January 1,2020 at 7:00 PM
1/28/2020 7:00 PM
76ers Look To Build On 20-2 Home Record
The Philadelphia 76ers play host to the Golden State Warriors at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday evening.

The 76ers (30-17) have won seven of their last 10 games, including a home win over the Lakers in their most recent contest. The 76ers have won seven straight games at home and look to keep building on their 21-2 home record. The 76ers are averaging 108.4 points per game, but they are holding their opponents to an average of 104.8 points per game, which is second fewest in the league. They average 8.4 steals per game, which is fifth most in the league, and they average 26.2 assists per game, which is fourth most in the league. Joel Embiid (finger) is questionable for action on Tuesday, while it would be a huge boost for Philly to have its leading scorer and rebounder back in the lineup. Ben Simmons has been playing well, averaging 21.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game, over the last 10 games. Tobias Harris is averaging 19.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, over the last 10 games.

Meanwhile, the Warriors (10-37) have dropped nine of their last 10 games, including the last three in a row. This marks their first game of a five-game road trip, as they look to build on their league-worst 3-20 road record. The Warriors average 105.7 points per game, which is sixth fewest in the league, while they are giving up an average of 114.2 points against. They are shooting a league-low 42.9 percent from the field, including 33.8 percent from long range, which is fifth lowest in the league. D'Angelo Russell has been solid lately, averaging 27.0 points, 7.6 assists per game, over the last five games. Alec Burks is averaging 15.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists, over the last 10 games.
January 1,2020 at 7:00 PM
1/28/2020 7:00 PM
Hornets Look To End Eight-Game Slide
The Charlotte Hornets play host to the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center on Tuesday evening.

The Hornets (15-31) have dropped their last eight games, as they look to turn things around on their third and final game of a home stand. They have lost seven consecutive games at home and have a 7-15 home record. The Hornets are averaging a league-low 103.3 points per game and are shooting 43.4 percent from the field, which is fourth worst in the league. Devonte' Graham continues to lead the Hornets, averaging 18.6 points and 7.6 assists per game. Terry Rozier is averaging 17.8 points, 4.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Miles Bridges is averaging 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists over the last 10 games, while P.J. Washington is averaging 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists, over the last 10 games.

Meanwhile, the Knicks (13-34) have dropped seven of their last 10 games but are coming off a home win over the Nets in their most recent contest. The Knicks won their last contest on the road and look to keep working on their 6-17 road record. The Knicks average 104.3 points per game, which is third fewest in the league, and they are giving up an average of 111.8 points against. They lead the league with 12.0 offensive rebounds per game, and they are averaging 7.6 steals per game. Marcus Morris Sr. leads the Knicks in scoring, with 19.2 points per game. Julius Randle contributes well across the board, averaging 18.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Elfrid Payton is averaging 9.7 points, 6.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, over the last 10 games. Mitchell Robinson continues to offer the Knicks a strong effort off the bench, averaging 6.9 points on 75.6 percent shooting, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, in 22 minutes per game, over the last 10 games.
January 1,2020 at 7:30 PM
1/28/2020 7:30 PM
Pelicans and Cavaliers Face off In Midwest Interconference Battle
The New Orleans Pelicans take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.

The Pelicans (18-29) check into Tuesday's game in the midst of a strong stretch of play, as they own a 6-4 record over the last 10 games. Their most time on the court resulted in one of those wins, as they toppled the Boston Celtics by a 123-108 margin Sunday evening. Jrue Holiday paced the Pelicans with 25 points, complementing them with six rebounds and five assists. Zion Williamson generated a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included two assists and one steal. JJ Redick poured in 17 points and also posted four rebounds, one assist and one block. Brandon Ingram delivered 16 points, while Derrick Favors produced a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, two blocks and one steal. Lonzo Ball mustered eight points and 15 assists.

The Pelicans will continue without Kenrich Williams (knee) for Tuesday's game.

The Cavaliers (13-34) haven't been anywhere as successful as their opponents recently, as they finally snapped an extended seven-game losing streak with a 115-100 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. Collin Sexton led the way with 23 points, adding five assists and three rebounds. Kevin Love delivered 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Tristan Thompson generated a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one assist. Alfonzo McKinnie compiled 15 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Larry Nance, Jr. supplied 10 points, five boards, three assists, two blocks and one steal.

