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

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Injury News

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Bucks: Eric Bledsoe (thumb), Jason Smith (knee) Sterling Brown (wrist) are probable. Donte DiVincenzo (heel) is out.

Bulls: Jabari Parker (personal) is out. Wayne Selden (knee) and Zach LaVine (ankle) are probable

Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson (foot) and David Nwaba (ankle) are out.

Clippers: Danilo Gallinari (back) and Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) are out.

Hawks:  Miles Plumlee (knee) is out.

Heat: Dwyane Wade (knee) is day-to-day. Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) is out.

Hornets: None

Jazz: Raul Neto (groin), Thabo Sefalosha (hamstring), and Dante Exum (ankle) are out.

Kings: None

Lakers: Kyle Kuzma (hip) and Josh Hart (knee) are probable. Lonzo Ball (ankle) is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. LeBron James (groin) is back in action.

Magic: Isaiah Briscoe (ankle) is day-to-day. Jonathon Simmons (abdominal) is questionable.

Mavericks: Luka Doncic (ankle) expects to play. Courtney Lee, Trey Burke, and Tim Hardaway Jr. will not play their first game with Dallas just yet. Kristaps Porzingis is likely to remain out for the rest of the year.

Nets: Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb), Jared Dudley (hamstring), and Allen Crabbe (knee) are out.

Nuggets: Jamal Murray (ankle) is out. Gary Harris (groin) is day-to-day.

Pacers: Victor Oladipo (ruptured quad tendon) is out for the rest of the year. Tyreke Evans (back) and Cory Joseph (groin) are questionable. Doug McDermott (ribs) is doubtful.

Pelicans: Anthony Davis (finger), Nikola Mirotic (calf), Julius Randle (ankle) Elfrid Payton (ankle) and E’Twaun Moore (rest) are out.

Pistons: Ish Smith (groin) could return. Reggie Bullock (ankle) is questionable.

Rockets: Chris Paul (back) is questionable. Nene Hilario should be good to go. Clint Capela (thumb) remains out.

76ers: JJ Redick (rest) and Wilson Chandler (quad) are out.

Spurs: Dante Cunningham (ankle) is probable.

Suns: Deandre Ayton (ankle) is probable. Dragan Bender (thumb) is questionable.

Timberwolves: Jeff Teague (foot) and Tyus Jones (ankle) are out. Derrick Rose (ankle) is questionable.

Warriors: Klay Thompson (illness) is a game time decision. Jonas Jerebko (personal) is out.

Wizards: Otto Porter Jr. (toe) is questionable.

Today’s NBA Matchups

Contents

Atlanta Hawks (16-35) at Phoenix Suns (11-42)

Line: Suns -2.5, O/U: 235

Suns: 106 ppg, bottom five defense, average pace

Hawks: 110 ppg, bottom ten defense, fastest pace in the NBA

Notes:

• The Suns went 2-16 in the last month, including nine straight losses.
• They lost Tuesday in San Antonio after playing really well against a Spurs team that didn’t seem ready for them, but Rudy Gay finished them at the buzzer.
• Devin Booker had 38 points and 7 assists in that game, averaging 25 and 6 in his last ten.
• Deandre Ayton is expected to return for this one after missing six in a row with an ankle.
• The Hawks have looked a bit better lately, but they’re 2-3 on this current road trip after a 128-112 loss in Utah yesterday.
• Trae Young is averaging 22 points and 8 assists in the last ten, and he put up 28 and 9 in the loss yesterday.
• Second-year big man John Collins is putting up 20 points and 8 rebounds per game in his last ten.
• Kent Bazemore missed the last month with an ankle injury, and he’s slowly working his way back into the rotation.

Brooklyn Nets (28-25) at Orlando Magic (21-31)

Line: Magic -2.5, O/U: 221

Magic: 104 ppg, average defense, slow pace

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

Notes:

• Orlando had lost six of their last seven and is now eleven games under .500, but bounced back with a 107-100 win over the free-falling Pacers on Thursday.
• Nikola Vucevic is the first Magic All Star since Dwight Howard, averaging 21 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block and 1 steal on the year.
• The Nets have started the year 10-18, and they’re 18-7 since. They’re 12-14 on the road after falling in Boston and San Antonio this week.
• D’Angelo Russell scored 40 the last time these teams played, and he’s averaging 26 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds in his last ten. He has been named an All Star reserve for the first time, replacing the injured Victor Oladipo.
• For a full preview, click here.

Chicago Bulls (12-40) at Charlotte Hornets (25-26)

Line: Hornets -7, O/U: 216

Hornets: 112 ppg, below average defense, average pace.

Bulls: 101 ppg, bottom ten defense, slower than average pace

Notes:

• The Hornets have alternated wins and losses in each of the last seven games, and they beat Memphis 100-92 yesterday at home.
• All Star starter Kemba Walker is averaging 25 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds per game this season. He had been dealing with a neck issue, but he put up a game-high 23 in that win.
• Charlotte is eighth out East, and could potentially make the playoffs with a losing record.
• Look out world, the Bulls won in Miami 105-89 on Wednesday.
• Zach LaVine missed that game, but he’s probable for this one. He’s averaging 23 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game this year.

