Spurs Look to Right Ship Against Magic
The San Antonio Spurs face the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Friday night.
The Spurs (5-6) have a record that underscores their inconsistency thus far this season, and they'll head into Friday's game having dropped five of their last six contests. Their most recent stumble came against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which bested them by a 129-114 score on Wednesday night. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 27 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. LaMarcus Aldridge followed with 23 points and four boards, while Bryn Forbes poured in 13 points. Dejounte Murray delivered 11 points, four rebounds and one assist, while Rudy Gay and Patty Mills managed matching 10-point tallies.
The Spurs will come into Friday's game without any injuries to report.
The Magic (4-7) are off to an uneven start themselves this season, but they'll come into Friday's contest with having won two of their last three games. Orlando's most recent success came at the expense of the Philadelphia 76ers, which they toppled by a 112-97 score on Wednesday night. Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with a 25-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Aaron Gordon followed with 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block. Evan Fournier and Terrance Ross mustered matching 13-point tallies while dishing out three assists and pulling down three rebound, respectively. Jonathan Isaac and D.J. Augustin each pitched in 12 points and five rebounds, with Augustin also dishing out eight assists.
The Magic will also come into Friday's contest without any injuries.
The teams split the two-game 2018-19 season series. Friday's game marks the first of two 2019-20 meetings for San Antonio and Orlando.
The Spurs (5-6) have a record that underscores their inconsistency thus far this season, and they'll head into Friday's game having dropped five of their last six contests. Their most recent stumble came against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which bested them by a 129-114 score on Wednesday night. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 27 points, supplementing them with five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. LaMarcus Aldridge followed with 23 points and four boards, while Bryn Forbes poured in 13 points. Dejounte Murray delivered 11 points, four rebounds and one assist, while Rudy Gay and Patty Mills managed matching 10-point tallies.
The Spurs will come into Friday's game without any injuries to report.
The Magic (4-7) are off to an uneven start themselves this season, but they'll come into Friday's contest with having won two of their last three games. Orlando's most recent success came at the expense of the Philadelphia 76ers, which they toppled by a 112-97 score on Wednesday night. Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with a 25-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Aaron Gordon followed with 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block. Evan Fournier and Terrance Ross mustered matching 13-point tallies while dishing out three assists and pulling down three rebound, respectively. Jonathan Isaac and D.J. Augustin each pitched in 12 points and five rebounds, with Augustin also dishing out eight assists.
The Magic will also come into Friday's contest without any injuries.
The teams split the two-game 2018-19 season series. Friday's game marks the first of two 2019-20 meetings for San Antonio and Orlando.
Pistons Pay Visit to Hornets
The Detroit Pistons take on the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on Friday night.
The Pistons (4-8) come into Friday's contest in the midst of a four-game skid, even though three of those defeats have notably been by single digits. Detroit's most recent stumble came at the hands of the Miami Heat, which toppled them by a 117-108 score Tuesday night. Luke Kennard led the way for the Pistons with 22 points, adding five assists, one rebound and two steals. Andre Drummond and Christian Wood generated matching 16-point tallies, with Drummond also pulling down nine rebounds. Markieff Morris produced 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. Thon Maker and Langston Galloway totaled 12 and 11 points off the bench, respectively.
The Pistons will continue to be without Reggie Jackson (back) on Friday. Tony Snell will be listed as probable with a hip flexor strain.
The Hornets (4-7) head into Friday's game with their own four-game losing streak in tow. Charlotte's latest defeat came at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, which edged them by a 119-117 score on Wednesday night when Ja Morant sunk a left-handed layup with less than a second remaining. Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 33 points, adding six assists, five rebounds and two steals. Malik Monk furnished 20 points, eight boards and five assists. Devonte' Graham delivered 19 points, while Cody Zeller contributed 16 points, eight boards, two assists and two steals. Miles Bridges posted 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Hornets will continue to be without the services of Nicolas Batum (finger) on Friday, while Dwayne Bacon (knee) will carry a probable designation.
The Hornets swept the four-game 2018-19 season series between the teams. Friday's contest marks the first of four 2019-20 meetings for Detroit and Charlotte.
