Mavericks and Rockets Clash in Intrastate Battle
The Dallas Mavericks take on the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Sunday afternoon.
Led by MVP-caliber play from Luka Doncic, the Mavericks (10-5) have gotten off to an impressive start and come into Sunday's contest with four consecutive victories. Their most recent success came at the expense of the Cleveland Cavaliers, which they blasted by a 143-101 margin Friday night. Doncic led the way with a 30-point, 14-assist double-double that also included seven rebounds. Justin Jackson followed with 19 points and six rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis delivered 17 points and seven boards. Tim Hardaway, Jr. totaled 16 points, four assists, one rebound and one steal. J.J. Barea poured in 12 points and also pulled dished out two assists. Dorian Finney-Smith and Delon Wright contributed 10 points apiece.
The Mavericks will list Seth Curry (illness) as probable for Sunday's game.
The Rockets (11-5) also have gotten their season off on a very positive note, but they'll come into Sunday's contest with at two-game losing streak in tow. Houston's most recent defeat came at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, which edged them by a 122-119 score Friday night on game-winning basket from Kawhi Leonard. For the Rockets, James Harden led the way with a 37-point, 12-assist double-double that also included eight rebounds and two steals. Russell Westbrook provided 22 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. Clint Capela generated a 17-point, 19-rebound double-double that also included two blocks. Ben McLemore poured in 14 points.
The Rockets will list Danuel House, Jr. (shoulder) as questionable for Sunday's game. Eric Gordon (knee), Nene Hilario (hip) and Gerald Green (foot) will all remain out.
The two teams split the four-game 2018-19 season series. Sunday's game marks the first of four meetings for Dallas and Houston this season.
Led by MVP-caliber play from Luka Doncic, the Mavericks (10-5) have gotten off to an impressive start and come into Sunday's contest with four consecutive victories. Their most recent success came at the expense of the Cleveland Cavaliers, which they blasted by a 143-101 margin Friday night. Doncic led the way with a 30-point, 14-assist double-double that also included seven rebounds. Justin Jackson followed with 19 points and six rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis delivered 17 points and seven boards. Tim Hardaway, Jr. totaled 16 points, four assists, one rebound and one steal. J.J. Barea poured in 12 points and also pulled dished out two assists. Dorian Finney-Smith and Delon Wright contributed 10 points apiece.
The Mavericks will list Seth Curry (illness) as probable for Sunday's game.
The Rockets (11-5) also have gotten their season off on a very positive note, but they'll come into Sunday's contest with at two-game losing streak in tow. Houston's most recent defeat came at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, which edged them by a 122-119 score Friday night on game-winning basket from Kawhi Leonard. For the Rockets, James Harden led the way with a 37-point, 12-assist double-double that also included eight rebounds and two steals. Russell Westbrook provided 22 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals. Clint Capela generated a 17-point, 19-rebound double-double that also included two blocks. Ben McLemore poured in 14 points.
The Rockets will list Danuel House, Jr. (shoulder) as questionable for Sunday's game. Eric Gordon (knee), Nene Hilario (hip) and Gerald Green (foot) will all remain out.
The two teams split the four-game 2018-19 season series. Sunday's game marks the first of four meetings for Dallas and Houston this season.
Nets and Knicks Clash in Intra-City Showdown
The Brooklyn Nets take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Sunday evening.
The Nets (7-8) are missing two vitally important cogs in Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert due to injury, but they're progressively clawing their way out of an early-season hole nonetheless. Brooklyn comes into Sunday's contest having notched victories in three of its past four games, with their most recent win coming at the expense of the Sacramento Kings by a 116-97 score on Friday night. Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets with 23 points, complementing them with seven assists, one rebound and two steals. Joe Harris poured in 22 points and also pitched in four boards, two blocks and one assist. Garrett Temple posted 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Jarrett Allen had a near double-double with 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Dzanan Musa filled out the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The Nets will continue to be without Irving (shoulder), LeVert (thumb) and Wilson Chandler (suspension) for Sunday's game.
The Knicks (4-12) are in a considerably different place record-wise than their intra-city rivals, and they come into Sunday's game having dropped five of their last seven contests overall. Their most recent stumble came Saturday night, when they dropped a 111-104 decision to the San Antonio Spurs. Marcus Morris paced the Knicks with 20 points and added seven rebounds. Bobby Portis followed with 16 points. Julius Randle contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists. R.J. Barrett and Wayne Ellington each turned in 13 points, with Barrett pulling down five rebounds and dishing out four assists.
The Knicks will be without Elfrid Payton (hamstring) and Reggie Bullock (back) in Sunday's contest.
