Heat, Warriors Collide In South Beach
The Miami Heat will host the Golden State Warriors at Kaseya Center on Tuesday.
The Heat (39-32) are coming off perhaps one of their best performances of the season Sunday, as they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers by an expressive margin (121-84). This Heat team will go as far as their star duo of Bam Adebayo (19.6 points, 10.7 rebounds per game) and Jimmy Butler (21.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists) can carry it. This duo already carried the Heat to the NBA Finals last season, and the Heat seem poised to make another playoff run. Entering Tuesday’s play, the Heat sit in seventh place, but they could sneak into the Top 6 to avoid the Play-In Tournament. After all, the Heat seem to be trending in the right direction and have won four of their last six games after a poor stretch around the All-Star break.
The Heat are listing Kevin Love (heel), Duncan Robinson (back) and Jaime Jaquez (knee) as questionable. Tyler Herro (foot) and Josh Richardson (shoulder) are out.
The Warriors (36-34) sit just two games above the .500 mark and face a pivotal stretch in their quest to make the playoffs in an extremely competitive Western Conference. Right now, the Warriors hold a one-game lead over the red-hot Houston Rockets, but they’re also 5.5 games behind sixth place. In other words, Golden State’s lone bet to reach the playoffs is to make the Play-In Tournament. Unfortunately for the Warriors, they haven’t been playing at their best of late. Golden State has gone 1-3 over its last four games, including losing two in a row. Their most recent game ended in a 114-110 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a game where head coach Steve Kerr decided to sit Stephen Curry (26.8 points per game) for a prolonged stretch of the second half.
The Warriors are not announcing any injuries ahead of Tuesday’s game.
The Heat (39-32) are coming off perhaps one of their best performances of the season Sunday, as they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers by an expressive margin (121-84). This Heat team will go as far as their star duo of Bam Adebayo (19.6 points, 10.7 rebounds per game) and Jimmy Butler (21.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists) can carry it. This duo already carried the Heat to the NBA Finals last season, and the Heat seem poised to make another playoff run. Entering Tuesday’s play, the Heat sit in seventh place, but they could sneak into the Top 6 to avoid the Play-In Tournament. After all, the Heat seem to be trending in the right direction and have won four of their last six games after a poor stretch around the All-Star break.
The Heat are listing Kevin Love (heel), Duncan Robinson (back) and Jaime Jaquez (knee) as questionable. Tyler Herro (foot) and Josh Richardson (shoulder) are out.
The Warriors (36-34) sit just two games above the .500 mark and face a pivotal stretch in their quest to make the playoffs in an extremely competitive Western Conference. Right now, the Warriors hold a one-game lead over the red-hot Houston Rockets, but they’re also 5.5 games behind sixth place. In other words, Golden State’s lone bet to reach the playoffs is to make the Play-In Tournament. Unfortunately for the Warriors, they haven’t been playing at their best of late. Golden State has gone 1-3 over its last four games, including losing two in a row. Their most recent game ended in a 114-110 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a game where head coach Steve Kerr decided to sit Stephen Curry (26.8 points per game) for a prolonged stretch of the second half.
The Warriors are not announcing any injuries ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Lakers and Bucks Face Off at Fiserv
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night.
The Lakers (39-32) may be starting to click on all cylinders at the best time of year to do so, as they'll enter Tuesday's contest with five wins in the last seven contests, including three straight. Their most recent success came Sunday night in a wild 150-145 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with a 36-point, 16-rebound double-double that included three assists, two steals and one block. LeBron James and Spencer Dinwiddie posted matching 26-point, one-steal tallies while adding 10 and five assists, respectively. Austin Reaves delivered 25 points, eight assists, five rebounds and one block. Taurean Prince netted 14 points.
The Lakers will list James (ankle) as doubtful and Davis (Achilles) as probable for Tuesday's contest. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot), Christian Wood (knee) and Gabe Vincent (knee) will remain out.
The Bucks (46-25) have also been trending in the right direction more often than not of late as they fight to hold on to the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference, as they've prevailed in four of the last five contests. Their most recent success came Sunday night, when they trounced the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 118-93 score. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with a 30-point, 19-rebound double-double that included four assists and one block. Bobby Portis registered 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Brook Lopez tallied 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Khris Middleton generated an 11-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included one block. Damian Lillard and Pat Connaughton matched Middleton's scoring and Lillard added six rebounds and five assists. Jae Crowder delivered 10 points, two boards, two assists and one steal.
The Bucks will list Antetokounmpo (hamstring) and Middleton (ankle) as probable for Tuesday's showdown. MarJon Beauchamp (back) will carry a questionable tag.
Tuesday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Lakers hold a 1-0 series lead.
The Lakers (39-32) may be starting to click on all cylinders at the best time of year to do so, as they'll enter Tuesday's contest with five wins in the last seven contests, including three straight. Their most recent success came Sunday night in a wild 150-145 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with a 36-point, 16-rebound double-double that included three assists, two steals and one block. LeBron James and Spencer Dinwiddie posted matching 26-point, one-steal tallies while adding 10 and five assists, respectively. Austin Reaves delivered 25 points, eight assists, five rebounds and one block. Taurean Prince netted 14 points.
