Grizzlies, Jazz Collide In Orlando
The Memphis Grizzlies will play the Utah Jazz on Wednesday at Orlando.
The Grizzlies (32-36) are winless since the league restarted July 31, and they are coming off a 109-99 defeat against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday -- that was a pivotal game for Memphis in the race to claim the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but once again failed to get the job done. Memphis are now riding a four-game losing streak if including the games before the season got suspended in March, and they will need better performances from some of their top players to turn things around. One of them is Ja Morant, as the rookie point guard is only shooting 36.1 percent from the field and 10.5 percent from three-point range in Memphis' three games since the restart.
Memphis lists Tyus Jones as questionable for this contest due to a knee injury, although he might end up being ruled out, while Justise Winslow is out for the remainder of the season with a hip problem.
The Jazz (42-25) are on a losing streak of their own as well, as they have now dropped two straight games following Monday's 116-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers -- they own a 1-2 record since the league's resumption and have gone 2-3 in their last five contests overall. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert will carry this team on both ends of the court, but Utah must play at a higher level come playoff time if they don't wanna face an early exit. With that in mind, Mitchell must be far more accurate on offense -- he has made just 39.2 percent of his shots -- including 33.3 percent of his treys -- in his three games since the restart.
Utah lists Bojan Bogdanovic as their lone injury absentee, and the shooting guard will miss the rest of the 2019-20 NBA season due to a wrist injury.
This will be the fourth game between these two teams this season, and the Jazz hold a 2-1 lead in those three games so far.
The Grizzlies (32-36) are winless since the league restarted July 31, and they are coming off a 109-99 defeat against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday -- that was a pivotal game for Memphis in the race to claim the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but once again failed to get the job done. Memphis are now riding a four-game losing streak if including the games before the season got suspended in March, and they will need better performances from some of their top players to turn things around. One of them is Ja Morant, as the rookie point guard is only shooting 36.1 percent from the field and 10.5 percent from three-point range in Memphis' three games since the restart.
Memphis lists Tyus Jones as questionable for this contest due to a knee injury, although he might end up being ruled out, while Justise Winslow is out for the remainder of the season with a hip problem.
The Jazz (42-25) are on a losing streak of their own as well, as they have now dropped two straight games following Monday's 116-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers -- they own a 1-2 record since the league's resumption and have gone 2-3 in their last five contests overall. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert will carry this team on both ends of the court, but Utah must play at a higher level come playoff time if they don't wanna face an early exit. With that in mind, Mitchell must be far more accurate on offense -- he has made just 39.2 percent of his shots -- including 33.3 percent of his treys -- in his three games since the restart.
Utah lists Bojan Bogdanovic as their lone injury absentee, and the shooting guard will miss the rest of the 2019-20 NBA season due to a wrist injury.
This will be the fourth game between these two teams this season, and the Jazz hold a 2-1 lead in those three games so far.
Nuggets Look To Build Off Recent Win
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets play the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at Orlando.
The Nuggets are coming off an impressive win, as they rallied to defeat the Thunder, 121-113, in overtime, on Monday. Michael Porter Jr. came up huge for Denver, as he set a career-high with 37 points on 12-of-16 shooting, to lead the way in the win. Nikola Jokic tallied a triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, while Paul Millsap and Monte Morris added 17 points each. The Nuggets have been strong on the defensive end this season, as they are holding opponents to an average of 107.8 points per game, which is seventh best in the league. On the other hand, their offensive efficiency has been a huge part of their success, as they are shooting 47 percent from the field, while averaging 26.5 assists and limiting themselves to 13.0 turnovers per game. Jamal Murray (hamstring) has yet to play in the restart but is listed as questionable for action on Wednesday, while Will Barton (knee) and Gary Harris (hip) will remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are coming off a tough, two-point loss against the 76ers on Monday, where they rallied back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth and momentarily took the lead, before the Sixers hit a three with seven seconds left, to take it away. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 30 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Rudy Gay followed up with 24 points and four rebounds, off the bench, while Derrick White added 20 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. The loss marked the end of a two-game win streak for the Spurs, as they need to get back on track as soon as possible to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are one of the more offensively efficient teams in the league, as they shoot an average of 47.0 percent from the field, which is sixth best in the league, including 37.4 percent from long range, which is third best. Bryn Forbes (quadriceps) will remain sidelined through Wednesday.