The Pistons (4-8) come into Friday's contest in the midst of a four-game skid, even though three of those defeats have notably been by single digits. Detroit's most recent stumble came at the hands of the Miami Heat, which toppled them by a 117-108 score Tuesday night. Luke Kennard led the way for the Pistons with 22 points, adding five assists, one rebound and two steals. Andre Drummond and Christian Wood generated matching 16-point tallies, with Drummond also pulling down nine rebounds. Markieff Morris produced 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. Thon Maker and Langston Galloway totaled 12 and 11 points off the bench, respectively.
The Pistons will continue to be without Reggie Jackson (back) on Friday. Tony Snell will be listed as probable with a hip flexor strain.
The Hornets (4-7) head into Friday's game with their own four-game losing streak in tow. Charlotte's latest defeat came at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, which edged them by a 119-117 score on Wednesday night when Ja Morant sunk a left-handed layup with less than a second remaining. Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 33 points, adding six assists, five rebounds and two steals. Malik Monk furnished 20 points, eight boards and five assists. Devonte' Graham delivered 19 points, while Cody Zeller contributed 16 points, eight boards, two assists and two steals. Miles Bridges posted 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Hornets will continue to be without the services of Nicolas Batum (finger) on Friday, while Dwayne Bacon (knee) will carry a probable designation.
The Hornets swept the four-game 2018-19 season series between the teams. Friday's contest marks the first of four 2019-20 meetings for Detroit and Charlotte.
Pacers and Rockets Tangle in Interconference Battle
The Indiana Pacers take on the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Friday night.
The Pacers (7-4) have eradicated the memory of an 0-3 start to their season with a 7-1 run over the subsequent eight games. Indiana's most recent triumph came over the Oklahoma CIty Thunder, which they defeated by a 111-85 margin on Tuesday night for their fourth straight win. T.J. Warren led the Pacers with 23 points, adding three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Malcolm Brogdon registered 20 points, six boards and five assists. Domantas Sabonis generated an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included two assists and a block. Aaron Holiday poured in 17 points.
The Pacers will continue to be without Victor Oladipo (knee), Edmond Sumner (hand), Jeremy Lamb (ankle) and Myles Turner (ankle) for Friday's contest.
The Rockets (8-3) have rebounded from their own poor so-so start to rattle off five straight victories coming into Friday's game. Their most recent success came at the expense of the Los Angeles Clippers, which they toppled by a 102-93 score on Wednesday night. James Harden led the way with 47 points, adding seven assists, six rebounds and three steals. Russell Westbrook was a distant second with 17 points and complemented them with two boards and two assists. Clint Capela managed a 12-point, 20-rebound double-double but also suffered a concussion in the contest that will keep him out Friday.
The Rockets will list Eric Gordon (knee), Gerald Green (foot) and Capela (concussion) as out Friday. Danuel House, Jr. (back) will be listed as doubtful, while Russell Westbrook is expected to either sit out Friday or Saturday for rest purposes.
The Rockets swept the two-game 2018-19 season series between the teams. Friday's game marks the first of two 2019-20 meetings for Indiana and Houston.
The Pacers (7-4) have eradicated the memory of an 0-3 start to their season with a 7-1 run over the subsequent eight games. Indiana's most recent triumph came over the Oklahoma CIty Thunder, which they defeated by a 111-85 margin on Tuesday night for their fourth straight win. T.J. Warren led the Pacers with 23 points, adding three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Malcolm Brogdon registered 20 points, six boards and five assists. Domantas Sabonis generated an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included two assists and a block. Aaron Holiday poured in 17 points.
The Pacers will continue to be without Victor Oladipo (knee), Edmond Sumner (hand), Jeremy Lamb (ankle) and Myles Turner (ankle) for Friday's contest.
The Rockets (8-3) have rebounded from their own poor so-so start to rattle off five straight victories coming into Friday's game. Their most recent success came at the expense of the Los Angeles Clippers, which they toppled by a 102-93 score on Wednesday night. James Harden led the way with 47 points, adding seven assists, six rebounds and three steals. Russell Westbrook was a distant second with 17 points and complemented them with two boards and two assists. Clint Capela managed a 12-point, 20-rebound double-double but also suffered a concussion in the contest that will keep him out Friday.
