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Jazz and Pelicans Battle in Big Easy
The Utah Jazz take on the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Monday night.
The Jazz (27-7) continue to boast the league's best record, but they'll enter Monday's matchup with just a 3-2 mark over their last five games. Their most recent time on the floor did result in one of those three victories, as they toppled the Orlando Magic by a 124-109 score Saturday night. Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points, complementing them with six assists and four rebounds. Jordan Clarkson supplied 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Joe Ingles registered 17 points, seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Georges Niang managed 13 points, two boards and one assist. Rudy Gobert generated a 12-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included three assists, two blocks and one steal. Bojan Bogdanovic and Derrick Favors posted 10 points each while pulling down three and six rebounds, respectively.
The Jazz will come into Monday night's game without any injuries to report.
The Pelicans (14-19) have found wins to be at a premium recently, as they'll head into Monday's game having dropped seven of their last 10 games. Their most recent stumble unfolded Saturday night, when they dropped a narrow 117-114 decision to the San Antonio Spurs. Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 29 points, adding five assists and four rebounds. Zion Williamson generated a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included five assists and one block. Eric Bledsoe supplied 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Lonzo Ball turned in 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. Willy Hernangomez delivered 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
The Pelicans will list JJ Redick (hamstring) as questionable for Monday's contest.
Monday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Jazz hold a 2-0 series lead, having notched 118-102 and 129-118 wins on Jan. 19 and Jan. 21, respectively.
The Jazz (27-7) continue to boast the league's best record, but they'll enter Monday's matchup with just a 3-2 mark over their last five games. Their most recent time on the floor did result in one of those three victories, as they toppled the Orlando Magic by a 124-109 score Saturday night. Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points, complementing them with six assists and four rebounds. Jordan Clarkson supplied 18 points, six rebounds and five assists. Joe Ingles registered 17 points, seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. Georges Niang managed 13 points, two boards and one assist. Rudy Gobert generated a 12-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included three assists, two blocks and one steal. Bojan Bogdanovic and Derrick Favors posted 10 points each while pulling down three and six rebounds, respectively.
The Jazz will come into Monday night's game without any injuries to report.
The Pelicans (14-19) have found wins to be at a premium recently, as they'll head into Monday's game having dropped seven of their last 10 games. Their most recent stumble unfolded Saturday night, when they dropped a narrow 117-114 decision to the San Antonio Spurs. Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 29 points, adding five assists and four rebounds. Zion Williamson generated a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included five assists and one block. Eric Bledsoe supplied 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Lonzo Ball turned in 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. Willy Hernangomez delivered 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
The Pelicans will list JJ Redick (hamstring) as questionable for Monday's contest.
Monday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Jazz hold a 2-0 series lead, having notched 118-102 and 129-118 wins on Jan. 19 and Jan. 21, respectively.
Nuggets and Bulls Clash in Windy City
The Denver Nuggets take on the Chicago Bulls at United Center on Monday night.
The Nuggets (18-15) have hit a bit of a rough patch lately, as they'll enter Monday's game with a 3-4 mark over their last seven contests. Their most recent time on the floor did result in one of those wins, however, as Denver throttled the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 126-96 score Saturday night. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 26 points, adding five assists and two rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds. Nikola Jokic generated a 19-point, 13-assist, 11-rebound triple-double that also included two steals. Will Barton registered 15 points, six boards, five assists and one steal. Monte Morris collected 13 points, three assists and one block.
The Nuggets will continue without Gary Harris (thigh), Paul Millsap (knee) and JaMychal Green (shoulder) for Monday's game.
The Bulls (15-17) saw their scheduled Sunday matchup against the Raptors postponed due to their opponent's COVID-19-related absences, making Chicago's 106-97 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, a defeat that snapped a three-game winning streak, their most time on the court. In that contest, Zach LaVine paced the Bulls with 24 points, supplementing them with four assists and one rebound. Coby White delivered 19 points, five rebounds and four assists. Thaddeus Young contributed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included five assists. Tomas Satoransky delivered 12 points, two rebounds and one assist, while Luke Kornet supplied 11 points, five boards and three blocks.
The Bulls are expected to be without Otto Porter (back), Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) and Chandler Hutchison (lower leg) for Monday's contest.
Monday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season.
The Nuggets (18-15) have hit a bit of a rough patch lately, as they'll enter Monday's game with a 3-4 mark over their last seven contests. Their most recent time on the floor did result in one of those wins, however, as Denver throttled the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 126-96 score Saturday night. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 26 points, adding five assists and two rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds. Nikola Jokic generated a 19-point, 13-assist, 11-rebound triple-double that also included two steals. Will Barton registered 15 points, six boards, five assists and one steal. Monte Morris collected 13 points, three assists and one block.
