NBA Projected Starting Lineups, Matchups, Injury News 2/27/19

For live betting information on all games, click here.

Injury News

For the most up to date injury information, click here.

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is probable. George Hill (groin) are out.

Bulls: Otto Porter (leg) and Kris Dunn (migraine) are questionable.

Celtics: Aron Baynes (foot) is out.

Clippers: Wilson Chandler (quad) and Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) are out.

Grizzlies: Ivan Rabb (heel) is doubtful. CJ Miles (hip) is a game-time decision. Avery Bradley (knee/ankle) is probable.

Hawks: Miles Plumlee (knee) is out.

Heat: Justise Winslow (knee) and Derrick Jones Jr. (illness) are expected to play. Rodney McGruder (knee) and James Johnson (shoulder) are questionable.

Hornets: Marvin Williams (toe) is doubtful.

Jazz: None.

Kings: None

Lakers: None.

Mavericks: None

Nets: None

Pacers: Tyreke Evans (food poisoning) is questionable. Domantas Sabonis (ankle) is out.

Pelicans: Darius Miller (ankle) is probable.

Pistons: None

Rockets: None

Spurs: None.

Timberwolves: Robert Covington (ankle) is out. Jeff Teague (knee) is questionable.

Trail Blazers: Evan Turner (knee) is out.

Warriors: Shaun Livingston (hamstring) is probable.

Wizards: None

Today’s NBA Matchups

Chicago Bulls (16-45) at Memphis Grizzlies (24-38)

Line: Grizzlies -3.5, O/U: 216

Grizzlies: 101 ppg, top ten defense, bottom five pace

Bulls: 104 ppg, bottom ten defense, slower than average pace

Notes:

  • The Grizzlies have been one of the worst teams in the league since the end of December, so of course they beat the Lakers 110-105 on Monday.
  • Mike Conley put up 30 points and 5 assists in that one.
  • Kyle Anderson remains out with a shoulder injury, and Chandler Parsons is back, averaging 2 points on 17% shooting in three games.
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. is dealing with a quad issue, and it would be smart to shut him down for the rest of a lost season.
  • Chicago won three games in a row for the first time all season, and even beat the Celtics, but they fell to the Bucks 117-106 on Monday.
  • Zach LaVine put up a career high 42 against Boston, but managed only 11 against the Bucks.
  • Lauri Markkanen also had a career high with 35 points and 15 rebounds against Boston. He’s averaging 25 and 12.5 in his last ten.
  • New Bull Otto Porter injured his leg in the Boston win, and he’s questionable tonight along with Kris Dunn.

Detroit Pistons (29-30) at San Antonio Spurs (33-29)

Line: Spurs -4, O/U: 221

Spurs: 112 ppg, below average defense, very slow pace

Pistons: 107 ppg, above average defense, average pace

Notes:

  • The Spurs are glad to be home after an abysmal 1-7 Rodeo Road Trip that included a loss to the Knicks.
  • DeMar DeRozan looks like he’s shaken off his shooting slump, averaging 26 points on 58% shooting, 6 rebounds and 5 assists since the All Star Break.
  • Derrick White missed much of the road trip, and he scored just 7 points in each of the two games that he played. When the Spurs were tearing it up before this skid, he was their second-best player.
  • LaMarcus Aldridge came back from the All Star break under the weather, but he had 26 and 10 in Monday night’s 101-85 loss in Brooklyn.
  • The Pistons have won eight games in their last nine, coming back from a 9-22 skid through the middle of the season.
  • Andre Drummond led the way with 26 points and 16 rebounds in a 113-109 win over the Pacers on Monday, and Blake Griffin added 20, 10 and 10.

