Magic, Nets Open Friday's Six-Game Slate
The Orlando Magic plays the Brooklyn Nets on Friday in the NBA restart season openers for both teams at Orlando.
The Magic (30-35) have a lot to play for in the upcoming seeding games, as they will be fighting for their lives and a playoff berth against both the Nets and the Washington Wizards. The Magic currently sit as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, and every game is crucial for them until the end of the regular season. They were in a good run of form when the season got suspended in March, however, as they were riding a three-game winning streak while going 6-4 in their last 10 contests. Their best player this season has been Nikola Vucevic, who was averaging 19.5 points with 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 32.6 minutes per game before play got suspended in March.
Orlando lists three players as questionable for this game. These are Aaron Gordon (groin), Jonathan Isaac (knee) and Wes Iwundu (concussion). Chuma Okeke (knee) and Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) are both out for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, the Nets (30-34) will look very depleted in the restart of the season. Brooklyn will be without the services of Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Kevin Durant (Achilles), Taurean Prince (illness), DeAndre Jordan (illness), Spencer Dinwiddie (illness), Nicolas Claxton (shoulder) and Wilson Chandler (personal) at Orlando. They will rely heavily on the offensive contributions of players such as Caris LeVert, who was averaging a career-best 17.7 points per game when play got suspended in March, and Joe Harris. However, there is no question they are bound to struggle without many of their top players ahead of the playoffs. The Nets posted a 4-1 record in their last five games before the season got suspended in March.
Jamal Crawford (coach's decision), Donta Hall (coach's decision) and Rodions Kurucs (hip) have all been listed as game-time decisions for the coaching staff. Kurucs has been deemed as probable, while Crawford is unlikely to see action.
The Magic (30-35) have a lot to play for in the upcoming seeding games, as they will be fighting for their lives and a playoff berth against both the Nets and the Washington Wizards. The Magic currently sit as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, and every game is crucial for them until the end of the regular season. They were in a good run of form when the season got suspended in March, however, as they were riding a three-game winning streak while going 6-4 in their last 10 contests. Their best player this season has been Nikola Vucevic, who was averaging 19.5 points with 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 32.6 minutes per game before play got suspended in March.
Orlando lists three players as questionable for this game. These are Aaron Gordon (groin), Jonathan Isaac (knee) and Wes Iwundu (concussion). Chuma Okeke (knee) and Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) are both out for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, the Nets (30-34) will look very depleted in the restart of the season. Brooklyn will be without the services of Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Kevin Durant (Achilles), Taurean Prince (illness), DeAndre Jordan (illness), Spencer Dinwiddie (illness), Nicolas Claxton (shoulder) and Wilson Chandler (personal) at Orlando. They will rely heavily on the offensive contributions of players such as Caris LeVert, who was averaging a career-best 17.7 points per game when play got suspended in March, and Joe Harris. However, there is no question they are bound to struggle without many of their top players ahead of the playoffs. The Nets posted a 4-1 record in their last five games before the season got suspended in March.
Jamal Crawford (coach's decision), Donta Hall (coach's decision) and Rodions Kurucs (hip) have all been listed as game-time decisions for the coaching staff. Kurucs has been deemed as probable, while Crawford is unlikely to see action.
Grizzlies and Trail Blazers Face Off In Scrimmage Restart Openers
The Memphis Grizzlies take on the Portland Trail Blazers in an NBA restart season opener for both clubs in Orlando on Friday afternoon.
The Grizzlies (32-33) come into the seeding games looking to stave off multiple teams for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. One of the most prominent is the Trail Blazers, which trail Memphis by 3.5 games as play restarts. The Grizzlies were a team on the rise at the time of the March shutdown, as they'd won four of their previous five games. Coach Taylor Jenkins' squad comes into the restart in good health overall in terms of its first unit, although Justise Winslow did suffer a season-ending hip injury during a scrimmage practice earlier in July.
The Grizzlies will also be without Tyus Jones (knee) for Friday's game.