The Nuggets are coming off an impressive win, as they rallied to defeat the Thunder, 121-113, in overtime, on Monday. Michael Porter Jr. came up huge for Denver, as he set a career-high with 37 points on 12-of-16 shooting, to lead the way in the win. Nikola Jokic tallied a triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, while Paul Millsap and Monte Morris added 17 points each. The Nuggets have been strong on the defensive end this season, as they are holding opponents to an average of 107.8 points per game, which is seventh best in the league. On the other hand, their offensive efficiency has been a huge part of their success, as they are shooting 47 percent from the field, while averaging 26.5 assists and limiting themselves to 13.0 turnovers per game. Jamal Murray (hamstring) has yet to play in the restart but is listed as questionable for action on Wednesday, while Will Barton (knee) and Gary Harris (hip) will remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are coming off a tough, two-point loss against the 76ers on Monday, where they rallied back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth and momentarily took the lead, before the Sixers hit a three with seven seconds left, to take it away. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 30 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Rudy Gay followed up with 24 points and four rebounds, off the bench, while Derrick White added 20 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal. The loss marked the end of a two-game win streak for the Spurs, as they need to get back on track as soon as possible to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are one of the more offensively efficient teams in the league, as they shoot an average of 47.0 percent from the field, which is sixth best in the league, including 37.4 percent from long range, which is third best. Bryn Forbes (quadriceps) will remain sidelined through Wednesday.
Sixers and Wizards Face Off on Wednesday
The Washington Wizards play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in Orlando on Wednesday.
The Sixers (40-27) were lucky to pull off a win on Monday, narrowly beating a short-handed San Antonio Spurs team. That followed up a disappointing loss to the Indiana Pacers in their Orlando debut and fans have to wonder just where this team is at right now. What really kills this team is the fact that they can't play at home anymore. This is a Sixers club that posted a 10-25 road record. They're not going to have any more games at Wells Fargo for the remainder of this season and it's time for the Sixers to figure out how to win away from home. They also need to get Ben Simmons going, who fouled out in 25 ugly minutes on Monday, generating just eight points, two rebounds and five assists. That's unacceptable from an All-Star and he needs to help Joel Embiid out.
The Wizards (24-43) have to play this restart without John Wall, Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans. That's arguably their three-best scorers and it's left the team in the hands of guys like Thomas Bryant and Troy Brown Jr. Both of those guys have looked fantastic in the first few games of the Orlando restart but they still have three losses in three games. Many people believe that this is the worst club in the Orlando season and it's unfortunate that the Wizards has to play with so many key pieces out. The best-case scenario is an 1-8 matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks in the postseason and that might honestly be more embarrassing than anything.
These teams have played twice this season, splitting those two outings. The home team won in both games, averaging 122 points per outing.
The Sixers (40-27) were lucky to pull off a win on Monday, narrowly beating a short-handed San Antonio Spurs team. That followed up a disappointing loss to the Indiana Pacers in their Orlando debut and fans have to wonder just where this team is at right now. What really kills this team is the fact that they can't play at home anymore. This is a Sixers club that posted a 10-25 road record. They're not going to have any more games at Wells Fargo for the remainder of this season and it's time for the Sixers to figure out how to win away from home. They also need to get Ben Simmons going, who fouled out in 25 ugly minutes on Monday, generating just eight points, two rebounds and five assists. That's unacceptable from an All-Star and he needs to help Joel Embiid out.
The Wizards (24-43) have to play this restart without John Wall, Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans. That's arguably their three-best scorers and it's left the team in the hands of guys like Thomas Bryant and Troy Brown Jr. Both of those guys have looked fantastic in the first few games of the Orlando restart but they still have three losses in three games. Many people believe that this is the worst club in the Orlando season and it's unfortunate that the Wizards has to play with so many key pieces out. The best-case scenario is an 1-8 matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks in the postseason and that might honestly be more embarrassing than anything.
These teams have played twice this season, splitting those two outings. The home team won in both games, averaging 122 points per outing.
Thunder Look To Bounce Back In Tough Matchup
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at Orlando.