The Rockets will list Eric Gordon (knee), Gerald Green (foot) and Capela (concussion) as out Friday. Danuel House, Jr. (back) will be listed as doubtful, while Russell Westbrook is expected to either sit out Friday or Saturday for rest purposes.
The Rockets swept the two-game 2018-19 season series between the teams. Friday's game marks the first of two 2019-20 meetings for Indiana and Houston.
Thriving T'Wolves Host Wavering Wizards
The Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the Washington Wizards at Target Center on Friday.
The Wizards (2-7) looked to be fighting an uphill battle when they started the year without John Wall and that appears to be the case. While Bradley Beal is doing all he can, this club simply doesn't have enough talent. The sad part about that is the fact that Thomas Bryant appears to be having a breakout season at center but there's really no wings on this roster. That has led to this club playing some putrid defense, with the Wizards allowing the fourth-most points in the NBA. Since the first two games of the season, Washington is actually allowing close to 130 points per game, the worst mark in the league. That obviously won't get it done and it has to make fans wonder just how much longer players like Beal and Bryant will remain in Washington with an inevitable rebuild right around the corner.
The Timberwolves (7-4) come into this matchup winning each of their last two games and it's clear that this is a new team. While the players remain the same, there's major evidence that they've developed a ton in the offseason. Andrew Wiggins specifically, as he's turned from an all-time bust into an All-Star candidate this season. He's currently posting career-highs in points scored, rebounds, assists and field goal percentage while playing a lot more point guard than ever before. That doesn't even take into consideration that Karl-Anthony Towns is still the star of this team and it's a scary sight for opponents that these talented youngsters are finally living up to expectations.
This is actually the second meeting between these teams this season, with Minnesota winning the first game, 131-109.
The Wizards (2-7) looked to be fighting an uphill battle when they started the year without John Wall and that appears to be the case. While Bradley Beal is doing all he can, this club simply doesn't have enough talent. The sad part about that is the fact that Thomas Bryant appears to be having a breakout season at center but there's really no wings on this roster. That has led to this club playing some putrid defense, with the Wizards allowing the fourth-most points in the NBA. Since the first two games of the season, Washington is actually allowing close to 130 points per game, the worst mark in the league. That obviously won't get it done and it has to make fans wonder just how much longer players like Beal and Bryant will remain in Washington with an inevitable rebuild right around the corner.
The Timberwolves (7-4) come into this matchup winning each of their last two games and it's clear that this is a new team. While the players remain the same, there's major evidence that they've developed a ton in the offseason. Andrew Wiggins specifically, as he's turned from an all-time bust into an All-Star candidate this season. He's currently posting career-highs in points scored, rebounds, assists and field goal percentage while playing a lot more point guard than ever before. That doesn't even take into consideration that Karl-Anthony Towns is still the star of this team and it's a scary sight for opponents that these talented youngsters are finally living up to expectations.
This is actually the second meeting between these teams this season, with Minnesota winning the first game, 131-109.
Thunder Host Travelling 76ers
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Philadelphia 76ers, at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Friday evening.
The Thunder (4-7) will look to snap a two-game losing streak, as they return home where they have won three of their last four and have a record of 4-3, so far this season. The Thunder are averaging 105.3 points per game, which is fifth lowest in the league, however, they are holding their opponents to an average of 106.0 points per game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder with a team-high 20.1 points per game. Chris Paul is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Danilo Gallinari has been solid offensively, as he is averaging 18.2 points per game, while shooting 42 percent from behind the arc. Dennis Schroder gives the Thunder a punch off the bench, as he is averaging 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a three-game road trip for the 76ers (7-4), which began with a loss in Orlando on Wednesday. After starting the season 3-0 on the road, the Sixers have dropped their last four road games. Joel Embiid (rest) missed the Sixers most recent contest but tallied 27 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal in his last game. Tobias Harris is averaging 16.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Ben Simmons is averaging 13.9 points, and team-highs of 6.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game. The Sixers are shooting 46.2 percent from the field, but they are giving up an average of 17.4 turnovers per game, which is fourth most in the league.
