Clippers Looking For Another Win, Host Magic
The Los Angeles Clippers will host the Orlando Magic at Staples Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Magic (5-21) are coming off yet another loss, this time a 142-130 defeat against the Sacramento Kings, on Wednesday and now they have dropped three games in a row. The Magic were led by Cole Anthony, tallying 33 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Wendell Carter Jr. amassed 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Franz Wagner generated 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Terrence Ross led the bench with 17 points, two rebounds and four assists. Orlando has gone 1-4 in its last five contests and has gone a mere 3-13 when playing on the road.
The Clippers (14-12) are coming off a 114-111 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday and that victory extended their winning streak two games while they’ve also won three of their last four. The Clippers were led by rookie Brandon Boston, dropping a career-best 27 points off of the bench. Marcus Morris led the starters with 20 points, four rebounds and two assists. Reggie Jackson registered 17 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Ivica Zubac had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks while Terance Mann compiled 10 points and 10 rebounds as well. Los Angeles has gone 10-7 at home so far.
The Magic (5-21) are coming off yet another loss, this time a 142-130 defeat against the Sacramento Kings, on Wednesday and now they have dropped three games in a row. The Magic were led by Cole Anthony, tallying 33 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Wendell Carter Jr. amassed 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Franz Wagner generated 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Terrence Ross led the bench with 17 points, two rebounds and four assists. Orlando has gone 1-4 in its last five contests and has gone a mere 3-13 when playing on the road.
The Clippers (14-12) are coming off a 114-111 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday and that victory extended their winning streak two games while they’ve also won three of their last four. The Clippers were led by rookie Brandon Boston, dropping a career-best 27 points off of the bench. Marcus Morris led the starters with 20 points, four rebounds and two assists. Reggie Jackson registered 17 points, three rebounds and seven assists. Ivica Zubac had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks while Terance Mann compiled 10 points and 10 rebounds as well. Los Angeles has gone 10-7 at home so far.
Wizards Aiming To Stop Red-Hot Jazz At Home
The Washington Wizards will host the Utah Jazz at Capital One Arena on Saturday night.
The Jazz (18-7) are coming off a 118-96 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 36 points, complementing them with five rebounds, two assists and one block. Bojan Bogdanovic turned in 21 points and five boards. Jordan Clarkson supplied 18 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block. Rudy Gobert generated a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one block. Joe Ingles furnished 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds. That win over Philadelphia extended Utah’s winning streak to six games. The Jazz has also posted a 9-3 record when playing away from home.
The Wizards (15-11) are coming off a 119-116 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, and that result snapped a three-game losing streak. Kyle Kuzma led the way for the Wizards with 26 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Bradley Beal delivered 25 points, six boards, three assists and one steal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tallied 13 points, three boards, two assists and one steal. Spencer Dinwiddie registered 12 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Deni Avdija and Raul Neto generated matching 10-point contributions while recording six rebounds and five assists, respectively. The Wizards have gone 8-3 at home this season, but they have posted a 2-3 mark in their last five contests.
The Jazz (18-7) are coming off a 118-96 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 36 points, complementing them with five rebounds, two assists and one block. Bojan Bogdanovic turned in 21 points and five boards. Jordan Clarkson supplied 18 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block. Rudy Gobert generated a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that included one block. Joe Ingles furnished 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds. That win over Philadelphia extended Utah’s winning streak to six games. The Jazz has also posted a 9-3 record when playing away from home.
The Wizards (15-11) are coming off a 119-116 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, and that result snapped a three-game losing streak. Kyle Kuzma led the way for the Wizards with 26 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Bradley Beal delivered 25 points, six boards, three assists and one steal. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tallied 13 points, three boards, two assists and one steal. Spencer Dinwiddie registered 12 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Deni Avdija and Raul Neto generated matching 10-point contributions while recording six rebounds and five assists, respectively. The Wizards have gone 8-3 at home this season, but they have posted a 2-3 mark in their last five contests.
Cavaliers Host Kings on Saturday
The Cleveland Cavaliers play host to the Sacramento Kings at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday.
