Raptors and Pacers Tangle Set for Conference Battle
The Toronto Raptors take on the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night.
The Raptors (21-36) appear to have benefited from the pause in play afforded by the All-Star break, as they've won each of their first two games coming out of their time off. Their most recent success came Friday night, when they toppled the Atlanta Hawks by a 123-121 score. Immanuel Quickley led the Raptors with 24 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists. Scottie Barnes furnished 20 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Gradey Dick supplied 18 points, two rebounds and one assist. Ochai Agjabi posted 14 points, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Gary Trent went for 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block. Jakob Poeltl generated a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double that included six assists and two blocks. Bruce Brown matched Poeltl's scoring and also collected three rebounds, three assists and one block. Kelly Olynyk finished with 10 points, six assists, five rebounds and one block.
The Raptors come into Monday's game without any injuries to report.
The Pacers (33-25) have managed to carry over their pre-All-Star-break momentum through the pause in play, as they've won the first two games following their return to action. Their most recent success came Sunday afternoon, when they recorded an impressive 133-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Myles Turner led the Pacers with a season-high 33 points, adding eight rebounds and one assist. Tyrese Haliburton managed a 17-point, 10-assist double-double that included three rebounds and four steals. Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard produced matching 15-point contributions while recording three rebounds and four assists, respectively. Bennedict Mathurin managed a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists and three steals. Pascal Siakam and TJ McConnell posted 12 points apiece while tallying nine rebounds and seven assists, respectively.
The Pacers will likely list Aaron Nesmith (ankle) as no better than questionable for Monday's game.
Monday's game marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The series is tied 1-1.
The Raptors (21-36) appear to have benefited from the pause in play afforded by the All-Star break, as they've won each of their first two games coming out of their time off. Their most recent success came Friday night, when they toppled the Atlanta Hawks by a 123-121 score. Immanuel Quickley led the Raptors with 24 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists. Scottie Barnes furnished 20 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Gradey Dick supplied 18 points, two rebounds and one assist. Ochai Agjabi posted 14 points, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Gary Trent went for 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block. Jakob Poeltl generated a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double that included six assists and two blocks. Bruce Brown matched Poeltl's scoring and also collected three rebounds, three assists and one block. Kelly Olynyk finished with 10 points, six assists, five rebounds and one block.
The Raptors come into Monday's game without any injuries to report.
The Pacers (33-25) have managed to carry over their pre-All-Star-break momentum through the pause in play, as they've won the first two games following their return to action. Their most recent success came Sunday afternoon, when they recorded an impressive 133-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Myles Turner led the Pacers with a season-high 33 points, adding eight rebounds and one assist. Tyrese Haliburton managed a 17-point, 10-assist double-double that included three rebounds and four steals. Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard produced matching 15-point contributions while recording three rebounds and four assists, respectively. Bennedict Mathurin managed a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists and three steals. Pascal Siakam and TJ McConnell posted 12 points apiece while tallying nine rebounds and seven assists, respectively.
The Pacers will likely list Aaron Nesmith (ankle) as no better than questionable for Monday's game.
Monday's game marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The series is tied 1-1.
Pistons and Knicks Set for Big Apple Clash
The Detroit Pistons take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
The Pistons (8-48) continue to slog through a difficult season, and they'll head into Monday's contest having dropped five straight games. Their most recent stumble came Saturday night, when they fell to the Orlando Magic by a 112-109 score. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 26 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Simone Fontecchio furnished 17 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Jalen Duren generated a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists, four blocks and one steal. Evan Fournier registered 13 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The Pistons will be without Isaiah Stewart (suspension) and Marcus Sasser (knee) for Monday's game.
The Knicks (34-23) have been scuffling since prior to the All-Star break, as they'll head into Monday's contest having dropped five of their last six games. Their most recent stumble came Saturday night, when they fell to the Boston Celtics by a 116-102 score Saturday night. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 34 points, complementing them with nine assists, three rebounds and one steal. Josh Hart totaled 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Donte DiVincenzo supplied 12 points, four rebounds and one block. Miles McBride totaled 11 points, three rebounds and one assist.
The Knicks will remain without OG Anunoby (elbow) and Julius Randle (shoulder) for Monday's game.
Monday's game marks the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Knicks hold a 1-0 series lead.
The Pistons (8-48) continue to slog through a difficult season, and they'll head into Monday's contest having dropped five straight games. Their most recent stumble came Saturday night, when they fell to the Orlando Magic by a 112-109 score. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 26 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Simone Fontecchio furnished 17 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Jalen Duren generated a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double that included three assists, four blocks and one steal. Evan Fournier registered 13 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The Pistons will be without Isaiah Stewart (suspension) and Marcus Sasser (knee) for Monday's game.
