NBA Projected Starting Lineups, Matchups, Injury News – Christmas Day 2018

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Injury News

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Bucks: Ersan Ilyasova (nose) is out. Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) is day to day.

Celtics: Al Horford (knee) will play, Aron Baynes (hand) is out.

Knicks: Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is out. Allonzo Trier (hamstring) is probable.

Jazz: Grayson Allen (ankle) is out.

Lakers: Michael Beasley (personal) and JaVale McGee (illness) are out. Tyson Chandler (back) is questionable.

76ers: Wilson Chandler (quad) is questionable.

Rockets: Chris Paul (hamstring) is out. Austin Rivers will play.

Thunder: None

Trail Blazers: None

Warriors: Kevin Durant (ankle) is probable.

Today’s NBA Matchups

Contents

Milwaukee Bucks (22-10) at New York Knicks (9-25)

Line: Bucks -10.5. O/U: 226

Bucks: 117 ppg, top five defense, top five pace

Knicks: 109 ppg, bottom five defense, average pace

Notes:

• The Knicks have lost four straight, and the Bucks had won four straight before losing in Miami on the second night of a back to back.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 28 points, 11 boards, 6 assists, and 2 blocks over his last five. He’s coming off his first single-digit scoring night of the season in Miami.

Oklahoma City Thunder (21-11) at Houston Rockets (17-15)

Line: Rockets -1.5. O/U: 220

Thunder: 111 ppg, best defense in the NBA, above average pace

Rockets: 109 ppg, bottom-five defense, bottom five pace.

Notes:

• Russell Westbrook is averaging a 20-point triple-double this year, and his former OKC teammate James Harden is averaging 38 points, 9 assists and 6 boards in his last five.
• Paul George scored 43 on back to back nights earlier this week, and he’s averaging 35 points per game on 53% from the floor and 49% from the arc in his last five.
• Houston recently acquired Austin Rivers to fill in a bit for the injured Chris Paul. He’ll play his first game in Houston tonight.

Philadelphia 76ers (22-12) at Boston Celtics (19-13)

Line: Celtics -3.5, O/U: 223

Celtics: 111 ppg, top five defense, slower than average pace

76ers: 115 ppg, 14th ranked defense, faster than average pace

Notes:

• Joel Embiid has averaged 26 and 13 on the season, and he won’t have to worry about meeting Aron Baynes at the rim.
• The Celtics won the first matchup 105-87 on opening night in Boston.
• Philly just blew out the East-leading Raptors 126-101.
• Boston had lost three straight but bounced back with a win over Charlotte as Al Horford and Marcus Morris returned to the floor.

Portland Trail Blazers (19-14) at Utah Jazz (18-14)

Line: Jazz -6, O/U: 214

Trail Blazers: 111 ppg, top five defense, average pace

Jazz: 107 ppg, top ten defense, slower than average pace

Notes:

• The Blazers have won four of their last five, the only loss coming against this Jazz team four days ago in a 120-90 drubbing.
• Ricky Rubio led all scorers in that game with 24 points, and that doesn’t happen often.
• This game will also feature some of the most explosive guards in the game in Donovan Mitchell, CJ McCollum, and Damian Lillard, who is shooting 61% from deep in his last five games.

Marquee Matchup

Los Angeles Lakers (19-14) at Golden State Warriors (23-11)

Line: Warriors -8.5, O/U 235

Warriors: 116 ppg, average defense, faster than average pace

Lakers: 113 ppg, top ten defense, top five pace

Notes:

• This is the first matchup between a purple and gold clad LeBron and the Warriors.
• James is 1-3 against Golden State on the past four Christmases.
• Steph Curry dropped 42 points and the game winner against the Clippers, completely overshadowing Kevin Durant’s 35.
• Ivica Zubac has averaged 17.5 points in the last two games with JaVale McGee out.