Hawks Looking To Extend Streak, Host Magic
The Atlanta Hawks will host the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena on Tuesday evening.
The Hawks (31-26) are coming off another win and keep strengthening their position as a playoff team following Sunday's 129-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday -- the Hawks have now gone 4-1 in their last five contests as a result. Trae Young led the Hawks offensively with a 34-point performance that also included 11 assists, while three other starters also reached the 20-point mark in what was a balanced scoring effort from the Hawks. Clint Capela notched 25 points with 24 rebounds, while Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic each mustered 23 points, three assists, a block and two steals. The difference between both players was that Huerter pulled down nine rebounds too. The Hawks own a 8-2 mark in their last 10 games and have played very well at home too, notching a 15-11 mark in front of their fans.
The Magic (18-39) are moving in the opposite direction and sit near the bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference -- they've gone 2-8 in their last 10 games and are coming off a 114-110 loss against the Houston Rockets, their second straight defeat. Dwayne Bacon paced the Magic with 22 points, supplementing them with three rebounds, two assists and three steals. Anthony and Gary Harris delivered 16 points apiece, with Anthony also recording nine assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Chuma Okeke supplied 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Wendell Carter and Mo Bamba generated matching 11-point tallies while pulling down 10 and nine rebounds, respectively. Orlando has posted a 1-4 mark in their last five contests and, to make things even more complicated, they've also gone 8-19 on the road in 2020-21.
The Hawks (31-26) are coming off another win and keep strengthening their position as a playoff team following Sunday's 129-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday -- the Hawks have now gone 4-1 in their last five contests as a result. Trae Young led the Hawks offensively with a 34-point performance that also included 11 assists, while three other starters also reached the 20-point mark in what was a balanced scoring effort from the Hawks. Clint Capela notched 25 points with 24 rebounds, while Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic each mustered 23 points, three assists, a block and two steals. The difference between both players was that Huerter pulled down nine rebounds too. The Hawks own a 8-2 mark in their last 10 games and have played very well at home too, notching a 15-11 mark in front of their fans.
The Magic (18-39) are moving in the opposite direction and sit near the bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference -- they've gone 2-8 in their last 10 games and are coming off a 114-110 loss against the Houston Rockets, their second straight defeat. Dwayne Bacon paced the Magic with 22 points, supplementing them with three rebounds, two assists and three steals. Anthony and Gary Harris delivered 16 points apiece, with Anthony also recording nine assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Chuma Okeke supplied 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Wendell Carter and Mo Bamba generated matching 11-point tallies while pulling down 10 and nine rebounds, respectively. Orlando has posted a 1-4 mark in their last five contests and, to make things even more complicated, they've also gone 8-19 on the road in 2020-21.
Nets and Pelicans Clash in New Orleans
The Brooklyn Nets take on the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night.
The Nets (38-19) are right in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, but they continue to struggle to get even two of their Big Three on the floor together for an extended stretch of games. That's led to some recent inconsistency, with Brooklyn entering Tuesday's game with a 2-2 mark over its last four contests. Their most recent time on the floor resulted in one of those losses, as they dropped a 109-107 decision to the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon, a game in which Kevin Durant left after just four minutes due to injury. Landry Shamet led the Nets with 30 points, complementing them with three assists and two rebounds. Kyrie Irving provided 20 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Joe Harris tallied 12 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Durant posted eight points, one rebound and one block before exiting with his injury.
The Nets will be without both James Harden (hamstring) and Durant (thigh) for Tuesday's game. Tyler Johnson (knee) will also remain out.
The Pelicans (25-32) are on much more tenuous postseason footing than their opponent, and they'll enter Tuesday's contest having dropped three consecutive games. Their most recent stumble came on Sunday afternoon, when they fell in overtime to the New York Knicks, 122-112. Zion Williamson led the way with 34 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Eric Bledsoe supplied 22 points, four rebounds and four assists. Brandon Ingram registered 19 points, four rebounds and four assists. Steven Adams generated a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one steal.
The Pelicans will list James Johnson (groin) as doubtful for Tuesday's contest. Josh Hart (thumb) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) will both be out.
Tuesday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 139-111 win April 7.
The Nets (38-19) are right in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, but they continue to struggle to get even two of their Big Three on the floor together for an extended stretch of games. That's led to some recent inconsistency, with Brooklyn entering Tuesday's game with a 2-2 mark over its last four contests. Their most recent time on the floor resulted in one of those losses, as they dropped a 109-107 decision to the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon, a game in which Kevin Durant left after just four minutes due to injury. Landry Shamet led the Nets with 30 points, complementing them with three assists and two rebounds. Kyrie Irving provided 20 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Joe Harris tallied 12 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Durant posted eight points, one rebound and one block before exiting with his injury.
