Suns Visit Celtics for Interconference Battle
The Phoenix Suns take on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Thursday night.
The Suns (42-16) have been outstanding throughout the season, but their recent stretch of play, which has them on the precipice of the top spot in the Western Conference, has been especially impressive. Phoenix has won 13 of its last 15 games, with their most recent success a 116-113 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Chris Paul led the way for the Suns with 28 points, adding eight assists, three rebounds and one block. Devin Booker furnished 19 points, seven assists, three rebounds and one steal. Malik Bridges delivered 18 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks. Cameron Johnson supplied 15 points, four boards and three assists. Deandre Ayton totaled 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
The Suns will likely list Jae Crowder (ankle) as questionable for Thursday's game, while Abdel Nader (knee) is projected to remain out.
The Celtics (31-27) had also been playing very well of late, but the 8-1 run on they were on heading into a Monday night home matchup against the Chicago Bulls came to a halt in the form of a 102-96 loss. Jaylen Brown led the way with 23 points, adding four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jayson Tatum generated a 14-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. Payton Pritchard compiled 14 points, three assists, one rebound and one steal. Tristan Thompson delivered 11 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block.
The Celtics will list Walker (illness) as probable for Thursday's game, while Jayson Tatum (ankle) will carry a questionable tag. Jaylen Brown (shoulder) will be listed as doubtful, while Robert Williams (knee) and Evan Fournier (COVID-19 protocols) will remain out.
Thursday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Suns hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 100-91 win Feb. 7.
The Suns (42-16) have been outstanding throughout the season, but their recent stretch of play, which has them on the precipice of the top spot in the Western Conference, has been especially impressive. Phoenix has won 13 of its last 15 games, with their most recent success a 116-113 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Chris Paul led the way for the Suns with 28 points, adding eight assists, three rebounds and one block. Devin Booker furnished 19 points, seven assists, three rebounds and one steal. Malik Bridges delivered 18 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks. Cameron Johnson supplied 15 points, four boards and three assists. Deandre Ayton totaled 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
The Suns will likely list Jae Crowder (ankle) as questionable for Thursday's game, while Abdel Nader (knee) is projected to remain out.
The Celtics (31-27) had also been playing very well of late, but the 8-1 run on they were on heading into a Monday night home matchup against the Chicago Bulls came to a halt in the form of a 102-96 loss. Jaylen Brown led the way with 23 points, adding four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jayson Tatum generated a 14-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. Payton Pritchard compiled 14 points, three assists, one rebound and one steal. Tristan Thompson delivered 11 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block.
The Celtics will list Walker (illness) as probable for Thursday's game, while Jayson Tatum (ankle) will carry a questionable tag. Jaylen Brown (shoulder) will be listed as doubtful, while Robert Williams (knee) and Evan Fournier (COVID-19 protocols) will remain out.
Thursday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Suns hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 100-91 win Feb. 7.
76ers and Bucks Tangle in Milwaukee
The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Thursday night.
The 76ers (39-19) continue on track for either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they'll enter Thursday's marquee matchup with back-to-back losses after a four-game winning streak. Their most recent stumble came against the Phoenix Suns, which dropped an undermanned Philadelphia squad by a 116-113 score Wednesday night. Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 38 points, supplementing them with 17 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Danny Green registered 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block. Tyrese Maxey managed 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Furkan Korkmaz compiled 12 points, two rebounds and one assist. George Hill poured in 11 points.
The 76ers will likely list Ben Simmons (illness) and Tobias Harris (knee) as no better than questionable for Thursday's game after both missed Wednesday's contest. Seth Curry (rest) is likely to return to action.
The Bucks (35-22) have endured more defeats than they likely planned for coming into this season, and they'll enter Thursday's contest having dropped five of their last eight games. Their most recent defeat was a narrow and exhausting, as they also fell to the Suns by a 128-127 score in overtime. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with a 33-point, eight-rebound effort that also included two assists, one steal and one block. Khris Middleton totaled 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jrue Holiday delivered 25 points, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block.