The Lakers will list James (ankle) as doubtful and Davis (Achilles) as probable for Tuesday's contest. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot), Christian Wood (knee) and Gabe Vincent (knee) will remain out.
The Bucks (46-25) have also been trending in the right direction more often than not of late as they fight to hold on to the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference, as they've prevailed in four of the last five contests. Their most recent success came Sunday night, when they trounced the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 118-93 score. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with a 30-point, 19-rebound double-double that included four assists and one block. Bobby Portis registered 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Brook Lopez tallied 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Khris Middleton generated an 11-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included one block. Damian Lillard and Pat Connaughton matched Middleton's scoring and Lillard added six rebounds and five assists. Jae Crowder delivered 10 points, two boards, two assists and one steal.
The Bucks will list Antetokounmpo (hamstring) and Middleton (ankle) as probable for Tuesday's showdown. MarJon Beauchamp (back) will carry a questionable tag.
Tuesday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Lakers hold a 1-0 series lead.
Pelicans Look To Stay Hot Against Thunder
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Smoothie King Center on Tuesday evening.
The Pelicans (44-27) have won five of their last six games and hope to stay on track as they return home to kick off a six-game stand with the chance to add to their, 20-13, record. Zion Williamson leads the team, averaging 22.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 0.9 steals per game. Brandon Ingram (knee) is the team's next-leading scorer but has missed the last two games and will remain sidelined through Tuesday's action. CJ McCollum averages 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals, while Trey Murphy is averaging 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Pelicans average 115.7 points per game, and they hold opponents to an average of 110.4 points per game, which is eighth fewest in the league. Dyson Daniels (knee) also remains out.
Meanwhile, the Thunder (49-21) saw a four-game win streak come to an end in their last game but hope to bounce back on the third and final game of a road trip with the opportunity to improve on their, 21-14, road record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to lead the way with his impressive play, averaging 30.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Jalen Williams is averaging 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals, while Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. The Thunder average 120.3 points per game, which is fourth most in the league, and they hold opponents to an average of 112.9 points per game.
The Pelicans (44-27) have won five of their last six games and hope to stay on track as they return home to kick off a six-game stand with the chance to add to their, 20-13, record. Zion Williamson leads the team, averaging 22.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 0.9 steals per game. Brandon Ingram (knee) is the team's next-leading scorer but has missed the last two games and will remain sidelined through Tuesday's action. CJ McCollum averages 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals, while Trey Murphy is averaging 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Pelicans average 115.7 points per game, and they hold opponents to an average of 110.4 points per game, which is eighth fewest in the league. Dyson Daniels (knee) also remains out.
Meanwhile, the Thunder (49-21) saw a four-game win streak come to an end in their last game but hope to bounce back on the third and final game of a road trip with the opportunity to improve on their, 21-14, road record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to lead the way with his impressive play, averaging 30.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Jalen Williams is averaging 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals, while Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. The Thunder average 120.3 points per game, which is fourth most in the league, and they hold opponents to an average of 112.9 points per game.
Kings and Mavericks Play on Tuesday
The Sacramento Kings play host to the Dallas Mavericks at Golden One Center on Tuesday.
The Mavericks (42-29) had to battle to grab a win on Monday, narrowly beating the Utah Jazz. They actually trailed for most of that game but rode a 27-17 fourth quarter to a comeback win. That's not the most convincing victory, but it was as critical as ever. This team is doing everything possible to avoid playing in the Play-In Tournament, tied with the Sacramento Kings for the six-seed in the West. That's telling of how important this game is for both teams, and you better believe Luka Doncic will be at full tilt after dropping a triple-double on Monday. The Slovenian is averaging 34.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 9.8 assists in an MVP-type season.
The Kings (42-29) are quietly one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, entering this matchup winning 11 of their last 16 games. What has made fans ecstatic is the fact that this team is finally playing some defense, allowing 112 points or fewer in nine straight games. That might not sound like anything special, but it's quite the run for one of the worst defenses in the NBA. That's what could change things for this club because they were the top offense in efficiency last year and rank Top 10 again this season. Nobody can stop Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox when they get rolling, and some defense could make them a true contender heading into the postseason.
This is the third matchup between these teams, with Sacramento winning the first two meetings.
The Mavericks (42-29) had to battle to grab a win on Monday, narrowly beating the Utah Jazz. They actually trailed for most of that game but rode a 27-17 fourth quarter to a comeback win. That's not the most convincing victory, but it was as critical as ever. This team is doing everything possible to avoid playing in the Play-In Tournament, tied with the Sacramento Kings for the six-seed in the West. That's telling of how important this game is for both teams, and you better believe Luka Doncic will be at full tilt after dropping a triple-double on Monday. The Slovenian is averaging 34.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 9.8 assists in an MVP-type season.
The Kings (42-29) are quietly one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, entering this matchup winning 11 of their last 16 games. What has made fans ecstatic is the fact that this team is finally playing some defense, allowing 112 points or fewer in nine straight games. That might not sound like anything special, but it's quite the run for one of the worst defenses in the NBA. That's what could change things for this club because they were the top offense in efficiency last year and rank Top 10 again this season. Nobody can stop Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox when they get rolling, and some defense could make them a true contender heading into the postseason.
This is the third matchup between these teams, with Sacramento winning the first two meetings.