Pelicans Visit Pistons In Motor City
The Detroit Pistons will host the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday.
The Pistons (12-58) have nothing to play for this season, as they’re one of the few teams that have already been eliminated from the playoffs despite the calendar not reaching April. This outcome is not surprising, as the Pistons endured one of the longest losing streaks in the history of the NBA between late October and late December. At this point in the season, it’s all about player development and long-term progress for the Pistons. They already have one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but don’t be surprised if Detroit ends up resting some of their stars and regulars in the final weeks of the campaign. Detroit still has some sporting honor under their belt, though, and they will host New Orleans looking to improve their 7-30 mark at home. The Pistons are also riding a five-game losing streak.
The Pistons are listing Jalen Duren (back) as a game-time call. The list of confirmed absentees is quite long. It includes Simone Fontecchio (toe), Taj Gibson (hamstring), Quentin Grimes (knee), Isaiah Stewart (hamstring), Stanley Umude (ankle) and Ausar Thompson (illness).
The Pelicans (43-27) are in a good position regarding their playoff chances. If the season ended today, New Orleans would enter the postseason as the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Don’t look now, but the Pelicans have a good chance of earning a Top 4 seed and getting past the Los Angeles Clippers, especially given how they’ve been playing in recent weeks. The Pels enter Sunday’s trip to Detroit fresh off a 111-88 win over the Miami Heat and having won four of their last five contests. Furthermore, New Orleans has been one of the best teams in the Western Conference when playing on the road, too, largely thanks to being 23-14 away from home. All of this makes the Pelicans heavy odds-on favorites ahead of this matchup.
The Pelicans are listing Dyson Daniels and Brandon Ingram as out, both due to knee injuries.
The Pistons (12-58) have nothing to play for this season, as they’re one of the few teams that have already been eliminated from the playoffs despite the calendar not reaching April. This outcome is not surprising, as the Pistons endured one of the longest losing streaks in the history of the NBA between late October and late December. At this point in the season, it’s all about player development and long-term progress for the Pistons. They already have one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but don’t be surprised if Detroit ends up resting some of their stars and regulars in the final weeks of the campaign. Detroit still has some sporting honor under their belt, though, and they will host New Orleans looking to improve their 7-30 mark at home. The Pistons are also riding a five-game losing streak.
The Pistons are listing Jalen Duren (back) as a game-time call. The list of confirmed absentees is quite long. It includes Simone Fontecchio (toe), Taj Gibson (hamstring), Quentin Grimes (knee), Isaiah Stewart (hamstring), Stanley Umude (ankle) and Ausar Thompson (illness).
The Pelicans (43-27) are in a good position regarding their playoff chances. If the season ended today, New Orleans would enter the postseason as the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Don’t look now, but the Pelicans have a good chance of earning a Top 4 seed and getting past the Los Angeles Clippers, especially given how they’ve been playing in recent weeks. The Pels enter Sunday’s trip to Detroit fresh off a 111-88 win over the Miami Heat and having won four of their last five contests. Furthermore, New Orleans has been one of the best teams in the Western Conference when playing on the road, too, largely thanks to being 23-14 away from home. All of this makes the Pelicans heavy odds-on favorites ahead of this matchup.
The Pelicans are listing Dyson Daniels and Brandon Ingram as out, both due to knee injuries.
76ers and Clippers Meet in Interconference Battle
The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The 76ers (38-32) continue to try and mitigate the effect of several key absences with mixed results, and they'll enter Sunday's contest with consecutive losses. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they took a 101-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 27 points, adding three assists, two rebounds and three steals. Kelly Oubre Jr. supplied 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. Tobias Harris generated a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double that included four assists, one steal and one block. Mo Bamba posted 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.
The 76ers will remain without Joel Embiid (knee), Robert Covington (knee), De'Anthony Melton (back), Kyle Lowry (rest) and Kai Jones (hamstring) for Sunday's game.
The Clippers (44-25) had recently endured a stretch with four losses in five games, but they've bounced back to record back-to-back wins over the Portland Trail Blazers. The most recent came Friday night, when they managed a 125-117 victory. Paul George led the Clippers with 31 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Kawhi Leonard contributed 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and one block. Terance Mann went for 20 points, four assists, one rebound, two steals and one block. James Harden finished with a 15-point, 10-assist double-double that included five rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Clippers will list Norman Powell (lower leg), Daniel Theis (knee) and P.J. Tucker (calf) as questionable for Sunday's game.
Sunday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The 76ers swept the two-game 2022-23 regular-season series.
The 76ers (38-32) continue to try and mitigate the effect of several key absences with mixed results, and they'll enter Sunday's contest with consecutive losses. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they took a 101-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 27 points, adding three assists, two rebounds and three steals. Kelly Oubre Jr. supplied 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. Tobias Harris generated a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double that included four assists, one steal and one block. Mo Bamba posted 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.
The 76ers will remain without Joel Embiid (knee), Robert Covington (knee), De'Anthony Melton (back), Kyle Lowry (rest) and Kai Jones (hamstring) for Sunday's game.
