Hornets Host Surging Sixers on Tuesday
The Charlotte Hornets play host to the Philadelphia 76ers at Spectrum Center on Tuesday.
The Sixers (45-25) come into this matchup winning four-straight, as they couldn't he happier to see Joel Embiid back in the fold. The all-star center has come back with some serious fury, as he looks ready for the final month of the season. With all that said, he has already been ruled out for this matchup, as Philly wants to manage his minutes heading inti the postseason. Having Embiid right for the playoffs is the ultimate goal and it's no surprise they're taking every precaution to have him fully healthy. He currently leads this team with 27.3 points and 13.6 rebounds and they'll despertely miss those numbers here against a weak Charlotte frontline.
The Hornets (31-38) home record is the only thing keeping them in playoff contention, as they own a 21-14 record at Spectrum Center this season. That has Charlotte just outside of the playoffs, as they sit just two games back on the Miami Heat in eighth. The one major issue is that there's so many other teams battling for that final spot, with the Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic both within three games as well. Reaching the playoffs would be a huge success for this club though and it would definitely help them attract free agents in this critical upcoming offseason. What they realy need to do is get some help for Kemba Walker. Walker currently leads this team with 25 points and 5.7 assists per game but no one on the roster is even close to those averages. That's why Walker may have a huge final month, as Charlotte will need to ride him to the finish line to make it into the tournament.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with the Sixers looking for the season sweep. In addition, Philly swept their four-game season series over Charlotte last year and is looking for their 10th-straight win over them in total.
The Sixers (45-25) come into this matchup winning four-straight, as they couldn't he happier to see Joel Embiid back in the fold. The all-star center has come back with some serious fury, as he looks ready for the final month of the season. With all that said, he has already been ruled out for this matchup, as Philly wants to manage his minutes heading inti the postseason. Having Embiid right for the playoffs is the ultimate goal and it's no surprise they're taking every precaution to have him fully healthy. He currently leads this team with 27.3 points and 13.6 rebounds and they'll despertely miss those numbers here against a weak Charlotte frontline.
The Hornets (31-38) home record is the only thing keeping them in playoff contention, as they own a 21-14 record at Spectrum Center this season. That has Charlotte just outside of the playoffs, as they sit just two games back on the Miami Heat in eighth. The one major issue is that there's so many other teams battling for that final spot, with the Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic both within three games as well. Reaching the playoffs would be a huge success for this club though and it would definitely help them attract free agents in this critical upcoming offseason. What they realy need to do is get some help for Kemba Walker. Walker currently leads this team with 25 points and 5.7 assists per game but no one on the roster is even close to those averages. That's why Walker may have a huge final month, as Charlotte will need to ride him to the finish line to make it into the tournament.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these teams, with the Sixers looking for the season sweep. In addition, Philly swept their four-game season series over Charlotte last year and is looking for their 10th-straight win over them in total.
Hawks Host Red-Hot Rockets
By Dan Bruno
The Atlanta Hawks play host to the Houston Rockets, at State Farm Arena on Tuesday evening.
This marks the first game of a three-game home stand for the Hawks (24-47), who are coming off two straight road losses. The Hawks won two in a row before the road trip, and are 13-21 at home this season. They sit 12th place in the East and are virtually eliminated from the playoff race. Nonetheless, the young team has put together some impressive moments so far, led by Trae Young and John Collins. The duo is already notable, as Young is averaging 18.4 points, 7.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds, in 31 minutes per game, while Collins is averaging 19.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists, in 30 minutes per game. Vince Carter continues to contribute, averaging 10.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists, in 24 minutes per game, over his last 10 games. The Hawks are giving up 118.5 points per game, which is the worst in the NBA.
Meanwhile, the Rockets (44-26) have won nine of their last 10 games, and sit third place in the West, 3.5 games out of third. This marks the first game of a two-game road set for the Rockets, who have won their last five road games, and are 17-16 on the road this season. James Harden leads the Rockets averaging 35.9 points 7.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. Harden finished with 20 points and 10 assists in the Rockets' last outing, a total that amazingly is one of his quieter games of the season. Chris Paul led the team with 25 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in the contest, and has been playing well since returning from injury. Paul is averaging 13.7 points, 7.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over his last nine games. Clint Capela showed he is right there with Harden and Paul to give Houston a deadly big three, as he finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, in the Rockets' last contest, and is averaging 16.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this season.
