Jazz Look To Keep Up Winning Trend
By Dan Bruno
The Utah Jazz play host to the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Saturday evening.
The Jazz (31-13) are the hottest team in the league, as they have won 18 of their last 20 games, dating back to December 11, 2019. They have won three in a row and are 9-1 in their last 10 games, as they return home, where they have a 17-3 record. The Jazz are shooting 47.5 percent from the field, which is third best in the league, including a league-best 38.9 percent from long range. Bogdan Bogdanovic continues to provide good offense, averaging 21.1 points, while shooting 41.7 percent from long range. Joe Ingles gives a little bit of everything, as he averages 10.9 points, 5.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game, while Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz, averaging 24.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Rudy Gobert remains a beast in his role, averaging 15.6 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks (28-16) have won six of their last 10 games and are coming off an impressive win in Portland, in their most recent contest. This marks the second game of a three-game road trip for the Mavs, as they look to add to their 15-5 road record. The Mavs are averaging 15.0 three-pointers per game, which is second most in the league. They are also one of the better rebounding teams in the league, as they average 47.5 rebounds per game, which is fourth most, including 11.3 offensive rebounds, which is tied for third most. However, with Dwight Powell (achilles) out of the lineup, they will need other guys to get on the glass. Luka Doncic leads the Mavs, averaging 29.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 17.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, while Tim Hardaway Jr. averages 14.3 points, while shooting 39.4 percent from long range.
The Jazz (31-13) are the hottest team in the league, as they have won 18 of their last 20 games, dating back to December 11, 2019. They have won three in a row and are 9-1 in their last 10 games, as they return home, where they have a 17-3 record. The Jazz are shooting 47.5 percent from the field, which is third best in the league, including a league-best 38.9 percent from long range. Bogdan Bogdanovic continues to provide good offense, averaging 21.1 points, while shooting 41.7 percent from long range. Joe Ingles gives a little bit of everything, as he averages 10.9 points, 5.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game, while Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz, averaging 24.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Rudy Gobert remains a beast in his role, averaging 15.6 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks (28-16) have won six of their last 10 games and are coming off an impressive win in Portland, in their most recent contest. This marks the second game of a three-game road trip for the Mavs, as they look to add to their 15-5 road record. The Mavs are averaging 15.0 three-pointers per game, which is second most in the league. They are also one of the better rebounding teams in the league, as they average 47.5 rebounds per game, which is fourth most, including 11.3 offensive rebounds, which is tied for third most. However, with Dwight Powell (achilles) out of the lineup, they will need other guys to get on the glass. Luka Doncic leads the Mavs, averaging 29.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 17.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, while Tim Hardaway Jr. averages 14.3 points, while shooting 39.4 percent from long range.
Nets and Pistons Meet in Motor City Matchup
The Brooklyn Nets take on the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday night.
The Nets (18-25) recently got Kyrie Irving back from an extended action, but that hasn't helped them in the standings. Brooklyn comes in having dropped seven consecutive games, with their most recent stumble a 128-113 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Irving led the Nets with 20 points, supplementing them with four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Taurean Prince supplying 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Caris LeVert registered 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Wilson Chandler contributed 15 points, three boards, one assist and one steal. Garrett Temple totaled 11 points, six boards and one steal.
The Nets will list DeAndre Jordan (finger) and Nicholas Claxton (shoulder) as questionable for Saturday's game.
The Pistons (17-29) have continued to struggle with consistency as the season has unfolded, although they'll check into Saturday's contest with a solid 3-2 mark over the last five games. However, their most recent time on the floor resulted in one of those two losses, as they dropped a 125-112 decision to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Derrick Rose led the Pistons with 22 points, complementing them with eight assists, three rebounds and one steal. Christian Wood compiled 20 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Reggie Jackson and Langston Galloway contributed 14 points apiece while dishing out six assists and pulling down four rebounds, respectively. Sviatlov Mykhailiuk matched their scoring total. Thon Maker supplied 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Pistons will likely list Bruce Brown (illness), Tony Snell (illness) and Andre Drummond (mouth) as questionable at best for Saturday's game after all three missed Friday's contest. Blake Griffin (knee), Luke Kennard (knee) and Khyri Thomas (foot) will remain out.
Saturday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Pistons hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 113-109 win Nov. 2.
The Nets (18-25) recently got Kyrie Irving back from an extended action, but that hasn't helped them in the standings. Brooklyn comes in having dropped seven consecutive games, with their most recent stumble a 128-113 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Irving led the Nets with 20 points, supplementing them with four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Taurean Prince supplying 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Caris LeVert registered 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Wilson Chandler contributed 15 points, three boards, one assist and one steal. Garrett Temple totaled 11 points, six boards and one steal.