The Thunder are coming off a tough, overtime loss against the Nuggets on Monday, where they led by seven with just over three minutes left in regulation, before a late collapse and then getting outscored, 12-4, in extra time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24 points on 6-of-13 shooting, five rebounds and two assists, in the loss, while Chris Paul added 23 points, eight assists and two rebounds, and Danilo Gallinari tallied 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. The Thunder have been resilient all season, especially thanks to their efficient offense, as they shoot an average of 47.3 percent from the field, which is fourth best in the league, and they limit themselves to 12.9 turnovers, which is sixth fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are coming off a win over the Jazz on Monday, where they led through the entire fourth quarter. Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers, with 42 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals, while LeBron James followed up with 22 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Only two other players scored in double digits in the win, as Dwight Howard added 11 points and five rebounds, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with 10 points and four rebounds. The win allowed the Lakers to secure the top seed in the West, as they enter Wednesday's contest with a 6.5-game lead over second place in the conference. The Lakers are shooting an average of 48.2 percent from the field, which is the best in the NBA, however, their three-point shooting is much less impressive, as they are shooting 35.2 percent from long range. The Lakers also take care of business on the defensive end, as they are holding opponents to 106.8 points per game, which is second fewest in the league, and they average 8.6 steals per game, which is fourth most in the league.
The Thunder are coming off a tough, overtime loss against the Nuggets on Monday, where they led by seven with just over three minutes left in regulation, before a late collapse and then getting outscored, 12-4, in extra time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24 points on 6-of-13 shooting, five rebounds and two assists, in the loss, while Chris Paul added 23 points, eight assists and two rebounds, and Danilo Gallinari tallied 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. The Thunder have been resilient all season, especially thanks to their efficient offense, as they shoot an average of 47.3 percent from the field, which is fourth best in the league, and they limit themselves to 12.9 turnovers, which is sixth fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are coming off a win over the Jazz on Monday, where they led through the entire fourth quarter. Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers, with 42 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals, while LeBron James followed up with 22 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Only two other players scored in double digits in the win, as Dwight Howard added 11 points and five rebounds, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with 10 points and four rebounds. The win allowed the Lakers to secure the top seed in the West, as they enter Wednesday's contest with a 6.5-game lead over second place in the conference. The Lakers are shooting an average of 48.2 percent from the field, which is the best in the NBA, however, their three-point shooting is much less impressive, as they are shooting 35.2 percent from long range. The Lakers also take care of business on the defensive end, as they are holding opponents to 106.8 points per game, which is second fewest in the league, and they average 8.6 steals per game, which is fourth most in the league.
Raptors and Magic Battle In Prime Time Matchup
The Toronto Raptors take on the Orlando Magic in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Wednesday night.
The Raptors (48-18) have been exceeding expectations all season, and nothing has changed within the Orlando bubble. Toronto heads into Wednesday's contest having cemented their status as the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed by recording victories in each of their first three seeding games, with their most recent success coming at the expense of the Miami Heat by a 107-103 score on Monday afternoon. Fred VanVleet led the way for the Raptors with 36 points, adding five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Pascal Siakam furnished 22 points, six boards, three assists and one steal. Serge Ibaka provided 15 points and six rebounds. Kyle Lowry managed 14 points, eight boards, five assists, two blocks and one steal.
The Raptors will continue without Patrick McCaw (knee) on Wednesday.
The Magic (32-36) have enjoyed a solid start in the bubble themselves, although they saw their brief two-game win streak come to an end their last time on the floor against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday evening. Orlando, fighting to secure a postseason spot, dropped a 120-109 decision to the Indiana Pacers. Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 24 points, adding 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal. Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross produced matching 20-point tallies while pulling down seven and three rebounds, respectively. James Ennis supplied 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block. Markelle Fultz contributed 10 points off the bench.
The Magic will likely be without Michael Carter-Williams (foot) for Wednesday's contest.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Pacers hold a 3-0 series lead, having notched 104-95, 113-97 and 90-83 wins on Oct. 28, Nov. 20 and Nov. 29, respectively.
