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NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (15-17) at Brooklyn Nets (16-12)

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NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors (15-17) at Brooklyn Nets (16-12)

During their six-game winning streak, the Brooklyn Nets have demonstrated an ability to win close games.

The past two games featured slow starts before the Nets displayed standout execution in the fourth quarter. They hope to get off to a quicker start Wednesday night when they host the struggling Golden State Warriors.

Brooklyn’s average margin of victory during its streak is 5.2 points, with the largest margin of victory coming in a 112-100 road win over the Washington Wizards on Dec. 12. The Nets are returning home after consecutive three-point wins in Toronto and Detroit that featured comebacks from double-digit deficits capped by dramatic finishes down the stretch.

In a 119-116 win over the Raptors on Friday, the Nets faced an 18-point deficit late in the second quarter and were down by 10 at halftime. Brooklyn shot 70 percent in the fourth quarter and got the win on Kyrie Irving’s 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Two nights later against the Pistons, the Nets rallied from a 19-point, first-half deficit for a 124-121 victory. Brooklyn shot nearly 60 percent while outscoring Detroit 70-50 in the second half.

The common denominators in both comeback wins were standout performances from Kevin Durant and Irving. On Sunday, Durant has scored 26 of his 43 points in the third before Irving scored 14 of his 38 in the fourth. Irving collected 15 of his 32 points on Friday in the final period.

After surviving their slow starts, the Nets are 12-5 in games decided by single digits, including a 7-2 mark in games decided by five points or fewer.

Golden State is set to play its fourth game since losing Stephen Curry to a left shoulder subluxation in a 125-119 loss at the Indiana Pacers a week ago. After splitting games in Philadelphia and Toronto, the Warriors absorbed a wire-to-wire, 132-94 loss to the host New York Knicks on Tuesday.

The ugly defeat dropped Golden State to a league-worst 3-15 away from home. It was the Warriors’ sixth defeat in the past eight games.

Jordan Poole, who led the Warriors with 26 points, is averaging 32.7 points in the three games since Curry was injured. Poole likely will be tasked with being Golden State’s top option since Klay Thompson will sit out after the second half of a back-to-back set due to injury management and Andrew Wiggins will miss his ninth straight game because of a groin injury.

Golden State is 10-3 in its past 13 meetings with Brooklyn.

NBA Preview: Chicago Bulls (12-18) at Atlanta Hawks (16-15)

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NBA Preview: Chicago Bulls (12-18) at Atlanta Hawks (16-15)

Now that the Chicago Bulls have ended their four-game losing streak, they will seek a little revenge when they visit the Atlanta Hawks for the second time in 10 days on Wednesday.

The Bulls beat the host Miami Heat 113-103 on Tuesday and will try to even the score against the Hawks, who started them on their recent downward path. The Hawks beat the Bulls 123-122 in overtime on Dec. 11 when Atlanta rookie AJ Griffin scored on a last-second shot. The Bulls have lost seven of their past 10 games.

Griffin became the first rookie since Chicago’s Toni Kukoc (1993-94) and the first Hawks player in the past 25 years to produce multiple game-winning shots in a season.

Atlanta has won two in a row after hanging on to beat the visiting Orlando Magic 126-125 on Monday but continues to have trouble putting away games in which it holds a big lead. The Hawks led by 12 points with 3:05 left against Orlando but surrendered the lead by allowing 13 unanswered points.

Atlanta was able to salvage the game when Dejounte Murray was fouled and hit two free throws with 1.3 seconds left.

Trae Young scored 37 points, his second straight 30-point performance, but drew a technical foul after draining a long 3-pointer to give the Hawks a 124-112 lead. The technical seemed to stop Atlanta’s momentum, and Young committed a turnover and missed three shots in the aftermath that contributed to Orlando’s momentum.

The Bulls bounced back on Tuesday after taking a 150-126 beating from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday in Minneapolis. It was the fourth-most points Chicago has given up in regulation and the most since the Bulls allowed 152 against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 3, 1982.

Nikola Vucevic had 29 points and 12 rebounds for his 14th double-double, DeMar DeRozan had 24 points and Zach LaVine scored 21 against the Heat.

Chicago’s Derrick Jones Jr. left the Tuesday game in the third quarter due to a left ankle sprain and did not return.

Atlanta’s Clint Capela (right calf strain) will miss his third consecutive game on Wednesday.

NBA Preview: Detroit Pistons (8-25) at Philadelphia Sixers (17-12)

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NBA Preview: Detroit Pistons (8-25) at Philadelphia Sixers (17-12)

The red-hot Philadelphia 76ers will look to secure their sixth consecutive victory when they host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Even without Tyrese Maxey (fractured left foot), the Sixers have been playing well; they are 10-1 in their last 11 home games. Maxey isn’t expected back for at least one more week.

Joel Embiid had 28 points and 11 rebounds for his 13th double-double and Tobias Harris added 21 points in a hard-fought 104-101 overtime win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

Harris was particularly effective, with a 7-for-9 performance, including five 3-pointers.