The Trail Blazers (29-37) get a chance to kick-start the process of gaining ground on the Grizzlies immediately, and they'll do so with some different pieces than the last time they took the floor. Star big Jusuf Nurkic was able to use the additional time afforded by the shutdown to finish healing from a serious January 2019 leg injury, and he's looked very good during scrimmage practices. The time off also benefited fellow big man Zach Collins, who finally conquered a shoulder issue that seen him last take the floor Oct. 27. Their respective returns give head coach Terry Stotts plenty of frontcourt options and also provide some talented reinforcements after Trevor Ariza opted out of the restart for family reasons.
The Trail Blazers' only short-term injury is to Jaylen Adams, who will be listed as questionable with back pain.
Friday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Grizzlies hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 111-104 win back on Feb. 12.
The Grizzlies (32-33) come into the seeding games looking to stave off multiple teams for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. One of the most prominent is the Trail Blazers, which trail Memphis by 3.5 games as play restarts. The Grizzlies were a team on the rise at the time of the March shutdown, as they'd won four of their previous five games. Coach Taylor Jenkins' squad comes into the restart in good health overall in terms of its first unit, although Justise Winslow did suffer a season-ending hip injury during a scrimmage practice earlier in July.
The Grizzlies will also be without Tyus Jones (knee) for Friday's game.
The Trail Blazers (29-37) get a chance to kick-start the process of gaining ground on the Grizzlies immediately, and they'll do so with some different pieces than the last time they took the floor. Star big Jusuf Nurkic was able to use the additional time afforded by the shutdown to finish healing from a serious January 2019 leg injury, and he's looked very good during scrimmage practices. The time off also benefited fellow big man Zach Collins, who finally conquered a shoulder issue that seen him last take the floor Oct. 27. Their respective returns give head coach Terry Stotts plenty of frontcourt options and also provide some talented reinforcements after Trevor Ariza opted out of the restart for family reasons.
The Trail Blazers' only short-term injury is to Jaylen Adams, who will be listed as questionable with back pain.
Friday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Grizzlies hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 111-104 win back on Feb. 12.
Suns Begin Restart Against Shorthanded Wizards
By Dan Bruno
The Phoenix Suns play the Washington Wizards on Friday in the NBA restart season openers for both team at Orlando
The Suns were seated 13th place in the West before the stoppage in the season, however they owned a better record than the bottom six teams in the East and still had a shot at eight place, which got them into the bubble. They are technically the lowest standing team in the bubble, but they also had a better record than their opponent on Friday night, the Wizards.
Devin Booker led the Suns before the stoppage, averaging 26.1 points, 6.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds, in 36 minutes per game. Ricky Rubio averaged 13.1 points, 8.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, while Mikal Bridges was coming into his own, averaging 8.7 points on 51.6 percent shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals, in 27 minutes per game. Deandre Ayton had a tough start to the season with a suspension, followed by an ankle injury, but over the 30 games he played, he averaged 19.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Unfortunately for the Suns, Kelly Oubre Jr (knee) is still sidelined and will not be ready for action.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are the team that entered the bubble with the worst record. They will also be without their top scorer, Bradley Beal (shoulder). Nonetheless, the Wizards have plenty of players that will be ready to go. Ish Smith had been solid for Washington, averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds, while Shabazz Napier was averaging 10.3 points, 5.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals before the stoppage. Rui Hachimura, who was averaging 13.4 points and 6.0 rebounds is expected to play. Davis Bertans (opted out of restart) will not be with the team.
The Suns were seated 13th place in the West before the stoppage in the season, however they owned a better record than the bottom six teams in the East and still had a shot at eight place, which got them into the bubble. They are technically the lowest standing team in the bubble, but they also had a better record than their opponent on Friday night, the Wizards.