The Raptors (48-18) have been exceeding expectations all season, and nothing has changed within the Orlando bubble. Toronto heads into Wednesday's contest having cemented their status as the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed by recording victories in each of their first three seeding games, with their most recent success coming at the expense of the Miami Heat by a 107-103 score on Monday afternoon. Fred VanVleet led the way for the Raptors with 36 points, adding five rebounds, four assists and one steal. Pascal Siakam furnished 22 points, six boards, three assists and one steal. Serge Ibaka provided 15 points and six rebounds. Kyle Lowry managed 14 points, eight boards, five assists, two blocks and one steal.
The Raptors will continue without Patrick McCaw (knee) on Wednesday.
The Magic (32-36) have enjoyed a solid start in the bubble themselves, although they saw their brief two-game win streak come to an end their last time on the floor against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday evening. Orlando, fighting to secure a postseason spot, dropped a 120-109 decision to the Indiana Pacers. Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 24 points, adding 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal. Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross produced matching 20-point tallies while pulling down seven and three rebounds, respectively. James Ennis supplied 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block. Markelle Fultz contributed 10 points off the bench.
The Magic will likely be without Michael Carter-Williams (foot) for Wednesday's contest.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Pacers hold a 3-0 series lead, having notched 104-95, 113-97 and 90-83 wins on Oct. 28, Nov. 20 and Nov. 29, respectively.
Nets and Celtics Do Battle in Seeding Showdown
The Brooklyn Nets take on the Boston Celtics in an NBA seeding game in Orlando on Wednesday night.
The Nets (32-35) are still looking to officially punch their postseason ticket, and they took a big step toward that goal with a rather shocking 119-116 upset of the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday afternoon, a game they played without Caris Levert (quadriceps), Joe Harris (back) and Jarrett Allen (rest). Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the way for the Nets with 26 points, adding three rebounds and one assist. Garrett Temple totaled 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Tyler Johnson and Justin Anderson posted matching 11-point, four-rebound tallies. Rodions Kurucs and Chris Chiozza had 10 points apiece, with Chiozza also dishing out 10 assists in a bench role.
The Nets are likely to list LeVert, Harris and Jamal Crawford (hamstring) as game-time decisions at best for Wednesday's game. Allen is likely to carry a probable designation.
The Celtics (44-23) have struggled since resuming play, as only a two-point victory over the Portland Trail Blazers separates them from an 0-3 start in Orlando. Boston's most recent stumble came against the Miami Heat, which dropped them by a 112-106 score on Tuesday night. Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 23 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Jaylen Brown managed an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two steals and one block. Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker produced matching 15-point tallies, with Hayward adding seven rebounds and Walker dishing out four assists. Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter went for 11 and 10 points, respectively, while also pulling down five boards apiece.
The Celtics come into Wednesday's game without any injuries to report.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 2-1 series lead, having notched 112-107 and 129-120 victories, the latter in overtime, on Nov. 29 and March 3, respectively.
The Nets (32-35) are still looking to officially punch their postseason ticket, and they took a big step toward that goal with a rather shocking 119-116 upset of the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday afternoon, a game they played without Caris Levert (quadriceps), Joe Harris (back) and Jarrett Allen (rest). Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the way for the Nets with 26 points, adding three rebounds and one assist. Garrett Temple totaled 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Tyler Johnson and Justin Anderson posted matching 11-point, four-rebound tallies. Rodions Kurucs and Chris Chiozza had 10 points apiece, with Chiozza also dishing out 10 assists in a bench role.
The Nets are likely to list LeVert, Harris and Jamal Crawford (hamstring) as game-time decisions at best for Wednesday's game. Allen is likely to carry a probable designation.
The Celtics (44-23) have struggled since resuming play, as only a two-point victory over the Portland Trail Blazers separates them from an 0-3 start in Orlando. Boston's most recent stumble came against the Miami Heat, which dropped them by a 112-106 score on Tuesday night. Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 23 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Jaylen Brown managed an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two steals and one block. Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker produced matching 15-point tallies, with Hayward adding seven rebounds and Walker dishing out four assists. Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter went for 11 and 10 points, respectively, while also pulling down five boards apiece.
The Celtics come into Wednesday's game without any injuries to report.
Wednesday's game marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 2-1 series lead, having notched 112-107 and 129-120 victories, the latter in overtime, on Nov. 29 and March 3, respectively.