Harris has been not only aggressive but efficient. He has connected on multiple 3-pointers in six straight games.

The Sixers were fortunate to pull out the win over the Raptors. They’re still committing too many costly turnovers. But they’re finding ways to win.

The Pistons will look to snap a three-game losing streak when they battle the Sixers.

Following losses to the Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets, the Pistons were defeated handily, 126-111, by the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.

Jaden Ivey led the way with a career-high 30 points, Jalen Duren added 15 points and 14 rebounds and Bojan Bogdanovic had 15 points.

Ivey has elevated his play since Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his left shin. Cunningham played just 12 games this season.

Ivey was the fifth pick in the 2022 draft from Purdue, and he’s proving his mettle amid a frustrating 8-25 start.

Despite the lofty offensive numbers, Ivey was more focused on the opposite end of the court following another loss.

The Jazz shot 50 percent, including 20 of 46 from 3-point territory.

NBA Preview: Charlotte Hornets (8-23) at Los Angeles Clippers (18-14)

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NBA Preview: Charlotte Hornets (8-23) at Los Angeles Clippers (18-14)

Two teams that have been repeatedly hit by the injury bug this season meet when the Charlotte Hornets continue their six-game road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Los Angeles stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have played just nine games together, while Charlotte has been without LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin and Dennis Smith Jr. for extended periods.

The lack of continuity has hurt Charlotte, which owns one of the league’s second-worst record at 8-23. Meanwhile, the Clippers are 18-14 and just 2 1/2 games back of the Western Conference-leading Memphis Grizzlies.

Leonard offered a reminder on Saturday why the Clippers remain championship contenders. Playing in his 11th game this season, the five-time All-Star scored a season-high 31 points and had nine rebounds and three steals in a 102-93 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Leonard, who sat out all of last season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, played 32 minutes against the Wizards and left a positive impression on Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.

Los Angeles has won its last nine meetings against Charlotte, which is riding high following a surprising win over the Sacramento Kings.

Kelly Oubre Jr. had 31 points and Ball added 23 in the Hornets’ 125-119 win over the Kings on Monday. The victory snapped the team’s eight-game losing streak.

Ball, who has missed 24 games with an ankle injury, is averaging 23.1 points and 7.4 assists in seven games this season.

Charlotte guard Terry Rozier sat out the Sacramento game with a right hip contusion and is listed as day-to-day.

The Hornets continue to receive a spark off the bench from center Nick Richards, who recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds against Sacramento.

Charlotte is facing a Clippers team that is 3-1 during its current five-game homestand.

Los Angeles could have George (left knee soreness), Reggie Jackson (left Achilles inflammation) and Norman Powell (left groin strain) back in the lineup on Wednesday, but all three will be gametime decisions.

Center Ivica Zubac has missed the past two games with a left knee bruise and is not expected to play against Charlotte.

Despite all of the injuries, Los Angeles has managed to stay in contention. Best of all, the playoffs don’t begin for another four months.

NBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (13-17) at Sacramento Kings (16-13)

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NBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (13-17) at Sacramento Kings (16-13)

The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings hope to get back on winning tracks when they square off Wednesday night in the California capital.

The Lakers had won two in a row before opening a three-day, two-game trip without LeBron James and absorbing a 130-104 drubbing in Phoenix at the hands of the Suns on Monday night.

At the same time, the Kings, also seeking a third consecutive win but doing so on their home court, saw the Charlotte Hornets come to town and walk away with a 125-119 victory.

L.A. and Sacramento met once earlier this season, with the Kings winning 120-114 on the road in November in a game in which the Lakers were also missing James.

This time, they’ll be without Anthony Davis, who injured his right foot in a 126-108 home win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

James had 33 points in 37 minutes in his sidekick’s absence in a 119-117 triumph at home over the Washington Wizards on Sunday, then sat out the second night of a back-to-back in Phoenix.

He is expected to return Wednesday to a site at which he has had more than his fair share of success in his career, going 7-3 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, 2-1 with the Miami Heat and, most recently, 2-1 with the Lakers.

James has scored at least 30 points six times in those 16 games, including a 51-point explosion for the Cavaliers in 2009.

The Lakers aren’t sure when Davis will be able to return, so James admitted it’s up to the current collection of healthy bodies to band together and win as often as possible to keep the club close enough in the Western playoff race. The hope is that a late run could carry the team into the postseason and toward another championship.

Like last year, when the Lakers (11th) and Kings (12th) were separated by just three games and both narrowly missed the Western play-in tournament, both clubs currently find themselves in a tight battle at the lower end of the playoff picture. Sacramento will take the court 3 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers, who currently would be on the outside of the 10-team Western postseason.

Domantas Sabonis (21 points, 10 rebounds) and De’Aaron Fox (32 points, 12 assists) both recorded double-doubles in the earlier win in Los Angeles, and both are coming off monster games in Monday’s loss to the Hornets.

