NBA Projected Starting Lineups, Matchups, Injury News – 2/9/19

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Injury News

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Bucks: Nikola Mirotic (calf) is out.

Bulls: Zach LaVine (ankle) is day to day.

Cavaliers: Kevin Love (toe) and Tristan Thompson (foot) are out. Cedi Osman (ankle) is day-to-day,

Celtics: Aron Baynes (foot) is out. Daniel Theis (foot) is questionable.

Clippers: Danilo Gallinari (back) is available. Luc Mbah a Moute (knee) remains out.

Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson (shoulder) is out. Joakim Noah (heel) is doubtful. Yuta Watanabe (ankle) is probable.

Hawks: Miles Plumlee (knee) is out.

Hornets: Tony Parker (back) is day-to-day.

Jazz: Thabo Sefalosha (hamstring) is a game-time decision.

Knicks: Frank Ntilikina (groin) is out.

Magic: Mo Bamba (stress fracture) is out.

Pacers: Doug McDermott (ribs) is a game-time decision.

Pelicans: Anthony Davis (finger) is day-to-day. Elfrid Payton (ankle) and E’Twaun Moore (quad) are day-to-day.

Raptors: Kawhi Leonard (knee) is questionable.

Rockets: Clint Capela (thumb) remains out.

Spurs: Rudy Gay (ankle) is probable. Derrick White (heel) and Lonnie Walker IV (ankle) are out.

Thunder: Alex Abrines (personal) is out.

Wizards: John Wall (achilles) is out for the next 12 months.

Today’s NBA Matchups

Contents

Charlotte Hornets (26-28) at Atlanta Hawks (18-36)

Line: Hornets -3, O/U: 229

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

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

Notes:

• The Hawks were welcomed home from a 4-3 road trip with a 119-101 beat down from the Kawhi-less Raptors.
• Trae Young is averaging 20.5 points and 8 assists in the last ten, shooting more accurately as the year goes on.
• Second-year big John Collins is averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game this season, leading the team in both categories.
• Kent Bazemore missed the last month with an ankle injury, and he’s coming off the bench and playing around 15 minutes per game for now.
• The Hornets lost back-to-back games against the Clippers and Mavericks, and they missed out on Marc Gasol at the trade deadline.
• All Star starter Kemba Walker is averaging 29 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the last five with shooting splits of 45/41/94.
• Cody Zeller missed all of January with a hand injury, but he’s averaging 12 boards per game in his two games back.

Cleveland Cavaliers (11-44) at Indiana Pacers (36-19)

Line: Pacers -13.5, O/U: 210

Pacers: 108.5 ppg, top five defense, slower than average pace

Cavaliers: 102.5 ppg, worst defense in the NBA, bottom five pace

Notes:

• The Pacers lost their first four games without Victor Oladipo by an average of 15 points, but they’ve won four in a row the last two by an average of 33.
• Bojan Bogdanovic has led the team in scoring in three of the last four, adding 29 points, 7 assists and 3 steals against the Clippers on Thursday and averaging 24 points in his last five.
• Myles Turner put up 17 points and 6 blocks in the win over the Clippers, averaging 19 points and 3 blocks in his last five.
• To fill the void left by Oladipo, the Pacers plan on adding Wesley Matthews after his buyout from New York is complete. He’s averaging 13 points this year on 40% shooting.
• Kevin Love hadn’t played since the very start of the year, but he played six minutes in a loss in Washington last night. He is not available today.
• Cedi Osman had been playing well, but he’s missed two in a row with an ankle and he’s day-to-day.

Los Angeles Clippers (30-26) at Boston Celtics (35-20)

Line: Celtics -12, O/U: 229

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

Clippers: 114 ppg, below average defense, fast pace

Notes:

• The Celtics were the only contender out east that didn’t make a big move at the deadline, but they won in a way when New Orleans didn’t trade AD to the Lakers.
• Boston had won five in a row, but blew a lead against LeBron and the Lakers at home. The ball bounced off of three guys and found Rondo at the elbow, and he beat the buzzer and his former team.
• Kyrie Irving put up 24 points and 7 assists in that game, but shot just 6-21 from the floor.
• Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 40 in that game.
• Daniel Theis is questionable and Aron Baynes is out, so expect smaller lineups with Al Horford and Marcus Morris playing center.
• The Clippers made a ton of moves at the deadline, so here’s a brief summary:
  • Sent: Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, Mike Scott, Avery Bradley Mike Muscala.
  • Received: Garrett Temple, Jamychal Green, Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, Ivica Zubac, Michael Beasley, and four picks.
  • Waived: Milos Teodosic and Michael Beasley.
• These moves set the table for the Clippers to make big moves on a stacked free agency class in the summer.
• Danilo Gallinari had missed nine games with back spasms, but returned in Saturday’s loss to the Pacers with 12 points and 5 boards in 20 minutes.
• The Clippers are 2-2 on this road trip so far, and 15-14 on the road this year.

New Orleans Pelicans (25-31) at Memphis Grizzlies (22-34)

Line: Grizzlies -3, O/U: 213

Grizzlies: 100 ppg, top ten defense, bottom five pace

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

Notes:

• The Grit and Grind Era is officially over as Memphis sent Marc Gasol to Toronto for Jonas Valanciunas, CJ Miles, Delon Wright, and a second round pick.
• Mike Conley is the only one left, averaging 20 points and 6 assists this year.
• Memphis has been in a downward spiral for the last two months or so, and they didn’t really acquire picks at the deadline for their inevitable rebuild.
• Kyle Anderson is out again with a shoulder injury.
• Anthony Davis returned to a mix of boos and cheers from the Pelicans fans who he no longer wants to play for, putting up 32 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in a win over the Timberwolves last night. He’s not expected to play in back-to-backs, so he’ll probable be out tonight.
• The Pelicans traded Nikola Mirotic to the Bucks for Stanley Johnson, Jason Smith and four second-round picks.
• New Orleans is looking at a post-AD rebuild, but they can’t really tank and almost certainly will miss the playoffs.

