Pelicans Look To Continue Momentum At Home
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday evening.
The Pelicans (20-30) are coming off a hard-fought loss in Houston in their most recent contest, but they have won six of their last 10 games. They have won two in a row at home and look to build on their 10-15 home record. The Pelicans average 115.1 points per game, which is sixth most in the league, but they are giving up an average of 117.1 points against, which is third most in the league. They are giving up an average of 15.4 turnovers per game, which is third most in the league, but they do a good job sharing the ball, averaging 25.7 assists per game. Brandon Ingram leads the Pelicans with 24.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Lonzo Ball continues to play well, averaging 11.3 points, 9.5 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, over the last 10 games. Zion Williamson has been great since his debut and is averaging 19.5 points and 8.2 rebounds, over six games played.
Meanwhile, the Bucks (42-7) have won nine of their last 10 games. Their one loss came at home against the Nuggets, but they managed to bounce back with a win in their most recent contest. The Bucks have won their last five road games and come into Tuesday's contest with a league-best 19-4 road record. The Bucks average a league-high 120.0 points per game, and they are holding their opponents to an average of 107.6 points per game. They also lead the league in rebounding, with 51.7 rebounds per game, and they average 26.3 assists per game, which is fourth most in the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks with 30.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Khris Middleton is averaging 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, while Eric Bledsoe is averaging 15.4 points, 5.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.
The Pelicans (20-30) are coming off a hard-fought loss in Houston in their most recent contest, but they have won six of their last 10 games. They have won two in a row at home and look to build on their 10-15 home record. The Pelicans average 115.1 points per game, which is sixth most in the league, but they are giving up an average of 117.1 points against, which is third most in the league. They are giving up an average of 15.4 turnovers per game, which is third most in the league, but they do a good job sharing the ball, averaging 25.7 assists per game. Brandon Ingram leads the Pelicans with 24.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Lonzo Ball continues to play well, averaging 11.3 points, 9.5 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, over the last 10 games. Zion Williamson has been great since his debut and is averaging 19.5 points and 8.2 rebounds, over six games played.
Meanwhile, the Bucks (42-7) have won nine of their last 10 games. Their one loss came at home against the Nuggets, but they managed to bounce back with a win in their most recent contest. The Bucks have won their last five road games and come into Tuesday's contest with a league-best 19-4 road record. The Bucks average a league-high 120.0 points per game, and they are holding their opponents to an average of 107.6 points per game. They also lead the league in rebounding, with 51.7 rebounds per game, and they average 26.3 assists per game, which is fourth most in the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks with 30.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Khris Middleton is averaging 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, while Eric Bledsoe is averaging 15.4 points, 5.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Hornets and Rockets Tangle in Interconference Clash
The Charlotte Hornets take on the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Tuesday night.
The Hornets (16-34) check into Tuesday's contest in the midst of another spiral, as they've dropped 11 of their last 12 games. Their most recent stumble came against the Orlando Magic, which bested them by a 112-100 score Monday night. Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 18 points, complementing them with three rebounds and two assists. Cody Zeller followed with 17 points and supplemented them with seven boards, two assists and one steal. Miles Bridges delivered 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Devonte' Graham checked in with 15 points, five assists, one rebound and one steal. Cody Martin collected 13 points, eight boards, three assists and three steals, while Malik Monk registered 11 points, five boards, four assists and one steal.
The Hornets will likely list PJ Washington (ankle) as no better than questionable for Tuesday's contest.
The Rockets (31-18) come into Tuesday's game in exponentially better shape than their opponents, as they've prevailed in five of their last seven contests. Their most recent success was at the expense of the New Orleans Pelicans, which they edged by a 117-109 score Sunday afternoon. James Harden led the way for Houston with a 40-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included nine assists and two blocks. Russell Westbrook and Ben McLemore posted matching 22-point tallies, with Westbrook also compiling seven assists, six rebounds and one steal. Danuel House, Jr. turned in a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one steal.
The Rockets will list Westbrook (thumb) as doubtful for Tuesday's game, while Austin Rivers (illness) is likely to carry a questionable tag. Clint Capela (heel) and Gerald Green (foot) will remain out.
Tuesday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Rockets swept the two-game 2018-19 season series from the Hornets.
The Hornets (16-34) check into Tuesday's contest in the midst of another spiral, as they've dropped 11 of their last 12 games. Their most recent stumble came against the Orlando Magic, which bested them by a 112-100 score Monday night. Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 18 points, complementing them with three rebounds and two assists. Cody Zeller followed with 17 points and supplemented them with seven boards, two assists and one steal. Miles Bridges delivered 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Devonte' Graham checked in with 15 points, five assists, one rebound and one steal. Cody Martin collected 13 points, eight boards, three assists and three steals, while Malik Monk registered 11 points, five boards, four assists and one steal.
The Hornets will likely list PJ Washington (ankle) as no better than questionable for Tuesday's contest.
The Rockets (31-18) come into Tuesday's game in exponentially better shape than their opponents, as they've prevailed in five of their last seven contests. Their most recent success was at the expense of the New Orleans Pelicans, which they edged by a 117-109 score Sunday afternoon. James Harden led the way for Houston with a 40-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included nine assists and two blocks. Russell Westbrook and Ben McLemore posted matching 22-point tallies, with Westbrook also compiling seven assists, six rebounds and one steal. Danuel House, Jr. turned in a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included one assist and one steal.
The Rockets will list Westbrook (thumb) as doubtful for Tuesday's game, while Austin Rivers (illness) is likely to carry a questionable tag. Clint Capela (heel) and Gerald Green (foot) will remain out.
