Pistons host Hornets in Eastern Conference clash Monday
The Detroit Pistons continue their six-game homestand Monday when they host the Charlotte Hornets at Little Caesars Arena.
The Hornets (16-48) were able to snap out of their six-game losing streak when they took down the Brooklyn Nets, 110-99, on Saturday, thanks to double-double performances from Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Vasilije Micic. Micic has seen his playing time grow in March, as LaMelo Ball remains sidelined due to right ankle tendinopathy. In five games in March, Micic has averaged 14.4 points on 43.8 percent shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.2 steals over 31.2 minutes per game.
Meanwhile the Pistons (10-53) are coming off a crushing 142-124 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks despite a near triple-double performance from Cade Cunningham. Detroit’s record is tied for worst in the league with the Washington Wizards, though given that the Pistons had a 28-game losing streak before the calendar year, their situation now sparks relative optimism. The Pistons have a young core of Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren to build around for the 2024-25 season, and the focus for the rest of this year will be on reps and playing time for the young rising stars in Detroit.
Quentin Grimes (knee) is probable for Monday’s game.
Monday’s contest is the third and final game between the Hornets and Pistons this season, with Detroit holding a 2-0 series lead.
The Hornets (16-48) were able to snap out of their six-game losing streak when they took down the Brooklyn Nets, 110-99, on Saturday, thanks to double-double performances from Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Vasilije Micic. Micic has seen his playing time grow in March, as LaMelo Ball remains sidelined due to right ankle tendinopathy. In five games in March, Micic has averaged 14.4 points on 43.8 percent shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.2 steals over 31.2 minutes per game.
Meanwhile the Pistons (10-53) are coming off a crushing 142-124 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks despite a near triple-double performance from Cade Cunningham. Detroit’s record is tied for worst in the league with the Washington Wizards, though given that the Pistons had a 28-game losing streak before the calendar year, their situation now sparks relative optimism. The Pistons have a young core of Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren to build around for the 2024-25 season, and the focus for the rest of this year will be on reps and playing time for the young rising stars in Detroit.
Quentin Grimes (knee) is probable for Monday’s game.
Monday’s contest is the third and final game between the Hornets and Pistons this season, with Detroit holding a 2-0 series lead.
Suns, Cavaliers Clash In Need Of Bounce-Back Performance
The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Phoenix Suns at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday.
The Cavaliers (41-23) are looking to bounce back following an ugly loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Even though this will be the second half of a back-to-back set, the Cavaliers will need to find a way to perform better on both ends of the court, but particularly on defense. The inconsistencies have led Cleveland to post a 3-3 record across its last six games, a far cry from the impressive winning run they had in January and early February. The Cavaliers have been playing shorthanded most of the season, and that’s an issue to consider as well. They will need to be at their best here, and some role players will have to step forward as well. Otherwise, a scenario with the Cavaliers losing consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 is entirely plausible.
Donovan Mitchell (knee), Darius Garland (wrist), Dean Wade (personal) and Max Strus (knee) are all game-time decisions. Tristan Thompson (suspension), Evan Mobley (ankle) and Ty Jerome (ankle) are all out.
The Suns (37-27) need to bounce back as well. Even though sitting 10 games above the .500 mark is certainly positive, there’s no question several experts had them playing better this late into the regular season. Injuries have taken a toll on Phoenix, however, as both Bradley Beal and Devin Booker have been forced to miss time due to injuries. Kevin Durant did the heavy lifting in the Saturday loss to the Boston Celtics, but he can’t carry the team on his own now. The recent results have not helped Phoenix much, either, as the team has lost three of its last five contests.
Devin Booker (ankle) is listed as questionable to play Monday. Josh Okogie (abdomen), Nassir Little, Eric Gordon and Damion Lee are all out due to knee injuries.
The Cavaliers (41-23) are looking to bounce back following an ugly loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Even though this will be the second half of a back-to-back set, the Cavaliers will need to find a way to perform better on both ends of the court, but particularly on defense. The inconsistencies have led Cleveland to post a 3-3 record across its last six games, a far cry from the impressive winning run they had in January and early February. The Cavaliers have been playing shorthanded most of the season, and that’s an issue to consider as well. They will need to be at their best here, and some role players will have to step forward as well. Otherwise, a scenario with the Cavaliers losing consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 is entirely plausible.
Donovan Mitchell (knee), Darius Garland (wrist), Dean Wade (personal) and Max Strus (knee) are all game-time decisions. Tristan Thompson (suspension), Evan Mobley (ankle) and Ty Jerome (ankle) are all out.
The Suns (37-27) need to bounce back as well. Even though sitting 10 games above the .500 mark is certainly positive, there’s no question several experts had them playing better this late into the regular season. Injuries have taken a toll on Phoenix, however, as both Bradley Beal and Devin Booker have been forced to miss time due to injuries. Kevin Durant did the heavy lifting in the Saturday loss to the Boston Celtics, but he can’t carry the team on his own now. The recent results have not helped Phoenix much, either, as the team has lost three of its last five contests.