The Nuggets will continue without Gary Harris (thigh), Paul Millsap (knee) and JaMychal Green (shoulder) for Monday's game.
The Bulls (15-17) saw their scheduled Sunday matchup against the Raptors postponed due to their opponent's COVID-19-related absences, making Chicago's 106-97 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, a defeat that snapped a three-game winning streak, their most time on the court. In that contest, Zach LaVine paced the Bulls with 24 points, supplementing them with four assists and one rebound. Coby White delivered 19 points, five rebounds and four assists. Thaddeus Young contributed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included five assists. Tomas Satoransky delivered 12 points, two rebounds and one assist, while Luke Kornet supplied 11 points, five boards and three blocks.
The Bulls are expected to be without Otto Porter (back), Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) and Chandler Hutchison (lower leg) for Monday's contest.
Monday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season.
Spurs Look To Stay Strong On Home Stand
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs play host to the Brooklyn Nets at AT&T Center on Monday evening.
This marks the second game of a four-game home stand for the Spurs (17-12), which they began with an impressive win against the Pelicans on Saturday. DeMar DeRozan came up huge in the win and despite it being his first action in almost two weeks, he finished with 32 points, 11 assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. LaMarcus Aldridge also played well in the win, with 21 points and five rebounds, in 23 minutes off the bench. The Spurs have dealt with quite a few injuries and absences already this season and could remain without Rudy Gay (covid), Keldon Johnson (covid) and Derrick White (covid) through Monday's action. Nonetheless, the Spurs have managed to find a way, beginning with limiting their turnovers, as they average a league-low, 10.5 turnovers per game. They also limit their opponents free-throw attempts, as they average 17.3 personal fouls per game, which is second fewest in the league. The Spurs average 30.0 three-point attempts per game, which is fourth fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Nets (22-13) look to bounce back from a loss in their most recent contest and get back to their winning trend, as they have won eight of their last 10 games. This marks the first game of a two-game road trip for the Nets, where they can improve on their, 9-7, road record. The Nets are perhaps the most offensively dangerous team in the league, as they average a league-high 120.7 points per game, however, their success is limited by their defense, as they are giving up an average of 116.3 points per game, which is fourth most in the league. The Nets have been without Kevin Durant (hamstring) for just over two weeks, but they have managed to stay on track, winning eight of their last 10 games. Kyrie Irving is averaging 27.4 points, 5.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, while James Harden is averaging 25.1 points, 11.1 assists, 8.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
This marks the second game of a four-game home stand for the Spurs (17-12), which they began with an impressive win against the Pelicans on Saturday. DeMar DeRozan came up huge in the win and despite it being his first action in almost two weeks, he finished with 32 points, 11 assists and two steals, in 38 minutes. LaMarcus Aldridge also played well in the win, with 21 points and five rebounds, in 23 minutes off the bench. The Spurs have dealt with quite a few injuries and absences already this season and could remain without Rudy Gay (covid), Keldon Johnson (covid) and Derrick White (covid) through Monday's action. Nonetheless, the Spurs have managed to find a way, beginning with limiting their turnovers, as they average a league-low, 10.5 turnovers per game. They also limit their opponents free-throw attempts, as they average 17.3 personal fouls per game, which is second fewest in the league. The Spurs average 30.0 three-point attempts per game, which is fourth fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Nets (22-13) look to bounce back from a loss in their most recent contest and get back to their winning trend, as they have won eight of their last 10 games. This marks the first game of a two-game road trip for the Nets, where they can improve on their, 9-7, road record. The Nets are perhaps the most offensively dangerous team in the league, as they average a league-high 120.7 points per game, however, their success is limited by their defense, as they are giving up an average of 116.3 points per game, which is fourth most in the league. The Nets have been without Kevin Durant (hamstring) for just over two weeks, but they have managed to stay on track, winning eight of their last 10 games. Kyrie Irving is averaging 27.4 points, 5.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, while James Harden is averaging 25.1 points, 11.1 assists, 8.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
Rockets Look To End 11-Game Slide
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets play host to Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Monday evening.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Rockets (11-21), as they are coming off a brutal, 49-point home loss against the Grizzlies on Sunday night. It marked the 11th consecutive loss for the Rockets and epitomized their recent struggles, as they shot just 27 percent from the field, including 4-of-45 from long range. John Wall finished with 14 points on 4-of-16 shooting, but logged no assists, rebounds, steals or blocks, and gave up five turnovers. Jae'Sean Tate totaled 14 points, four rebounds, a steal and a block, while Mason Jones chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Justin Patton added 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Victor Oladipo (quad) did not play on Sunday night and remains questionable for action on Monday. Christian Wood (ankle) is also questionable for action on Monday. The Rockets will look end the slide, as they face the second game of a three-game home stand, with a chance to build on their, 5-8, home record.
