Wizards and Knicks Square Off in London
The Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks square off at O2 Arena on Thursday, as this game will be played in London.
The Knicks (10-33) are arguably the worst team in the league right now, as they've lost 17 of their last 19 games. That's not exactly what London fans want to see, as this club ranks 23rd in scoring, 30th in assists and 28th in points allowed. The one thing that fans will get to see is some young talent, as they've developed a solid young core. New York has gone with the strategy of accumulating first-round sell-outs and it's actually worked pretty well for them. Players like Emmanuel Mudiay, Noah Vonleh and Mario Hezonja have shown signs of brilliance for this team and it's a good building block around Kristaps Porzigis. That's the big question though, as his status is hard to figure with the lack of news surrounding his knee injury. With the season fading quickly, they may choose to hold him out for the whole season altogether and it'll be yet another lost season for Knicks fans.
The Wizards (18-26) have won five of their last eight games heading into this matchup, as this may be one final stand to stay in contention. What's interesting about this club is the fact that they're essentially playing with four wings, as their best players are Bradley Beal, Trevor Ariza, Tomas Satoranky and Otto Porter Jr. That would make one think that this is a tough defense but they currently rank 29th in points allowed. That's the main reason why this team has underwhelmed so much this season and it would be hard to imagine them remaining in contention without their all-star point guard (John Wall). That's why trade rumors are swirling around this team, as the next few weeks will determine whether this club is a buyer or seller at the trade deadline.
Not only has Washington won both of their games over New York this season, but they've also won 10 of their last 11 games over them in total.
The Knicks (10-33) are arguably the worst team in the league right now, as they've lost 17 of their last 19 games. That's not exactly what London fans want to see, as this club ranks 23rd in scoring, 30th in assists and 28th in points allowed. The one thing that fans will get to see is some young talent, as they've developed a solid young core. New York has gone with the strategy of accumulating first-round sell-outs and it's actually worked pretty well for them. Players like Emmanuel Mudiay, Noah Vonleh and Mario Hezonja have shown signs of brilliance for this team and it's a good building block around Kristaps Porzigis. That's the big question though, as his status is hard to figure with the lack of news surrounding his knee injury. With the season fading quickly, they may choose to hold him out for the whole season altogether and it'll be yet another lost season for Knicks fans.
The Wizards (18-26) have won five of their last eight games heading into this matchup, as this may be one final stand to stay in contention. What's interesting about this club is the fact that they're essentially playing with four wings, as their best players are Bradley Beal, Trevor Ariza, Tomas Satoranky and Otto Porter Jr. That would make one think that this is a tough defense but they currently rank 29th in points allowed. That's the main reason why this team has underwhelmed so much this season and it would be hard to imagine them remaining in contention without their all-star point guard (John Wall). That's why trade rumors are swirling around this team, as the next few weeks will determine whether this club is a buyer or seller at the trade deadline.
Not only has Washington won both of their games over New York this season, but they've also won 10 of their last 11 games over them in total.
Pacers Looking To Build On Two-Game Winning Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Indiana Pacers play host to the Philadelphia 76ers, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday evening.
This marks the second game of a five-game home stand for the Pacers (29-14), which they kicked off with a win over the Suns on Tuesday. The Pacers have won their last four straight at home, where they are 15-5 this season. They sit third place in the East, just 2.5 games out of first and, 1.0 games ahead of the fourth-place 76ers, giving this matchup a little bit more significance. Victor Oladipo was quiet, with just eight points in the Pacers' most recent contest, but leads the team, averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals, in 32 minutes per game. Domantas Sabonis has been fantastic for Indiana this season, averaging 15.2 points on 62 percent shooting, along with 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, off the bench. Myles Turner has been in and out of action over the last couple of months, but most recently is back and ready to go, as he averages 13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.8 assists per game.
Meanwhile, the 76ers (29-16) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last two in a row. They have won three of their last four road games, but are just 10-12 on the road this season. Joel Embiid leads the Sixers, averaging 27.0 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. Ben Simmons is also a force to be reckoned with, as he is averaging 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Jimmy Butler fills in where needed on either end of the floor, doing what it takes to help grind out wins. He has also come up super clutch with game-winning shots on more than one occasion since joining Philly. Butler is averaging 19.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
This marks the second game of a five-game home stand for the Pacers (29-14), which they kicked off with a win over the Suns on Tuesday. The Pacers have won their last four straight at home, where they are 15-5 this season. They sit third place in the East, just 2.5 games out of first and, 1.0 games ahead of the fourth-place 76ers, giving this matchup a little bit more significance. Victor Oladipo was quiet, with just eight points in the Pacers' most recent contest, but leads the team, averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals, in 32 minutes per game. Domantas Sabonis has been fantastic for Indiana this season, averaging 15.2 points on 62 percent shooting, along with 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, off the bench. Myles Turner has been in and out of action over the last couple of months, but most recently is back and ready to go, as he averages 13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.8 assists per game.