Dallas Mavericks (23-28) at Cleveland Cavaliers (11-41)

Line: Mavericks -7, O/U: 210

Cavaliers: 102 ppg, worst defense in the NBA, bottom five pace

Mavericks: 110 ppg, average defense, average pace

Notes:

• Cleveland had gone 1-18 going back over a month, but they’ve won two games in a row now against Chicago and Washington.
• Tristan Thompson is far and away their best player, and he’s expected to be out for the next two weeks or so. Ante Zizic is averaging 13.5 points and 9 rebounds per game in his last ten.
• Cedi Osman is averaging 21 points and 5 rebounds per game over his last five.
• Dallas had won three of their last four, but lost in Detroit on Thursday without Luka Doncic. They’re 5-21 on the road.
• Doncic missed that one with a sore ankle, but he should be good to go tonight.
• Dennis Smith Jr. has been dealt to New York along with DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews for Kristaps Porzingis and spare parts.
• Courtney Lee, Trey Burke, and Tim Hardaway Jr. will not play their first game with Dallas just yet. Porzingis is likely to remain out for the rest of the year.

Denver Nuggets (35-15) at Minnesota Timberwolves (25-26)

Line: Nuggets -1.5, O/U: 221

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

Nuggets: 111 ppg, above average defense, bottom five pace.

Notes:

• Minnesota beat Phoenix twice and then the LeBron-less Lakers, but then lost twice to Utah.
• Karl-Anthony Towns beat the buzzer in overtime to defeat the struggling Grizzlies.
• Jerryd Bayless is the point guard by necessity, and he led the team with 19 points in that game.
• The Minnesota point guards have been banged up all year. Jeff Teague is out for the sixth straight with a foot injury, and he’s averaging 11.5 points and 8 assists this year. Tyus Jones is out with an ankle, and Derrick Rose is questionable.
• Nikola Jokic is the first Nuggets All Star since Carmelo Anthony. He’s coming off of 31 points, 13 boards and 9 dimes in yesterday’s win over Houston, and he averaged 25 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists in January.
• Denver’s second star Jamal Murray averaged 19 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds last month, but he’s missing his fourth game in a row with an ankle.
• The Nuggets have won seven of their last eight, and they’re second out west behind only Golden State.

Houston Rockets (29-22) at Utah Jazz (30-23)

Line: Jazz -7.5, O/U: 224

Jazz: 109 ppg, top five defense, average pace

Rockets: 112 ppg, bottom five defense, bottom five pace

Notes:

• The Jazz have won four of their last five and eight of their last ten, including an easy win hosting the Hawks yesterday.
• Rudy Gobert is averaging 17.5 points, 14 boards, and 3 blocks in his last ten games. He cried while discussing his All Star snub, saying that it was telling kids that defense and winning don’t matter.
• Donovan Mitchell’s last ten: 27.5 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds per game.
• Ricky Rubio is averaging 15.5 points and 6 assists per game since returning from injury, coming off of 22 and 11 yesterday.
• The Rockets have lost two in a row for the first time since early December. They got blown out 136-122 in Denver yesterday
• James Harden extended his 30-point game streak to 25 in a row, but needed a garbage time 3-pointer to do get there. He’s averaging 41 points in his last five, but shooting just 42% from the floor and 31% from deep.
• Chris Paul had his best game since returning from his hamstring injury, posting 20 points and 6 assists. He was questionable with a sore back for that one, and he probably won’t play in back-to-backs for a little while.
• Kenneth Faried was just acquired to fill in for Clint Capela, and in his first six games he’s averaging 16.5 points and 9 rebounds in 31 minutes.

Indiana Pacers (32-19) at Miami Heat (24-26)

Line: Heat -2.5, O/U: 205

Heat: 106 ppg, top ten defense, slower than average pace

Pacers: 109 ppg, top five defense, slower than average pace

Notes:

• Miami is coming off back to back losses, and 50 games in they still don’t really seem to have an identity or a go-to guy.
• Dwyane Wade missed a game with a sore knee, but put up 7 points and 6 assists in his return. He’s been added to the All Star Game for old time’s sake.
• The Pacers lost Victor Oladipo for the season, and they’ve lost their first four games without him by an average of 15 points. He played in 36 games this year, averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
• The most recent loss was  107-100 blowout in Orlando on Thursday. Six Pacers scored in double digits, but none more than 13.
• Tyreke Evans is averaging 11 points per game this season, but he missed the last three with a back injury, and he might not play tonight either.
• Cory Joseph is also questionable, so guard responsibilities may fall almost exclusively on Darren Collison.