The Kings (11-15) have been playing much better since they fired their head coach, winning five of their last eight games. The most recent loss on Friday was an embarrassing one, though, losing to a Charlotte Hornets team missing five players due to COVID protocols. The nature of that defeat was equally as discouraging, missing multiple chances to win the game in the final moment. De'Aaron Fox really let his team down, missing two free throws with less than four seconds remaining. Losses like that have become way too familiar for this, and it's crazy that they allowed 124 points in that dud against a shorthanded team.
The Cavaliers (15-12) grabbed a massive win on Friday, seizing a wire-to-wire road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. That marked Cleveland's sixth win in their last eight games in total, beating some of the best teams in the NBA. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen both had double-doubles in that game, and that's become a regular thing for those guys. Those two have really stepped up in the absence of Collin Sexton (knee), and both are looking like potential All-Star candidates. That pairs wonderfully with a veteran like Kevin Love coming off the bench, making this one of the biggest surprises in the Eastern Conference.
These teams played back on December 10, with Cleveland prevailing, 123-106. That gives the Cavaliers 10 wins in their last 15 meetings with the Timberwolves dating back to 2014.
The Kings (11-15) have been playing much better since they fired their head coach, winning five of their last eight games. The most recent loss on Friday was an embarrassing one, though, losing to a Charlotte Hornets team missing five players due to COVID protocols. The nature of that defeat was equally as discouraging, missing multiple chances to win the game in the final moment. De'Aaron Fox really let his team down, missing two free throws with less than four seconds remaining. Losses like that have become way too familiar for this, and it's crazy that they allowed 124 points in that dud against a shorthanded team.
The Cavaliers (15-12) grabbed a massive win on Friday, seizing a wire-to-wire road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. That marked Cleveland's sixth win in their last eight games in total, beating some of the best teams in the NBA. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen both had double-doubles in that game, and that's become a regular thing for those guys. Those two have really stepped up in the absence of Collin Sexton (knee), and both are looking like potential All-Star candidates. That pairs wonderfully with a veteran like Kevin Love coming off the bench, making this one of the biggest surprises in the Eastern Conference.
These teams played back on December 10, with Cleveland prevailing, 123-106. That gives the Cavaliers 10 wins in their last 15 meetings with the Timberwolves dating back to 2014.
Bulls and Heat Clash in South Florida
The Chicago Bulls take on the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on Saturday night.
The Bulls (17-9) are enjoying a successful season despite the recent multiple absences of key players due to COVID-19 protocols, a situation that will spill over into Saturday's matchup. Chicago did just see a four-game winning streak snapped their last time on the court, as they dropped a 115-92 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls with 23 points, adding nine assists and four rebounds. Lonzo Ball chipped in 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. Nikola Vucevic generated an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two blocks. Derrick Jones netted 11 points and two rebounds.
The Bulls project to be without DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, Javonte Green and Jones due to COVID-19 protocols for Saturday's game. Alex Caruso (hamstring) will also remain out.
The Heat (15-11) have had their fair share of adversity to deal with in terms of injuries, and they'll enter Saturday's game with a pedestrian 3-4 mark over their last seven contests. Their most recent time on the floor did result in a victory, however, as Miami defeated the Milwaukee Bucks by a 113-104 score Wednesday night. Caleb Martin paced the Heat with 28 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Kyle Lowry contributed a 22-point, 13-assist double-double that included two rebounds and one steal. Max Strus furnished 16 points and two boards, while P.J. Tucker delivered 15 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals.
The Heat will likely list Jimmy Butler (tailbone) as no better than questionable for Saturday's game. Markieff Morris (neck) and Bam Adebayo (thumb) will remain out.
Saturday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Heat owns a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 107-104 win Nov. 27.
The Bulls (17-9) are enjoying a successful season despite the recent multiple absences of key players due to COVID-19 protocols, a situation that will spill over into Saturday's matchup. Chicago did just see a four-game winning streak snapped their last time on the court, as they dropped a 115-92 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls with 23 points, adding nine assists and four rebounds. Lonzo Ball chipped in 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. Nikola Vucevic generated an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two blocks. Derrick Jones netted 11 points and two rebounds.