The Nets will be without both James Harden (hamstring) and Durant (thigh) for Tuesday's game. Tyler Johnson (knee) will also remain out.
The Pelicans (25-32) are on much more tenuous postseason footing than their opponent, and they'll enter Tuesday's contest having dropped three consecutive games. Their most recent stumble came on Sunday afternoon, when they fell in overtime to the New York Knicks, 122-112. Zion Williamson led the way with 34 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Eric Bledsoe supplied 22 points, four rebounds and four assists. Brandon Ingram registered 19 points, four rebounds and four assists. Steven Adams generated a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included three assists and one steal.
The Pelicans will list James Johnson (groin) as doubtful for Tuesday's contest. Josh Hart (thumb) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) will both be out.
Tuesday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 139-111 win April 7.
Hornets Take On Streaking Knicks
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks play host to the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening.
The Hornets (28-28) have dropped six of their last 10 games, but they are coming off a win in their most recent outing. They will look to keep rolling and add to their, 14-16, road record, as they face the first game of a two-game road trip. Terry Rozier leads the team, averaging 20.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals, in 34 minutes per game. Devonte' Graham is averaging 14.2 points, 5.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals, while Miles Bridges is averaging 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Hornets average 110.2 points per game, which is 10th fewest in the league and they are shooting an average of 45.9 percent from the field, which is also 10th lowest in the league. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 111.5 points per game, and they are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 46.6 percent from the field. Gordon Hayward (foot) remains out.
Meanwhile, the Knicks (31-27) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last six in a row. They will look to keep rolling and add to their, 18-10, home record, as they face the second game of a six-game home stand. Julius Randle continues to lead the way, averaging 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists, in 37 minutes per game. R.J. Barrett is averaging 17.3 points on 45 percent shooting, while Reggie Bullock is averaging 10.0 points, while shooting an average of 40 percent from long range. The Knicks continue to do a good job on the defensive end as they are holding opponents to league-low averages of 104.5 points per game, and 44.1 percent shooting per game. However, they are averaging 106.1 points per game, which is fourth fewest in the league, and they are shooting an average of 45.2 percent from the field, which is ninth worst in the league.
The Hornets (28-28) have dropped six of their last 10 games, but they are coming off a win in their most recent outing. They will look to keep rolling and add to their, 14-16, road record, as they face the first game of a two-game road trip. Terry Rozier leads the team, averaging 20.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals, in 34 minutes per game. Devonte' Graham is averaging 14.2 points, 5.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals, while Miles Bridges is averaging 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Hornets average 110.2 points per game, which is 10th fewest in the league and they are shooting an average of 45.9 percent from the field, which is also 10th lowest in the league. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 111.5 points per game, and they are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 46.6 percent from the field. Gordon Hayward (foot) remains out.
Meanwhile, the Knicks (31-27) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last six in a row. They will look to keep rolling and add to their, 18-10, home record, as they face the second game of a six-game home stand. Julius Randle continues to lead the way, averaging 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists, in 37 minutes per game. R.J. Barrett is averaging 17.3 points on 45 percent shooting, while Reggie Bullock is averaging 10.0 points, while shooting an average of 40 percent from long range. The Knicks continue to do a good job on the defensive end as they are holding opponents to league-low averages of 104.5 points per game, and 44.1 percent shooting per game. However, they are averaging 106.1 points per game, which is fourth fewest in the league, and they are shooting an average of 45.2 percent from the field, which is ninth worst in the league.
Trail Blazers Host Clippers on Tuesday
The Portland Trail Blazers play host to the Los Angeles Clippers at Moda Center on Tuesday.
The Clippers (40-19) are among the most dangerous teams in the NBA right now, coming into this matchup winning eight of their last nine games. They actually did most of that damage without Kawhi Leonard, and he was able to return in the team's most recent victory on Sunday. What that time did do was allow Paul George to run things, and did he run them smoothly. He averaged about 32 points, six rebounds, and six assists without Kawhi and is posting some of the best shooting numbers of his career. That's a scary sight with Kawhi playing so well, and it's great to see role players like Terence Mann, Marcus Morris, and Reggis Jackson perform so admirably as well.