This marks the first game of a three-game home stand for the Hawks (24-47), who are coming off two straight road losses. The Hawks won two in a row before the road trip, and are 13-21 at home this season. They sit 12th place in the East and are virtually eliminated from the playoff race. Nonetheless, the young team has put together some impressive moments so far, led by Trae Young and John Collins. The duo is already notable, as Young is averaging 18.4 points, 7.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds, in 31 minutes per game, while Collins is averaging 19.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists, in 30 minutes per game. Vince Carter continues to contribute, averaging 10.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists, in 24 minutes per game, over his last 10 games. The Hawks are giving up 118.5 points per game, which is the worst in the NBA.
Meanwhile, the Rockets (44-26) have won nine of their last 10 games, and sit third place in the West, 3.5 games out of third. This marks the first game of a two-game road set for the Rockets, who have won their last five road games, and are 17-16 on the road this season. James Harden leads the Rockets averaging 35.9 points 7.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. Harden finished with 20 points and 10 assists in the Rockets' last outing, a total that amazingly is one of his quieter games of the season. Chris Paul led the team with 25 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in the contest, and has been playing well since returning from injury. Paul is averaging 13.7 points, 7.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over his last nine games. Clint Capela showed he is right there with Harden and Paul to give Houston a deadly big three, as he finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, in the Rockets' last contest, and is averaging 16.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this season.
Lakers and Bucks Tangle In Interconference Battle
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday evening.
The Lakers (31-39) seem to be in the process of putting the final nail in the coffin of their season, as they'll come into Tuesday's contest having dropped three of the first four games of their current road trip, and eight of their last nine games overall. Their most recent loss was a heart-breaking 124-123 defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon. LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 33 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds and one block. Kyle Kuzma managed 18 points, eight assists and one steal. Reggie Bullock poured in 14 points. JaVale McGee and Johnathan Williams contributed matching 12-point, seven-rebound tallies. Alex Caruso matched their scoring total and added three rebounds, two assists, five steals and three blocks. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope pitched in 11 points and four rebounds.
The Lakers will likely list Lance Stephenson (toe) and Tyson Chandler (neck) as questionable at best for Tuesday's game.
The Bucks (52-18) enter Tuesday in the midst of a strong stretch of play, as they've managed wins in four of their last six contests and hold a two-game lead over the Toronto Raptors for the top seed of the Eastern Conference. However, one of the two losses during that span unfolded their last time on the court, as they dropped 130-125 decision to the Philadelphia 76ers. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with a massive 52-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included seven assists, two steals and one block. Khris Middleton supplied 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Brook Lopez furnished 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, four blocks and one steal. D.J. Wilson poured in 13 points off the bench. Eric Bledsoe registered 12 points, six assists, five boards and two steals.
The Bucks will list Antetokounmpo (ankle) as questionable for Tuesday's game. Donte DiVincenzo (heel) and Sterling Brown (wrist) are likely to share the same designation. Malcolm Brogdon (foot) remains out.
Tuesday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Bucks hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 131-120 victory on March 1.
The Lakers (31-39) seem to be in the process of putting the final nail in the coffin of their season, as they'll come into Tuesday's contest having dropped three of the first four games of their current road trip, and eight of their last nine games overall. Their most recent loss was a heart-breaking 124-123 defeat at the hands of the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon. LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 33 points, adding eight assists, six rebounds and one block. Kyle Kuzma managed 18 points, eight assists and one steal. Reggie Bullock poured in 14 points. JaVale McGee and Johnathan Williams contributed matching 12-point, seven-rebound tallies. Alex Caruso matched their scoring total and added three rebounds, two assists, five steals and three blocks. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope pitched in 11 points and four rebounds.
The Lakers will likely list Lance Stephenson (toe) and Tyson Chandler (neck) as questionable at best for Tuesday's game.
The Bucks (52-18) enter Tuesday in the midst of a strong stretch of play, as they've managed wins in four of their last six contests and hold a two-game lead over the Toronto Raptors for the top seed of the Eastern Conference. However, one of the two losses during that span unfolded their last time on the court, as they dropped 130-125 decision to the Philadelphia 76ers. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with a massive 52-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included seven assists, two steals and one block. Khris Middleton supplied 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Brook Lopez furnished 14 points, four rebounds, one assist, four blocks and one steal. D.J. Wilson poured in 13 points off the bench. Eric Bledsoe registered 12 points, six assists, five boards and two steals.