The Thunder (4-7) will look to snap a two-game losing streak, as they return home where they have won three of their last four and have a record of 4-3, so far this season. The Thunder are averaging 105.3 points per game, which is fifth lowest in the league, however, they are holding their opponents to an average of 106.0 points per game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder with a team-high 20.1 points per game. Chris Paul is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Danilo Gallinari has been solid offensively, as he is averaging 18.2 points per game, while shooting 42 percent from behind the arc. Dennis Schroder gives the Thunder a punch off the bench, as he is averaging 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a three-game road trip for the 76ers (7-4), which began with a loss in Orlando on Wednesday. After starting the season 3-0 on the road, the Sixers have dropped their last four road games. Joel Embiid (rest) missed the Sixers most recent contest but tallied 27 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal in his last game. Tobias Harris is averaging 16.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Ben Simmons is averaging 13.9 points, and team-highs of 6.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game. The Sixers are shooting 46.2 percent from the field, but they are giving up an average of 17.4 turnovers per game, which is fourth most in the league.
Grizzlies Look To Build On Two-Game Win Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Utah Jazz, at FedEx Forum on Friday evening.
This marks the first game of a four-game home stand for the Grizzlies (4-7), who have a 2-4 record at home. The Grizzlies have won two in a row and are coming off an impressive win in Charlotte, where Ja Morant sealed it with a last-second layup. Morant has been fantastic so far in his rookie season, as he is averaging team-highs with 18.3 points and 5.8 assists per game. Jaren Jackson is averaging 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, while Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 12.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Grizzlies are giving up 17.5 turnovers per game, which is third most in the league, but they are averaging 26.9 assists per game, which is second most in the league.
Meanwhile, the Jazz (8-3) are rolling, as they have won four games in a row. They have dropped two of their last three road games and are 2-3 on the road this season. Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz, averaging team-highs of 25.1 points, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Bojan Bogdanovic has been a major scoring threat for Utah, averaging 19.8 points on 46 percent shooting, including 43.8 percent from long range. Rudy Gobert continues to dominate the paint, averaging 12.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. The Jazz are scoring an average of 104.5 points per game, which is third lowest in the league, but they are holding their opponents to an average of 99.5 points per game, which is second least in the league.
This marks the first game of a four-game home stand for the Grizzlies (4-7), who have a 2-4 record at home. The Grizzlies have won two in a row and are coming off an impressive win in Charlotte, where Ja Morant sealed it with a last-second layup. Morant has been fantastic so far in his rookie season, as he is averaging team-highs with 18.3 points and 5.8 assists per game. Jaren Jackson is averaging 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, while Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 12.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Grizzlies are giving up 17.5 turnovers per game, which is third most in the league, but they are averaging 26.9 assists per game, which is second most in the league.
Meanwhile, the Jazz (8-3) are rolling, as they have won four games in a row. They have dropped two of their last three road games and are 2-3 on the road this season. Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz, averaging team-highs of 25.1 points, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Bojan Bogdanovic has been a major scoring threat for Utah, averaging 19.8 points on 46 percent shooting, including 43.8 percent from long range. Rudy Gobert continues to dominate the paint, averaging 12.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. The Jazz are scoring an average of 104.5 points per game, which is third lowest in the league, but they are holding their opponents to an average of 99.5 points per game, which is second least in the league.
Celtics Look to Down Warriors on the Road
The Golden State Warriors play host to the Boston Celtics at Chase Center on Friday.
The Celtics (9-1) had fans worried in the opener when they got dominated by the Philadelphia 76ers but that's definitely the outlier in a stellar season thus far. In fact, Boston has won all nine games since then, as they're clearly one of the best teams in the NBA. Trading out Kyrie Irving for Kemba Walker has lit a fire under this team and it's led to more "team-friendly" ball. While Irving is probably the better individual player, Walker is a better fit for this team. He's allowed teammates like Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum to thrive in ways that Irving couldn't and it really shows on both ends of the floor. Unfortunately, they did lose Hayward for the next six weeks because of a broken hand and that does change things for this team with the way he was bouncing back to his Utah form.
The Warriors (2-10) are simply a shell of the team we've seen for the past decade. Losing Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and DeMarcus Cousins in the span of one year is truly disastrous and it's led to one of the worst teams in the NBA. A 24-point loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday was just a sign of the struggles, as those sorts of losses have become commonplace for this dismantled roster. Curry and Thompson are the only ones remaining on the roster and neither will be back anytime soon. That means it's D'Angelo Russell and Draymond Green's team, which is sadly not enough to compete in today's NBA. In any case, they do have young players like Jordan Poole, Willie Cauley-Stein and Eric Paschall getting extra run and development is really all they can hope for at this point.