Golden State Warriors (43-17) at Miami Heat (26-33)

Line: Warriors -9.5, O/U: 223

Heat: 105 ppg, top ten defense, slower than average pace

Warriors: 119 ppg, average defense, faster than average pace

Notes:

  • The Heat have lost four of five and eight of their last ten, even losing 124-121 to the tanking Suns on Monday.
  • Goran Dragic is gradually working his way back into the rotation, adding 10 points and 4 assists in 23 minutes in that game.
  • The Warriors have gone .500 in their last four games, but they’re coming off a 121-110 win in Charlotte.
  • Draymond Green returned from an ankle tweak for 14 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in the win.
  • Kevin DurantKlay Thompson combined for 46 points and 9 assists.
  • Steph Curry had just 16 points, shooting just 4/14 from deep and 5/18 from the floor.
  • DeMarcus Cousins is fully integrated in the Warriors starting lineup, putting up 24 and 11 on Monday.

Houston Rockets (35-25) at Charlotte Hornets (28-32)

Line: Rockets -5.5, O/U: 228

Hornets: 111 ppg, below average defense, average pace.

Rockets: 113 ppg, bottom five defense, bottom five pace

Notes:

  • The Hornets have lost four of their last five, most recently a 121-110 to the visiting Warriors.
  • Kemba Walker is averaging 28.5 points per game in his last ten, but he’s shooting just 41% from the floor.
  • The Rockets pulled out a shocking win in Golden State without James Harden, and he came back in a win against Atlanta on Monday.
  • The second-longest 30+ point streak in NBA history is over at 32, as Harden was limited to 28 in the win. The Hawks literally threw a quadruple team at him with the clock expiring.
  • Chris Paul added 20 points and 8 assists, and Clint Capela had 12 points and 8 boards.

Indiana Pacers (40-21) at Dallas Mavericks (26-34) 

Line: Pacers -1, O/U: 215

Mavericks: 109 ppg, average defense, average pace

Pacers: 108 ppg, top five defense, slower than average pace

Notes:

  • The Mavs have lost five in a row and should continue to lose considering theu have no shot at the playoffs.
  • Luka Doncic missed two games with an ankle sprain, but he came back with a 28-point triple double in a 121-112 loss to the Clippers.
  • The Pacers had won seven of eight, but stumbled in Detroit 113-109 on Monday.
  • Bojan Bogdanovic put up 25 points in that one, and he’s averaging 21 points per game in his last ten.
  • Tyreke Evans is questionable again, this time with food poisoning.
  • Wesley Matthews is the starting shooting guard now, averaging 14 points on 42% shooting with his new team.

Los Angeles Clippers (34-28) at Utah Jazz (33-26)

Line: Jazz -9.5, O/U: 227

Jazz: 109 ppg, top five defense, average pace

Clippers: 114 ppg, below average defense, fast pace

Notes:

  • The Jazz haven’t played since beating Dallas 125-109 on Saturday.
  • Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio combined for 50 points and 11 assists in that game.
  • Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder each topped 15 points as well.
  • The Clippers have won three of their last four games and remain in the seventh slot in the West despite trading their best player for assets at the deadline.
  • Montrezl Harrell led the way in Monday’s 121-112 win over Dallas with 32 points off the bench, his second 30+ performance in the last week. He shot a combined 25-31 in those games.
  • Lou Williams and Danilo Gallinari both topped 20 points in the win.
  • Landry Shamet and Ivica Zubac are now starting for Los Angeles, but their minutes and production have not been too impressive just yet.

Milwaukee Bucks (46-14) at Sacramento Kings (31-29) 

Line: Bucks -5.5, O/U: 234

Kings: 113 ppg, bottom-third defense, second-fastest pace

Bucks: 117 ppg, best defense in the NBA, very fast pace

Notes:

  • The Kings are home after a 1-3 road trip, coming off a 112-105 loss in Minnesota.
  • Harrison Barnes scored 2 points on 0-4 shooting in 34 minutes in that loss.
  • Buddy HieldDe’Aaron Fox, and rookie Marvin Bagley III combined for 66 points and 22 rebounds
  • Right now the Kings are just outside the playoffs, but they’re right behind the Clippers and Spurs both look vulnerable.
  • Milwaukee has won five in a row and ten of their last eleven, most recently 117-106 over the Bulls.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo missed that game with a sore knee, but he’s good to go tonight.
  • Khris Middleton and Malcom Brogdon each put up 22 points in the Chicago win.