The Nets will list DeAndre Jordan (finger) and Nicholas Claxton (shoulder) as questionable for Saturday's game.
The Pistons (17-29) have continued to struggle with consistency as the season has unfolded, although they'll check into Saturday's contest with a solid 3-2 mark over the last five games. However, their most recent time on the floor resulted in one of those two losses, as they dropped a 125-112 decision to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Derrick Rose led the Pistons with 22 points, complementing them with eight assists, three rebounds and one steal. Christian Wood compiled 20 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Reggie Jackson and Langston Galloway contributed 14 points apiece while dishing out six assists and pulling down four rebounds, respectively. Sviatlov Mykhailiuk matched their scoring total. Thon Maker supplied 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Pistons will likely list Bruce Brown (illness), Tony Snell (illness) and Andre Drummond (mouth) as questionable at best for Saturday's game after all three missed Friday's contest. Blake Griffin (knee), Luke Kennard (knee) and Khyri Thomas (foot) will remain out.
Saturday's game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Pistons hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 113-109 win Nov. 2.
Bulls and Cavaliers Meet in Divisional Clash
The Chicago Bulls take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
The Bulls (17-30) have flashed some improved play in recent games, as they'll come into Saturday with a 4-4 record over their last eight contests. Their most recent time on the floor resulted in one of those four losses courtesy of the Sacramento Kings, which toppled them by a 98-81 score Friday night.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 21 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one block. Chandler Hutchison went for 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Thaddeus Young and Kris Dunn generated matching 10-point tallies while hauling in eight and six rebounds, respectively. Dunn also dished out six assists.
The Bulls will list Otto Porter, Jr. (foot), Daniel Gafford (ankle and Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) as out for Saturday's game.
The Cavaliers (12-33) come into Saturday's game in the midst of one of their extended spirals, as they've dropped six consecutive games. Their most recent loss came against the Washington Wizards, which bested them by a 124-112 score Thursday night. Collin Sexton paced the Cavaliers with 29 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Larry Nance, Jr. generated a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Kevin Love delivered 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Darius Garland poured in 13 points and dished out four assists.
The Cavaliers will list Brandon Knight (knee), Kevin Porter, Jr. (knee) and Ante Zizic (illness) as out for Saturday's contest.
Saturday's game marks the third of four meetings between the season. The series is tied 1-1, with the Cavaliers notching a 117-111 win Oct. 30 and the Bulls prevailing a 118-116 victory Jan. 18.
The Bulls (17-30) have flashed some improved play in recent games, as they'll come into Saturday with a 4-4 record over their last eight contests. Their most recent time on the floor resulted in one of those four losses courtesy of the Sacramento Kings, which toppled them by a 98-81 score Friday night.
Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 21 points, supplementing them with six rebounds, two assists and one block. Chandler Hutchison went for 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Thaddeus Young and Kris Dunn generated matching 10-point tallies while hauling in eight and six rebounds, respectively. Dunn also dished out six assists.
The Bulls will list Otto Porter, Jr. (foot), Daniel Gafford (ankle and Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) as out for Saturday's game.
The Cavaliers (12-33) come into Saturday's game in the midst of one of their extended spirals, as they've dropped six consecutive games. Their most recent loss came against the Washington Wizards, which bested them by a 124-112 score Thursday night. Collin Sexton paced the Cavaliers with 29 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Larry Nance, Jr. generated a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Kevin Love delivered 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Darius Garland poured in 13 points and dished out four assists.
The Cavaliers will list Brandon Knight (knee), Kevin Porter, Jr. (knee) and Ante Zizic (illness) as out for Saturday's contest.
Saturday's game marks the third of four meetings between the season. The series is tied 1-1, with the Cavaliers notching a 117-111 win Oct. 30 and the Bulls prevailing a 118-116 victory Jan. 18.
Timberwolves Look To Gain Traction At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center on Saturday evening.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Timberwolves (15-30), as they are coming off a home loss against the Rockets on Friday. Despite good performances from Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves fell short for their eighth straight loss and fell to 6-16 at home. This marks their second game of a three-game home stand, as they look to snap a five-game home losing streak. The Timberwolves are shooting 43.3 percent from the field, which is second lowest in the league, including 32.5 percent from long range, which is also second lowest in the league. They average 8.5 steals per game, which is fifth most in the league, and they are giving up an average of 14.6 turnovers per game. The Timberwolves average 11.1 offensive rebounds per game, which is fifth most in the league.