The Clippers (44-25) had recently endured a stretch with four losses in five games, but they've bounced back to record back-to-back wins over the Portland Trail Blazers. The most recent came Friday night, when they managed a 125-117 victory. Paul George led the Clippers with 31 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Kawhi Leonard contributed 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and one block. Terance Mann went for 20 points, four assists, one rebound, two steals and one block. James Harden finished with a 15-point, 10-assist double-double that included five rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Clippers will list Norman Powell (lower leg), Daniel Theis (knee) and P.J. Tucker (calf) as questionable for Sunday's game.
Sunday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The 76ers swept the two-game 2022-23 regular-season series.
Cavaliers and Heat Face Off in South Florida
The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on Sunday evening.
The Cavaliers (43-27) are trying to not lose too much ground in the Eastern Conference postseason hierarchy, but they'll enter Sunday's game having dropped three of the last four contests. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves by a 104-91 score. Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 19 points, adding four assists and two rebounds. Caris LeVert turned in 16 points, six assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Jarrett Allen generated a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double that included five assists and one block. Marcus Morris Sr. furnished 11 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Georges Niang and Sam Merrill produced matching 10-point, three-rebound efforts, with Niang adding two steals and one block.
The Cavaliers will remain without Donovan Mitchell (nose), Max Strus (knee), Ty Jerome (ankle) and Dean Wade (knee) for Sunday's game. Evan Mobley (ankle) will carry a questionable tag.
The Heat (38-32) have had their own share of problems of late, as they'll come into Sunday having dropped six of their last nine decisions. Their most recent stumble was particularly lopsided, as they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans by a 111-88 score Friday night. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 17 points, complementing them with five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Cole Swider furnished 14 points and two rebounds. Terry Rozier posted 13 points, four boards and two assists. Bam Adebayo generated a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist and two blocks. Nikola Jovic netted 10 points.
The Heat will be without Tyler Herro (foot), Duncan Robinson (back) and Kevin Love (heel) for Sunday's game. Jaime Jaquez (ankle) and Caleb Martin (knee/ankle) will carry questionable tags.
Sunday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Heat holds a 2-1 series lead.
The Cavaliers (43-27) are trying to not lose too much ground in the Eastern Conference postseason hierarchy, but they'll enter Sunday's game having dropped three of the last four contests. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves by a 104-91 score. Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 19 points, adding four assists and two rebounds. Caris LeVert turned in 16 points, six assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Jarrett Allen generated a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double that included five assists and one block. Marcus Morris Sr. furnished 11 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Georges Niang and Sam Merrill produced matching 10-point, three-rebound efforts, with Niang adding two steals and one block.
The Cavaliers will remain without Donovan Mitchell (nose), Max Strus (knee), Ty Jerome (ankle) and Dean Wade (knee) for Sunday's game. Evan Mobley (ankle) will carry a questionable tag.
The Heat (38-32) have had their own share of problems of late, as they'll come into Sunday having dropped six of their last nine decisions. Their most recent stumble was particularly lopsided, as they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans by a 111-88 score Friday night. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 17 points, complementing them with five assists, four rebounds and one steal. Cole Swider furnished 14 points and two rebounds. Terry Rozier posted 13 points, four boards and two assists. Bam Adebayo generated a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one assist and two blocks. Nikola Jovic netted 10 points.
The Heat will be without Tyler Herro (foot), Duncan Robinson (back) and Kevin Love (heel) for Sunday's game. Jaime Jaquez (ankle) and Caleb Martin (knee/ankle) will carry questionable tags.
Sunday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Heat holds a 2-1 series lead.
Bucks Host Rolling Thunder
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Fiserv Forum on Sunday evening.
The Bucks (45-25) have won three of their last four games and hope to stay on track as they face the second game of a three-game home stand with the chance to improve on their, 28-7, home record. Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) is listed as probable for action, after he played 35 minutes in the last outing but missed the two games prior. Antetokounmpo leads the team, averaging 30.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Damian Lillard is on a roll, having reached the 30-point mark in each of the last three games, while averaging 31.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 11.3 assists and 1.3 assists over that span. Bobby Portis continues to provide great support, averaging 13.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Khris Middleton (ankle) missed the last game but is listed as probable for action.
Meanwhile, the Thunder (49-20) have won four in a row and look to keep rolling on the second game of a three-game road trip with the opportunity to add to their, 21-13, road record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the squad, averaging 30.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Jalen Williams averages 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals, while Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. The Thunder average 120.7 points per game, which is third most in the league, and they hold opponents to an average 112.9 points per game.
The Bucks (45-25) have won three of their last four games and hope to stay on track as they face the second game of a three-game home stand with the chance to improve on their, 28-7, home record. Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) is listed as probable for action, after he played 35 minutes in the last outing but missed the two games prior. Antetokounmpo leads the team, averaging 30.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Damian Lillard is on a roll, having reached the 30-point mark in each of the last three games, while averaging 31.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 11.3 assists and 1.3 assists over that span. Bobby Portis continues to provide great support, averaging 13.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Khris Middleton (ankle) missed the last game but is listed as probable for action.