Orlando Magic (23-32) at Milwaukee Bucks (41-13)

Line: Bucks -11.5 O/U: 222

Magic: 105 ppg, average defense, slow pace

Bucks: 118 ppg, best defense in the NBA, very fast pace

Notes:

• The Bucks have won six straight and nine of their last ten. They’re the best team in the East right now, and they got better when they traded Stanley Johnson and second round picks for Nikola Mirotic at the deadline.
• Mirotic is averaging 17 points and 8 boards per game this year, but he’s missed extended time with a calf injury and it’s not clear when he’ll be ready to play.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 29 points, 17 boards and 5 assists in a win over Dallas on Thursday. He’s averaging 27 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists this season.
• All Star Khris Middleton is averaging 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists this year, and he rested that game.
• Orlando has won three of their last four games, most recently against Minnesota on Thursday.
• The Magic made an interesting move at the deadline, sending Jonathon Simmons and two picks to the Sixers for former first overall pick Markelle Fultz. It’s a great situation for the young man to develop away from media scrutiny.
• Nikola Vucevic is an All Star, averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1 steal in his last ten.
• Mo Bamba has been diagnosed with a stress fracture, so he will be on the sidelines for a good chunk of time.

San Antonio Spurs (32-25) at Utah Jazz (31-24)

Line: Jazz -6.5, O/U: 220

Spurs: 112.5 ppg, below average defense, very slow pace

Jazz: 109 ppg, top five defense, average pace

Notes:

• The Jazz have gone 14-6 since Christmas, but only really have one win against a good team.
• All Star snub Rudy Gobert is averaging 17 points, 13 boards, and 3 blocks in his last ten games.
• Donovan Mitchell’s last ten: 26 points, 5.5 assists, 4 rebounds per game.
• Ricky Rubio shoots just 40% from the floor this year, but he’s 49% in two games against the Spurs.
• The Spurs have started their annual Rodeo Road Trip with losses in Sacramento, Golden State and Portland, clearly missing point guard Derrick White who is out again with plantar fasciitis.
• The Spurs have given up an average of 132 points per game in the last three, turning the ball over a lot and giving up easy looks in transition.
• LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan rested against Golden State, but respectively kicked in 17 and 10, and 35, 6 and 6 against the Blazers.
• Rudy Gay had 25 in that game, and he’s probable for this one after tweaking an ankle

Toronto Raptors (40-16) at New York Knicks (10-44)

Line: Raptors -12.5, O/U: 216

Knicks: 105 ppg, second worst defense in the NBA, average pace

Raptors: 114 ppg, above average defense, average pace

• The Knicks lave lost 15 straight, most recently by an average of 15 in consecutive games against the Pistons.
• Dennis Smith Jr.‘s first three games as a Knick: 8 points 6 assists, 25 points 6 assists, 31 points 8 assists.
• DeAndre Jordan is averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds in his first few games for the Knicks.
• Wesley Matthews and Enes Kanter have been bought out of their contracts.
• Jonas Valanciunas was expected to make his return to the court after missing an extended period with a thumb injury. Instead the Raptors shipped him down to Memphis for Marc Gasol, who will be with the team for this game.
• Kawhi Leonard is questionable with a knee after missing Thursday’s 119-101 win in Atlanta.
• Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 33 points and 14 rebounds in that game, and Fred Van Vleet added 30 points, 6 assists and 5 boards.
• Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka.

Washington Wizards (23-32) at Chicago Bulls (13-42)

Line: Wizards -2.5 O/U: 226

Bulls: 102 ppg, bottom ten defense, slower than average pace

Wizards: 113.5 ppg, bad defense, faster than average pace

Notes:

• The Bulls and Wizards traded Otto Porter for Jabari Parker, Bobby Portis and a pick at the deadline, and those guys each get a chance against their former team tonight.
• Portis put up 30 points and 6 rebounds off the bench as the Wizards beat the Cavs, and Porter had 18 in the starting lineup as the Bulls got a rare win against a solid Nets team.
• Lauri Markkanen put together a career game in that one with 31 points and 18 rebounds.
• With John Wall out for the next 12 months at least, Tomas Satoransky is the Wizards’ point guard. He’s averaging 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7.5 assists in his last ten.
• Bradley Beal is averaging 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game in his last five.

Marquee Matchup

Oklahoma City Thunder (35-19) at Houston Rockets (32-22)

Line: Rockets -2, O/U: 237

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

Thunder: 115 ppg, second-best defense in the NBA, top five pace

Notes:

• The Rockets wrapped up a 3-1 road trip with wins in Utah, Phoenix and Sacramento.
• James Harden is averaging 41 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in his last ten games.
• Chris Paul is working his way back into the mix, averaging 15 points and 7 boards since his return from a hamstring injury that kept him out for an extended period
• The Rockets acquired Iman Shumpert at the deadline, a solid pickup to bolster their depth at wing. He’s averaging 9 points per game this season.
• The Thunder have won nine of their last ten, most recently beating Orlando and Memphis at home.
• Paul George is averaging 34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in his last ten games.
• Russell Westbrook has seven consecutive triple doubles, averaging 18 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds per game in his last five.