Devin Booker (ankle) is listed as questionable to play Monday. Josh Okogie (abdomen), Nassir Little, Eric Gordon and Damion Lee are all out due to knee injuries.
Mavericks, Bulls Collide In Chicago
The Chicago Bulls will host the Dallas Mavericks at United Center on Monday.
The Bulls (31-33) might be coming off a 112-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in their most recent game. However, that doesn’t hide the fact that this team is playing better and better in recent weeks. In fact, the loss to the Clippers snapped a three-game winning run for them, and the recent results have the Bulls in serious contention for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. That’s even more impressive considering all the players they’ve lost to season-ending injuries, but mostly Zach LaVine. Chicago will probably need to rely on their “new” Big Three of Coby White, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic to get something out of this one.
Torrey Craig (ankle) has been tabbed as a game-time decision. Lonzo Ball (knee), Zach LaVine (foot) and Patrick Williams (foot) are all out for the rest of the season.
The Mavericks (36-28) are quickly getting closer to securing a .500 record, and they enter this game on a two-game winning run after victories against the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons. That snapped an awful losing run for Dallas, and the team remains in place to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference, either as a Play-In team or directly as a top-six team. If Dallas wants to start a new winning streak, then Luka Doncic's contributions will be of the utmost importance. The star floor general is doing something no one in NBA history had done, which is recording six straight triple-doubles with 35 or more points.
The Mavericks are not announcing any injuries ahead of this contest.
The Bulls (31-33) might be coming off a 112-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in their most recent game. However, that doesn’t hide the fact that this team is playing better and better in recent weeks. In fact, the loss to the Clippers snapped a three-game winning run for them, and the recent results have the Bulls in serious contention for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. That’s even more impressive considering all the players they’ve lost to season-ending injuries, but mostly Zach LaVine. Chicago will probably need to rely on their “new” Big Three of Coby White, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic to get something out of this one.
Torrey Craig (ankle) has been tabbed as a game-time decision. Lonzo Ball (knee), Zach LaVine (foot) and Patrick Williams (foot) are all out for the rest of the season.
The Mavericks (36-28) are quickly getting closer to securing a .500 record, and they enter this game on a two-game winning run after victories against the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons. That snapped an awful losing run for Dallas, and the team remains in place to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference, either as a Play-In team or directly as a top-six team. If Dallas wants to start a new winning streak, then Luka Doncic's contributions will be of the utmost importance. The star floor general is doing something no one in NBA history had done, which is recording six straight triple-doubles with 35 or more points.
The Mavericks are not announcing any injuries ahead of this contest.
Warriors and Spurs Set for Conference Clash
The Golden State Warriors take on the San Antonio Spurs at AT & T Center on Monday night.
The Warriors (33-30) are currently without their biggest star in Stephen Curry due to an ankle injury, but they'd been struggling even before his injury with three losses in their last four games overall. Their most recent stumble came Saturday night against this same Spurs team, as they fell by a 126-113 score. Klay Thompson paced the Warriors with 27 points, adding two rebounds, one assist and one block. Jonathan Kuminga supplied 26 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Andrew Wiggins produced matching 11-point, six-rebound, one-steal efforts, with Jackson-Davis also recording three blocks. Chris Paul registered 10 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals.
The Warriors will list Draymond Green (back) and Moses Moody (knee) as probable for Monday's game. Curry will remain out.
The Spurs' (14-50) win over Golden State was actually their third in the last five games, one of their best stretches of play this season. Against the Warriors, Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with a 22-point, 10-assist double-double that included one assist. Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham produced matching 20-point efforts while recording five and three rebounds, respectively. Dominick Barlow delivered 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Justin Champagnie tallied 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and one block.
The Spurs will list Cedi Osman (ankle) will remain out. Devin Vassell (hip) will carry a probable tag, while Victor Wembanyama is off the injury report after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.
Monday's game marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The series is tied 1-1.
The Warriors (33-30) are currently without their biggest star in Stephen Curry due to an ankle injury, but they'd been struggling even before his injury with three losses in their last four games overall. Their most recent stumble came Saturday night against this same Spurs team, as they fell by a 126-113 score. Klay Thompson paced the Warriors with 27 points, adding two rebounds, one assist and one block. Jonathan Kuminga supplied 26 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Andrew Wiggins produced matching 11-point, six-rebound, one-steal efforts, with Jackson-Davis also recording three blocks. Chris Paul registered 10 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals.
The Warriors will list Draymond Green (back) and Moses Moody (knee) as probable for Monday's game. Curry will remain out.
The Spurs' (14-50) win over Golden State was actually their third in the last five games, one of their best stretches of play this season. Against the Warriors, Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with a 22-point, 10-assist double-double that included one assist. Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham produced matching 20-point efforts while recording five and three rebounds, respectively. Dominick Barlow delivered 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Justin Champagnie tallied 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and one block.
