Clippers Set To Host Warriors
The Los Angeles Clippers will host the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Clippers (11-8) are coming off a 107-96 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Reggie Jackson led the Clippers with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Ivica Zubac posted a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Eric Bledsoe had 15 points, three boards and three dimes, while Paul George finished with 12 points, five boards, four assists and three steals. Terrence Mann looked impressive off the bench with 16 points and 10 rebounds across 31 minutes, and Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 points as well. The Clippers have gone 9-4 at home and this game marks the fourth game of a six-game homestand for them. They’ve gone 2-1 in that span so far.
The Warriors (16-2) are coming off a 118-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. The Warriors were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 32 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Andrew Wiggins accumulated 25 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jordan Poole compiled 14 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Draymond Green tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists, two steals and three blocks. This will be the first game out of a short two-game road trip for Golden State, and the team has gone 6-1 on the road so far.
The Clippers (11-8) are coming off a 107-96 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Reggie Jackson led the Clippers with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Ivica Zubac posted a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Eric Bledsoe had 15 points, three boards and three dimes, while Paul George finished with 12 points, five boards, four assists and three steals. Terrence Mann looked impressive off the bench with 16 points and 10 rebounds across 31 minutes, and Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 points as well. The Clippers have gone 9-4 at home and this game marks the fourth game of a six-game homestand for them. They’ve gone 2-1 in that span so far.
The Warriors (16-2) are coming off a 118-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. The Warriors were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 32 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Andrew Wiggins accumulated 25 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jordan Poole compiled 14 points, two rebounds and five assists, while Draymond Green tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists, two steals and three blocks. This will be the first game out of a short two-game road trip for Golden State, and the team has gone 6-1 on the road so far.
Pacers Host Streaking Bucks
By Dan Bruno
The Indiana Pacers play host to the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday evening.
This marks the third and final game of a home stand for the Pacers (9-12), where they have gone 1-1, so far, with a loss to the Lakers, followed by a win against the Raptors on Friday. The Pacers will look to build off the recent win and add to their, 6-3, home record. Malcolm Brogdon leads the team, averaging 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists, per game. Domantas Sabonis is averaging 18.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals, while Caris LeVert is averaging 14.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The Pacers are averaging 108.0 points per game, while shooting an average of 46.0 percent from the field. On the other hand, they are doing a solid job on defense, holding opponents to an average of 105.8 points on 44.2 percent shooting, per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Bucks (12-8), which they began with a win in Denver on Friday. They have won six games in a row and will look to keep it rolling by adding to their, 6-4, road record. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks, averaging 27.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Khris Middleton has been playing well in six games since returning from an extended absence, as he is averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Bobby Portis has also been playing great, as he continues to fill in for the sidelined Brook Lopez. Portis is averaging 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Lopez (back), Semi Ojeleye (calf) and Donte DiVincenzo are expected to remain sidelined through Sunday's contest.
This marks the third and final game of a home stand for the Pacers (9-12), where they have gone 1-1, so far, with a loss to the Lakers, followed by a win against the Raptors on Friday. The Pacers will look to build off the recent win and add to their, 6-3, home record. Malcolm Brogdon leads the team, averaging 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists, per game. Domantas Sabonis is averaging 18.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals, while Caris LeVert is averaging 14.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The Pacers are averaging 108.0 points per game, while shooting an average of 46.0 percent from the field. On the other hand, they are doing a solid job on defense, holding opponents to an average of 105.8 points on 44.2 percent shooting, per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Bucks (12-8), which they began with a win in Denver on Friday. They have won six games in a row and will look to keep it rolling by adding to their, 6-4, road record. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks, averaging 27.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Khris Middleton has been playing well in six games since returning from an extended absence, as he is averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Bobby Portis has also been playing great, as he continues to fill in for the sidelined Brook Lopez. Portis is averaging 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Lopez (back), Semi Ojeleye (calf) and Donte DiVincenzo are expected to remain sidelined through Sunday's contest.
Raptors Kick Off Seven-Game Home Stand
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors play host to the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday evening.