The Bulls project to be without DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, Javonte Green and Jones due to COVID-19 protocols for Saturday's game. Alex Caruso (hamstring) will also remain out.
The Heat (15-11) have had their fair share of adversity to deal with in terms of injuries, and they'll enter Saturday's game with a pedestrian 3-4 mark over their last seven contests. Their most recent time on the floor did result in a victory, however, as Miami defeated the Milwaukee Bucks by a 113-104 score Wednesday night. Caleb Martin paced the Heat with 28 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Kyle Lowry contributed a 22-point, 13-assist double-double that included two rebounds and one steal. Max Strus furnished 16 points and two boards, while P.J. Tucker delivered 15 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals.
The Heat will likely list Jimmy Butler (tailbone) as no better than questionable for Saturday's game. Markieff Morris (neck) and Bam Adebayo (thumb) will remain out.
Saturday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Heat owns a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 107-104 win Nov. 27.
Shorthanded Grizzlies Host Rockets
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Houston Rockets at FedEx Forum on Saturday evening.
This marks the third game of a four-game home stand for the Grizzlies (15-11), where they have gone, 1-1, so far and will look to build on their, 9-6, home record. They continue to deal with injuries, as Ja Morant (knee), Brandon Clarke (knee), Dillon Brooks (COVID-19) and Ziaire Williams (ankle) are all expected to be sidelined, which means Tyus Jones and De'Anthony Melton will continue to fill in key minutes. Jaren Jackson has also been playing well and is averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals, over the last 10 games. Desmond Bane has also been playing well and is averaging, 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game. The Grizzlies are averaging 110.3 points per game and are shooting an average of 45.0 percent from the field.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Rockets (8-17), who saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end, in a hard-fought home loss against the Bucks on Friday night. The contest got out to a competitive start, as they trailed by three after one quarter. The Rockets came out on fire in the second and outscored the visitors, 42-32, to take a seven-point lead by halftime. They stayed strong and took a five-point advantage in to the final frame. However, they lost control in the fourth and saw their winning streak was halted at seven games. Garrison Mathews was the high-point man with 23 points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks, in the contest. Christian Wood totaled 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Armoni Brooks tallied 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block. The Rockets will look to get back on track as they face the first game of a three-game road trip, with the hopes of building on their, 1-11, road record.
This marks the third game of a four-game home stand for the Grizzlies (15-11), where they have gone, 1-1, so far and will look to build on their, 9-6, home record. They continue to deal with injuries, as Ja Morant (knee), Brandon Clarke (knee), Dillon Brooks (COVID-19) and Ziaire Williams (ankle) are all expected to be sidelined, which means Tyus Jones and De'Anthony Melton will continue to fill in key minutes. Jaren Jackson has also been playing well and is averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals, over the last 10 games. Desmond Bane has also been playing well and is averaging, 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game. The Grizzlies are averaging 110.3 points per game and are shooting an average of 45.0 percent from the field.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Rockets (8-17), who saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end, in a hard-fought home loss against the Bucks on Friday night. The contest got out to a competitive start, as they trailed by three after one quarter. The Rockets came out on fire in the second and outscored the visitors, 42-32, to take a seven-point lead by halftime. They stayed strong and took a five-point advantage in to the final frame. However, they lost control in the fourth and saw their winning streak was halted at seven games. Garrison Mathews was the high-point man with 23 points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks, in the contest. Christian Wood totaled 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Armoni Brooks tallied 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block. The Rockets will look to get back on track as they face the first game of a three-game road trip, with the hopes of building on their, 1-11, road record.
Sixers Looking To Get Back On Track At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Philadelphia 76ers play host to the Golden State Warriors at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday evening.
This marks the second game of a two-game home stand for the Sixers (14-12), which began with a loss against the Jazz on Thursday. They will be looking to get back on track on their home court and build on their, 5-6, home record. Joel Embiid continues to lead the team, averaging 24.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Tobias Harris is averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while Seth Curry is averaging 16.3 points on 51 percent shooting, including 41 percent from long range. The Sixers are averaging 106.7 points per game, and they are holding opponents to an average of 106.4 points.