The Bucks will likely list Antetokounmpo (leg) as probable after he exited Monday's loss late with cramping.
Thursday's game marks the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Bucks hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 109-105 overtime win on March 17.
The 76ers (39-19) continue on track for either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they'll enter Thursday's marquee matchup with back-to-back losses after a four-game winning streak. Their most recent stumble came against the Phoenix Suns, which dropped an undermanned Philadelphia squad by a 116-113 score Wednesday night. Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 38 points, supplementing them with 17 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Danny Green registered 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block. Tyrese Maxey managed 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Furkan Korkmaz compiled 12 points, two rebounds and one assist. George Hill poured in 11 points.
The 76ers will likely list Ben Simmons (illness) and Tobias Harris (knee) as no better than questionable for Thursday's game after both missed Wednesday's contest. Seth Curry (rest) is likely to return to action.
The Bucks (35-22) have endured more defeats than they likely planned for coming into this season, and they'll enter Thursday's contest having dropped five of their last eight games. Their most recent defeat was a narrow and exhausting, as they also fell to the Suns by a 128-127 score in overtime. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with a 33-point, eight-rebound effort that also included two assists, one steal and one block. Khris Middleton totaled 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jrue Holiday delivered 25 points, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block.
The Bucks will likely list Antetokounmpo (leg) as probable after he exited Monday's loss late with cramping.
Thursday's game marks the second of three meetings between the teams this season. The Bucks hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 109-105 overtime win on March 17.
Magic Host Pelicans on Thursday
The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Florida to face the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Thursday.
The Pelicans (25-33) have one of the most dynamic rosters in the NBA, but they continue to disappoint. After a loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, they enter this matchup in the midst of a four-game losing streak. That run has them 3.5 games back of the San Antonio Spurs for the 10th-seed in the west, the final spot that gets into the new play-in tournament. The fact that a team with Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Lonzo Ball sits in 11th is discouraging enough, but it makes them a team no one wants to face if they do somehow sneak in. What they really need to work on is their defense, sitting 28th in defensive efficiency ratings this year.
The Magic (18-40) were expected to have some struggled when they traded away half of their roster at the trade deadline, and they've done just that. In fact, they enter this matchup losing nine of their last 10 games. The simple fact is, it's hard for a team to compete when they lose guys like Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier. What it has done is allow some of these youngsters to thrive, with Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr, and Chuma Okeke all flashing moments of brilliance in these newly expanded roles. That's a solid young core to build around, but it's clear that those moves were the start of what's going to be a long rebuild period.
These teams played an overtime thriller back on April 1, with Orlando winning 115-110. That gives the Magic five-straight wins in this series dating back three years.
The Pelicans (25-33) have one of the most dynamic rosters in the NBA, but they continue to disappoint. After a loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, they enter this matchup in the midst of a four-game losing streak. That run has them 3.5 games back of the San Antonio Spurs for the 10th-seed in the west, the final spot that gets into the new play-in tournament. The fact that a team with Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Lonzo Ball sits in 11th is discouraging enough, but it makes them a team no one wants to face if they do somehow sneak in. What they really need to work on is their defense, sitting 28th in defensive efficiency ratings this year.
The Magic (18-40) were expected to have some struggled when they traded away half of their roster at the trade deadline, and they've done just that. In fact, they enter this matchup losing nine of their last 10 games. The simple fact is, it's hard for a team to compete when they lose guys like Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier. What it has done is allow some of these youngsters to thrive, with Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr, and Chuma Okeke all flashing moments of brilliance in these newly expanded roles. That's a solid young core to build around, but it's clear that those moves were the start of what's going to be a long rebuild period.
These teams played an overtime thriller back on April 1, with Orlando winning 115-110. That gives the Magic five-straight wins in this series dating back three years.