Sunday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 113-109 win on Oct. 25.
The Nets (7-8) are missing two vitally important cogs in Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert due to injury, but they're progressively clawing their way out of an early-season hole nonetheless. Brooklyn comes into Sunday's contest having notched victories in three of its past four games, with their most recent win coming at the expense of the Sacramento Kings by a 116-97 score on Friday night. Spencer Dinwiddie paced the Nets with 23 points, complementing them with seven assists, one rebound and two steals. Joe Harris poured in 22 points and also pitched in four boards, two blocks and one assist. Garrett Temple posted 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Jarrett Allen had a near double-double with 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Dzanan Musa filled out the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal.
The Nets will continue to be without Irving (shoulder), LeVert (thumb) and Wilson Chandler (suspension) for Sunday's game.
The Knicks (4-12) are in a considerably different place record-wise than their intra-city rivals, and they come into Sunday's game having dropped five of their last seven contests overall. Their most recent stumble came Saturday night, when they dropped a 111-104 decision to the San Antonio Spurs. Marcus Morris paced the Knicks with 20 points and added seven rebounds. Bobby Portis followed with 16 points. Julius Randle contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists. R.J. Barrett and Wayne Ellington each turned in 13 points, with Barrett pulling down five rebounds and dishing out four assists.
The Knicks will be without Elfrid Payton (hamstring) and Reggie Bullock (back) in Sunday's contest.
Sunday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 113-109 win on Oct. 25.
Wizards Look To Stay Undefeated On Home Stand
By Dan Bruno
The Washington Wizards play host to the Sacramento Kings at Capital One Arena on Sunday evening.
This marks the third and final game of a home stand for the Wizards (5-8), where they have gone 2-0, with wins over the Spurs and Hornets. The Wizards are 3-3 at home. They are averaging 120.1 points per game, which is second most in the league, but they are also giving up an average of 120.8 points per game, which is the most in the NBA. Bradley Beal has been on a tear lately, as he leads the team with 30.3 points per game and is averaging 37.0 points per game over his last five games. Beal also averages a team-high 7.1 assists per game. Thomas Bryant is playing well, averaging 14.6 points and team highs with 8.8 points and 1.2 blocks per game. Davis Bertans has stepped up for the Wizards and is averaging 14.6 points and 7.0 rebounds over his last five game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a four-game road trip for the Kings (6-8), which began with a loss in Brooklyn on Friday. The Kings have lost two straight on the road and are 2-5 on the road this season. De'Aaron Fox (ankle) remains sidelined, leaving most of the point-guard duties to Cory Joseph. Joseph has responded well and is averaging 6.0 assists over his last five games. Buddy Hield leads the Kings with a team-high 19.1 points, while shooting 37.4 percent from long range. Richaun Holmes has been playing well and is averaging 11.4 points and team highs with 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Harrison Barnes is averaging 15.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
This marks the third and final game of a home stand for the Wizards (5-8), where they have gone 2-0, with wins over the Spurs and Hornets. The Wizards are 3-3 at home. They are averaging 120.1 points per game, which is second most in the league, but they are also giving up an average of 120.8 points per game, which is the most in the NBA. Bradley Beal has been on a tear lately, as he leads the team with 30.3 points per game and is averaging 37.0 points per game over his last five games. Beal also averages a team-high 7.1 assists per game. Thomas Bryant is playing well, averaging 14.6 points and team highs with 8.8 points and 1.2 blocks per game. Davis Bertans has stepped up for the Wizards and is averaging 14.6 points and 7.0 rebounds over his last five game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a four-game road trip for the Kings (6-8), which began with a loss in Brooklyn on Friday. The Kings have lost two straight on the road and are 2-5 on the road this season. De'Aaron Fox (ankle) remains sidelined, leaving most of the point-guard duties to Cory Joseph. Joseph has responded well and is averaging 6.0 assists over his last five games. Buddy Hield leads the Kings with a team-high 19.1 points, while shooting 37.4 percent from long range. Richaun Holmes has been playing well and is averaging 11.4 points and team highs with 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Harrison Barnes is averaging 15.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Nuggets Look To Stay Undefeated On Home Stand
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Phoenix Suns at Pepsi Center on Sunday evening.
