Cavs Look To Get Back On Track At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Cleveland Cavaliers play host to the Miami Heat, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Thursday evening.
The Cavs (4-6) return home from a road trip, where they went 2-1, with wins in Washington and New York, before falling short in their most recent contest, in Philly. The Cavaliers have dropped two in a row at home and are 2-2 at home, this season. Collin Sexton leads the Cavs with 18.7 points per game. Kevin Love is averaging 18.5 points and a team-high 12.9 rebounds. Tristan Thompson has had a strong start to the season, averaging 16.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. Rookie, Darius Garland has done a solid job with the starting role for the Cavs, averaging 8.6 points, 3.7 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
Meanwhile, the Heat (7-3) have won two of their last three contests overall but have dropped two of their last three on the road. Jimmy Butler is leading the Heat with team-highs of 19.4 points, 6.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Bam Adebayo is averaging 13.3 points, a team-high 9.8 rebounds and a team-high 1.4 blocks per game. The Heat have a total of six players averaging double-digit scoring, including Kendrick Nunn, Goran Tragic, Justise Winslow and Tyler Herro. The Heat are shooting 46.7 percent from the field, which is sixth best in the league. They are shooting 38.4 percent from long range, which is fourth best in the league. The Heat are averaging 9.6 steals per game, which is third most in the league.
The Cavs (4-6) return home from a road trip, where they went 2-1, with wins in Washington and New York, before falling short in their most recent contest, in Philly. The Cavaliers have dropped two in a row at home and are 2-2 at home, this season. Collin Sexton leads the Cavs with 18.7 points per game. Kevin Love is averaging 18.5 points and a team-high 12.9 rebounds. Tristan Thompson has had a strong start to the season, averaging 16.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. Rookie, Darius Garland has done a solid job with the starting role for the Cavs, averaging 8.6 points, 3.7 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
Meanwhile, the Heat (7-3) have won two of their last three contests overall but have dropped two of their last three on the road. Jimmy Butler is leading the Heat with team-highs of 19.4 points, 6.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Bam Adebayo is averaging 13.3 points, a team-high 9.8 rebounds and a team-high 1.4 blocks per game. The Heat have a total of six players averaging double-digit scoring, including Kendrick Nunn, Goran Tragic, Justise Winslow and Tyler Herro. The Heat are shooting 46.7 percent from the field, which is sixth best in the league. They are shooting 38.4 percent from long range, which is fourth best in the league. The Heat are averaging 9.6 steals per game, which is third most in the league.
Clippers Look For Redemption On Second Night Of Back-To-Back
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Los Angeles Clippers, at Smoothie King Center on Thursday evening.
This marks the second night of a back-to-back for the Clippers (7-4), as they are coming off a loss in Houston on Wednesday. The Clippers have dropped their last three road games and are 1-3 on the road this season. Kawhi Leonard (rest), who led the Clippers on Wednesday night, will be sidelined for Thursday's contest. Lou Williams is the Clippers' second leading scorer, averaging 22.3 points, along with 5.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. Montrezl Harrell was quiet, with just four points in Tuesday's loss, but is averaging 19.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. The Clippers average 9.7 three-pointers per game, which is sixth fewest in the league, however, they are attempting and average of 28.3 free throws, which is second most in the league.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans (2-8) have dropped two in a row at home and are 1-4 at home this season. The Pelicans are dealing with a list of injuries, as Josh Hart (knee) and Lonzo Ball (leg) will both remain sidelined, and Jahlil Okafor (ankle) and Brandon Ingram (knee) are questionable for action. Jrue Holiday is ready to go and is averaging 14.6 points, 7.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. J.J. Redick has been solid through the early turmoil, averaging 12.1 points on 45 percent shooting from deep. The Pelicans are averaging 117.0 points per game, which is fourth most in the league. On the other hand, they are giving up a league-worst 122.4 points against.