The Bucks will list Antetokounmpo (ankle) as questionable for Tuesday's game. Donte DiVincenzo (heel) and Sterling Brown (wrist) are likely to share the same designation. Malcolm Brogdon (foot) remains out.
Tuesday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Bucks hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 131-120 victory on March 1.
Warriors Close Out Road Trip Against Timberwolves
The Golden State Warriors will travel to Minnesota on Tuesday to take on the Timberwolves at Target Center.
The Warriors (47-22) find themselves in a difficult spot Tuesday night, as the team will be playing its third game on the road in four nights. To make matters worse, they will be coming off a deflating 111-105 loss to the Spurs on Monday night following two huge road victories over the Rockets and Thunder. And now, with that loss being paired with a Nuggets victory Monday, the Warriors are now back to being tied with Denver for first place in the Western Conference with just 13 games left to play. On top of all that, the team may be without starting center DeMarcus Cousins for a little while after the big man suffered a right ankle injury in Saturday's win over the Thunder. Fortunately, an MRI on Monday revealed no structural damage, and newly-signed Andrew Bogut joined the team and started in Monday night's game in San Antonio.
As for the Timberwolves (32-38), they will come into Tuesday's contest as losers of three straight games, but those three games were arguably the toughest stretch any NBA team has faced all season. Minnesota just wrapped up a road trip that took them from Denver to Utah to Houston over the course of five days, and frankly, none of the games were even close. After losing by 26 to the Nuggets, the Timberwolves lost by 20 in Utah and rounded out the trip with a 15-point loss to the surging Rockets. And the injuries the team is dealing with certainly aren't helping, as Jeff Teague (foot) has already been ruled out while Derrick Rose (elbow) is listed as doubtful. This will be the third time the Timberwolves square off with the Warriors but the first time at home, with Golden State winning the first two by 17 and eight on its home floor.
The Warriors (47-22) find themselves in a difficult spot Tuesday night, as the team will be playing its third game on the road in four nights. To make matters worse, they will be coming off a deflating 111-105 loss to the Spurs on Monday night following two huge road victories over the Rockets and Thunder. And now, with that loss being paired with a Nuggets victory Monday, the Warriors are now back to being tied with Denver for first place in the Western Conference with just 13 games left to play. On top of all that, the team may be without starting center DeMarcus Cousins for a little while after the big man suffered a right ankle injury in Saturday's win over the Thunder. Fortunately, an MRI on Monday revealed no structural damage, and newly-signed Andrew Bogut joined the team and started in Monday night's game in San Antonio.
As for the Timberwolves (32-38), they will come into Tuesday's contest as losers of three straight games, but those three games were arguably the toughest stretch any NBA team has faced all season. Minnesota just wrapped up a road trip that took them from Denver to Utah to Houston over the course of five days, and frankly, none of the games were even close. After losing by 26 to the Nuggets, the Timberwolves lost by 20 in Utah and rounded out the trip with a 15-point loss to the surging Rockets. And the injuries the team is dealing with certainly aren't helping, as Jeff Teague (foot) has already been ruled out while Derrick Rose (elbow) is listed as doubtful. This will be the third time the Timberwolves square off with the Warriors but the first time at home, with Golden State winning the first two by 17 and eight on its home floor.
Nets Visit Sacramento Amidst Playoff Chase
By Oscar Heanue
The Sacramento Kings will host the Brooklyn Nets at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday.
Both teams have hovered around .500 for much of the season. Unfortunately for Sacramento (34-35), that is unlikely to cut it in a crowded Western Conference. The Kings currently occupy ninth place in the West, six games back of the Los Angeles Clippers for the final playoff slot. Sacramento did itself no favors with a brutal three-game losing streak last week, but the team managed to bounce back with a blowout win over the Bulls on Sunday. The Kings continued to see strong play from Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox, who combined for 33 points, as well as rookie star Marvin Bagley III, who pitched in 21 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Bagley's strong play has been a silver lining for the Kings in the midst of their fall from the playoff picture. He is averaging over 17 points and eight rebounds per game since the start of February.
