Pistons, Magic Collide In Motor City
The Detroit Pistons will host the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.
The Pistons (8-47) are in the midst of a woeful season and have been one of the worst teams in the league by a wide margin. Even though the Pistons have had some decent moments over the last few weeks, the team enters this game on a four-game losing skid. The four losses have come on the road, though, but Detroit has also lost their last two when playing at home. The play of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey has sparked some hope for Detroit’s fans, but the team remains a few years away from competing for a playoff berth. The Pistons have also gone 0-2 against the Magic this season.
Quentin Grimes (knee) is a game-time call for Saturday, while Isaiah Stewart (suspension) is out.
The Magic (31-25) have been one of the teams that have gone from being a playoff hopeful to a contender this season, and barring any disaster, the team should reach the postseason led by the play of their All-Star, Paolo Banchero. Banchero is averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, leading the team in all three categories. The Magic are also playing at a very high level, winning two in a row and four of their last five. They’re coming off a 116-109 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. Orlando has gone 13-17 away from home.
Markelle Fultz (knee) is out for Saturday’s game.
The Pistons (8-47) are in the midst of a woeful season and have been one of the worst teams in the league by a wide margin. Even though the Pistons have had some decent moments over the last few weeks, the team enters this game on a four-game losing skid. The four losses have come on the road, though, but Detroit has also lost their last two when playing at home. The play of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey has sparked some hope for Detroit’s fans, but the team remains a few years away from competing for a playoff berth. The Pistons have also gone 0-2 against the Magic this season.
Quentin Grimes (knee) is a game-time call for Saturday, while Isaiah Stewart (suspension) is out.
The Magic (31-25) have been one of the teams that have gone from being a playoff hopeful to a contender this season, and barring any disaster, the team should reach the postseason led by the play of their All-Star, Paolo Banchero. Banchero is averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, leading the team in all three categories. The Magic are also playing at a very high level, winning two in a row and four of their last five. They’re coming off a 116-109 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. Orlando has gone 13-17 away from home.
Markelle Fultz (knee) is out for Saturday’s game.
Celtics and Knicks Tangle in Big Apple
The Boston Celtics take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
The Celtics (44-12) went into the All-Star break running hot and emerged from it looking just as impressive, as their 129-112 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night marked their seventh straight win overall. Derrick White led the Celtics with 28 points, adding five assists, three rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Jayson Tatum delivered 25 points, seven boards, five assists and three steals. Jaylen Brown supplied 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Kristaps Porzingis turned in 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal.
The Celtics come into Saturday's game with no injuries to report.
The Knicks (34-22), in contrast to their opponent, limped into the All-Star break with four straight losses. However, they got the first game of the rest of their season off to a good start with a 110-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Knicks with 22 points, complementing them with two rebounds and three steals. Jalen Brunson generated a 21-point, 12-assist double-double that included two rebounds, two steals and one block. Josh Hart and Precious Achiuwa produced matching 18-point efforts while recording 12 and 11 rebounds, respectively. Donte DiVincenzo compiled 16 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Knicks are expected to remain without OG Anunoby (elbow) and Julius Randle (shoulder) for Saturday's game.
Saturday's game marks the fourth of five meetings between the teams this season. The Celtics own a 3-0 series lead.
The Celtics (44-12) went into the All-Star break running hot and emerged from it looking just as impressive, as their 129-112 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night marked their seventh straight win overall. Derrick White led the Celtics with 28 points, adding five assists, three rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Jayson Tatum delivered 25 points, seven boards, five assists and three steals. Jaylen Brown supplied 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Kristaps Porzingis turned in 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal.
The Celtics come into Saturday's game with no injuries to report.
The Knicks (34-22), in contrast to their opponent, limped into the All-Star break with four straight losses. However, they got the first game of the rest of their season off to a good start with a 110-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Knicks with 22 points, complementing them with two rebounds and three steals. Jalen Brunson generated a 21-point, 12-assist double-double that included two rebounds, two steals and one block. Josh Hart and Precious Achiuwa produced matching 18-point efforts while recording 12 and 11 rebounds, respectively. Donte DiVincenzo compiled 16 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Knicks are expected to remain without OG Anunoby (elbow) and Julius Randle (shoulder) for Saturday's game.
Saturday's game marks the fourth of five meetings between the teams this season. The Celtics own a 3-0 series lead.
T'Wolves Host Nets on Saturday
The Brooklyn Nets travel to Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Saturday.
The Nets (21-34) just decided to fire their head coach earlier in the week, handing duties to Kevin Ollie. The first game with their new coach was nothing to write home about, losing to the Toronto Raptors, 121-93. Getting blown out like that is embarrassing, especially since Brooklyn has lost six of their last seven games in total. They also have one of the worst records in the league over the last two months, and it's difficult to see things improving. It has been nice to see Ben Simmons healthy over the last few weeks, but he's not enough to get this team out of their hole. What they really need is some offense, and that's not coming this season.
The Timberwolves (39-17) have been the biggest surprise in the NBA, posting the best record in the Western Conference. Many people thought they wouldn't be able to maintain this after a hot start, but the T'Wolves are proving all of the doubters wrong. What's funny is that everyone said they made a terrible trade when they acquired Rudy Gobert for Walker Kessler and other pieces, but that trade is proving to be massive. Gobert has been the best defensive player in the league, leading to Minnesota posting the best defensive rating in the NBA. They're also getting All-Star seasons from Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, making this team a true title contender.
These teams played a thrilling matchup on January 25, with Minnesota prevailing, 96-94. That gives them three wins in their last four meetings with Brooklyn.
The Nets (21-34) just decided to fire their head coach earlier in the week, handing duties to Kevin Ollie. The first game with their new coach was nothing to write home about, losing to the Toronto Raptors, 121-93. Getting blown out like that is embarrassing, especially since Brooklyn has lost six of their last seven games in total. They also have one of the worst records in the league over the last two months, and it's difficult to see things improving. It has been nice to see Ben Simmons healthy over the last few weeks, but he's not enough to get this team out of their hole. What they really need is some offense, and that's not coming this season.
The Timberwolves (39-17) have been the biggest surprise in the NBA, posting the best record in the Western Conference. Many people thought they wouldn't be able to maintain this after a hot start, but the T'Wolves are proving all of the doubters wrong. What's funny is that everyone said they made a terrible trade when they acquired Rudy Gobert for Walker Kessler and other pieces, but that trade is proving to be massive. Gobert has been the best defensive player in the league, leading to Minnesota posting the best defensive rating in the NBA. They're also getting All-Star seasons from Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, making this team a true title contender.
These teams played a thrilling matchup on January 25, with Minnesota prevailing, 96-94. That gives them three wins in their last four meetings with Brooklyn.