This marks the second night of a back-to-back for the Clippers (7-4), as they are coming off a loss in Houston on Wednesday. The Clippers have dropped their last three road games and are 1-3 on the road this season. Kawhi Leonard (rest), who led the Clippers on Wednesday night, will be sidelined for Thursday's contest. Lou Williams is the Clippers' second leading scorer, averaging 22.3 points, along with 5.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. Montrezl Harrell was quiet, with just four points in Tuesday's loss, but is averaging 19.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. The Clippers average 9.7 three-pointers per game, which is sixth fewest in the league, however, they are attempting and average of 28.3 free throws, which is second most in the league.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans (2-8) have dropped two in a row at home and are 1-4 at home this season. The Pelicans are dealing with a list of injuries, as Josh Hart (knee) and Lonzo Ball (leg) will both remain sidelined, and Jahlil Okafor (ankle) and Brandon Ingram (knee) are questionable for action. Jrue Holiday is ready to go and is averaging 14.6 points, 7.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. J.J. Redick has been solid through the early turmoil, averaging 12.1 points on 45 percent shooting from deep. The Pelicans are averaging 117.0 points per game, which is fourth most in the league. On the other hand, they are giving up a league-worst 122.4 points against.
Bulls Tangle With Bucks in Midwest Battle
The Chicago Bulls take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Thursday night.
The Bulls (4-7) started the new season off in rocky fashion, but they've shown some encouraging flashes recently by winning two of their last three games. Their most recent success came at the expense of the New York Knicks, which they toppled by a 120-102 score on Tuesday night. Coby White helped lead
a furious fourth-quarter rally and paced the Bulls with 27 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Zach LaVine followed with 25 points, complementing them with six assists, two rebounds and one steal. Wendell Carter, Jr. generated a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double. Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn had matching 13-point contributions while hauling in eight and five rebounds, respectively.
The Bulls will continue to be without Otto Porter, Jr. (foot) and Cristiano Felicio (wrist) on Thursday. Zach LaVine (ankle) will be considered probable.
The Bucks (7-3) have righted the ship after so-so 2-2 start, as they'll come into Thursday's contest having won five of their last six games. Milwaukee's most recent victory was a costly one, however, as they lost star wing Khris Middleton to a thigh bruise for several weeks in a 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening. Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 35 points, adding 16 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Bledsoe furnished 25 points, nine assists, three rebounds and one block. Brook Lopez contributed 15 points and four boards, while Sterling Brown led the bench with 12 points. Middleton totaled 10 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal before exiting the contest.
Besides Middleton's absence, the Bucks will also list Kyle Korver (head) as questionable for Thursday's contest.
The Bucks swept the 2018-19 season series between the teams. Thursday's game marks the first of four 2019-20 meetings for Chicago and Milwaukee.
The Bulls (4-7) started the new season off in rocky fashion, but they've shown some encouraging flashes recently by winning two of their last three games. Their most recent success came at the expense of the New York Knicks, which they toppled by a 120-102 score on Tuesday night. Coby White helped lead
a furious fourth-quarter rally and paced the Bulls with 27 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Zach LaVine followed with 25 points, complementing them with six assists, two rebounds and one steal. Wendell Carter, Jr. generated a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double. Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn had matching 13-point contributions while hauling in eight and five rebounds, respectively.
The Bulls will continue to be without Otto Porter, Jr. (foot) and Cristiano Felicio (wrist) on Thursday. Zach LaVine (ankle) will be considered probable.
The Bucks (7-3) have righted the ship after so-so 2-2 start, as they'll come into Thursday's contest having won five of their last six games. Milwaukee's most recent victory was a costly one, however, as they lost star wing Khris Middleton to a thigh bruise for several weeks in a 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening. Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 35 points, adding 16 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Bledsoe furnished 25 points, nine assists, three rebounds and one block. Brook Lopez contributed 15 points and four boards, while Sterling Brown led the bench with 12 points. Middleton totaled 10 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal before exiting the contest.
Besides Middleton's absence, the Bucks will also list Kyle Korver (head) as questionable for Thursday's contest.
The Bucks swept the 2018-19 season series between the teams. Thursday's game marks the first of four 2019-20 meetings for Chicago and Milwaukee.
Mavericks Hit Big Apple to Face Knicks
The Dallas Mavericks take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, a game that will mark Kristaps Porzingis' return to New York.