The Trail Blazers (32-24) have hit a bit of a slide recently, entering this matchup losing six of their last nine games. That rough stretch directly correlates with an injury to Damian Lillard, with the superstar point guard dealing with a hamstring issue. He's the heart and soul of this club, and they clearly can't get it done without him. If there's a silver lining, it's the fact that everyone else has gotten healthy. That includes Jusuf Nurkic and C.J. McCollum, who both returned this month from long-term absences. That means Lillard is the final piece to the puzzle, and if they can get all these guys playing together, this is a puzzle no one will want to solve come postseason time.
This marks the third meeting between these teams, with Los Angeles winning the first two outings. That gives the Clippers five-straight wins in this series dating back two years.
The Clippers (40-19) are among the most dangerous teams in the NBA right now, coming into this matchup winning eight of their last nine games. They actually did most of that damage without Kawhi Leonard, and he was able to return in the team's most recent victory on Sunday. What that time did do was allow Paul George to run things, and did he run them smoothly. He averaged about 32 points, six rebounds, and six assists without Kawhi and is posting some of the best shooting numbers of his career. That's a scary sight with Kawhi playing so well, and it's great to see role players like Terence Mann, Marcus Morris, and Reggis Jackson perform so admirably as well.
The Trail Blazers (32-24) have hit a bit of a slide recently, entering this matchup losing six of their last nine games. That rough stretch directly correlates with an injury to Damian Lillard, with the superstar point guard dealing with a hamstring issue. He's the heart and soul of this club, and they clearly can't get it done without him. If there's a silver lining, it's the fact that everyone else has gotten healthy. That includes Jusuf Nurkic and C.J. McCollum, who both returned this month from long-term absences. That means Lillard is the final piece to the puzzle, and if they can get all these guys playing together, this is a puzzle no one will want to solve come postseason time.
This marks the third meeting between these teams, with Los Angeles winning the first two outings. That gives the Clippers five-straight wins in this series dating back two years.
Kings Host T'Wolves on Tuesday
The Sacramento Kings play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday.
The Timberwolves (15-43) suffered yet another loss on Sunday, being manhandled by the Los Angeles Clippers. Their last four losses have come against the Clippers, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. That's a murderer's row of a schedule, but it's not like Minnesota was competitive in any of those games. That has them with this ugly 15-43 record, the worst mark in the NBA. This team has way too much talent to have such a putrid record, and it's a wonder how much longer guys like Karl-Anthony Towns, Ricky Rubio and D'Angelo Russell will stick around to watch this rebuild continue to be developed. It's been going that way ever since the Kevin Garnett era, which says a lot about how persistent these struggles have been.
The Kings (23-34) finally picked up a win on Sunday, snapping their nine-game losing streak. That horrid stretch has pretty much knocked Sacramento out of the running for the playoffs, and that's really disappointing with De'Aaron Fox having a breakout year. The speedy point guard was averaging nearly 30 points and 10 assists per game over the last month and posted a similar line in that win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. He's truly developed into one of the most dangerous guards in the NBA, while Tyler Haliburton is one of the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year. That looks even more peculiar when you see that Richaun Holmes is having a breakout year as well, making this one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA. That's just par for the course for this franchise, though, and it'll likely cost Luke Walton his job by the end of the year.
These teams just played back on April 5, with Minnesota prevailing, 116-106. That gives the Timberwolves four wins in their last six meetings with the Kings in total.
The Timberwolves (15-43) suffered yet another loss on Sunday, being manhandled by the Los Angeles Clippers. Their last four losses have come against the Clippers, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. That's a murderer's row of a schedule, but it's not like Minnesota was competitive in any of those games. That has them with this ugly 15-43 record, the worst mark in the NBA. This team has way too much talent to have such a putrid record, and it's a wonder how much longer guys like Karl-Anthony Towns, Ricky Rubio and D'Angelo Russell will stick around to watch this rebuild continue to be developed. It's been going that way ever since the Kevin Garnett era, which says a lot about how persistent these struggles have been.
The Kings (23-34) finally picked up a win on Sunday, snapping their nine-game losing streak. That horrid stretch has pretty much knocked Sacramento out of the running for the playoffs, and that's really disappointing with De'Aaron Fox having a breakout year. The speedy point guard was averaging nearly 30 points and 10 assists per game over the last month and posted a similar line in that win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. He's truly developed into one of the most dangerous guards in the NBA, while Tyler Haliburton is one of the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year. That looks even more peculiar when you see that Richaun Holmes is having a breakout year as well, making this one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA. That's just par for the course for this franchise, though, and it'll likely cost Luke Walton his job by the end of the year.
These teams just played back on April 5, with Minnesota prevailing, 116-106. That gives the Timberwolves four wins in their last six meetings with the Kings in total.