Pistons Look To Turn Around At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Detroit Pistons play host to the Denver Nuggets at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Pistons (17-33) have dropped seven of their last 10 games, including their last five in a row. This marks their second game of a two-game home stand, but they have dropped four in a row at home and have some work to do on their 9-17 home record. The Pistons score an average of 109.0 points per game, but they are allowing opponents to score an average of 111.4 points per game. They are shooting 46.5 percent from the field, including 37.0 percent from long range, which is sixth best in the league. Derrick Rose leads the Pistons with 18.9 points and 5.9 assists per game. Andre Drummond averages 17.2 points and team highs with 15.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. Reggie Jackson has been solid since returning to action and is averaging 16.6 points, 3.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, over the last five games.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets (34-15) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last two in a row. This marks their second game of a two-game home stand, as they are coming off an impressive win in Milwaukee on Friday. The Nuggets enter Detroit looking to build on their 15-9 road record. The Nuggets average 10.5 points per game, but they are holding opponents to 106.1 points per game, which is fifth fewest in the league. The Nuggets average 8.2 steals per game and are limiting themselves to an average of 12.7 turnovers per game, which is sixth fewest in the league. Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets with 19.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Jamal Murray (ankle) will remain sidelined through Sunday's action. Will Barton continues to deliver across the board, averaging 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals, over the last 10 games.
The Pistons (17-33) have dropped seven of their last 10 games, including their last five in a row. This marks their second game of a two-game home stand, but they have dropped four in a row at home and have some work to do on their 9-17 home record. The Pistons score an average of 109.0 points per game, but they are allowing opponents to score an average of 111.4 points per game. They are shooting 46.5 percent from the field, including 37.0 percent from long range, which is sixth best in the league. Derrick Rose leads the Pistons with 18.9 points and 5.9 assists per game. Andre Drummond averages 17.2 points and team highs with 15.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. Reggie Jackson has been solid since returning to action and is averaging 16.6 points, 3.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, over the last five games.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets (34-15) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last two in a row. This marks their second game of a two-game home stand, as they are coming off an impressive win in Milwaukee on Friday. The Nuggets enter Detroit looking to build on their 15-9 road record. The Nuggets average 10.5 points per game, but they are holding opponents to 106.1 points per game, which is fifth fewest in the league. The Nuggets average 8.2 steals per game and are limiting themselves to an average of 12.7 turnovers per game, which is sixth fewest in the league. Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets with 19.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Jamal Murray (ankle) will remain sidelined through Sunday's action. Will Barton continues to deliver across the board, averaging 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals, over the last 10 games.
Rockets Look To Build Off Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The Houston Rockets play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Rockets (30-18) have dropped six of their last 10 games but are coming off a home win, where Russell Westbrook and James Harden each topped 30 points. This marks the second game of a three-game home stand for the Rockets, who have won two in a row at home and look to build on their 16-7 home record. Harden is averaging 35.6 points, 7.2 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Westbrook is averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Danuel House Jr. is averaging 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals, over the last 10 games. The Rockets average 118.7 points per game, which is second most in the league. They average a league-high 15.1 made three pointers per game, but they are shooting 34.9 percent from long range. They average 21.5 assists per game, which is third fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans (20-29) have won six of their last 10 games, including their last three in a row. They have won four of their last five road games and come into Houston with a 10-14 road record. Zion Williamson has looked very good since officially beginning his NBA career and is averaging 19.2 points on 62.5 percent shooting, including 66.7 percent from long range, 7.8 rebounds. and 1.8 assists, over five games. Brandon Ingram is averaging 24.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Lonzo Ball continues to play well, as he is averaging 11.3 points, 9.6 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. The Pelicans average 115.2 points per game, which is sixth most in the league, but they are giving up an average of 117.1 points against, which is third most in the league. They are giving up an average of 15.3 turnovers per game, which is third most in the league.
The Rockets (30-18) have dropped six of their last 10 games but are coming off a home win, where Russell Westbrook and James Harden each topped 30 points. This marks the second game of a three-game home stand for the Rockets, who have won two in a row at home and look to build on their 16-7 home record. Harden is averaging 35.6 points, 7.2 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Westbrook is averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Danuel House Jr. is averaging 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals, over the last 10 games. The Rockets average 118.7 points per game, which is second most in the league. They average a league-high 15.1 made three pointers per game, but they are shooting 34.9 percent from long range. They average 21.5 assists per game, which is third fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans (20-29) have won six of their last 10 games, including their last three in a row. They have won four of their last five road games and come into Houston with a 10-14 road record. Zion Williamson has looked very good since officially beginning his NBA career and is averaging 19.2 points on 62.5 percent shooting, including 66.7 percent from long range, 7.8 rebounds. and 1.8 assists, over five games. Brandon Ingram is averaging 24.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Lonzo Ball continues to play well, as he is averaging 11.3 points, 9.6 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. The Pelicans average 115.2 points per game, which is sixth most in the league, but they are giving up an average of 117.1 points against, which is third most in the league. They are giving up an average of 15.3 turnovers per game, which is third most in the league.
Suns and Bucks Tangle In Milwaukee
The Phoenix Suns take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Sunday afternoon.