The Mavericks (6-4) had gotten their season off to a solid start, winning six of their first nine games before running into the buzz saw known as the Boston Celtics on Monday night. Dallas dropped a 116-106 decision to Boston, with Luka Doncic leading the way for the Mavs with 34 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Maxi Kleber turned in 15 points, eight boards, two assists and one block. Jalen Brunson and Dwight Powell turned in matching 12-point tallies while pulling down seven and five rebounds, respectively.
The Mavericks will come into the contest with no injuries to report.
The Knicks (2-9) have seemingly been embroiled in turmoil since the season's opening tip, and they'll come into Thursday's game having dropped six of their last seven games. New York's most recent disappointment came at the hands of the Chicago Bulls, which toppled them by a 120-102 score Tuesday night. Marcus Morris led the Knicks with 22 points, adding nine rebounds, one assist and one block. R.J. Barrett rebounded from a recent slump to generate 21 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two steals. Julius Randle and Taj Gibson had matching 17-point tallies while pulling down six and five rebounds, respectively. Kevin Knox led the bench with 10 points.
The Knicks will continue to be without Elfrid Payton (hamstring) and Reggie Bullock (back) on Thursday night. Mitchell Robinson (concussion) will be considered questionable.
Thursday's game marks the second of two meetings between the teams this season. The Knicks prevailed by a 106-102 score in the first contest Nov. 8.
The Mavericks (6-4) had gotten their season off to a solid start, winning six of their first nine games before running into the buzz saw known as the Boston Celtics on Monday night. Dallas dropped a 116-106 decision to Boston, with Luka Doncic leading the way for the Mavs with 34 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Maxi Kleber turned in 15 points, eight boards, two assists and one block. Jalen Brunson and Dwight Powell turned in matching 12-point tallies while pulling down seven and five rebounds, respectively.
The Mavericks will come into the contest with no injuries to report.
The Knicks (2-9) have seemingly been embroiled in turmoil since the season's opening tip, and they'll come into Thursday's game having dropped six of their last seven games. New York's most recent disappointment came at the hands of the Chicago Bulls, which toppled them by a 120-102 score Tuesday night. Marcus Morris led the Knicks with 22 points, adding nine rebounds, one assist and one block. R.J. Barrett rebounded from a recent slump to generate 21 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two steals. Julius Randle and Taj Gibson had matching 17-point tallies while pulling down six and five rebounds, respectively. Kevin Knox led the bench with 10 points.
The Knicks will continue to be without Elfrid Payton (hamstring) and Reggie Bullock (back) on Thursday night. Mitchell Robinson (concussion) will be considered questionable.
Thursday's game marks the second of two meetings between the teams this season. The Knicks prevailed by a 106-102 score in the first contest Nov. 8.
Suns Host Hawks on Thursday
The Phoenix Suns play host to the Atlanta Hawks at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Thursday.
The Hawks (4-6) come into this matchup losing six of their last eight games but it's truly bizarre when you look at their wins. Atlanta has wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets in that span while losing to teams like the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings. That says a lot about this club and it's clear that there's a lot of inconsistency with a roster full of young players. It's certainly no fault of Trae Young though, with the point guard averaging 26.2 points and 8.4 assists per game this season. Losing John Collins to suspension is obviously frustrating too and they're really only one piece away from being a legit playoff contender. That's why wins may end up being a detriment this season, as a lottery pick could be the thing that sends this roster over the top. With all that said, this is still a team no one wants to face with Young firing up 30-foot three-pointers at will.
The Suns (6-4) have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA and they could just as easily be 9-1. What's really impressive about their losses is the fact that all of them have been close games against elite competition. One-point losses against the Jazz and Nuggets early on were definitely frustrating and then a narrow defeat against the Lakers on Tuesday had to be infuriating. There were 29 lead changes in that loss on Tuesday and it says a lot about how competitive this team is this season. This organization has been waiting for this type of fight for years now and it's a testament to some of the new players they added. Veterans like Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes have come in and given this team a new identity and it's scary to think how good they'll be when DeAndre Ayton's suspension ends next month.