The Cavaliers will be without Brandon Knight (knee) and Ante Zizic (illness) for Tuesday's game.

Tuesday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Pelicans swept the two-game 2018-19 season series from the Cavaliers.
January 1,2020 at 7:30 PM
1/28/2020 7:30 PM
Raptors Look To Build On Seven-Game Winning Streak
The Toronto Raptors play host to the Atlanta Hawks at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday evening.

The Raptors (32-14) have won eight of their last 10 games, including their last seven in a row. This marks their first game back home after a 2-0 road trip. The Raptors have won two in a row at home and will look to build on their 16-7 home record. Pascal Siakam leads the team with 23.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, Kyle Lowry is averaging 20.0 points, 7.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Norman Powell continues to play well, averaging 17.6 points on 48 percent shooting, over the last five games. The Raptors average 112.0 points per game, and they are holding their opponents to an average of 106.0 points per game. They also hold opponents to 42.8 percent shooting, which is second lowest in the league. The Raptors are shooting 37.5 percent from long range, which is fourth best in the league.

Meanwhile, the Hawks (12-35) have dropped six of their last 10 games but are coming off a, 152-133, home win over the Wizards, in their most recent contest. Trae Young led the team with 45 points, 14 assists and six rebounds, in the win, and he is averaging 29.5 points, 8.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. John Collins has been playing well lately and is averaging 19..4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, over the last 10 games. Kevin Huerter is averaging 12.2 points, while shooting 43.6 percent from long range, over the last 10 games. The Hawks are shooting 32.5 percent from long range, which is second worst in the league. They average 23.1 assists per game and a league-worst 16.2 turnovers per game. The Hawks average 108.7 points per game and are giving up an average of 117.8 points against, which is second most in the league.
January 1,2020 at 8:00 PM
1/28/2020 8:00 PM
Celtics and Heat Tangle in South Florida
The Boston Celtics take on the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night.

The Celtics (30-15) come into Tuesday's conference showdown having just seen a three-game winning streak snapped by the New Orleans Pelicans , which toppled them by a 123-108 score on Sunday evening. Kemba Walker led the way for Boston with 35 points, adding five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Gordon Hayward supplied 23 points, six boards, two assists and one steal. Jaylen Brown poured in 20 points and added two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Daniel Theis delivered 15 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks.

The Celtics will list Javonte Green (knee) as questionable and Jayson Tatum (groin) as doubtful for Tuesday's game. Enes Kanter (hip) and Robert Williams III (hip) will remain out.

The Heat (32-14) continue to rank as one of the NBA's most dominant home teams, as they'll enter Tuesday's contest having won three of their past four games, all home victories. Their most recent success came at the expense of the Orlando Magic, which they toppled by a 113-92 score Monday night. Duncan Robinson paced the Heat with 21 points, complementing them with five rebounds and one assist. Bam Adebayo stepped up with a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. Jimmy Butler collected 19 points, seven assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Goran Dragic registered 14 points and five assists. Tyler Herro poured in 13 points and added four rebounds, one assist and three blocks.

The Heat will likely list Kendrick Nunn (Achilles) as questionable at best for Tuesday's game. Justise Winslow (back) will remain out.

Tuesday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Celtics own a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 112-93 win Dec. 4.
January 1,2020 at 8:00 PM
1/28/2020 8:00 PM
Wizards and Bucks Battle in Tuesday Night Clash
The Washington Wizards take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night.

The Wizards (15-30) come into Tuesday's matchup against one of the league's elite in relatively poor form, as they've dropped five of their last seven games. Their most recent stumble was a significant one, as they were throttled by the Atlanta Hawks, 152-133, Sunday evening. Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 40 points, adding six assists, three rebounds and one steal. Troy Brown, Jr. delivered 19 points, three rebounds and two assists. Jordan McRae and Davis Bertans turned in 12 points apiece while adding seven and five rebounds, respectively. Thomas Bryant provided 11 points and five boards. Isaiah Thomas and Ish Smith poured in 10 points each while posting three rebounds and three assists, respectively.