Los Angeles Clippers (28-24) at Detroit Pistons (22-28)

Line: Pistons -2, O/U: 216

Pistons: 106 ppg, above average defense, average pace

Clippers: 114 ppg, below average defense, fast pace

Notes:

• The Pistons had lost four of their last five, but beat Dallas 93-89 on Thursday.
• Blake Griffin is averaging 31 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6 assists in the last ten, and he scored 44 in his first game against the Clipper’s team that traded him.
• Andre Drummond had a 24-point, 20-rebound performance in that game, and seems fully recovered from that concussion.
• The Clippers have lost two in a row, first embarrassingly while hosting Atlanta and next in overtime in LeBron’s return to the court.
• Their second-leading scorer Danilo Gallinari has missed the last seven games, and he’s out again.
• Tobias Harris is averaging 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists over the last five.
• Lou Williams is averaging 20 points and 7 assists per game in the last ten

Milwaukee Bucks (37-13) at Washington Wizards (22-29)

Line: Bucks -7, O/U: 226

Wizards: 113 ppg, bad defense, faster than average pace

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

Notes:

• The Wizards are 9-8 since losing John Wall for the season a month ago, and they’ve played top-ten defense in that stretch. They bounced back from a tough loss in Cleveland with a home win over the Pacers on Wednesday.
• Tomas Satoransky is averaging 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7.5 assists in his last ten, but had just 5 points combined in his last two games.
• Bradley Beal is averaging 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game in his last ten.
• Otto Porter has been a solid contributor, and he’s questionable with a toe injury.
• Washington is 16-9 at home this year.
• The Bucks have won eight of their last nine, with the only loss coming in Oklahoma City.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo is the All Star captain from the Eastern Conference. He’s averaging 26 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists this season.
• Khris Middleton is an All Star for the first time, averaging 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists on the year.

New Orleans Pelicans (23-29) at San Antonio Spurs (31-22)

Line: Spurs -10.5, O/U: 229

Spurs: 112 ppg, average defense, very slow pace

Pelicans: 117 ppg, bottom five defense, top five pace

Notes:

• The Spurs have come back down to earth, but they’re looking for their fourth straight win before leaving for their annual Rodeo Road Trip.
• Rudy Gay beat the buzzer to beat Phoenix, and
• LaMarcus Aldridge is an All Star reserve, averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds in his last ten.
• DeMar DeRozan missed three games to rest a sore knee, but put up 15 points and 10 rebounds on a not so great shooting night in his return against the Nets.
• If you don’t know about Derrick White yet, you will soon. He had a career-high 26 points against Brooklyn,  averaging 14 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds in his last ten while shooting 56% from the floor. He’s also consistently drawing the toughest defensive matchup.
• Anthony Davis is out with a finger injury, hoping to be traded in the next few days. He’s put up 29 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2 steals this season.
• Jahlil Okafor has played 32 minutes per game in Davis’ stead, averaging 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the last five games. The Pelicans are 1-4 in that stretch, though.
• Julius Randle and Nikola Mirotic have both missed the last four games with leg injuries, and they’re out for this one as well.
• Jrue Holiday has averaged 21 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals this year, and the Pelicans are reportedly listening to offers.
• For a full preview, click here.

Philadelphia 76ers (34-18) at Sacramento Kings (26-25) 

Line: 76ers -2.5, O/U: 233

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

76ers: 115 ppg, above average defense, faster than average pace

Notes:

• The Sixers are now 13-13 on the road, coming off an impressive 113-104 win in Golden State on Thursday.
• The Warriors had no answer for Joel Embiid, who finished that game with 26 points and 20 boards.
• Jimmy Butler missed three in a row with a wrist injury, and he shot just 3-12 from the floor against the Dubs.
• Ben Simmons is averaging 19 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists per game in his last ten, coming off 26, 8 and 6.
• JJ Redick is resting for this one, and Wilson Chandler is out for a few weeks with a quad injury.
• The Kings had a 2-4 road trip, but bounced back with a 135-113 win hosting the Hawks on Wednesday.
• De’Aaron Fox is averaging 17 points, 7 assists and 2 steals per game this year.
• Buddy Hield is averaging 20 points per game this season, shooting 48% from the floor and 46% from deep.

Marquee Matchup

Los Angeles Lakers (27-25) at Golden State Warriors (36-15)

Line: Warriors -11.5, O/U: 236

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

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

Notes:

• Golden State had an eleven-game winning streak snapped by Philadelphia in their first game back home after a road trip.
• The Warriors averaged 127 points per game in January behind Steph (31 ppg), Klay (24 ppg), and KD (25 ppg), who are all shooting around 50% from the floor and 40% from deep.
• DeMarcus Cousins is averaging 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game in his first six games as a Warrior.
• LeBron finally returned after missing 17 games with a groin injury, and he put up 24 points and 14 boards to lead the Lakers to an OT victory over the Clippers.
• Kyle Kuzma missed a few with a hip injury, but he should be good to go. Any trade for Anthony Davis will have to include him.
• Lonzo Ball remains out and on the trading block. He averaged 11 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in January.
• Brandon Ingram is averaging 23 points per game over his last five, and he was reportedly not included in the Lakers’ first offer for Anthony Davis.
• For a full preview, click here.