Devin Booker led the Suns before the stoppage, averaging 26.1 points, 6.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds, in 36 minutes per game. Ricky Rubio averaged 13.1 points, 8.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, while Mikal Bridges was coming into his own, averaging 8.7 points on 51.6 percent shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals, in 27 minutes per game. Deandre Ayton had a tough start to the season with a suspension, followed by an ankle injury, but over the 30 games he played, he averaged 19.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Unfortunately for the Suns, Kelly Oubre Jr (knee) is still sidelined and will not be ready for action.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are the team that entered the bubble with the worst record. They will also be without their top scorer, Bradley Beal (shoulder). Nonetheless, the Wizards have plenty of players that will be ready to go. Ish Smith had been solid for Washington, averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds, while Shabazz Napier was averaging 10.3 points, 5.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals before the stoppage. Rui Hachimura, who was averaging 13.4 points and 6.0 rebounds is expected to play. Davis Bertans (opted out of restart) will not be with the team.
Celtics, Bucks Clash In Season Restart
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics play the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday in the NBA restart season openers for both teams.
The Celtics and Bucks enter the contest with their season series tied at 1-1, as they each claimed a victory on their respective home courts, in the first part of the season. There will be no home-court advantage in the bubble, as they each look to take the upper hand in the season series and make a statement early on in the restart.
The Celtics held the third best record in the East through the first part of the season and stand as a legitimate threat to push through the rest of the season and playoffs. Their core had been playing extremely well, as Jayson Tatum was leading the Celtics with 23.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while Jaylen Brown was averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game, before the stoppage in the season. Kemba Walker (knee), who was averaging 21.2 points, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds in the first part of the season, is expected to be ready for action, but will be on a minutes restriction.
Meanwhile, the Bucks come into the restart as the top team in the East, with an MVP candidate leading the way, as Giannis Antetokounmpo had been having an amazing season, averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game, before the stoppage in the season. Khris Middleton played a strong second option and was averaging 21.1 points, while shooting a blistering 42 percent from long range. Eric Bledsoe (rest) will not suit up for Friday's contest, which means George Hill will likely see extra minutes.
The Celtics and Bucks enter the contest with their season series tied at 1-1, as they each claimed a victory on their respective home courts, in the first part of the season. There will be no home-court advantage in the bubble, as they each look to take the upper hand in the season series and make a statement early on in the restart.
The Celtics held the third best record in the East through the first part of the season and stand as a legitimate threat to push through the rest of the season and playoffs. Their core had been playing extremely well, as Jayson Tatum was leading the Celtics with 23.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while Jaylen Brown was averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game, before the stoppage in the season. Kemba Walker (knee), who was averaging 21.2 points, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds in the first part of the season, is expected to be ready for action, but will be on a minutes restriction.
Meanwhile, the Bucks come into the restart as the top team in the East, with an MVP candidate leading the way, as Giannis Antetokounmpo had been having an amazing season, averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game, before the stoppage in the season. Khris Middleton played a strong second option and was averaging 21.1 points, while shooting a blistering 42 percent from long range. Eric Bledsoe (rest) will not suit up for Friday's contest, which means George Hill will likely see extra minutes.
Kings Host Spurs in Orlando Restart
The San Antonio Spurs play host to the Sacramento Kings in Orlando on Friday.
The Kings own a 28-36 record coming into this restart, sitting 11th in the Western Conference. That means it's going to be tough for this team to reach the postseason but a strong eight-game stretch could give them an opportunity. This is a club no one wants to see either with all the young talent that they possess. De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Richaun Holmes all showed flashes this season and that pairs nicely with veterans like Nemanja Bjelica and Harrison Barnes. That's why the 28-win total was a bit disappointing but this is a time where they can forget everything that happened earlier and start a new run.
The Spurs have some serious question marks coming into this restart, having to play without LaMarcus Aldridge. The former All-Star had to tend to a shoulder issue and it has forced him to miss these eight games. That gives a weak team an uphill battle, owning a 27-36 record headed into this Orlando restart. That has them sitting 12th in the west and it's likely that these games are all about development for this young team. It is a good time for Derrick White and Dejounte Murray to finally play together, with both guys flashing moments of brilliance this season and both players getting injured at different times. That can be a dangerous guard duo with Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, hoping to get this franchise back to where it usually is, the playoffs.
This is the third meeting between these teams, with the home team prevailing in both outings. San Antonio has dominated this series over recent years, winning 35 of their last 43 games against Sacramento dating back to 2005. The Kings have actually won three of their last four though.