The Wizards project to remain without Rui Hachimura (groin), Moritz Wagner (ankle) and Garrison Mathews (ankle) for Tuesday's game. Isaac Bonga (mouth) and Jordan McRae (ankle) will be listed as questionable.

The Bucks (40-6) are in exponentially better shape than their opponent, as Milwaukee will come into Tuesday's game with an NBA-best record and eight straight victories. Their success can't even be contained to the North American continent, as their most recent triumph came against the Charlotte Hornets by a 116-103 score Friday afternoon. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with a 30-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included six assists and one block. Eric Bledsoe followed with 20 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. George Hill provided 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Khris Middleton supplied 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Brook Lopez delivered 12 points, two rebounds, one assist and two blocks.

The Bucks will list Hill (hamstring) as probable for Tuesday's game.

Tuesday's contest marks the first of four meetings between the teams this season. The Bucks won the three-game 2018-19 season series by a 2-1 margin.
January 1,2020 at 8:00 PM
1/28/2020 8:00 PM
Grizzlies Host Nuggets on Tuesday
The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Denver Nuggets at FedEx Forum on Tuesday.

The Nuggets (32-14) come into this matchup winning their last two games which is quite the miracle when you peek into the training room. This club is currently without Paul Millsap, Jamal Murray and Mason Plumlee while also dealing with minor ailments from Gary Harris and Michael Porter Jr. The good news is that the latter two players are back now and it finally gives this team some depth after playing without all five of those players last week. In their absences, Will Barton and Nikola Jokic have been balling out which is all fans could ask for. The thing that's made this team different from past years is their defense, ranked fifth in points allowed. That's an uncommon trend for a Nuggets team and it has them in their best spot in quite some time.

The Grizzlies (22-24) are one of the most exciting teams in the NBA right now and it's amazing just how good this young team looks. They enter this matchup winning nine of their last 11 games which have catapulted them up to the eight-seed in the Western Conference. This is a club many people expected to improve this season but no one could have seen this coming. Ja Morant has come in and engraved his name on to the Rookie of the Year trophy while Jaren Jackson Jr is in consideration for Most Improved Player of the Year. Both of those guys are below the age of 22 and it has this franchise in a great spot for the future. If they can add one more quality veteran or stud youngster to the equation, this could be a team to fear for the next decade.

Denver swept the two-game season series over Memphis last year. That now gives them seven wins in their last nine appearances against Memphis dating back three years.
January 1,2020 at 8:30 PM
1/28/2020 8:30 PM
Mavericks Host Suns on Tuesday
The Phoenix Suns travel to Texas to face the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Tuesday.

The Suns (19-27) enter this matchup losing three of their last four games and they're losing ground on the eight-seed in the west. The team that they need to catch is the Memphis Grizzlies, who own a 22-24 record. That means that they can catch them with a winning streak but this team hasn't shown that they can maintain one of those this season. What makes that really frustrating is the fact that this club can match up with anyone in terms of talent. DeAndre Ayton and Devin Booker are one of the best duos in the NBA while Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre Jr are valuable pieces in their own right. That makes them one of the most dangerous teams but we need to start seeing results rather than playing the on-paper game.

The Mavericks (29-17) have been a strange club this season, performing better on the road than at home. That's something you rarely see from an NBA team and it's hard to understand why when looking at this club's record. What's made them so good is their offense, ranked first in the NBA in offensive efficiency. That's truly amazing to be ahead of teams like the Lakers and Bucks, showing just how special the conductor is. Luka Doncic happens to be the guy holding the baton and it's incredible what this 20-year-old is doing this season. He leads the team with 29 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game which has him in MVP discussions as well. It's hard to believe that someone who's 20-years-old is doing that but it's even scarier to think that he's only going to get better as he develops.

Dallas won the first meeting between these teams, 120-113, on November 29. That gave the Mavs three-straight wins over the Suns, despite the fact that Phoenix won the previous seven games over Dallas before that.
January 1,2020 at 10:00 PM
1/28/2020 10:00 PM
Lakers/Clippers Postponed After Death of Kobe Bryant
The Clippers-Lakers game scheduled for Tuesday at Staples Center was postponed following the death of Kobe Bryant on Sunday. The game will be rescheduled at a later day.