Meanwhile, the Thunder (49-20) have won four in a row and look to keep rolling on the second game of a three-game road trip with the opportunity to add to their, 21-13, road record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the squad, averaging 30.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Jalen Williams averages 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals, while Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. The Thunder average 120.7 points per game, which is third most in the league, and they hold opponents to an average 112.9 points per game.
T'Wolves Host Warriors on Sunday
The Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the Golden State Warriors at Target Center on Sunday.
The Warriors (36-33) have been a disappointment for most of the season, suffering a home loss against the Indiana Pacers in their most recent game. That gives Golden State a 4-6 record across their last 10 games, falling all the way to 10th in the Western Conference. It doesn't look like they'll fall anymore, but the Warriors appear to be locked into the Play-In Tournament. That has to be a disappointment for this franchise because they have the most championships over the last decade. All the pieces are still there from those championship runs but one has to wonder if these guys are getting too old. We see flashes from Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, but it might not be enough in today's NBA.
The Timberwolves (48-22) relinquished the top seed in the Western Conference last week, but they come into this matchup winning four of five games since then. That has them battling the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets for that top spot, sitting 1.5 games behind OKC and 0.5 games behind Denver. That means there's a ton to be decided over the final weeks but Minnesota has an uphill battle. They have to finish the regular season without Karl-Anthony Towns, who had knee surgery just last week. Missing an All-Star would kill any team, but the Timberwolves are hopeful that he'll be ready to return sometime during the fast-approaching postseason.
These teams played twice in November, with Minnesota narrowly winning both of those games.
The Warriors (36-33) have been a disappointment for most of the season, suffering a home loss against the Indiana Pacers in their most recent game. That gives Golden State a 4-6 record across their last 10 games, falling all the way to 10th in the Western Conference. It doesn't look like they'll fall anymore, but the Warriors appear to be locked into the Play-In Tournament. That has to be a disappointment for this franchise because they have the most championships over the last decade. All the pieces are still there from those championship runs but one has to wonder if these guys are getting too old. We see flashes from Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, but it might not be enough in today's NBA.
The Timberwolves (48-22) relinquished the top seed in the Western Conference last week, but they come into this matchup winning four of five games since then. That has them battling the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets for that top spot, sitting 1.5 games behind OKC and 0.5 games behind Denver. That means there's a ton to be decided over the final weeks but Minnesota has an uphill battle. They have to finish the regular season without Karl-Anthony Towns, who had knee surgery just last week. Missing an All-Star would kill any team, but the Timberwolves are hopeful that he'll be ready to return sometime during the fast-approaching postseason.
These teams played twice in November, with Minnesota narrowly winning both of those games.
Lakers Host Pacers on Sunday
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.
The Pacers (40-31) have been playing well recently, entering this matchup winning 13 of their last 21 games. The most recent victory was one of their best wins of the season, grabbing a 123-111 road win against the Golden State Warriors. It was really nice to see all of the stars show up, with Tyrese Haliburton tallying 26 points, 11 assists, four steals and three blocks, while Pascal Siakam provided 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. They also got 17 points, five rebounds and five assists from Andrew Nembhard, while Myles Turner totaled 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. It's rare to have four players play so well and it makes the Pacers one of the most interesting teams in the Eastern Conference headed into the playoffs next month.
The Lakers (38-32) picked up another win on Friday, holding off the Philadelphia 76ers. Neither team ever had a double-digit lead in that LA victory, with the Lakers riding a 26-18 fourth quarter to their win. It was a well-rounded performance from everyone, with Anthony Davis leading the way with 23 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. He's quietly been one of the best players in the NBA all year and has only missed two games. Having the big man healthy is what truly matters because he hasn't played many full seasons throughout his injury-riddled career. As long as AD and LeBron James are on the court, nobody wants to play the Lakers.
These teams split their two matchups last year, with the road team winning both games. With that said, the Lakers have won four of their last six games over the Pacers.
The Pacers (40-31) have been playing well recently, entering this matchup winning 13 of their last 21 games. The most recent victory was one of their best wins of the season, grabbing a 123-111 road win against the Golden State Warriors. It was really nice to see all of the stars show up, with Tyrese Haliburton tallying 26 points, 11 assists, four steals and three blocks, while Pascal Siakam provided 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. They also got 17 points, five rebounds and five assists from Andrew Nembhard, while Myles Turner totaled 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. It's rare to have four players play so well and it makes the Pacers one of the most interesting teams in the Eastern Conference headed into the playoffs next month.
The Lakers (38-32) picked up another win on Friday, holding off the Philadelphia 76ers. Neither team ever had a double-digit lead in that LA victory, with the Lakers riding a 26-18 fourth quarter to their win. It was a well-rounded performance from everyone, with Anthony Davis leading the way with 23 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. He's quietly been one of the best players in the NBA all year and has only missed two games. Having the big man healthy is what truly matters because he hasn't played many full seasons throughout his injury-riddled career. As long as AD and LeBron James are on the court, nobody wants to play the Lakers.
These teams split their two matchups last year, with the road team winning both games. With that said, the Lakers have won four of their last six games over the Pacers.