These teams have split each of their last four season series, with the road team winning six of their eight meetings.
The Celtics (9-1) had fans worried in the opener when they got dominated by the Philadelphia 76ers but that's definitely the outlier in a stellar season thus far. In fact, Boston has won all nine games since then, as they're clearly one of the best teams in the NBA. Trading out Kyrie Irving for Kemba Walker has lit a fire under this team and it's led to more "team-friendly" ball. While Irving is probably the better individual player, Walker is a better fit for this team. He's allowed teammates like Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum to thrive in ways that Irving couldn't and it really shows on both ends of the floor. Unfortunately, they did lose Hayward for the next six weeks because of a broken hand and that does change things for this team with the way he was bouncing back to his Utah form.
The Warriors (2-10) are simply a shell of the team we've seen for the past decade. Losing Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and DeMarcus Cousins in the span of one year is truly disastrous and it's led to one of the worst teams in the NBA. A 24-point loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday was just a sign of the struggles, as those sorts of losses have become commonplace for this dismantled roster. Curry and Thompson are the only ones remaining on the roster and neither will be back anytime soon. That means it's D'Angelo Russell and Draymond Green's team, which is sadly not enough to compete in today's NBA. In any case, they do have young players like Jordan Poole, Willie Cauley-Stein and Eric Paschall getting extra run and development is really all they can hope for at this point.
These teams have split each of their last four season series, with the road team winning six of their eight meetings.
Lakers Host Shorthanded Kings on Friday
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on Friday.
The Kings (4-6) got off to a nightmare start this season by losing their first five games but have been a different team since. In fact, Sacramento has gone on to win four of their last five games. What's discouraging is the fact that injuries continue to hit this team hard. Losing Marvin Bagley for 4-6 weeks was brutal early on and they'll now have to play without De'Aaron Fox for the next month too. Those are young centerpieces to this franchise and it's a wonder if they can hold up with those guys missing so much time. It has thrown Bogan Bogdanovic into the mix though, as his 25 points, three rebounds, 10 assists and four steals in the most recent victory is hopefully a sign of things to come.
The Lakers (9-2) looked poised to make a deep run this season and it's truly amazing just how much they've improved. After missing the postseason last year, Los Angeles looks like a different team this season. The biggest improvement is their defense, with the Lakers owning the best defensive rating in the NBA. This is a club that has been bottom-half of the league in that statistic throughout most of the last decade and it's becoming clear that the additions of Avery Bradley, Danny Green and Dwight Howard are really helping them on the end of the floor. Getting Anthony Davis and his 25 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks can't hurt the defense either. All of that doesn't even take into consideration that LeBron James is leading the NBA in assists, despite this being his 18th season in the league.
Los Angeles has won five of its last seven games against Sacramento.
The Kings (4-6) got off to a nightmare start this season by losing their first five games but have been a different team since. In fact, Sacramento has gone on to win four of their last five games. What's discouraging is the fact that injuries continue to hit this team hard. Losing Marvin Bagley for 4-6 weeks was brutal early on and they'll now have to play without De'Aaron Fox for the next month too. Those are young centerpieces to this franchise and it's a wonder if they can hold up with those guys missing so much time. It has thrown Bogan Bogdanovic into the mix though, as his 25 points, three rebounds, 10 assists and four steals in the most recent victory is hopefully a sign of things to come.
The Lakers (9-2) looked poised to make a deep run this season and it's truly amazing just how much they've improved. After missing the postseason last year, Los Angeles looks like a different team this season. The biggest improvement is their defense, with the Lakers owning the best defensive rating in the NBA. This is a club that has been bottom-half of the league in that statistic throughout most of the last decade and it's becoming clear that the additions of Avery Bradley, Danny Green and Dwight Howard are really helping them on the end of the floor. Getting Anthony Davis and his 25 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks can't hurt the defense either. All of that doesn't even take into consideration that LeBron James is leading the NBA in assists, despite this being his 18th season in the league.
Los Angeles has won five of its last seven games against Sacramento.