Meanwhile, this marks the first game of a five-game road trip for the Warriors (21-4), as they look to build on a two-game winning streak and add to their, impressive, 7-2, road record. Stephen Curry continues his dominant play and leads the team, averaging 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Andrew Wiggins is averaging 18.5 points on 49 percent shooting, while Jordan Poole is averaging 18.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Warriors are averaging 113.2 points per game, which is third most in the league, and they are shooting, an average of 47.3 percent from the field, which is also third best in the league. On the other end, the Warriors are holding opponents to a league-low average of 100.3 points per game. Andre Iguodala (knee) is listed as questionable for action.
This marks the second game of a two-game home stand for the Sixers (14-12), which began with a loss against the Jazz on Thursday. They will be looking to get back on track on their home court and build on their, 5-6, home record. Joel Embiid continues to lead the team, averaging 24.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Tobias Harris is averaging 19.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while Seth Curry is averaging 16.3 points on 51 percent shooting, including 41 percent from long range. The Sixers are averaging 106.7 points per game, and they are holding opponents to an average of 106.4 points.
Meanwhile, this marks the first game of a five-game road trip for the Warriors (21-4), as they look to build on a two-game winning streak and add to their, impressive, 7-2, road record. Stephen Curry continues his dominant play and leads the team, averaging 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Andrew Wiggins is averaging 18.5 points on 49 percent shooting, while Jordan Poole is averaging 18.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Warriors are averaging 113.2 points per game, which is third most in the league, and they are shooting, an average of 47.3 percent from the field, which is also third best in the league. On the other end, the Warriors are holding opponents to a league-low average of 100.3 points per game. Andre Iguodala (knee) is listed as questionable for action.
Spurs Host Nuggets on Saturday
The San Antonio Spurs play host to the Denver Nuggets at AT&T Center on Saturday.
The Nuggets (12-13) come into this matchup losing nine of their last 12 games. It's easy to see why they're struggling so mightily, missing guys like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Those are two of the three best players on this team, and it's downright crippling this roster right now. What makes it even more discouraging is that Nikola Jokic is in the midst of another MVP season, recording triple-doubles in each of the last two games. We all know the big man has broad shoulders to carry this team on, but it's looking like too big of a load at this point. That has many people believing Denver is in the market as a trade destination, with guys like Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons looking like perfect fits.
The Spurs (9-15) record isn't pretty, but they're much better than it would indicate. In fact, they enter this matchup winning five of their last seven games, overcoming one of the worst early-season schedules out there. This is usually a team that thrives on its veteran leadership, but this is a young, new core in San Antonio. Dejounte Murray is flirting with triple-double averages while Jakob Poelel holds down the paint every night. Both of those guys have taken massive leaps forward this season, and it has them looking like a dangerous team for the second half of the season. Derrick White has also been turning his season around, and that only adds to the intrigue of this team.
San Antonio beat Denver on Thursday, 123-111. That was actually a wire-to-wire win for the Spurs, snapping a stretch in which Denver won six of their previous seven games over San Antonio.
The Nuggets (12-13) come into this matchup losing nine of their last 12 games. It's easy to see why they're struggling so mightily, missing guys like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Those are two of the three best players on this team, and it's downright crippling this roster right now. What makes it even more discouraging is that Nikola Jokic is in the midst of another MVP season, recording triple-doubles in each of the last two games. We all know the big man has broad shoulders to carry this team on, but it's looking like too big of a load at this point. That has many people believing Denver is in the market as a trade destination, with guys like Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons looking like perfect fits.
The Spurs (9-15) record isn't pretty, but they're much better than it would indicate. In fact, they enter this matchup winning five of their last seven games, overcoming one of the worst early-season schedules out there. This is usually a team that thrives on its veteran leadership, but this is a young, new core in San Antonio. Dejounte Murray is flirting with triple-double averages while Jakob Poelel holds down the paint every night. Both of those guys have taken massive leaps forward this season, and it has them looking like a dangerous team for the second half of the season. Derrick White has also been turning his season around, and that only adds to the intrigue of this team.
San Antonio beat Denver on Thursday, 123-111. That was actually a wire-to-wire win for the Spurs, snapping a stretch in which Denver won six of their previous seven games over San Antonio.