The Suns (20-28) have been showing signs of improvement in recent weeks, as they've forged a 6-5 record over their last 11 games. Their most recent time on the court did result in one of those losses, however, as they dropped a 111-107 decision to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. Kelly Oubre, Jr. and Devin Booker co-led the Suns with 27 points, with Oubre also pulling down 11 rebounds. Deandre Ayton supplied 16 points, six boards, one assist and three blocks. Ty Jerome and Tyler Johnson posted matching nine-point tallies, with Jerome also furnishing four rebounds, four assists.
The Suns will continue without Aron Baynes (hip), Frank Kaminsky (knee), Dario Saric (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (quadriceps) for Sunday's game. Ricky Rubio (ankle) will be questionable, while Johnson (knee) will be probable.
The Bucks (41-7) have been as dominant as their record implies, and they just saw a nine-game winning streak snapped their last time on the court courtesy of a 127-115 defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points, complementing them with 16 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and one steal. Khris Middleton provided 24 points, nine assists and two rebounds. Eric Bledsoe supplied 15 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Wesley Matthews poured in nine points.
The Bucks will remain without George Hill (hamstring) for Sunday's game, while Antetokounmpo (hamstring) will carry a questionable tag.
Sunday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Suns swept the two-game 2018-19 season series from the Bucks.
The Suns (20-28) have been showing signs of improvement in recent weeks, as they've forged a 6-5 record over their last 11 games. Their most recent time on the court did result in one of those losses, however, as they dropped a 111-107 decision to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. Kelly Oubre, Jr. and Devin Booker co-led the Suns with 27 points, with Oubre also pulling down 11 rebounds. Deandre Ayton supplied 16 points, six boards, one assist and three blocks. Ty Jerome and Tyler Johnson posted matching nine-point tallies, with Jerome also furnishing four rebounds, four assists.
The Suns will continue without Aron Baynes (hip), Frank Kaminsky (knee), Dario Saric (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (quadriceps) for Sunday's game. Ricky Rubio (ankle) will be questionable, while Johnson (knee) will be probable.
The Bucks (41-7) have been as dominant as their record implies, and they just saw a nine-game winning streak snapped their last time on the court courtesy of a 127-115 defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points, complementing them with 16 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and one steal. Khris Middleton provided 24 points, nine assists and two rebounds. Eric Bledsoe supplied 15 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Wesley Matthews poured in nine points.
The Bucks will remain without George Hill (hamstring) for Sunday's game, while Antetokounmpo (hamstring) will carry a questionable tag.
Sunday's game marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Suns swept the two-game 2018-19 season series from the Bucks.
Raptors Host Bulls on Sunday
The Chicago Bulls travel north of the border to face the Toronto Raptors at Scotia Bank Arena on Sunday.
The Bulls (19-32) own a 6-6 record over their last 12 games and that's the team that we expected to see all season. Unfortunately, they carried a six-game losing streak into that run and stretches like that have become way too common for this team. What's really been slowing them down is all of the injuries, with Lauri Markkanen, Daniel Gafford, Wendell Carter Jr and Kris Dunn all nicked up right now. That's simply too many deficits to overcome and it's forced Zach LzVine to take over. That's certainly worked thus far though, leading the team with 25.1 points per game. That makes many people think that he was snubbed at the All-Star game and he'll have to keep playing like that if they want to get back into playoff contention.
The Raptors (35-14) have had trouble staying healthy themselves, losing Marc Gasol and Norman Powell to injury this week. Those two have been on and off the injury report all season long and it doesn't even take into consideration lengthy absences from guys like Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam as well. That would make one believe that they've had a down season but it's actually on the contrary. This club has been one of the biggest surprises this year, vying for the two-seed in the Eastern Conference. For them to lose Kawhi Leonard in the offseason and deal with all of these injuries so well is a testament to how well this organization is run and no one should count them out come playoff time in April and May.
These teams have played twice this season, with Toronto winning both matchups. That actually gives the Raptors 11-straight wins over the Bulls in total dating back to 2017. Prior to that, Chicago won its previous 11 games over Toronto dating back to 2014.
The Bulls (19-32) own a 6-6 record over their last 12 games and that's the team that we expected to see all season. Unfortunately, they carried a six-game losing streak into that run and stretches like that have become way too common for this team. What's really been slowing them down is all of the injuries, with Lauri Markkanen, Daniel Gafford, Wendell Carter Jr and Kris Dunn all nicked up right now. That's simply too many deficits to overcome and it's forced Zach LzVine to take over. That's certainly worked thus far though, leading the team with 25.1 points per game. That makes many people think that he was snubbed at the All-Star game and he'll have to keep playing like that if they want to get back into playoff contention.
The Raptors (35-14) have had trouble staying healthy themselves, losing Marc Gasol and Norman Powell to injury this week. Those two have been on and off the injury report all season long and it doesn't even take into consideration lengthy absences from guys like Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam as well. That would make one believe that they've had a down season but it's actually on the contrary. This club has been one of the biggest surprises this year, vying for the two-seed in the Eastern Conference. For them to lose Kawhi Leonard in the offseason and deal with all of these injuries so well is a testament to how well this organization is run and no one should count them out come playoff time in April and May.
These teams have played twice this season, with Toronto winning both matchups. That actually gives the Raptors 11-straight wins over the Bulls in total dating back to 2017. Prior to that, Chicago won its previous 11 games over Toronto dating back to 2014.