Magic Heads North to Battle Raptors
The Orlando Magic takes on the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Magic (27-33) were one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the All-Star break, forging a 7-1 record over the last eight games before the layoff. However, they started their stretch run with a loss, as Orlando dropped a narrow 110-109 decision to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Evan Fournier paced the Magic with 22 points and complemented them with five assists and three rebounds. Nikola Vucevic generated a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included seven assists, two steals and two blocks. Aaron Gordon produced 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Terrence Ross poured in 15 points and also hauled in seven rebounds and dished out one assist. D.J. Augustin contributed 14 points, five boards and five dimes. Isaiah Briscoe delivered 10 points, three assists and two rebounds.
The Magic will continue to be without Markelle Fultz (shoulder), Mo Bamba (knee) and Timofey Mozgov (knee) on Sunday.
Like their opponents, the Raptors (44-16) also entered the All-Star break on a red-hot stretch of play, as they'd rattled off six straight wins heading into the annual week-long pause in the regular season. Toronto was just able to extend that streak to seven Friday night upon resuming play, as they edged the San Antonio Spurs by a 120-117 margin. Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 25 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. One of his swipes was a critical one against DeMar DeRozan in the closing minute to help spark a comeback. Pascal Siakam was a close second with 22 points and also posted six assists, three rebounds and two steals. Kyle Lowry and Danny Green mustered 17 points apiece. Serge Ibaka had a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included two assists and a block. Jeremy Lin led the bench with 11 points.
The Raptors will continue to be without Fred VanVleet (thumb) for Sunday's game.
Sunday's contest marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The series is tied 1-1, with the Raptors notching a 93-91 victory on Nov. 20 and the Magic answering with a 116-87 win on Dec. 28.
The Magic (27-33) were one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the All-Star break, forging a 7-1 record over the last eight games before the layoff. However, they started their stretch run with a loss, as Orlando dropped a narrow 110-109 decision to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Evan Fournier paced the Magic with 22 points and complemented them with five assists and three rebounds. Nikola Vucevic generated a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included seven assists, two steals and two blocks. Aaron Gordon produced 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Terrence Ross poured in 15 points and also hauled in seven rebounds and dished out one assist. D.J. Augustin contributed 14 points, five boards and five dimes. Isaiah Briscoe delivered 10 points, three assists and two rebounds.
The Magic will continue to be without Markelle Fultz (shoulder), Mo Bamba (knee) and Timofey Mozgov (knee) on Sunday.
Like their opponents, the Raptors (44-16) also entered the All-Star break on a red-hot stretch of play, as they'd rattled off six straight wins heading into the annual week-long pause in the regular season. Toronto was just able to extend that streak to seven Friday night upon resuming play, as they edged the San Antonio Spurs by a 120-117 margin. Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 25 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. One of his swipes was a critical one against DeMar DeRozan in the closing minute to help spark a comeback. Pascal Siakam was a close second with 22 points and also posted six assists, three rebounds and two steals. Kyle Lowry and Danny Green mustered 17 points apiece. Serge Ibaka had a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included two assists and a block. Jeremy Lin led the bench with 11 points.
The Raptors will continue to be without Fred VanVleet (thumb) for Sunday's game.
Sunday's contest marks the third of four meetings between the teams this season. The series is tied 1-1, with the Raptors notching a 93-91 victory on Nov. 20 and the Magic answering with a 116-87 win on Dec. 28.
Nuggets Host Clippers on Friday
The Los Angeles Clippers travel to Colorado to play the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on Sunday.
The Clippers (33-27) own an 8-5 record across their last 13 games, as they're desperately trying to hold on to that eight-seed in the Western Conference. What makes it even tougher is the fact that Tobias Harris has been shipped off to Philly, as that's 20 points and 10 rebounds that need to be made up from a roster that's lacking playmakers. Players like Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams have been superb but one has to wonder if that's enough to compete in this tough Western Conference. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves are all within three games of the Clippers and many believe Los Angeles can't hold up after that trade with all the talent that those other three teams possess.