Atlanta swept the season series over Phoenix last year and has won seven of their last 10 games over them in total.
The Hawks (4-6) come into this matchup losing six of their last eight games but it's truly bizarre when you look at their wins. Atlanta has wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets in that span while losing to teams like the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings. That says a lot about this club and it's clear that there's a lot of inconsistency with a roster full of young players. It's certainly no fault of Trae Young though, with the point guard averaging 26.2 points and 8.4 assists per game this season. Losing John Collins to suspension is obviously frustrating too and they're really only one piece away from being a legit playoff contender. That's why wins may end up being a detriment this season, as a lottery pick could be the thing that sends this roster over the top. With all that said, this is still a team no one wants to face with Young firing up 30-foot three-pointers at will.
The Suns (6-4) have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA and they could just as easily be 9-1. What's really impressive about their losses is the fact that all of them have been close games against elite competition. One-point losses against the Jazz and Nuggets early on were definitely frustrating and then a narrow defeat against the Lakers on Tuesday had to be infuriating. There were 29 lead changes in that loss on Tuesday and it says a lot about how competitive this team is this season. This organization has been waiting for this type of fight for years now and it's a testament to some of the new players they added. Veterans like Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes have come in and given this team a new identity and it's scary to think how good they'll be when DeAndre Ayton's suspension ends next month.
Atlanta swept the season series over Phoenix last year and has won seven of their last 10 games over them in total.
Nuggets Host Nets on Thursday
The Brooklyn Nets travel to Colorado to face the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on Thursday.
The Nets (4-6) had another close loss in their most recent outing and that's become a disturbing trend for this team all season long. That narrow defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz on Tuesday marked their fifth narrow loss of the season and this club could easily be 9-1 if the ball fell their way a few more times. What's really hurting this club is their subpar defense, with the Nets allowing the second-most points in the NBA. The good news is that they're third in scoring but that simply won't win games if you can't get stops on the other end of the floor. It's certainly no fault of Kyrie Irving either, with the All-Star leading Brooklyn with 30 points and 7.2 assists per game. If he can do that when Kevin Durant returns from injury next season, this will surely be a team to fear in the Eastern Conference.
The Nuggets (7-3) are actually pretty fortunate to have seven wins over their first 10 games. Two game-winners by Nikola Jokic got them to this point and a home loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday shows the true form of this team. Wins are wins though and this definitely looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA behind their Top-3 defense. What they need to improve on is their offense though, with Denver ranked 27th in scoring. That's a shocking statistic from such a talented team, particularly an organization that usually plays up-tempo basketball with the altitude in their favor. Playing at such a slow pace will do that but one has to believe that they'll pick it up if the struggles continue.
Brooklyn swept the two-game season series over Denver last season, despite both games being decided by five points or fewer. In total, the Nets have won eight of their last 11 games over the Nuggets.
The Nets (4-6) had another close loss in their most recent outing and that's become a disturbing trend for this team all season long. That narrow defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz on Tuesday marked their fifth narrow loss of the season and this club could easily be 9-1 if the ball fell their way a few more times. What's really hurting this club is their subpar defense, with the Nets allowing the second-most points in the NBA. The good news is that they're third in scoring but that simply won't win games if you can't get stops on the other end of the floor. It's certainly no fault of Kyrie Irving either, with the All-Star leading Brooklyn with 30 points and 7.2 assists per game. If he can do that when Kevin Durant returns from injury next season, this will surely be a team to fear in the Eastern Conference.
The Nuggets (7-3) are actually pretty fortunate to have seven wins over their first 10 games. Two game-winners by Nikola Jokic got them to this point and a home loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday shows the true form of this team. Wins are wins though and this definitely looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA behind their Top-3 defense. What they need to improve on is their offense though, with Denver ranked 27th in scoring. That's a shocking statistic from such a talented team, particularly an organization that usually plays up-tempo basketball with the altitude in their favor. Playing at such a slow pace will do that but one has to believe that they'll pick it up if the struggles continue.
Brooklyn swept the two-game season series over Denver last season, despite both games being decided by five points or fewer. In total, the Nets have won eight of their last 11 games over the Nuggets.