Pelicans, Pacers play first game of home-and-home series Wednesday
The New Orleans Pelicans visit the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, in the first game of a home-and-home series between the two squads.
The Pelicans (35-24) snapped their two-game losing skid with a 115-92 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday, in a game that saw Trey Murphy, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson combine for 71 points in the victory. The Pelicans currently sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, thanks in large part to the play of Williamson, the first-overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. Although his 22.4 points per game currently marks a career low for the young power forward, he's played 47 games this season which is more than the 29 he played last year when he was dealing with injuries. Williamson's availability down the stretch will play a large factor in where New Orleans finishes in the standings at the end of the regular season.
CJ McCollum (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday’s contest.
Meanwhile the Pacers (33-26) saw their three-game win streak snapped at the hands of the Toronto Raptors in a 130-122 defeat on Monday. Although Bennedict Mathurin – who was in the starting lineup Monday for Aaron Nesmith (ankle) – matched a career-high with 34 points, All-Star Tyrese Haliburton had an uncharacteristically poor performance as he finished with just nine points on 2-for-11 shooting, seven assists and two steals. It’s clear that Indiana will go as far as their superstar point guard can take them, and he’ll need all the help he can get from fellow All-Star Pascal Siakam and role players such as Myles Turner and Mathurin.
Nesmith is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game due to an ankle injury, while Doug McDermott (calf) has been ruled out.
The Pelicans (35-24) snapped their two-game losing skid with a 115-92 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday, in a game that saw Trey Murphy, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson combine for 71 points in the victory. The Pelicans currently sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, thanks in large part to the play of Williamson, the first-overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. Although his 22.4 points per game currently marks a career low for the young power forward, he's played 47 games this season which is more than the 29 he played last year when he was dealing with injuries. Williamson's availability down the stretch will play a large factor in where New Orleans finishes in the standings at the end of the regular season.
CJ McCollum (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday’s contest.
Meanwhile the Pacers (33-26) saw their three-game win streak snapped at the hands of the Toronto Raptors in a 130-122 defeat on Monday. Although Bennedict Mathurin – who was in the starting lineup Monday for Aaron Nesmith (ankle) – matched a career-high with 34 points, All-Star Tyrese Haliburton had an uncharacteristically poor performance as he finished with just nine points on 2-for-11 shooting, seven assists and two steals. It’s clear that Indiana will go as far as their superstar point guard can take them, and he’ll need all the help he can get from fellow All-Star Pascal Siakam and role players such as Myles Turner and Mathurin.
Nesmith is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game due to an ankle injury, while Doug McDermott (calf) has been ruled out.
Mavericks Aim To Bounce Back, Visit Raptors
The Toronto Raptors will host the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.
The Raptors (22-36) are clearly thinking about the next season already after trading away veterans such as OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Dennis Schroder. However, and while their record suggests that, their recent play has delivered signs of improvement. The Raptors enter this game on a three-game winning streak following a 130-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday. However, the last two wins on that run came away from home, so now it remains to be seen whether Toronto can deliver positive results at home, where the Raptors own a less-than-inspiring 12-16 record. The Raptors will aim to complete the season sweep of the Mavericks after defeating them by a 127-116 score in their previous meeting on Nov. 8.
Jakob Poeltl (ankle) and Markquis Nowell (hamstring) are both game-time calls for Wednesday.
The Mavericks (33-25) continue their road trip through the Eastern Conference and are in dire need of a bounce-back performance. Dallas suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, losing by a 121-119 score on a buzzer-beating half-court three-pointer from Max Strus. That was Dallas’ second consecutive defeat as well, as the Mavs started their current road trip with a loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Given this will be Dallas’ third game in four days, there has to be some tiredness on the team. They were on an impressive winning run before the road trip, and the Mavericks, led by their star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, will undoubtedly aim to bounce back here.
Dante Exum (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday, but the rest of the Mavs roster will be healthy and available.
The Raptors (22-36) are clearly thinking about the next season already after trading away veterans such as OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Dennis Schroder. However, and while their record suggests that, their recent play has delivered signs of improvement. The Raptors enter this game on a three-game winning streak following a 130-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday. However, the last two wins on that run came away from home, so now it remains to be seen whether Toronto can deliver positive results at home, where the Raptors own a less-than-inspiring 12-16 record. The Raptors will aim to complete the season sweep of the Mavericks after defeating them by a 127-116 score in their previous meeting on Nov. 8.
Jakob Poeltl (ankle) and Markquis Nowell (hamstring) are both game-time calls for Wednesday.
The Mavericks (33-25) continue their road trip through the Eastern Conference and are in dire need of a bounce-back performance. Dallas suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, losing by a 121-119 score on a buzzer-beating half-court three-pointer from Max Strus. That was Dallas’ second consecutive defeat as well, as the Mavs started their current road trip with a loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Given this will be Dallas’ third game in four days, there has to be some tiredness on the team. They were on an impressive winning run before the road trip, and the Mavericks, led by their star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, will undoubtedly aim to bounce back here.
