NBA Projected Starting Lineups, Matchups, Injury News – 12/23/18
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Injury News
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Bulls: Cameron Payne (calf) and Jabari Parker (illness) are day to day.
Cavaliers: None
Celtics: Al Horford (knee) and Marcus Morris (knee) are probable.
Clippers: None
Grizzlies: Mike Conley (hamstring) is probable. Omri Casspi (illness), JaMychal Green (hamstring), Joakim Noah (heel) and Dillon Brooks (knee) are questionable.
Hawks: John Collins (ankle) is questionable.
Heat: None
Hornets: None
Kings: None
Magic: Jonathon Simmons (ankle) is day to day.
Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr. (hand) is out.
Nets: Allen Crabbe (knee) remains out.
Pacers: Tyreke Evans (knee) is questionable.
Pelicans: Nikola Mirotic (ankle) is out.
Pistons: None
Timberwolves: Jeff Teague (ankle) is out. Derrick Rose (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Thunder: None
Trail Blazers: None
Warriors: None
Wizards: Otto Porter Jr. (knee) is out. John Wall (illness) is day to day.
Today’s NBA Matchups
Contents
Contents
Atlanta Hawks (8-23) at Detroit Pistons (15-15)
Line: Pistons -9.5, O/U: 224
Hawks: 109 ppg, bottom five defense, fastest pace in NBA
Pistons: 109 ppg, above average defense, average pace
Notes:
- The Hawks are just 3-14 on the road, but they’ve won two straight games
- John Collins is averaging 19 points and 10 boards per game, and he might miss this one with an ankle.
- Blake Griffin is averaging 26 pints, 9 rebounds and 7 assists over his last five.
Washington Wizards (13-20) at Indiana Pacers (21-12)
Line: N/A
Wizards: 114 ppg, bottom five defense, fast pace
Pacers: 106 ppg, second-ranked defense, bottom-five pace
Notes:
- The Wizards won in triple overtime last night against the Suns. They’ll probably be fairly tired.
- John Wall didn’t play last night, so if he feels well enough to go he’ll have his legs.
Chicago Bulls (8-25) at Cleveland Cavaliers (8-25)
Line: Cavs -1, O/U: 201
Bulls: 101 ppg, below average defense, below average pace
Cavaliers: 103 ppg, worst defense in the NBA, third-slowest pace.
Notes:
- Both of these teams are bad, but the Bulls are coming off of a win against Orlando. They’ve held four of their last five opponents under 100.
- Cameron Payne and Jabari Parker are questionable, so check the injury wire closer to tip.
Charlotte Hornets (16-15) at Boston Celtics (18-13)
Line: Celtics -7.5, O/U: 221
Hornets: 113 ppg, average defense, average pace
Celtics: 111.5 ppg, top five defense, slower than average pace
Notes:
- The Celtics are looking to avoid their first four-game losing skid all year.
- Boston has been banged up, but Al Horford is expected to make his return after missing seven games with a knee injury.
Phoenix Suns (8-25) at Brooklyn Nets (15-19)
Line: Nets -8.5, O/U: 219
Nets: 111 ppg, below average defense, slower than average pace
Suns: 105 ppg, bottom-five defense, slower than average pace
Notes:
- Both of these teams are coming off the end of some surprising winning streaks. Brooklyn had won seven straight before a loss to the Pacers, and Phoenix had won four in a row before a triple-overtime loss in Washington last night.
- Keep an eye on the injury report to see if players are resting for Phoenix.
- Rookie Rodions Kurucs started against Indiana and scored a career-best 24 shooting 4/5 from deep.
Miami Heat (15-16) at Orlando Magic (14-17)
Line: Magic -3.5, O/U; 200
Magic: 103 ppg, average defense, slow pace
Heat: 106 ppg, top ten defense, average pace
Notes:
- The Heat have won four straight, including two in a row over Milwaukee and Houston.
- Miami did play last night, but they won’t have to travel far for this one.
- Orlando has been held under 100 points in their last six games.
New Orleans Pelicans (15-18) at Sacramento Kings (17-15)
Line: Pelicans -1, O/U: 239
Pelicans: 117 ppg, bottom third defense, top five pace
Kings: 116 ppg, bottom third defense, top five pace
Notes:
- If you’re wondering why the over/under is so high, it’s because the first game between these two ended 149 129 in regulation, the highest scoring NBA game in the season so far. They both play fast, score a lot, and give up a bunch of points.
- Anthony Davis is coming off 30 points and 20 boards in a loss during his job interview with LeBron.
- New Orleans has lost three straight, and they’re just 4-13 on the road this year.
Minnesota Timberwolves (14-18) at Oklahoma City Thunder (21-10)
Line: N/A
Timberwolves: 110 ppg, below average defense, faster than average pace
Thunder: 112 ppg, best defense in the NBA, faster than average pace
Notes:
- The Thunder have won four straight, and the Timberwolves have lost four of their last five.
- OKC is 12-3 at home, and Minnesota is just 2-13 on the road.
- With Jeff Teague out and Derrick Rose a game-time decision, Tyus Jones might be the primary point guard for Minnesota.
Los Angeles Clippers (19-13) at Golden State Warriors (22-11)
Line: Warriors -10.5, O/U: 233
Warriors: 116 ppg, average defense, faster than average pace
Clippers: 115 ppg, below average defense, faster than average pace
Notes:
- The Clippers won the first matchup in overtime earlier in the season.
- LA has scored over 124 points for three consecutive games.
- Both of these teams won last night, the Clippers over the West-leading Nuggets and the Warriors over the Mavericks.
Dallas Mavericks (15-16) at Portland Trail Blazers (18-14)
Line: Blazers -7, O/U: 216
Trail Blazers: 112 ppg, top five defense, average pace
Mavericks: 110 ppg, average defense, slightly faster pace
Notes:
- The Mavericks are looking to avoid losing their sixth-straight game, which would tie their longest skid of the season.
- Dallas lost last night in Golden State, and they’re just 2-13 on the road.
Marquee Matchup
Memphis Grizzlies (16-16) at Los Angeles Lakers (19-13)
Line: Lakers -6, O/U: 208
Grizzlies: 102 ppg, top five defense, slowest pace in the NBA
Lakers: 113 ppg, top ten defense, top five pace
Notes:
- The Lakers went 1-3 on a recent road trip but bounced back with a big win over New Orleans.
- LA is looking to make it seven straight wins at Staples Center, and the Grizzlies are below .500 on the road.
- Mike Conley is probable, but four Grizzlies are listed as questionable, so check the injury wire closer to tip.