Meanwhile, the Thunder (27-19) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last four in a row. This marks their second game of a back-to-back, as they are coming off a 29-point home win over the Hawks on Friday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schroder each topped 20 points, while Chris Paul tallied 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, in the win. The Thunder have won four in a row on the road and look to build on their 12-10 road record. Steven Adams (ankle) has missed the last two contests and remains questionable for action on Saturday. The Thunder average a league-low 8.3 offensive rebounds per game. They average 21.8 assists per game, which is fifth fewest in the league, but they limit themselves to 13.3 turnovers per game. The Thunder are shooting 46.9 percent from the field, which is eighth best in the league.
This marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Timberwolves (15-30), as they are coming off a home loss against the Rockets on Friday. Despite good performances from Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves fell short for their eighth straight loss and fell to 6-16 at home. This marks their second game of a three-game home stand, as they look to snap a five-game home losing streak. The Timberwolves are shooting 43.3 percent from the field, which is second lowest in the league, including 32.5 percent from long range, which is also second lowest in the league. They average 8.5 steals per game, which is fifth most in the league, and they are giving up an average of 14.6 turnovers per game. The Timberwolves average 11.1 offensive rebounds per game, which is fifth most in the league.
Meanwhile, the Thunder (27-19) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last four in a row. This marks their second game of a back-to-back, as they are coming off a 29-point home win over the Hawks on Friday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schroder each topped 20 points, while Chris Paul tallied 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, in the win. The Thunder have won four in a row on the road and look to build on their 12-10 road record. Steven Adams (ankle) has missed the last two contests and remains questionable for action on Saturday. The Thunder average a league-low 8.3 offensive rebounds per game. They average 21.8 assists per game, which is fifth fewest in the league, but they limit themselves to 13.3 turnovers per game. The Thunder are shooting 46.9 percent from the field, which is eighth best in the league.
Sixers Host Lakers on Saturday
The Philadelphia 76ers play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.
The Lakers (36-9) are playing their fifth road game in a row here, which is really not a big issue for a club like this. In fact, Los Angeles' 20-4 road record is the best mark in the NBA. That says a lot about the growth of this team, with the Lakers catapulting themselves to the top of the Western Conference standings. They've built quite the gap too, sitting 4.5 games up on the Utah Jazz in second. What's really impressive about this club is the fact that they get it done on both ends of the floor. They're actually one of only two teams who sit Top-8 in both points scored and points surrendered, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis running the show. It's not just them though, veterans like Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard have been huge surprises as well.
The Sixers (29-17) have been a different team when they play in the friendly confines of Wells Fargo Center, posting a 20-2 record at home. That happens to be the second-best mark in the NBA and it's really no surprise when you see that they've won four of their last five heading into this matchup. What makes that recent run really encouraging is the fact that they've done it all with Joel Embiid sidelined. The big man continues to miss games because of a hand injury and his absence has really allowed other players to flourish. The guy who's stepped up his game the most is Ben Simmons, with the Aussie flirting with triple-double averages in Embiid's absence while scoring more than 20 points per game in those outings. If they can get him playing at that level when Embiid returns, this will be one of the most dangerous teams in the second half.
Philly swept the season series over Los Angeles last season, winning four of their last five games over them in total.
The Lakers (36-9) are playing their fifth road game in a row here, which is really not a big issue for a club like this. In fact, Los Angeles' 20-4 road record is the best mark in the NBA. That says a lot about the growth of this team, with the Lakers catapulting themselves to the top of the Western Conference standings. They've built quite the gap too, sitting 4.5 games up on the Utah Jazz in second. What's really impressive about this club is the fact that they get it done on both ends of the floor. They're actually one of only two teams who sit Top-8 in both points scored and points surrendered, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis running the show. It's not just them though, veterans like Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard have been huge surprises as well.
The Sixers (29-17) have been a different team when they play in the friendly confines of Wells Fargo Center, posting a 20-2 record at home. That happens to be the second-best mark in the NBA and it's really no surprise when you see that they've won four of their last five heading into this matchup. What makes that recent run really encouraging is the fact that they've done it all with Joel Embiid sidelined. The big man continues to miss games because of a hand injury and his absence has really allowed other players to flourish. The guy who's stepped up his game the most is Ben Simmons, with the Aussie flirting with triple-double averages in Embiid's absence while scoring more than 20 points per game in those outings. If they can get him playing at that level when Embiid returns, this will be one of the most dangerous teams in the second half.
Philly swept the season series over Los Angeles last season, winning four of their last five games over them in total.