The Nuggets (40-18) had an ugly three-game road slide right before the all-star break but have been stellar aside from that. In fact, Denver had won the other nine fixtures across their last 12 games, as that three-game slide was obviously just a blip on the radar. It came at the perfect time too, as it appears that the all-star break has re-juiced their batteries. What's wild about this team is how much depth they possess, as they're trying to manage six guards right now. With Isiah Thomas, Will Barton, and Gary Harris all back and healthy, it's made Mike Malone do some serious work. He has to figure out how to implement those guys into the rotation with players like Monte' Morris, Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley playing some excellent ball as well. Paul Millsap returning to his all-star form has been a pleasant surprise too, as he's got back-to-back double-doubles in his last two outings. If they can get that sort of play from him with Nikola Jokic playing at an MVP level and all these guards performing, this club is one to fear in the postseason.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Denver prevailing in two of three. They've all been relatively lopsided scorelines, with each game being decided by an average of 17 points per game.
The Clippers (33-27) own an 8-5 record across their last 13 games, as they're desperately trying to hold on to that eight-seed in the Western Conference. What makes it even tougher is the fact that Tobias Harris has been shipped off to Philly, as that's 20 points and 10 rebounds that need to be made up from a roster that's lacking playmakers. Players like Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams have been superb but one has to wonder if that's enough to compete in this tough Western Conference. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves are all within three games of the Clippers and many believe Los Angeles can't hold up after that trade with all the talent that those other three teams possess.
The Nuggets (40-18) had an ugly three-game road slide right before the all-star break but have been stellar aside from that. In fact, Denver had won the other nine fixtures across their last 12 games, as that three-game slide was obviously just a blip on the radar. It came at the perfect time too, as it appears that the all-star break has re-juiced their batteries. What's wild about this team is how much depth they possess, as they're trying to manage six guards right now. With Isiah Thomas, Will Barton, and Gary Harris all back and healthy, it's made Mike Malone do some serious work. He has to figure out how to implement those guys into the rotation with players like Monte' Morris, Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley playing some excellent ball as well. Paul Millsap returning to his all-star form has been a pleasant surprise too, as he's got back-to-back double-doubles in his last two outings. If they can get that sort of play from him with Nikola Jokic playing at an MVP level and all these guards performing, this club is one to fear in the postseason.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with Denver prevailing in two of three. They've all been relatively lopsided scorelines, with each game being decided by an average of 17 points per game.
Knicks Look To Avoid 19th Straight Home Loss
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks play host to the San Antonio Spurs, at Madison Square Garden on Sunday evening.
This marks the second game of a four-game home stand for the Knicks (11-48), which began with a loss to the Timberwolves on Friday. The Knicks are 1-19 in their last 20 games, and sit comfortably in last place in the East. They have dropped a remarkable 18 games in a row at home, dating back to December 1st, when they beat the Bucks, and have a home record of 4-24 on the season. Nonetheless, Dennis Smith Jr. has looked good since joining the team, averaging 15.8 points, 6.1 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals, in 30 minutes per game. Kevin Knox has been playing well lately and is improving on his averages of 12.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. The Knicks give up an average of 114.0 points per game, which is sixth worst in the league.
Meanwhile, this marks the seventh game of an eight-game road trip for the Spurs (33-27) dating back to before the all-star break, on February 4th, where they lost in Sacramento. The Spurs are just 1-5 so far on the trip, and are coming off a hard-fought loss in Toronto on Friday, which marked their first game after the all-star break. It also marked DeMar DeRozan's first return to Toronto since being traded in the offseason. DeRozan played well, with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block. LaMarcus Aldridge was quiet in the loss, with six points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Spurs are 5-5 in their last 10 games overall and need to earn a win to maintain an advantage in the super-competitive West.
This marks the second game of a four-game home stand for the Knicks (11-48), which began with a loss to the Timberwolves on Friday. The Knicks are 1-19 in their last 20 games, and sit comfortably in last place in the East. They have dropped a remarkable 18 games in a row at home, dating back to December 1st, when they beat the Bucks, and have a home record of 4-24 on the season. Nonetheless, Dennis Smith Jr. has looked good since joining the team, averaging 15.8 points, 6.1 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals, in 30 minutes per game. Kevin Knox has been playing well lately and is improving on his averages of 12.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. The Knicks give up an average of 114.0 points per game, which is sixth worst in the league.
Meanwhile, this marks the seventh game of an eight-game road trip for the Spurs (33-27) dating back to before the all-star break, on February 4th, where they lost in Sacramento. The Spurs are just 1-5 so far on the trip, and are coming off a hard-fought loss in Toronto on Friday, which marked their first game after the all-star break. It also marked DeMar DeRozan's first return to Toronto since being traded in the offseason. DeRozan played well, with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block. LaMarcus Aldridge was quiet in the loss, with six points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Spurs are 5-5 in their last 10 games overall and need to earn a win to maintain an advantage in the super-competitive West.