The Spurs will list Cedi Osman (ankle) will remain out. Devin Vassell (hip) will carry a probable tag, while Victor Wembanyama is off the injury report after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.
Monday's game marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The series is tied 1-1.
Nuggets Host Hobbled Raptors
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena on Monday evening.
The Nuggets (44-20) are coming off back-to-back wins and have won eight of their last 10 games. They look to keep the momentum going as they face the fourth and final game of a home stand with the chance to add to their, 26-6, home record. Nikola Jokic continues to lead the squad, averaging 26.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Jamal Murray averages 21.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 0.9 steals, while Michael Porter is averaging 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The Nuggets average 114.9 points per game, and they hold opponents to an average of 110.5 points per game, which is seventh fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Raptors (23-41) have dropped three in a row and hope to end the slide as they face the third game of a four-game road trip with the opportunity to improve on their, 10-22, road record. Unfortunately, they remain hampered by injury trouble, as RJ Barrett (illness) and Bruce Brown (knee) are listed as questionable for action, while Scottie Barnes (hand) and Jakob Poeltl (finger) will be sidelined. On a brighter note, Immanuel Quickley continues to play well, averaging 20.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 10.8 assists across the last five games. Kelly Olynyk is averaging must continue to handle more responsibility in the frontcourt, as he is averaging 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks over that span. Gary Trent is averaging 12.3 points 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals on the season.
The Nuggets (44-20) are coming off back-to-back wins and have won eight of their last 10 games. They look to keep the momentum going as they face the fourth and final game of a home stand with the chance to add to their, 26-6, home record. Nikola Jokic continues to lead the squad, averaging 26.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Jamal Murray averages 21.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 0.9 steals, while Michael Porter is averaging 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The Nuggets average 114.9 points per game, and they hold opponents to an average of 110.5 points per game, which is seventh fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Raptors (23-41) have dropped three in a row and hope to end the slide as they face the third game of a four-game road trip with the opportunity to improve on their, 10-22, road record. Unfortunately, they remain hampered by injury trouble, as RJ Barrett (illness) and Bruce Brown (knee) are listed as questionable for action, while Scottie Barnes (hand) and Jakob Poeltl (finger) will be sidelined. On a brighter note, Immanuel Quickley continues to play well, averaging 20.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 10.8 assists across the last five games. Kelly Olynyk is averaging must continue to handle more responsibility in the frontcourt, as he is averaging 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks over that span. Gary Trent is averaging 12.3 points 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals on the season.
Blazers Host Celtics on Monday
The Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Boston Celtics at Moda Center on Monday.
The Celtics (49-14) have the best record in the NBA but they're currently amid one of their worst stretches of the year. Boston comes into this matchup losing two of their last three games. It is actually only the second time this season that the Celtics have lost consecutive games, and it shows just how special this campaign has been. The good news is that they ended that season-long two-game slide on Saturday, grabbing a road win against the Phoenix Suns. They got that victory without Kritstaps Porzingis and withheld a 45-point masterpiece from Kevin Durant. This is simply the best team in the NBA, and they're on their way to homecourt throughout the postseason.
The Trail Blazers (18-45) have been better over the last two weeks, posting a 3-3 record across their last six games. The most recent victory was one of the most bizarre of the season, grabbing an overtime win over the Toronto Raptors. They never relinquished the lead after the opening shot of the game, but it's bizarre to see a game like that go into overtime. In any case, they outscored Toronto in the extra frame, 15-5, getting nearly 30 points and 20 rebounds from Deandre Ayton. They also got 25 points from Dalano Banton, who's proven to be a great acquisition from this year's trade deadline. With Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant continuing to miss time, don't be surprised to see Banton continue to play like this for the remainder of the season!
Boston swept the season series over Portland last year, winning both matchups by double-digit margins.
The Celtics (49-14) have the best record in the NBA but they're currently amid one of their worst stretches of the year. Boston comes into this matchup losing two of their last three games. It is actually only the second time this season that the Celtics have lost consecutive games, and it shows just how special this campaign has been. The good news is that they ended that season-long two-game slide on Saturday, grabbing a road win against the Phoenix Suns. They got that victory without Kritstaps Porzingis and withheld a 45-point masterpiece from Kevin Durant. This is simply the best team in the NBA, and they're on their way to homecourt throughout the postseason.
The Trail Blazers (18-45) have been better over the last two weeks, posting a 3-3 record across their last six games. The most recent victory was one of the most bizarre of the season, grabbing an overtime win over the Toronto Raptors. They never relinquished the lead after the opening shot of the game, but it's bizarre to see a game like that go into overtime. In any case, they outscored Toronto in the extra frame, 15-5, getting nearly 30 points and 20 rebounds from Deandre Ayton. They also got 25 points from Dalano Banton, who's proven to be a great acquisition from this year's trade deadline. With Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant continuing to miss time, don't be surprised to see Banton continue to play like this for the remainder of the season!
Boston swept the season series over Portland last year, winning both matchups by double-digit margins.