This marks the first game of a seven-game home stand for the Raptors (9-11), who are returning from a six-game road trip, where they went, 2-4, with losses in Portland, Utah, Golden State and Indiana, and wins in Sacramento and Memphis. The Raptors are, 2-6, at home, so far, and will look to kick off the home stand on the right track. OG Anunoby (hip) is the team's leading scorer, but he has missed the last five games and remains questionable for action on Sunday. Gary Trent (calf) is also listed as questionable, while Khem Birch (knee) will remain sidelined. On a positive note, Fred VanVleet is playing great, averaging 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Pascal Siakam is averaging 17.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while Scottie Barnes is averaging 14.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Celtics (10-10), which they began with a loss in San Antonio on Friday night. They will look to get back on track and add to their, 5-6, road record, while also hoping to put an end to a two-game slide. Jayson Tatum leads the team, averaging 25.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Jaylen Brown averages 23.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals, while Al Horford continues to play well, averaging 12.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. Dennis Schroder (ankle) will be sidelined for Sunday's action while, Robert Williams (illness) has missed the last two games and five of the last six games, and will remain out through Sunday's contest. The Celtics are scoring an average of 107.1 points per game, but they are shooting an average of 43.6 percent from the field, which is among the worst in the league.
This marks the first game of a seven-game home stand for the Raptors (9-11), who are returning from a six-game road trip, where they went, 2-4, with losses in Portland, Utah, Golden State and Indiana, and wins in Sacramento and Memphis. The Raptors are, 2-6, at home, so far, and will look to kick off the home stand on the right track. OG Anunoby (hip) is the team's leading scorer, but he has missed the last five games and remains questionable for action on Sunday. Gary Trent (calf) is also listed as questionable, while Khem Birch (knee) will remain sidelined. On a positive note, Fred VanVleet is playing great, averaging 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Pascal Siakam is averaging 17.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while Scottie Barnes is averaging 14.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Meanwhile, this marks the second game of a two-game road trip for the Celtics (10-10), which they began with a loss in San Antonio on Friday night. They will look to get back on track and add to their, 5-6, road record, while also hoping to put an end to a two-game slide. Jayson Tatum leads the team, averaging 25.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Jaylen Brown averages 23.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals, while Al Horford continues to play well, averaging 12.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. Dennis Schroder (ankle) will be sidelined for Sunday's action while, Robert Williams (illness) has missed the last two games and five of the last six games, and will remain out through Sunday's contest. The Celtics are scoring an average of 107.1 points per game, but they are shooting an average of 43.6 percent from the field, which is among the worst in the league.
Kings and Grizzlies Face Off in Conference Battle
The Sacramento Kings take on the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum on Sunday evening.
The Kings (8-12) have found consistency elusive over the first month-plus of the season, but Sacramento does come into Sunday's game with back-to-back wins for only the third time this season. Their most recent success was a memorable one, as Sacramento notched a 141-137 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in triple overtime on Friday night. De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 34 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds and one steal. Buddy Hield furnished 25 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 19 points, nine assists, six rebounds and five steals. Marvin Bagley, Tristan Thompson and Terence Davis posted 13 points apiece while pulling down seven, five and six rebounds, respectively. Alex Len supplied 12 points, eight boards and one block.
The Kings will list Harrison Barnes (foot) as doubtful for Sunday's game, while the Maurice Harkless (knee) will carry a questionable designation. Richaun Holmes (illness) will remain out.
The Grizzlies (9-10) come into Sunday's game on a downward trajectory, as they've lost three of their past four games. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they fell to the Atlanta Hawks by a 132-100 score, a game during which they lost Ja Morant after just nine minutes into the contest with what has now been diagnosed as a knee sprain that will keep him out an undetermined amount of time. Jon Konchar paced the Grizzlies with 17 points, complementing them with five rebounds and three assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. totaled 14 points, five boards, one steal and one block. Dillon Brooks supplied 12 points, five rebounds and one assist. Tyus Jones netted 10 points.
In addition to Morant, the Grizzlies have no other injuries of note.