Pistons, Spurs Both Facing Second Night Of Back-To-Backs
By Dan Bruno
The San Antonio Spurs play host to the Detroit Pistons at AT&T Center on Thursday evening.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Pistons (18-41), as they are coming off a loss in Dallas on Wednesday. They got out to a good start in the contest, with a three-point lead after one quarter, but they lost control in the second and fell behind by nine points heading into halftime. The pace picked up in the third, but they could not make any progress and trailed, 100-90, heading into the final frame. The Pistons kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough. Jerami Grant was the high-point man in the contest, with 26 points, two rebounds and two assists. Cory Joseph added 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and a block, while Mason Plumlee totaled 13 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. The Pistons will look to bounce back and add to their, 7-25, road record, as they face the second game of a three-game road trip.
Meanwhile, this also marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Spurs (28-29), as they are coming off a home loss against the Heat on Wednesday night. The contest got out to a competitive start, as the Spurs held a two-point advantage by halftime. They kept the upper hand to start the third but lost control and ended up trailing by five, heading into the fourth. The Spurs fell flat in the final frame, where they were outscored by 15 points, resulting in the fifth straight home loss. DeMar DeRozan led the way in the loss, with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Derrick White followed up with 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while Dejounte Murray chipped in 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Spurs will look to bounce back and improve on their, 12-19, home record, as they face the second and final game of a home stand.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Pistons (18-41), as they are coming off a loss in Dallas on Wednesday. They got out to a good start in the contest, with a three-point lead after one quarter, but they lost control in the second and fell behind by nine points heading into halftime. The pace picked up in the third, but they could not make any progress and trailed, 100-90, heading into the final frame. The Pistons kept up the fight in the fourth but it was not enough. Jerami Grant was the high-point man in the contest, with 26 points, two rebounds and two assists. Cory Joseph added 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and a block, while Mason Plumlee totaled 13 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. The Pistons will look to bounce back and add to their, 7-25, road record, as they face the second game of a three-game road trip.
Meanwhile, this also marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Spurs (28-29), as they are coming off a home loss against the Heat on Wednesday night. The contest got out to a competitive start, as the Spurs held a two-point advantage by halftime. They kept the upper hand to start the third but lost control and ended up trailing by five, heading into the fourth. The Spurs fell flat in the final frame, where they were outscored by 15 points, resulting in the fifth straight home loss. DeMar DeRozan led the way in the loss, with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Derrick White followed up with 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while Dejounte Murray chipped in 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Spurs will look to bounce back and improve on their, 12-19, home record, as they face the second and final game of a home stand.
Bulls, Hornets Collide In Eastern Conference Battle
The Chicago Bulls will host the Charlotte Hornets at United Center on Thursday night.
The Bulls (24-34) are coming off a 121-105 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, and that was a disappointing loss for their chances of reaching a play-in berth. Coby White had 14 points and six assists to be one of the Bulls' top scorers in this contest -- he was one of four Chicago players that scored in double digits, but he was the only starter that accomplished that feat. Thaddeus Young had 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Lauri Markkanen paced the Bulls with 16 points, but it was an odd game for the Bulls since they didn't have Zach LaVine (COVID-19) and Nikola Vucevic was almost non-existent -- LaVine remains out for this one as well. Chicago has gone 2-4 in their last six games and ended a two-game winning run with Wednesday's loss, but they know they have to improve when playing at home since they've posted a meager 11-18 record in that department.
The Hornets (28-29) are coming off a 109-97 loss against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, and that means the Hornets have now gone just 1-4 in their last five games. P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, in 35 minutes off the bench. Terry Rozier totaled 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Miles Bridges logged 15 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Hornets shot 45 percent from the field, including 16-of-39 from long range. Charlotte is one of the teams that is fighting for a play-in berth but seem to be trending in the wrong direction, although the injuries they're dealing with are a major reason for their struggles -- LaMelo Ball (wrist), Malik Monk (ankle) and Gordon Hayward (foot) are all injured and won't be available for this contest. Charlotte has also posted a 14-17 mark on the road.
