Surging Pacers Host Struggling Cavaliers
The Indiana Pacers play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
The Cavaliers (7-23) actually have five wins in their last 14 games, which is probably their best stretch of the season. That shows just how much this team has fallen off though, as they're a shell of the Eastern Conference champs from the last few years. Losing LeBron James and Kyrie Irving is enough reason why but it's even easier to understand why when you notice that their top-scorer and top-rebounder are injured as well. That happens to be Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, as neither of those players are expected to return back for another month. That means these young players have to pick up the pace and they've done an admirable job thus far. Players like Collin Sexton, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson are all playing above expectations and fans have to hope this is the core of the future. It's still not good enough to win games at this level but promise is all fans can hope for with the roller coaster this franchise has gone through over recent years.
The Pacers (20-10) come into this matchup in the midst of a seven-game winning streak, as they appear to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The return of Victor Oladipo can't be overlooked either, as he provided 26 points. eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals in the most recent win over the New York Knicks. That's the Oladipo that fans became accustomed to last season and it's a beautiful sign that the pieces around him are performing too. Players like Darren Collison, Thaddeus Young and Myles Turner all found their form in the weeks that Oladipo sat out and it's gotten this team right where they want to be. Having all of these players playing at top form is what's scary, as they have one of the best starting units in the league.
Indiana won their one game over Cleveland earlier this season, 119-107, on October 27. That marked their fourth win in their last five games against Cleveland.
The Cavaliers (7-23) actually have five wins in their last 14 games, which is probably their best stretch of the season. That shows just how much this team has fallen off though, as they're a shell of the Eastern Conference champs from the last few years. Losing LeBron James and Kyrie Irving is enough reason why but it's even easier to understand why when you notice that their top-scorer and top-rebounder are injured as well. That happens to be Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, as neither of those players are expected to return back for another month. That means these young players have to pick up the pace and they've done an admirable job thus far. Players like Collin Sexton, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson are all playing above expectations and fans have to hope this is the core of the future. It's still not good enough to win games at this level but promise is all fans can hope for with the roller coaster this franchise has gone through over recent years.
The Pacers (20-10) come into this matchup in the midst of a seven-game winning streak, as they appear to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The return of Victor Oladipo can't be overlooked either, as he provided 26 points. eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals in the most recent win over the New York Knicks. That's the Oladipo that fans became accustomed to last season and it's a beautiful sign that the pieces around him are performing too. Players like Darren Collison, Thaddeus Young and Myles Turner all found their form in the weeks that Oladipo sat out and it's gotten this team right where they want to be. Having all of these players playing at top form is what's scary, as they have one of the best starting units in the league.
Indiana won their one game over Cleveland earlier this season, 119-107, on October 27. That marked their fourth win in their last five games against Cleveland.
Hawks Looking To End Three-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks play host to the Washington Wizards, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Hawks (6-23) have dropped seven of their last 10 games, including their last three in a row, as they sit dead last in the Eastern Conference. This marks the first game back home after a winless three-game road trip for the Hawks, who will again step out on the road for a two-game trip after their clash with the Wizards. The Hawks were victorious in their last home game, and are 4-9 at home this season. Trae Young has been just about the only bright spot got the struggling Hawks this season, as he is averaging 15.4 points, 7.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds so far in his rookie campaign. Kent Bazemore has had a decent season so far, averaging 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Taurean Prince (ankle) has not played since December 3rd, and remains questionable for action on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, despite their star power, the Wizards (12-18) have not been able to get anything consistent going yet this season, as they are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and sit 11th place in the East, 2.5 games behind eighth. This marks the first game of a two-game trip for the Wizards, who have lost three straight on the road and are 4-12 on the road this season. The Wizards' last road win actually came in Atlanta on December 5th, which was the last meeting between the two teams. John Wall continues to put up big numbers, including 40 points, 14 assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in his last outing, and is averaging 21.5 points, 8.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Bradley Beal is also playing at a high level, averaging a team-best 23.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
The Hawks (6-23) have dropped seven of their last 10 games, including their last three in a row, as they sit dead last in the Eastern Conference. This marks the first game back home after a winless three-game road trip for the Hawks, who will again step out on the road for a two-game trip after their clash with the Wizards. The Hawks were victorious in their last home game, and are 4-9 at home this season. Trae Young has been just about the only bright spot got the struggling Hawks this season, as he is averaging 15.4 points, 7.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds so far in his rookie campaign. Kent Bazemore has had a decent season so far, averaging 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Taurean Prince (ankle) has not played since December 3rd, and remains questionable for action on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, despite their star power, the Wizards (12-18) have not been able to get anything consistent going yet this season, as they are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and sit 11th place in the East, 2.5 games behind eighth. This marks the first game of a two-game trip for the Wizards, who have lost three straight on the road and are 4-12 on the road this season. The Wizards' last road win actually came in Atlanta on December 5th, which was the last meeting between the two teams. John Wall continues to put up big numbers, including 40 points, 14 assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in his last outing, and is averaging 21.5 points, 8.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Bradley Beal is also playing at a high level, averaging a team-best 23.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
Lakers and Nets Clash In Big Apple Battle
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
The Lakers (18-12) continue to be much more inconsistent outside of California, and accordingly, they'll come into Tuesday's game with a 1-2 record on their current road trip. Their most recent stumble came Sunday evening, when they dropped a 128-110 decision to the Washington Wizards, a game in which they already trailed by 20 at halftime. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the way with 25 points, which he supplemented with six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Kyle Kuzma followed with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. LeBron James struggled to get to 13 points on 5-for-16 shooting, adding six rebounds, three assists and one block. Lance Stephenson and Moritz Wagner provided 12 points apiece, while Lonzo Ball offered 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
The Lakers will continue to be without Rajon Rondo (hand) and Brandon Ingram (ankle) on Tuesday. JaVale McGee (illness) and Michael Beasley (personal) will be questionable after both missed Sunday's game.