The Kings own a 28-36 record coming into this restart, sitting 11th in the Western Conference. That means it's going to be tough for this team to reach the postseason but a strong eight-game stretch could give them an opportunity. This is a club no one wants to see either with all the young talent that they possess. De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Richaun Holmes all showed flashes this season and that pairs nicely with veterans like Nemanja Bjelica and Harrison Barnes. That's why the 28-win total was a bit disappointing but this is a time where they can forget everything that happened earlier and start a new run.
The Spurs have some serious question marks coming into this restart, having to play without LaMarcus Aldridge. The former All-Star had to tend to a shoulder issue and it has forced him to miss these eight games. That gives a weak team an uphill battle, owning a 27-36 record headed into this Orlando restart. That has them sitting 12th in the west and it's likely that these games are all about development for this young team. It is a good time for Derrick White and Dejounte Murray to finally play together, with both guys flashing moments of brilliance this season and both players getting injured at different times. That can be a dangerous guard duo with Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, hoping to get this franchise back to where it usually is, the playoffs.
This is the third meeting between these teams, with the home team prevailing in both outings. San Antonio has dominated this series over recent years, winning 35 of their last 43 games against Sacramento dating back to 2005. The Kings have actually won three of their last four though.
Mavericks and Rockets Ready for Restart
The Dallas Mavericks play host to the Houston Rockets in Orlando on Friday.
The Rockets are one of the most interesting teams heading into this abbreviated season. They made a huge splash by trading Clint Capela earlier in the year and it has made them the shortest team in the NBA. They even had games where P.J. Tucker was starting at center and no player above 6'6" coming off the bench. That's simply Mike D'Antoni's style though and it's catered to their superstars beautifully. That happens to be Russell Westbrook and James Harden, who combine for about 60 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists per game. That puts a lot of pressure on the role players to perform when asked and they have an uphill battle ahead of them with Eric Gordon out for two weeks due to an ankle issue. Look for Robert Covington and Danuel House to get more work in his absence.
The Mavericks have just as many wins as the Rockets, sitting at 40 apiece. With that said, Dallas has three more losses and these restart seedings will ultimately be determined by winning percentage. That makes this matchup very critical and a lot of emphasis will be on that of Luka Doncic. The sophomore superstar is averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game this season, which is truly absurd for a 21-year-old kid. The next step is to get some help for him, as Kristaps Porzingis is the only other star on this roster. What they really need is Tim Hardaway Jr or Delon Wright to show more consistency. Those role players have all the talent in the world and a step up from one of those guys could make this team a true contender sooner rather than later.
This marks the third meeting between these teams, splitting those two outings. They were both high-scoring outings, averaging a combined 255 points per game.
The Rockets are one of the most interesting teams heading into this abbreviated season. They made a huge splash by trading Clint Capela earlier in the year and it has made them the shortest team in the NBA. They even had games where P.J. Tucker was starting at center and no player above 6'6" coming off the bench. That's simply Mike D'Antoni's style though and it's catered to their superstars beautifully. That happens to be Russell Westbrook and James Harden, who combine for about 60 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists per game. That puts a lot of pressure on the role players to perform when asked and they have an uphill battle ahead of them with Eric Gordon out for two weeks due to an ankle issue. Look for Robert Covington and Danuel House to get more work in his absence.
The Mavericks have just as many wins as the Rockets, sitting at 40 apiece. With that said, Dallas has three more losses and these restart seedings will ultimately be determined by winning percentage. That makes this matchup very critical and a lot of emphasis will be on that of Luka Doncic. The sophomore superstar is averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game this season, which is truly absurd for a 21-year-old kid. The next step is to get some help for him, as Kristaps Porzingis is the only other star on this roster. What they really need is Tim Hardaway Jr or Delon Wright to show more consistency. Those role players have all the talent in the world and a step up from one of those guys could make this team a true contender sooner rather than later.
This marks the third meeting between these teams, splitting those two outings. They were both high-scoring outings, averaging a combined 255 points per game.