Sunday's game marks the first of three games between the teams this season. The Grizzlies won the three-game 2020-21 season series by a 2-1 margin.
The Kings (8-12) have found consistency elusive over the first month-plus of the season, but Sacramento does come into Sunday's game with back-to-back wins for only the third time this season. Their most recent success was a memorable one, as Sacramento notched a 141-137 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in triple overtime on Friday night. De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 34 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds and one steal. Buddy Hield furnished 25 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 19 points, nine assists, six rebounds and five steals. Marvin Bagley, Tristan Thompson and Terence Davis posted 13 points apiece while pulling down seven, five and six rebounds, respectively. Alex Len supplied 12 points, eight boards and one block.
The Kings will list Harrison Barnes (foot) as doubtful for Sunday's game, while the Maurice Harkless (knee) will carry a questionable designation. Richaun Holmes (illness) will remain out.
The Grizzlies (9-10) come into Sunday's game on a downward trajectory, as they've lost three of their past four games. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they fell to the Atlanta Hawks by a 132-100 score, a game during which they lost Ja Morant after just nine minutes into the contest with what has now been diagnosed as a knee sprain that will keep him out an undetermined amount of time. Jon Konchar paced the Grizzlies with 17 points, complementing them with five rebounds and three assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. totaled 14 points, five boards, one steal and one block. Dillon Brooks supplied 12 points, five rebounds and one assist. Tyus Jones netted 10 points.
In addition to Morant, the Grizzlies have no other injuries of note.
Sunday's game marks the first of three games between the teams this season. The Grizzlies won the three-game 2020-21 season series by a 2-1 margin.
Pistons and Lakers Meet Out West
The Detroit Pistons take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Sunday night.
The Pistons (4-15) have been perennial residents of the loss column thus far this season, and they'll enter Sunday's game having dropped five straight and 10 of the last 11. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they fell to the Los Angeles Clippers by a 107-96 score. Jerami Grant led the Pistons with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three assists. Trey Lyles delivered 13 points and five boards. Cade Cunningham provided 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Cory Joseph and Frank Jackson matched Cunningham's scoring total.
The Pistons will list Jackson (ankle) and Killian Hayes (thumb) as probable for Sunday's game.
The Lakers (10-11) have had their share of troubles this season, as their surprisingly sub-par record indicates. Los Angeles comes into Sunday's game having dropped five of their last seven contests, with their most recent stumble coming in a 141-137 triple-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 30 points, complementing them with 11 assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Russell Westbrook generated a 29-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that included two steals. Anthony Davis supplied 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four blocks and three steals. Malik Monk registered 20 points, five boards, three assists and one steal. Carmelo Anthony totaled 16 points, four rebounds and one steal.
The Lakers will list James (abdomen) as questionable for Sunday's game, while Davis (head) will carry a probable tag.
Sunday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Lakers own a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 121-116 win last Sunday.
The Pistons (4-15) have been perennial residents of the loss column thus far this season, and they'll enter Sunday's game having dropped five straight and 10 of the last 11. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they fell to the Los Angeles Clippers by a 107-96 score. Jerami Grant led the Pistons with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that included three assists. Trey Lyles delivered 13 points and five boards. Cade Cunningham provided 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Cory Joseph and Frank Jackson matched Cunningham's scoring total.
The Pistons will list Jackson (ankle) and Killian Hayes (thumb) as probable for Sunday's game.
The Lakers (10-11) have had their share of troubles this season, as their surprisingly sub-par record indicates. Los Angeles comes into Sunday's game having dropped five of their last seven contests, with their most recent stumble coming in a 141-137 triple-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 30 points, complementing them with 11 assists, seven rebounds and one steal. Russell Westbrook generated a 29-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound triple-double that included two steals. Anthony Davis supplied 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four blocks and three steals. Malik Monk registered 20 points, five boards, three assists and one steal. Carmelo Anthony totaled 16 points, four rebounds and one steal.
The Lakers will list James (abdomen) as questionable for Sunday's game, while Davis (head) will carry a probable tag.
Sunday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Lakers own a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 121-116 win last Sunday.