Minnesota Timberwolves (29-31) at Atlanta Hawks (20-41)

Line: Timberwolves -4, O/U: 237

Hawks: 111 ppg, bottom ten defense, fastest pace in the NBA

Timberwolves: 112 ppg, below average defense, faster than average pace

Notes:

  • The Hawks are 13-18 since mid-December as their young core is beginning to jell about as well as one could experct at this point.
  • Rookie Trae Young went off for a career-high 36 points and and 8 assists in Monday’s 119-112 loss in Houston.
  • Second-year big John Collins added 20 points and 12 boards, averaging 19 and 10 this season.
  • Minnesota has won four of their last five, but they’re just 9-21 on the road.
  • Karl-Anthony Towns is coming off 34 points and 21 rebounds in Monday’s 112-105 win over the Kings.
  • Jeff Teague was healthy for a brief period, but he’s questionable for this one with a knee.
  • Derrick Rose has topped 20 points in each game since the All Star break.

New Orleans Pelicans (27-35) at Los Angeles Lakers (29-30)

Line: Lakers -5, O/U: 239

Lakers: 112 ppg, top ten defense, top five pace

Pelicans: 116 ppg, bottom five defense, top five pace

Notes:

  • The Lakers are 2-6 in their last ten games, including 110-105 against the Grizzlies on Monday. LeBron very well may miss the playoffs after 7-straight NBA Finals.
  • LeBron had 27 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists in the last loss to New Orleans, and Brandon Ingram scored 29.
  • Kyle Kuzma is averaging 19 points per game on 49% shooting in the last ten games.
  • Anthony Davis might be on the floor during games for the rest of the season, but he will not play a lot or produce much. He’s averaging 10 points and 4 rebounds in 12 minutes per game over the last five.
  • Jrue Holiday put up 27 points and 7 assists when the Pelicans beat these Lakers 128-115 without Davis just a few days ago.

Washington Wizards (24-36) at Brooklyn Nets (32-30)

Line: Nets -5.5, O/U: 238

Nets: 112 ppg, below average defense, below average pace

Wizards: 114 ppg, bad defense, faster than average pace

Notes:

  • D’Angelo Russell dropped 40 points and 7 assists on his 23rd birthday, then led the Nets with 23 and 8 in Monday’s 101-85 win over a struggling San Antonio.
  • Allen Crabbe and Caris LeVert are both back after missing extended time, and they’re both struggling to find their shots so far.
  • The Wizards have lost their last four in a row, and their interests would be best served if they continued to do that with John Wall out for the rest of this season and next season.
  • Bradley Beal is averaging 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game, coming off 35 points in a 119-112 loss to the Pacers on Saturday.

Marquee Matchup

Portland Trail Blazers (37-23) at Boston Celtics (37-24)

Line: Celtics -2.5, O/U: 226

Celtics: 113 ppg, top five defense, slower than average pace

Trail Blazers: 114 ppg, average defense, below average pace

Notes:

  • The Celtics have lost three in a row to start the second half of the season, most recently 118-95 in Toronto.
  • Kyrie Irving managed just 7 points on 3-10 shooting, and nobody scored more than 17 points.
  • Marcus Smart said the Celtics aren’t playing together right now, and Kyrie said that’s his opinion. Irving also said it was up to Brad Stevens to decide how to fix the defense that has given up 122 points per game in the last two.
  • The Blazers have won four straight games by double digits, the easiest of which came against Cleveland on Monday.
  • CJ McCollum led the way with 35 points and 7 rebounds in the 123-110 road win.
  • Damian Lillard put up 21 points and 8 assists in that game, and Jusuf Nurkic added 15 points and 8 boards.
Post
Daily previews of matchups to watch around the league, and film breakdowns of the best performance from the night before. Twitter @RealTomPetrini, Spurs interviews and analysis @projectspurs.

Hot NBA Stories