NBA Projected Starting Lineups, Matchups, Injury News – 01/14/19

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Injury News

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Celtics: Kyrie Irving (quad) is out. Marcus Smart (illness) is questionable.

Clippers: None

Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson (ankle) is out 2-4 weeks.

Hornets: None

Jazz: Ricky Rubio (hamstring), Grayson Allen (ankle), Dante Exum (ankle), and Thabo Sefolosha (hamstring) and Raul Neto (groin) are out.

Kings: None

Nets: Jared Dudley (hamstring) is out. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) is questionable.

Pelicans: None

Pistons: Ish Smith (groin) is probable. Zaza Pachulia (leg) is doubtful.

Rockets: Clint Capela (thumb), Eric Gordon (knee), and Chris Paul (hamstring) are out. Brandon Knight (knee) is questionable.

Spurs: Rudy Gay (wrist) and Marco Belinelli (knee) are out.

Trail Blazers: Mo Harkless (knee) is out.

Today’s NBA Matchups

Contents

Boston Celtics (25-17) at Brooklyn Nets (21-23)

Line: Cetics -3, O/U: 219

Celtics: 112 ppg, third-ranked defense, slower than average pace

Nets: 111 ppg, below average defense, slower than average pace

Notes:

• Kyrie Irving is out with a quad injury and Marcus Smart is doubtful, leaving a slumping Terry Rozier with a lot of responsibility. He’s shot just 30% from the floor in his last five.
• Both teams are 6-4 in their last ten.
• The Celtics have lost four of their last five on the road, while the Nets have won eight of their last ten at home.

Memphis Grizzlies (19-23) at Houston Rockets (24-18)

Line: Rockets +5, O/U: 208

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

Rockets: 111 ppg, bottom-five defense, bottom five pace

Notes:

• The Rockets will be without a third starter as Clint Capela and his injured right thumb join Chris Paul and Eric Gordon on the bench. That trio combines for nearly 50 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists per game.
• James Harden is averaging 41 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and a block per game in his last ten, and Austin Rivers is averaging 13.5 points per game in his first ten games in Houston.
• Kyle Anderson is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a grade 2 ankle sprain. He may average just 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, but he plays 30 minutes per game and makes a huge impact that the box score doesn’t capture.
• The Grizzlies now have no true small forward healthy, so expect Jaren Jackson Jr, JaMychal Green and Omri Casspi to split minutes between the 3 and the 4.

Detroit Pistons (18-23) at Utah Jazz (23-21)

Line: Jazz -8.5, O/U: 209

Pistons: 107 ppg, above average defense, average pace

Jazz: 108 ppg, top ten defense, slower than average pace

Notes:

• Donovan Mitchell has stepped up with key players like Ricky Rubio and Dante Exum out. He’s averaging 30 points, 5.5 assists and 4.5 steals in the last five, leading the Jazz to 4-5 in that stretch.
• The Pistons have played sub .250 ball since beating Golden State in early December, but Blake Griffin led them to a win over the Clippers, scoring 44 points in his emotional return to Staples Center.
• Andre Drummond (17 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Rudy Gobert (15 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2 blocks) square off in the paint.

Portland Trail Blazers (26-18) at Sacramento Kings (22-21)

Line: Kings -3, O/U: 227

Kings: 115 ppg, bottom-third defense, second-fastest pace

Trail Blazers: 111 ppg, average defense, average pace

Notes:

• The Kings hit a 2-6 stretch before beating Detroit and Charlotte, and the Blazers had a 7-2 heater interrupted with a 116-113 loss in Denver last night.
• Damian Lillard has hit a cold stretch, shooting just 39% from the floor and scoring 7 under his season average of 26 in the last five games. However, he’s averaging 2.5 more assists per game than his season average of 6.

New Orleans Pelicans (20-23) at Los Angeles Clippers (24-18)

Line: Clippers -2.5, O/U: 240

Clippers: 116 ppg, below average defense, top ten pace

Pelicans: 117 ppg, bottom-third defense, third-fastest pace

Notes:

• Both teams are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Anthony Davis is averaging 32 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in that stretch.

Marquee Matchup

Charlotte Hornets (19-23) at San Antonio Spurs (25-19)

Line: Spurs -9, O/U: 223

Hornets: 113 ppg, average pace, average defense

Spurs: 111 ppg, average defense, slower than average pace

Notes:

• Tony Parker returns to play in San Antonio for the first time as a member of the Charlotte Hornets in what is sure to be an emotional night.
• Parker played for Gregg Popovich for 17 seasons, starting at 19 years old. He won four titles, a Finals MVP, and went to six All Star games as a member of the Spurs.
• San Antonio will be thin on the wing, missing both Rudy Gay (14 ppg) and Marco Belinelli (15 ppg in his last five).
• That means more shot creation from DeMar DeRozan, Derrick White and LaMarcus Aldridge, as well as more minutes for Davis Bertans.
• Charlotte is 3-7 in their last ten, and the Spurs are 7-3.