Meanwhile, the 76ers (29-16) have won seven of their last 10 games, including their last two in a row. They have won three of their last four road games, but are just 10-12 on the road this season. Joel Embiid leads the Sixers, averaging 27.0 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. Ben Simmons is also a force to be reckoned with, as he is averaging 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Jimmy Butler fills in where needed on either end of the floor, doing what it takes to help grind out wins. He has also come up super clutch with game-winning shots on more than one occasion since joining Philly. Butler is averaging 19.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
Kings, Hornets Square Off in Charlotte
By Oscar Heanue
The Sacramento Kings will visit the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on Thursday evening.
Sacramento (23-21) comes into Thursday's matchup having won three in a row and four out of five. The Kings have won each of those games in commanding fashion, earning a margin of victory of seven or more in each contest. One of those wins came against the Hornets, as guards De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield scored 21 points each. Fox added three steals on the defensive end, where he has been particularly active this season. The second-year guard is averaging an impressive 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game this year.
Charlotte (20-23), meanwhile, has gone cold in recent weeks. The Hornets have gone 2-5 in their last seven, and have struggled to make things work on defense. The Hornets are ceding 111.8 points per game, ranking just 20th in the NBA. Still, Charlotte is enjoying a bright spot in All-Star point guard Kemba Walker. Walker is scoring a career-high 25.2 points per game this season and is hitting 3.3 three-pointers per game. The Hornets will hope to turn things around with a win on Thursday.
The Hornets will be without big man Cody Zeller, who had surgery on his hand in early January.
Sacramento (23-21) comes into Thursday's matchup having won three in a row and four out of five. The Kings have won each of those games in commanding fashion, earning a margin of victory of seven or more in each contest. One of those wins came against the Hornets, as guards De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield scored 21 points each. Fox added three steals on the defensive end, where he has been particularly active this season. The second-year guard is averaging an impressive 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game this year.
Charlotte (20-23), meanwhile, has gone cold in recent weeks. The Hornets have gone 2-5 in their last seven, and have struggled to make things work on defense. The Hornets are ceding 111.8 points per game, ranking just 20th in the NBA. Still, Charlotte is enjoying a bright spot in All-Star point guard Kemba Walker. Walker is scoring a career-high 25.2 points per game this season and is hitting 3.3 three-pointers per game. The Hornets will hope to turn things around with a win on Thursday.
The Hornets will be without big man Cody Zeller, who had surgery on his hand in early January.
Suns Head North of Border to Battle Raptors
The Phoenix Suns take on the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday evening.
The Suns (11-34) have endured plenty of futility on the road, as they've dropped 17 of their 21 away contests. Their latest travel-related debacle unfolded Tuesday night, when they were walloped, 131-97, by the Indiana Pacers. T.J. Warren led the way with 18 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Kelly Oubre, Jr. managed 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Deandre Ayton tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Richaun Holmes checked in with 13 points, five boards, two assists and one block. Devin Booker and Josh Jackson provided matching eight-point contributions.
The Suns will list Jamal Crawford (knee) as questionable for Thursday's contest.
The Raptors (33-13) have been playing as effectively as their record implies, but they did see a five-game win streak come to an end Wednesday night with a 117-108 defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 33 points, adding four rebounds, two assists and four steals. Serge Ibaka turned in 22 points and 10 rebounds. Danny Green managed 15 points, six rebounds and one assist. Greg Monroe and Norman Powell generated matching 11-point tallies, with Monroe also notably bringing in nine rebounds. Kyle Lowry mustered 10 points, seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Raptors will likely list C.J. Miles (hip) and OG Anunoby (personal) as questionable at best for Thursday after both missed Wednesday's contest.
Thursday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. Toronto holds a 1-0 lead, having notched a 107-98 victory on Nov. 2.
The Suns (11-34) have endured plenty of futility on the road, as they've dropped 17 of their 21 away contests. Their latest travel-related debacle unfolded Tuesday night, when they were walloped, 131-97, by the Indiana Pacers. T.J. Warren led the way with 18 points, adding three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Kelly Oubre, Jr. managed 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Deandre Ayton tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, one steal and one block. Richaun Holmes checked in with 13 points, five boards, two assists and one block. Devin Booker and Josh Jackson provided matching eight-point contributions.
The Suns will list Jamal Crawford (knee) as questionable for Thursday's contest.
