and it's leaving this roster in shambles. They've lost two of the last three games by at least 28 points since they decided to sit those guys, and more of those blowouts could be on the way. In any case, it gives youngsters like Shaedon Sharpe and Nassir Little to do more and hopefully develop for this underwhelming franchise.
This is the third and final meeting between these teams, splitting their first two matchups.
The Kings (45-30) are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning 13 of their last 18 games. That run has secured a top-three seed in the Western Conference, but they're 2.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies in second. They're also just one win away from securing a playoff berth, and that's a massive deal for this franchise. This team hasn't made the postseason in nearly 20 years, and to have homecourt in the first round is the cherry on top. We also saw De'Aaron Fox return from his hamstring issue on Monday, and having their All-Star ball-handler fully healthy is the most important factor heading into the fast-approaching postseason.
The Trail Blazers (32-43) were hanging around this time last month, but everything has collapsed since then. Portland comes into this matchup losing 14 of their last 18 games. That has all but ended Portland's playoff hopes, but the Trail Blazers have already thrown in the white flag. It appears that Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons are all done for the year, and it's leaving this roster in shambles. They've lost two of the last three games by at least 28 points since they decided to sit those guys, and more of those blowouts could be on the way. In any case, it gives youngsters like Shaedon Sharpe and Nassir Little to do more and hopefully develop for this underwhelming franchise.
This is the third and final meeting between these teams, splitting their first two matchups.