Brooklyn (36-36), on the other hand, looks poised to earn its first playoff berth since 2015. The Nets currently sit at seventh in the East, just 1.5 games back of the surging Detroit Pistons. However, the Nets have run into a rough patch since kicking off their West Coast road trip. Brooklyn has dropped three straight games, including a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer against the Clippers on Sunday. While the outcome was not what the Nets had hoped for, they saw yet another star-caliber performance from point guard D'Angelo Russell. The first-time All-Star led all scorers in the game with 32 points and also contributed 10 assists in the narrow loss. Russell will hope to keep it up as Brooklyn looks to snap its streak and get above .500 on Tuesday.
Both teams have hovered around .500 for much of the season. Unfortunately for Sacramento (34-35), that is unlikely to cut it in a crowded Western Conference. The Kings currently occupy ninth place in the West, six games back of the Los Angeles Clippers for the final playoff slot. Sacramento did itself no favors with a brutal three-game losing streak last week, but the team managed to bounce back with a blowout win over the Bulls on Sunday. The Kings continued to see strong play from Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox, who combined for 33 points, as well as rookie star Marvin Bagley III, who pitched in 21 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Bagley's strong play has been a silver lining for the Kings in the midst of their fall from the playoff picture. He is averaging over 17 points and eight rebounds per game since the start of February.
Brooklyn (36-36), on the other hand, looks poised to earn its first playoff berth since 2015. The Nets currently sit at seventh in the East, just 1.5 games back of the surging Detroit Pistons. However, the Nets have run into a rough patch since kicking off their West Coast road trip. Brooklyn has dropped three straight games, including a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer against the Clippers on Sunday. While the outcome was not what the Nets had hoped for, they saw yet another star-caliber performance from point guard D'Angelo Russell. The first-time All-Star led all scorers in the game with 32 points and also contributed 10 assists in the narrow loss. Russell will hope to keep it up as Brooklyn looks to snap its streak and get above .500 on Tuesday.
Pacers Continue Road Trip Against Clippers
By Oscar Heanue
The Los Angeles Clippers will host the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center on Tuesday evening.
For Indiana (44-27), Tuesday's tilt will be the third in an ongoing West Coast road trip. The Pacers are fresh off a loss in Portland on Monday night. The Team struggled offensively against the Blazers, finishing with just 98 points on 42 percent shooting. Still, Indiana saw promising play from center Myles Turner. Turner poured in 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end. He was one of four Pacers to score in double figures on the night. Indiana currently occupies fourth place in the Eastern Conference, sitting just half a game ahead of the Boston Celtics. With just 11 games remaining in the season, the Pacers will be in a dead heat with the Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers for the third seed in the East.
Los Angeles (41-30), on the other hand, has been one of the league's hottest teams. The Clippers are 7-1 in their last eight outings, placing them six games ahead of the ninth-place Kings for the coveted final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Most recently, LA picked up a thrilling win over the Nets on Sunday. Veteran guard Lou Williams ended the game on a deep buzzer-beating three to bring his scoring total for the game to 25. Williams has been an integral part of LA's campaign this season, averaging 20.4 points and 5.2 assists per game. Behind Williams' strong offensive play, the Clippers are currently fifth in the league in scoring (114.7 points per game).
Indiana earned a 116-92 blowout win when these two teams first matched up in February. Tuesday's tilt will give LA the chance to even the score and push for a higher playoff seed.
For Indiana (44-27), Tuesday's tilt will be the third in an ongoing West Coast road trip. The Pacers are fresh off a loss in Portland on Monday night. The Team struggled offensively against the Blazers, finishing with just 98 points on 42 percent shooting. Still, Indiana saw promising play from center Myles Turner. Turner poured in 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end. He was one of four Pacers to score in double figures on the night. Indiana currently occupies fourth place in the Eastern Conference, sitting just half a game ahead of the Boston Celtics. With just 11 games remaining in the season, the Pacers will be in a dead heat with the Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers for the third seed in the East.
Los Angeles (41-30), on the other hand, has been one of the league's hottest teams. The Clippers are 7-1 in their last eight outings, placing them six games ahead of the ninth-place Kings for the coveted final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Most recently, LA picked up a thrilling win over the Nets on Sunday. Veteran guard Lou Williams ended the game on a deep buzzer-beating three to bring his scoring total for the game to 25. Williams has been an integral part of LA's campaign this season, averaging 20.4 points and 5.2 assists per game. Behind Williams' strong offensive play, the Clippers are currently fifth in the league in scoring (114.7 points per game).
Indiana earned a 116-92 blowout win when these two teams first matched up in February. Tuesday's tilt will give LA the chance to even the score and push for a higher playoff seed.