This marks the third game of a four-game home stand for the Nuggets (11-3), where hey have gone 2-0, with impressive wins over two of the league's top teams, the Rockets and the Celtics. The Nuggets have won their last three home games and are 6-2 at home on the season. They have won four in a row overall, as they seem to be finding their groove after a bit of a slower start. The Nuggets are averaging 106.0 points per game, which is seventh fewest in the league, but they are holding their opponents to an average of 101.6 points, which is second fewest in the league. Jamal Murray leads the Nuggets with team highs of 18.7 points and 1.6 steals per game. Nikola Jokic is averaging team highs with 9.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. Will Barton has shown a solid all-around game to start the season, averaging 14.8 points 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Suns (8-7), who are coming off a win in Minnesota on Saturday night. Devin Booker led the Suns with 35 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, while Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 points and 11 rebounds in the win. This marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Suns, who are 3-2 on the road. The Suns are averaging 115.4 points per game, which is sixth most in the league, and they are shooting 37.8 percent from long range, which is also sixth best in the NBA. The Suns average 27.9 assists per game, which is the second most in the league. Aron Baynes (hip) and Ricky Rubio (back) both missed Saturday's contest and remain doubtful for action on Sunday.
This marks the third game of a four-game home stand for the Nuggets (11-3), where hey have gone 2-0, with impressive wins over two of the league's top teams, the Rockets and the Celtics. The Nuggets have won their last three home games and are 6-2 at home on the season. They have won four in a row overall, as they seem to be finding their groove after a bit of a slower start. The Nuggets are averaging 106.0 points per game, which is seventh fewest in the league, but they are holding their opponents to an average of 101.6 points, which is second fewest in the league. Jamal Murray leads the Nuggets with team highs of 18.7 points and 1.6 steals per game. Nikola Jokic is averaging team highs with 9.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. Will Barton has shown a solid all-around game to start the season, averaging 14.8 points 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Suns (8-7), who are coming off a win in Minnesota on Saturday night. Devin Booker led the Suns with 35 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, while Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 points and 11 rebounds in the win. This marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Suns, who are 3-2 on the road. The Suns are averaging 115.4 points per game, which is sixth most in the league, and they are shooting 37.8 percent from long range, which is also sixth best in the NBA. The Suns average 27.9 assists per game, which is the second most in the league. Aron Baynes (hip) and Ricky Rubio (back) both missed Saturday's contest and remain doubtful for action on Sunday.
Clippers Host Pelicans on Sunday
The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on Sunday.
The Pelicans (6-10) have been absolutely obliterated by the injury bug this season but they're slowly getting back to full health. The only key pieces missing now are Derrick Favors and Zion Williamson, with New Orleans winning three of their last four games heading into this matchup. That's the team many expected to see and it's way too early to count out a team like this with Favors and Williamson returns less than a month away. That would pair beautifully with the emergence of Brandon Ingram, who's been playing at an All-Star level the first month of the season. If he can do that while Jrue Holiday continues to ball out, this could be a scary team at full boar in the second half of the season.
The Clippers (11-5) had a ton of promise headed into the season and we're finally seeing the team that everyone has been waiting for. In fact, the last two games are the first ones that this team has had both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in the lineup, with Los Angeles prevailing in both. While each game was decided in the final seconds, they came against good teams like the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. What's scary is that neither guy has looked fully comfortable with one another yet and it's got to be horrifying for other teams that these two will only get better from here on out. That's evident when you see that Los Angeles has three of their losses with both of these guys out, showing just how valuable they are to this team. The 10-1 record at home is also a huge bonus but it does mean that a lot of road games are right around the corner.
In the first meeting between these teams this season, New Orleans prevailed, 132-127. That marked the Pelicans seventh win in their last nine meetings with the Clippers.
The Pelicans (6-10) have been absolutely obliterated by the injury bug this season but they're slowly getting back to full health. The only key pieces missing now are Derrick Favors and Zion Williamson, with New Orleans winning three of their last four games heading into this matchup. That's the team many expected to see and it's way too early to count out a team like this with Favors and Williamson returns less than a month away. That would pair beautifully with the emergence of Brandon Ingram, who's been playing at an All-Star level the first month of the season. If he can do that while Jrue Holiday continues to ball out, this could be a scary team at full boar in the second half of the season.
The Clippers (11-5) had a ton of promise headed into the season and we're finally seeing the team that everyone has been waiting for. In fact, the last two games are the first ones that this team has had both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in the lineup, with Los Angeles prevailing in both. While each game was decided in the final seconds, they came against good teams like the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. What's scary is that neither guy has looked fully comfortable with one another yet and it's got to be horrifying for other teams that these two will only get better from here on out. That's evident when you see that Los Angeles has three of their losses with both of these guys out, showing just how valuable they are to this team. The 10-1 record at home is also a huge bonus but it does mean that a lot of road games are right around the corner.
In the first meeting between these teams this season, New Orleans prevailed, 132-127. That marked the Pelicans seventh win in their last nine meetings with the Clippers.