The Nets (13-18) have been all over the map this season, but they'll ride into Tuesday's contest on an impressive five-game winning streak, with Brooklyn scoring no less than 125 in any of the last three. Their most recent victory was the most impressive of that sample, as they blasted the Atlanta Hawks by a 144-127 score on Sunday. D'Angelo Russell paced the Nets with 32 points, a total he supplemented with seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson totaled 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Joe Harris and Jared Dudley mustered matching 16-point efforts. DeMarre Carroll and Spencer Dinwiddie each netted 15-point contributions.
The Nets will list Allen Crabbe (knee) as questionable for Tuesday's game and will be without Caris LeVert (foot) and Treveon Graham (hamstring).
The Lakers swept the two-game season series between the teams during the 2017-18 campaign.
The Lakers (18-12) continue to be much more inconsistent outside of California, and accordingly, they'll come into Tuesday's game with a 1-2 record on their current road trip. Their most recent stumble came Sunday evening, when they dropped a 128-110 decision to the Washington Wizards, a game in which they already trailed by 20 at halftime. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the way with 25 points, which he supplemented with six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Kyle Kuzma followed with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. LeBron James struggled to get to 13 points on 5-for-16 shooting, adding six rebounds, three assists and one block. Lance Stephenson and Moritz Wagner provided 12 points apiece, while Lonzo Ball offered 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
The Lakers will continue to be without Rajon Rondo (hand) and Brandon Ingram (ankle) on Tuesday. JaVale McGee (illness) and Michael Beasley (personal) will be questionable after both missed Sunday's game.
The Nets (13-18) have been all over the map this season, but they'll ride into Tuesday's contest on an impressive five-game winning streak, with Brooklyn scoring no less than 125 in any of the last three. Their most recent victory was the most impressive of that sample, as they blasted the Atlanta Hawks by a 144-127 score on Sunday. D'Angelo Russell paced the Nets with 32 points, a total he supplemented with seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson totaled 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Joe Harris and Jared Dudley mustered matching 16-point efforts. DeMarre Carroll and Spencer Dinwiddie each netted 15-point contributions.
The Nets will list Allen Crabbe (knee) as questionable for Tuesday's game and will be without Caris LeVert (foot) and Treveon Graham (hamstring).
The Lakers swept the two-game season series between the teams during the 2017-18 campaign.
Mavericks Visit First-Place Nuggets
By Oscar Heanue
The Dallas Mavericks will visit the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on Tuesday evening.
Dallas (15-13) currently owns the ninth-best record in the Western Conference, sitting just half a game back of the eight seeded Portland Trail Blazers. The team has had an up-and-down season thus far, a trend that has carried into the month of December. The Mavericks have dropped two straight games, but had won five of six prior to that. Much of the team's turnaround from its lottery finish last season can be attributed to rookie sensation Luka Doncic. The 19-year-old Euro product is leading Dallas with 18.2 points per game and is also dishing out 4.6 assists.
Denver (20-9) is fresh off a big win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday evening. The Nuggets, despite injuries to Gary Harris (hip), Will Barton (hip), and Paul Millsap (toe) took down the top team in the Eastern Conference and have maintained first place in the Western Conference standings. On Sunday, the team showed off its top-five defense, holding the Raptors to just 86 points on 40.7 percent shooting. Offensively, the duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray got the job done for Denver. Jokic scored 26 points, while Murray came back from a poor 1-of-8 start to the night, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter to help clinch the win for his team.
Dallas (15-13) currently owns the ninth-best record in the Western Conference, sitting just half a game back of the eight seeded Portland Trail Blazers. The team has had an up-and-down season thus far, a trend that has carried into the month of December. The Mavericks have dropped two straight games, but had won five of six prior to that. Much of the team's turnaround from its lottery finish last season can be attributed to rookie sensation Luka Doncic. The 19-year-old Euro product is leading Dallas with 18.2 points per game and is also dishing out 4.6 assists.
Denver (20-9) is fresh off a big win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday evening. The Nuggets, despite injuries to Gary Harris (hip), Will Barton (hip), and Paul Millsap (toe) took down the top team in the Eastern Conference and have maintained first place in the Western Conference standings. On Sunday, the team showed off its top-five defense, holding the Raptors to just 86 points on 40.7 percent shooting. Offensively, the duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray got the job done for Denver. Jokic scored 26 points, while Murray came back from a poor 1-of-8 start to the night, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter to help clinch the win for his team.