Dante Exum (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday, but the rest of the Mavs roster will be healthy and available.
Cavaliers and Bulls Set for Midwest Matchup
The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Chicago Bulls at United Center on Wednesday night.
The Cavaliers (38-19) went through a rare funk that saw them lose three out of four games around the All-Star break, but they'll enter Wednesday's contest having won two straight. Their most recent victory was particularly noteworthy, edging the Dallas Mavericks by a 121-119 score on a 59-foot three-pointer by Max Strus at the buzzer. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, six assists and one block. Strus provided 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Jarrett Allen supplied 19 points, nine rebounds and one block. Evan Mobley totaled 12 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and one steal. Caris LeVert registered 11 points, six assists and four rebounds. Georges Niang posted 10 points and five rebounds.
The Cavaliers will remain without Ty Jerome (ankle) and Tristan Thompson (suspension) for Wednesday's game.
The Bulls (27-31) have struggled with consistency for the majority of the season, and accordingly, they'll enter Wednesday's contest with losses in three of their past four games. Their most recent stumble came Tuesday night, when they dropped a 105-95 decision to the Detroit Pistons. Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan co-led the Bulls with 25 points, adding 10 and three rebounds, respectively. Andre Drummond pitched in a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one block. Coby White finished with 10 points, six assists and five rebounds.
The Bulls will be without Torrey Craig (knee) for Wednesday's game.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Cavaliers hold a 3-0 series lead.
The Cavaliers (38-19) went through a rare funk that saw them lose three out of four games around the All-Star break, but they'll enter Wednesday's contest having won two straight. Their most recent victory was particularly noteworthy, edging the Dallas Mavericks by a 121-119 score on a 59-foot three-pointer by Max Strus at the buzzer. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, six assists and one block. Strus provided 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Jarrett Allen supplied 19 points, nine rebounds and one block. Evan Mobley totaled 12 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and one steal. Caris LeVert registered 11 points, six assists and four rebounds. Georges Niang posted 10 points and five rebounds.
The Cavaliers will remain without Ty Jerome (ankle) and Tristan Thompson (suspension) for Wednesday's game.
The Bulls (27-31) have struggled with consistency for the majority of the season, and accordingly, they'll enter Wednesday's contest with losses in three of their past four games. Their most recent stumble came Tuesday night, when they dropped a 105-95 decision to the Detroit Pistons. Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan co-led the Bulls with 25 points, adding 10 and three rebounds, respectively. Andre Drummond pitched in a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that included one block. Coby White finished with 10 points, six assists and five rebounds.
The Bulls will be without Torrey Craig (knee) for Wednesday's game.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Cavaliers hold a 3-0 series lead.
Timberwolves Looking To Start Winning Run, Host Grizzlies
The Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center on Wednesday.
The Timberwolves (41-17) are playing in the second half of a back-to-back set following their 114-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Minnesota has been the biggest surprise in the league this season, and not even the most optimistic fans expected them to sit at the top of the Western Conference after the All-Star break. The fact that the win over the Spurs came without Karl-Anthony Towns, who missed the game due to personal reasons, was even better for them. The Timberwolves enter this game having posted an impressive 21-6 mark at home, a record they aim to bolster even further when visiting a Grizzlies team they’ve already defeated three times this season. Plus, Minnesota has also won four of its last five contests.
Kyle Anderson (hamstring) exited Tuesday’s game against San Antonio and is a doubt for this game. Karl-Anthony Towns (personal) should also be a doubt, while Jaylen Clark (Achilles) is out.
The Grizzlies (20-38) enter this game on a two-game losing skid following their 111-86 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. Memphis has had a woeful season in 2023-24, though the team has also experienced very bad luck when it comes to injuries throughout the campaign. Despite the woes, Memphis has played at a somewhat decent level on the road, posting a 13-16 record away from FedExForum. The Grizzlies also enter this game having lost three of their last five contests. Given the fact they sit 18 games below .500 mark, it’s safe to say Memphis is already thinking about next season and is not expecting to make a late push for a Play-In Tournament berth.
John Konchar (thumb) is a game-time call for Wednesday. Meanwhile, Luke Kennard (illness), Brandon Clarke (Achilles), Scotty Pippen (back), Desmond Bane (ankle), Marcus Smart (finger) and Ja Morant (shoulder) are out.
The Timberwolves (41-17) are playing in the second half of a back-to-back set following their 114-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Minnesota has been the biggest surprise in the league this season, and not even the most optimistic fans expected them to sit at the top of the Western Conference after the All-Star break. The fact that the win over the Spurs came without Karl-Anthony Towns, who missed the game due to personal reasons, was even better for them. The Timberwolves enter this game having posted an impressive 21-6 mark at home, a record they aim to bolster even further when visiting a Grizzlies team they’ve already defeated three times this season. Plus, Minnesota has also won four of its last five contests.