The Bulls (24-34) are coming off a 121-105 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, and that was a disappointing loss for their chances of reaching a play-in berth. Coby White had 14 points and six assists to be one of the Bulls' top scorers in this contest -- he was one of four Chicago players that scored in double digits, but he was the only starter that accomplished that feat. Thaddeus Young had 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Lauri Markkanen paced the Bulls with 16 points, but it was an odd game for the Bulls since they didn't have Zach LaVine (COVID-19) and Nikola Vucevic was almost non-existent -- LaVine remains out for this one as well. Chicago has gone 2-4 in their last six games and ended a two-game winning run with Wednesday's loss, but they know they have to improve when playing at home since they've posted a meager 11-18 record in that department.
The Hornets (28-29) are coming off a 109-97 loss against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, and that means the Hornets have now gone just 1-4 in their last five games. P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, in 35 minutes off the bench. Terry Rozier totaled 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Miles Bridges logged 15 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Hornets shot 45 percent from the field, including 16-of-39 from long range. Charlotte is one of the teams that is fighting for a play-in berth but seem to be trending in the wrong direction, although the injuries they're dealing with are a major reason for their struggles -- LaMelo Ball (wrist), Malik Monk (ankle) and Gordon Hayward (foot) are all injured and won't be available for this contest. Charlotte has also posted a 14-17 mark on the road.
Mavs Look To Stay Strong On Second Night Of Back-To-Back
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center on Thursday evening.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Mavericks (31-26), as they are coming off a convincing home win over the Pistons on Wednesday. The contest got out to a high-scoring start, as the Mavs trailed, 36-33, after one quarter. However, they took control in the second, where they outscored the visitors by 12, to take a nine-point lead into halftime. The pace picked up in the third, but the Mavs held the edge and led by 10, heading into the final frame. They maintained control through the final frame and closed out the home win, ending a two-game slide. Luka Doncic led the way, with 30 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Jalen Brunson followed up with 20 points, five assists and three rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis logged 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. The Mavs will look to keep the momentum going and continue building on their, 14-14, home record, as they face the fourth game of a five-game home stand.
Meanwhile, the Lakers (35-23) are coming off a loss in their most recent contest, but they have gone, 5-5, in their last 10 games. They will look to get back on track and add to their, 18-10, road record, as they face the first game of a four-game road trip. The Lakers remain without LeBron James (ankle), but they are finally expecting Anthony Davis to make his return, after a two-month absense. Dennis Schroder (foot) is averaging 15.4 points, 5.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, and is listed as probable for action on Thursday, while Andre Drummond (toe) is averaging 16.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, and is also listed as probable. Montrezl Harrell is averaging 13.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The Lakers do a good job on the defensive end, as they are holding opponents to an average of 106.1 points per game, which is second fewest in the league. However, they need to do a better job of taking care of the ball, as they are giving up an average of 15.0 turnovers per game, which is second most in the league.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Mavericks (31-26), as they are coming off a convincing home win over the Pistons on Wednesday. The contest got out to a high-scoring start, as the Mavs trailed, 36-33, after one quarter. However, they took control in the second, where they outscored the visitors by 12, to take a nine-point lead into halftime. The pace picked up in the third, but the Mavs held the edge and led by 10, heading into the final frame. They maintained control through the final frame and closed out the home win, ending a two-game slide. Luka Doncic led the way, with 30 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Jalen Brunson followed up with 20 points, five assists and three rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis logged 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. The Mavs will look to keep the momentum going and continue building on their, 14-14, home record, as they face the fourth game of a five-game home stand.
Meanwhile, the Lakers (35-23) are coming off a loss in their most recent contest, but they have gone, 5-5, in their last 10 games. They will look to get back on track and add to their, 18-10, road record, as they face the first game of a four-game road trip. The Lakers remain without LeBron James (ankle), but they are finally expecting Anthony Davis to make his return, after a two-month absense. Dennis Schroder (foot) is averaging 15.4 points, 5.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, and is listed as probable for action on Thursday, while Andre Drummond (toe) is averaging 16.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, and is also listed as probable. Montrezl Harrell is averaging 13.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The Lakers do a good job on the defensive end, as they are holding opponents to an average of 106.1 points per game, which is second fewest in the league. However, they need to do a better job of taking care of the ball, as they are giving up an average of 15.0 turnovers per game, which is second most in the league.