The Raptors (33-13) have been playing as effectively as their record implies, but they did see a five-game win streak come to an end Wednesday night with a 117-108 defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 33 points, adding four rebounds, two assists and four steals. Serge Ibaka turned in 22 points and 10 rebounds. Danny Green managed 15 points, six rebounds and one assist. Greg Monroe and Norman Powell generated matching 11-point tallies, with Monroe also notably bringing in nine rebounds. Kyle Lowry mustered 10 points, seven assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Raptors will likely list C.J. Miles (hip) and OG Anunoby (personal) as questionable at best for Thursday after both missed Wednesday's contest.
Thursday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. Toronto holds a 1-0 lead, having notched a 107-98 victory on Nov. 2.
Bulls Visit Nuggets at Pepsi Center
By Oscar Heanue
The Chicago Bulls will visit the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on Thursday evening.
Chicago (10-34) enters Thursday's matchup having lost eight straight games. The team's stagnant offense is largely to blame for its misfortunes, as the Bulls sit in last place league-wide in both scoring (100.9 points per game) and offensive rating (101.8). The team's lackluster offense was on full display in the team's loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. Chicago shot just 40.2 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range. It did see promising play, however, from Jabari Parker, who contributed 18 points in just 16 minutes off the bench.
Denver (29-14) is coming off a blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors in which it allowed a season-worst 142 points, including 51 in the first quarter. It was an uncharacteristic performance for the Nuggets, who are holding opponents to just 106.3 points per game this season, the sixth-lowest mark in the league. Denver also saw a relatively pedestrian performance from superstar Nikola Jokic, who finished with just 17 points and three rebounds. Still, the Nuggets have plenty to be happy about, as they have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games and currently sit at second place in the Western Conference.
Chicago (10-34) enters Thursday's matchup having lost eight straight games. The team's stagnant offense is largely to blame for its misfortunes, as the Bulls sit in last place league-wide in both scoring (100.9 points per game) and offensive rating (101.8). The team's lackluster offense was on full display in the team's loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. Chicago shot just 40.2 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range. It did see promising play, however, from Jabari Parker, who contributed 18 points in just 16 minutes off the bench.
Denver (29-14) is coming off a blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors in which it allowed a season-worst 142 points, including 51 in the first quarter. It was an uncharacteristic performance for the Nuggets, who are holding opponents to just 106.3 points per game this season, the sixth-lowest mark in the league. Denver also saw a relatively pedestrian performance from superstar Nikola Jokic, who finished with just 17 points and three rebounds. Still, the Nuggets have plenty to be happy about, as they have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games and currently sit at second place in the Western Conference.
Lakers Visit Thunder in OKC
By Oscar Heanue
The Los Angeles Lakers will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday evening.
Los Angeles (24-21) is fresh off a much-needed win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. The Lakers snapped a two-game losing skid with the win. The absence of LeBron James continues to loom large over the Lakers' mid-season, as the team is just 4-7 since James went down with a strained groin in late December. His absence has allowed time for LA's younger stars to flourish, however. Kyle Kuzma has been the team's leading scorer with James sidelined, averaging 21 points per game over that stretch.
The Lakers will also be without Rajon Rondo, who is still recovering after having surgery on his right ring finger.
OKC (26-17), meanwhile, is coming off an embarrassing loss in which they ceded a season-high 142 points to the struggling Atlanta Hawks. It was an uncharacteristic performance for the Thunder, who boast the third-best defensive rating in the league this season. Thursday's game will provide a chance to bounce back, however, as the Thunder held LA to just 100 points in their last matchup. In that game, star forward Paul George led the Thunder with 37 points against his hometown team.
The Thunder will be without Nerlens Noel, who is in concussion protocol, and Andre Roberson, who remains out with a knee injury.
Los Angeles (24-21) is fresh off a much-needed win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. The Lakers snapped a two-game losing skid with the win. The absence of LeBron James continues to loom large over the Lakers' mid-season, as the team is just 4-7 since James went down with a strained groin in late December. His absence has allowed time for LA's younger stars to flourish, however. Kyle Kuzma has been the team's leading scorer with James sidelined, averaging 21 points per game over that stretch.
The Lakers will also be without Rajon Rondo, who is still recovering after having surgery on his right ring finger.
OKC (26-17), meanwhile, is coming off an embarrassing loss in which they ceded a season-high 142 points to the struggling Atlanta Hawks. It was an uncharacteristic performance for the Thunder, who boast the third-best defensive rating in the league this season. Thursday's game will provide a chance to bounce back, however, as the Thunder held LA to just 100 points in their last matchup. In that game, star forward Paul George led the Thunder with 37 points against his hometown team.
The Thunder will be without Nerlens Noel, who is in concussion protocol, and Andre Roberson, who remains out with a knee injury.