Meanwhile, the Cavs (13-21) have dropped seven of their last 10 games, but they have been on the right track lately, as they have won their last three in a row. This marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Cavaliers, where they look to build on their, 4-12, road record. Collin Sexton continues to lead the team and is averaging 23.3 points, 4.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Darius Garland is averaging 16.2 points, 5.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, while Jarrett Allen is averaging 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. The Cavs are averaging a league-low 104.5 points per game and they are shooting an average of 45.2 percent from the field. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 112.6 points against, and they are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 48.1 percent from the field, which is second highest in the league.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Rockets (11-21), as they are coming off a brutal, 49-point home loss against the Grizzlies on Sunday night. It marked the 11th consecutive loss for the Rockets and epitomized their recent struggles, as they shot just 27 percent from the field, including 4-of-45 from long range. John Wall finished with 14 points on 4-of-16 shooting, but logged no assists, rebounds, steals or blocks, and gave up five turnovers. Jae'Sean Tate totaled 14 points, four rebounds, a steal and a block, while Mason Jones chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Justin Patton added 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Victor Oladipo (quad) did not play on Sunday night and remains questionable for action on Monday. Christian Wood (ankle) is also questionable for action on Monday. The Rockets will look end the slide, as they face the second game of a three-game home stand, with a chance to build on their, 5-8, home record.
Meanwhile, the Cavs (13-21) have dropped seven of their last 10 games, but they have been on the right track lately, as they have won their last three in a row. This marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Cavaliers, where they look to build on their, 4-12, road record. Collin Sexton continues to lead the team and is averaging 23.3 points, 4.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Darius Garland is averaging 16.2 points, 5.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, while Jarrett Allen is averaging 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. The Cavs are averaging a league-low 104.5 points per game and they are shooting an average of 45.2 percent from the field. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 112.6 points against, and they are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 48.1 percent from the field, which is second highest in the league.
Trail Blazers Host Hornets on Monday
The Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Charlotte Hornets at Moda Center on Monday.
The Hornets (16-17) have traded off wins and losses in each of their last nine games, grabbing one of their biggest victories of the season on Sunday. They overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat the Sacramento Kings, grabbing their first second-half lead with just 1.6 seconds remaining. Malik Monk was the hero, hitting a game-winning and-one with 1.6 seconds left to complete that comeback victory. He and the rest of the bench carried them in that game, outscoring the Kings bench, 43-11. They got that win behind a 42-point gem from P.J. Washington too which also marked a career-best scoring game. Washington and Monk are small pieces to an otherwise talented young core, with LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier having breakout seasons themselves, as well.
The Trail Blazers (18-14) looked like one of the teams to beat this time last week but have gone on to lose four-straight since then. It's really no surprise when you see the competition, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and a resurgent Washington Wizards team in that span. This stretch is the first time that they've really missed Jusuf Nurkic and C.J. McCollum, showing just how much scoring they lack outside of Damian Lillard. The good news is that both of them are expected back sometime shortly after the All-Star break, and that week off is a perfect time for them to get healthier. There is some talk that this team will make a trade before the trade deadline because they want to build this franchise around Lillard and make him as happy as possible.
These teams played once last season, with Portland prevailing, 115-112. That gives the Trail Blazers six-straight wins in this series, dating all the way back to 2017.
The Hornets (16-17) have traded off wins and losses in each of their last nine games, grabbing one of their biggest victories of the season on Sunday. They overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat the Sacramento Kings, grabbing their first second-half lead with just 1.6 seconds remaining. Malik Monk was the hero, hitting a game-winning and-one with 1.6 seconds left to complete that comeback victory. He and the rest of the bench carried them in that game, outscoring the Kings bench, 43-11. They got that win behind a 42-point gem from P.J. Washington too which also marked a career-best scoring game. Washington and Monk are small pieces to an otherwise talented young core, with LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier having breakout seasons themselves, as well.
The Trail Blazers (18-14) looked like one of the teams to beat this time last week but have gone on to lose four-straight since then. It's really no surprise when you see the competition, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and a resurgent Washington Wizards team in that span. This stretch is the first time that they've really missed Jusuf Nurkic and C.J. McCollum, showing just how much scoring they lack outside of Damian Lillard. The good news is that both of them are expected back sometime shortly after the All-Star break, and that week off is a perfect time for them to get healthier. There is some talk that this team will make a trade before the trade deadline because they want to build this franchise around Lillard and make him as happy as possible.
These teams played once last season, with Portland prevailing, 115-112. That gives the Trail Blazers six-straight wins in this series, dating all the way back to 2017.