Tuesday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Rockets swept the two-game 2018-19 season series from the Hornets.
Nuggets Host Streaking Trail Blazers
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at Pepsi Center on Tuesday evening.
The Nuggets (34-16) have won six of their last 10 games, but they are coming off an overtime loss in Detroit, in their most recent contest. They have won two in a row at home and look to continue building on their impressive 19-6 home record. Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets with 20.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. Will Barton is averaging 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Monte Morris has been playing well lately, averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, over the last 10 games. Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) and Paul Millsap (knee) will miss Tuesday's action, while Jamal Murray (ankle) remains questionable for action. The Nuggets score an average of 109.8 points per game, and they are holding opponents to an average of 106.5 points per game, which is fifth fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers (23-27) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last four in a row. They are 2-2 in their last four road games and look to build on their 10-16 road record. Damian Lillard has been on fire lately, averaging 41.6 points on 52.8 percent shooting, including 50 percent from long range, over the last 10 games. Hassan Whiteside continues to play well, averaging 16.6 points, 14.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game, over the last 10 games. Trevor Ariza has been solid since joining the Trail Blazers and is averaging 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals, over the last five games. The Trail Blazers are averaging 113.5 points per game, but they are giving up an average of 114.7 points against, which is sixth most in the league. They are shooting 45.7 percent from the field, including 36.8 percent from long range, which is seventh best in the league.
The Nuggets (34-16) have won six of their last 10 games, but they are coming off an overtime loss in Detroit, in their most recent contest. They have won two in a row at home and look to continue building on their impressive 19-6 home record. Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets with 20.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. Will Barton is averaging 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Monte Morris has been playing well lately, averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, over the last 10 games. Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) and Paul Millsap (knee) will miss Tuesday's action, while Jamal Murray (ankle) remains questionable for action. The Nuggets score an average of 109.8 points per game, and they are holding opponents to an average of 106.5 points per game, which is fifth fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers (23-27) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last four in a row. They are 2-2 in their last four road games and look to build on their 10-16 road record. Damian Lillard has been on fire lately, averaging 41.6 points on 52.8 percent shooting, including 50 percent from long range, over the last 10 games. Hassan Whiteside continues to play well, averaging 16.6 points, 14.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game, over the last 10 games. Trevor Ariza has been solid since joining the Trail Blazers and is averaging 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals, over the last five games. The Trail Blazers are averaging 113.5 points per game, but they are giving up an average of 114.7 points against, which is sixth most in the league. They are shooting 45.7 percent from the field, including 36.8 percent from long range, which is seventh best in the league.
Lakers Host Spurs on Tuesday
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on Tuesday.
The Spurs (22-27) have a 10-9 record over their last 19 games played but they've been playing much better than that record would indicate. In fact, they have wins over Boston, Milwaukee, Utah, Miami and Toronto in that stretch while only having two losses to teams below .500 in that same span. That's a death row of a schedule and it means that easier games are on the horizon. An easier schedule is just what the doctor ordered too, with the Spurs sitting just three games back of the Memphis Grizzlies in eighth. They do have to finish their rodeo road trip though over the next week but it should be smooth sailing after that. Making the playoffs is a huge deal for this proud organization too that has people thinking that they won't make any moves at the fast-approaching trade deadline.
The Lakers (37-11) have hit a bit of a skid recently, entering this matchup with a 4-4 record over their last eight games played. Calling that a slump shows just how good this team has been this season though, with the Lakers sitting atop the Western Conference. The recent slide is really no big deal when you look at the games, facing Boston and Philly on the road while having to deal with a scorching-hot Damian Lillard. That has Los Angeles fans far from worried and it's just a matter of time before they rip off a lengthy winning streak yet again. The thing that makes them so scary is the fact that they're dominant on both ends of the floor, ranked seventh in both points scored and points allowed. They're one of two clubs in the NBA who have that designation and it has them as one of the biggest championships favorites this season.
These teams have played twice this season, with Los Angeles winning both meetings. That gives the Lakers seven wins in their last 10 meetings with the Spurs in total.
The Spurs (22-27) have a 10-9 record over their last 19 games played but they've been playing much better than that record would indicate. In fact, they have wins over Boston, Milwaukee, Utah, Miami and Toronto in that stretch while only having two losses to teams below .500 in that same span. That's a death row of a schedule and it means that easier games are on the horizon. An easier schedule is just what the doctor ordered too, with the Spurs sitting just three games back of the Memphis Grizzlies in eighth. They do have to finish their rodeo road trip though over the next week but it should be smooth sailing after that. Making the playoffs is a huge deal for this proud organization too that has people thinking that they won't make any moves at the fast-approaching trade deadline.
The Lakers (37-11) have hit a bit of a skid recently, entering this matchup with a 4-4 record over their last eight games played. Calling that a slump shows just how good this team has been this season though, with the Lakers sitting atop the Western Conference. The recent slide is really no big deal when you look at the games, facing Boston and Philly on the road while having to deal with a scorching-hot Damian Lillard. That has Los Angeles fans far from worried and it's just a matter of time before they rip off a lengthy winning streak yet again. The thing that makes them so scary is the fact that they're dominant on both ends of the floor, ranked seventh in both points scored and points allowed. They're one of two clubs in the NBA who have that designation and it has them as one of the biggest championships favorites this season.
These teams have played twice this season, with Los Angeles winning both meetings. That gives the Lakers seven wins in their last 10 meetings with the Spurs in total.