The Knicks (34-23) have been scuffling since prior to the All-Star break, as they'll head into Monday's contest having dropped five of their last six games. Their most recent stumble came Saturday night, when they fell to the Boston Celtics by a 116-102 score Saturday night. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 34 points, complementing them with nine assists, three rebounds and one steal. Josh Hart totaled 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Donte DiVincenzo supplied 12 points, four rebounds and one block. Miles McBride totaled 11 points, three rebounds and one assist.
The Knicks will remain without OG Anunoby (elbow) and Julius Randle (shoulder) for Monday's game.
Monday's game marks the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Knicks hold a 1-0 series lead.
Grizzlies Host Slumping Nets
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Brooklyn Nets at FedEx Forum on Monday evening.
The Grizzlies (20-37) saw a two-game win streak come to an end with a home loss in their last outing. They will look to get back on track and improve on their, 7-21, home record as they face the second and final game of a home stand after the all-star break. Jaren Jackson continues to deliver a solid effort, averaging 22.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. GG Jackson has been playing well, averaging 11.3 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Luke Kennard averages 10.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Desmond Bane (ankle), John Konchar (thumb), Scotty Pippen (back) and Marcus Smart (finger) will be sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Nets (21-35) have dropped four in a row and hope to turn things around as they face the third game of a four-game road trip with the opportunity to improve on their, 8-18, road record. Mikal Bridges leads the team, averaging 21.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game. Cam Thomas is averaging 21.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while Cameron Johnson averages 13.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. The Nets average 112.5 points per game, but they give up an average of 115.5 points per game. Ben Simmons (leg) is listed as questionable for action.
The Grizzlies (20-37) saw a two-game win streak come to an end with a home loss in their last outing. They will look to get back on track and improve on their, 7-21, home record as they face the second and final game of a home stand after the all-star break. Jaren Jackson continues to deliver a solid effort, averaging 22.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. GG Jackson has been playing well, averaging 11.3 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Luke Kennard averages 10.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Desmond Bane (ankle), John Konchar (thumb), Scotty Pippen (back) and Marcus Smart (finger) will be sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Nets (21-35) have dropped four in a row and hope to turn things around as they face the third game of a four-game road trip with the opportunity to improve on their, 8-18, road record. Mikal Bridges leads the team, averaging 21.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game. Cam Thomas is averaging 21.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while Cameron Johnson averages 13.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. The Nets average 112.5 points per game, but they give up an average of 115.5 points per game. Ben Simmons (leg) is listed as questionable for action.
Kings Host Heat on Monday
The Sacramento Kings play host to the Miami Heat at Golden One Center on Monday.
The Heat (31-25) have always been known to play with a chip, and that was certainly the case on Friday. They got into a huge scuffle with the New Orleans Pelicans but were able to prevail in that testy road game. That gives Miami seven wins in their last nine games in total, which has skyrocketed the Heat up the Eastern Conference standings. The Eastern Conference champs from last year always seem to do this at the end of the season, and it's no surprise since Jimmy Butler is finally fully healthy. The next step is to get Terry Rozier and Tyer Herro back because this club needs those dynamic guards if they want to make another deep run. With that said, Butler will miss this game to serve a one-game suspension from that aforementioned scuffle.
The Kings (33-23) come into this matchup winning three straight games. The competition in these victories is what's most impressive, beating the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. That's a tough schedule to deal with, and it's moved the Kings up to fifth in the Western Conference. That might be this team's ceiling because the four teams ahead are at least four games ahead. That's a ton of teams to leapfrog, and it likely means that Sacramramento will be a road team for most of the playoffs. What's made them so good is the play of Domantas Sabonis. The big man leads the league in double-doubles and is only one triple-double behind Nikola Jokic for that crown as well.
These teams played on January 31, with Miami prevailing, 115-106. That gives the Heat three wins in their last four matchups with the Kings.
The Heat (31-25) have always been known to play with a chip, and that was certainly the case on Friday. They got into a huge scuffle with the New Orleans Pelicans but were able to prevail in that testy road game. That gives Miami seven wins in their last nine games in total, which has skyrocketed the Heat up the Eastern Conference standings. The Eastern Conference champs from last year always seem to do this at the end of the season, and it's no surprise since Jimmy Butler is finally fully healthy. The next step is to get Terry Rozier and Tyer Herro back because this club needs those dynamic guards if they want to make another deep run. With that said, Butler will miss this game to serve a one-game suspension from that aforementioned scuffle.
The Kings (33-23) come into this matchup winning three straight games. The competition in these victories is what's most impressive, beating the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. That's a tough schedule to deal with, and it's moved the Kings up to fifth in the Western Conference. That might be this team's ceiling because the four teams ahead are at least four games ahead. That's a ton of teams to leapfrog, and it likely means that Sacramramento will be a road team for most of the playoffs. What's made them so good is the play of Domantas Sabonis. The big man leads the league in double-doubles and is only one triple-double behind Nikola Jokic for that crown as well.
These teams played on January 31, with Miami prevailing, 115-106. That gives the Heat three wins in their last four matchups with the Kings.