Kyle Anderson (hamstring) exited Tuesday’s game against San Antonio and is a doubt for this game. Karl-Anthony Towns (personal) should also be a doubt, while Jaylen Clark (Achilles) is out.
The Grizzlies (20-38) enter this game on a two-game losing skid following their 111-86 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. Memphis has had a woeful season in 2023-24, though the team has also experienced very bad luck when it comes to injuries throughout the campaign. Despite the woes, Memphis has played at a somewhat decent level on the road, posting a 13-16 record away from FedExForum. The Grizzlies also enter this game having lost three of their last five contests. Given the fact they sit 18 games below .500 mark, it’s safe to say Memphis is already thinking about next season and is not expecting to make a late push for a Play-In Tournament berth.
John Konchar (thumb) is a game-time call for Wednesday. Meanwhile, Luke Kennard (illness), Brandon Clarke (Achilles), Scotty Pippen (back), Desmond Bane (ankle), Marcus Smart (finger) and Ja Morant (shoulder) are out.
Streaking Nuggets Host Kings
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Sacramento Kings at Ball Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Nuggets (39-19) have won three in a row and look to keep rolling on the first game of a two-game home stand with an opportunity to build on their, 22-5, home record. Nikola Jokic leads the team, averaging 26.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Jamal Murray averages 20.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists, while Michael Porter is averaging 16.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The Nuggets average 114.5 points per game, and they hold opponents to an average of 110.7 points per game, which is sixth fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Kings (33-24) saw a three-game win streak come to an end in their last game. They hope to get back on track and add to their, 17-14, road record as they face the first game of a two-game trip. DeAaron Fox (knee) leads the team, averaging 26.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, but he Is listed as questionable for action. Domantas Sabonis is the squad's next-leading scorer, averaging 20.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 0.9 steals, while Malik Monk averages 15.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. The Kings average 118,5 points per game, but they give up an average of 117.9 points per game, which is ninth most in the league.
The Nuggets (39-19) have won three in a row and look to keep rolling on the first game of a two-game home stand with an opportunity to build on their, 22-5, home record. Nikola Jokic leads the team, averaging 26.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Jamal Murray averages 20.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists, while Michael Porter is averaging 16.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The Nuggets average 114.5 points per game, and they hold opponents to an average of 110.7 points per game, which is sixth fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Kings (33-24) saw a three-game win streak come to an end in their last game. They hope to get back on track and add to their, 17-14, road record as they face the first game of a two-game trip. DeAaron Fox (knee) leads the team, averaging 26.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, but he Is listed as questionable for action. Domantas Sabonis is the squad's next-leading scorer, averaging 20.0 points, 13.2 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 0.9 steals, while Malik Monk averages 15.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. The Kings average 118,5 points per game, but they give up an average of 117.9 points per game, which is ninth most in the league.
Clippers Host Lakers on Wednesday
The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.
The Lakers (31-28) have road losses against the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors over the last week but have been superb outside of that. In fact, Los Angeles comes into this matchup winning seven of their last 10 games. That hot stretch has gone on much longer than that, and it finally looks like this Lakers team is starting to put things together. Anthony Davis and LeBron James have been brilliant all year, but it's the resurgence of D'Angelo Russell that has really revamped their season. The young point guard is averaging about 24 points and six assists since the trade rumors were squashed, and you can't ask for any more next to two superstar players.
The Clippers (37-19) have traded off wins and losses in their last eight games. With that said, they have the second-best record in the NBA over the last two months. That hot stretch has catapulted them up the Western Conference standings, sitting fourth in the West. That might not sound great but they're only 2.5 games back of the team in first. They're also four games clear of the team in fifth, which likely means they're looking at at least one playoff series at home. That's massive for this club because LA has a 20-7 record at Crypto.com Arena. As long as Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are fully healthy, this is a team no one wants to play.
This is the fourth matchup between these teams, with the Lakers winning two of their first three matchups. With that said, the Clippers have won 12 of their last 14 games in this series.
The Lakers (31-28) have road losses against the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors over the last week but have been superb outside of that. In fact, Los Angeles comes into this matchup winning seven of their last 10 games. That hot stretch has gone on much longer than that, and it finally looks like this Lakers team is starting to put things together. Anthony Davis and LeBron James have been brilliant all year, but it's the resurgence of D'Angelo Russell that has really revamped their season. The young point guard is averaging about 24 points and six assists since the trade rumors were squashed, and you can't ask for any more next to two superstar players.
The Clippers (37-19) have traded off wins and losses in their last eight games. With that said, they have the second-best record in the NBA over the last two months. That hot stretch has catapulted them up the Western Conference standings, sitting fourth in the West. That might not sound great but they're only 2.5 games back of the team in first. They're also four games clear of the team in fifth, which likely means they're looking at at least one playoff series at home. That's massive for this club because LA has a 20-7 record at Crypto.com Arena. As long as Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are fully healthy, this is a team no one wants to play.
This is the fourth matchup between these teams, with the Lakers winning two of their first three matchups. With that said, the Clippers have won 12 of their last 14 games in this series.