Sabonis had 28 points and 23 rebounds against Charlotte, and Fox a game-high 37 points, but it didn’t prevent a disappointing opening to a six-game homestand.

Kings coach Mike Brown, who once coached James in Cleveland, took time after Monday’s setback to push Sabonis for a spot on the Western All-Star team.

NBA Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (17-14) at Oklahoma City Thunder (13-18)

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NBA Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (17-14) at Oklahoma City Thunder (13-18)

The first game of a two-game set between the host Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers figured to be mostly about Damian Lillard’s ascension to the top of the Trail Blazers’ all-time scoring list.

It was that, but it was also the latest in a series of signs that Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is elevating his game to star level.

After Gilgeous-Alexander hit a game-winner at the buzzer to give Oklahoma City a 123-121 victory Monday, the Trail Blazers and Thunder meet again Wednesday, also in Oklahoma City.

Gilgeous-Alexander comes into the game third in the NBA in scoring at 31.3 points per game, behind only Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic.

Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 35 or more points 10 times this season, including in each of his last two games. He had four such games in his first four NBA seasons.

Oklahoma City went 1-5 during Kenrich Williams’ absence with a right knee sprain. The Thunder have won both games since Williams’ return, to move to 2-2 to begin a season-long seven-game homestand.

In the closing minutes of Monday’s game, Williams was on the floor alongside Luguentz Dort, giving Oklahoma City a pair of strong defenders against Portland’s backcourt duo of Lillard and Anfernee Simons.

The Trail Blazers have alternated wins and losses in the first four games of their six-game road trip.

While Lillard showed plenty of respect for Gilgeous-Alexander’s growth, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault reciprocated those feelings toward Lillard.

The Thunder’s Josh Giddey has missed the last two games with a non-COVID illness, while Darius Bazley has missed the last three for the same reason. Both were ruled out for Wednesday.

Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic missed Monday’s game with right calf soreness. He is listed as questionable.

NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks (15-16) at Minnesota Timberwolves (16-15)

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NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks (15-16) at Minnesota Timberwolves (16-15)

The Dallas Mavericks will aim to keep their emotions in check on Wednesday when they attempt to salvage a split of their two-game series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.

Luka Doncic and coach Jason Kidd were ejected late in the third quarter of Dallas’ 116-106 setback to Minnesota on Monday. The loss was the Mavericks’ fifth in seven games overall and 11th in 14 road contests this season.

Doncic received the early dismissal after barking at crew chief Rodney Mott about a perceived foul. Mott responded by whistling Doncic for a pair of technicals, abruptly ending his night on the floor.

Doncic finished with a season-low 19 points on just 5-of-17 shooting from the floor.

Kidd essentially followed Doncic out the door, but not before getting in a few parting shots to referee Nick Buchert.

The Mavericks’ second-year coach declined to take questions after the game. He did show up at the postgame press conference to offer a statement, however.

Making matters worse for the Mavericks was the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith, who exited late in the third quarter with a right adductor strain. Finney-Smith said he first sustained the injury during Saturday’s 100-99 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers before aggravating it early in the second quarter on Monday. He’s been ruled out for Wednesday.

Spencer Dinwiddie sank five 3-pointers and finished with 20 points for Dallas, which will need to slow down Anthony Edwards in a bid to snap Minnesota’s three-game winning streak on Wednesday.

Naz Reid continued his strong play in the absence of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns by contributing 27 points and 13 rebounds. Gobert has missed three straight games with a sprained left ankle, while Towns has been sidelined since sustaining a calf injury on Nov. 28.

Jaylen Nowell scored 18 points off the bench and Austin Rivers added 16 for the Timberwolves, one night after Minnesota set a franchise record for points (150) and field goals (57) in a rout of the Chicago Bulls.

NBA Preview: Orlando Magic (11-21) at Houston Rockets (9-21)

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NBA Preview: Orlando Magic (11-21) at Houston Rockets (9-21)

Rockets attempt to find themselves again vs. Magic

Throughout a spate of early-season losses that resulted in a 1-9 record, Houston coach Stephen Silas expressed unwavering support for the Rockets’ will to win.

Despite entering their 15th game on the schedule with only two wins, the Rockets had shown a moxie that didn’t match their record. Rarely did they relent to the numerous setbacks, and ultimately their effort yielded the sort of results Silas had longed to witness.

But in the fifth game of a seven-game homestand that continues on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic, the Rockets succumbed to discouragement.

For a second consecutive game, they shot miserably from the perimeter, and when the San Antonio Spurs seemingly did not miss from behind the 3-point line on Monday, Houston cratered in the second half of a 124-105 loss.

The Rockets missed 26 of 29 3-pointers in a 12-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. They followed that woeful shooting display by misfiring on 19 of 24 3-pointers against the Spurs, who conversely shot a scorching 17 of 34 from behind the arc. Outflanked and frustrated, the Rockets wilted and reverted to a submissive form rarely seen this season.

With only two games remaining on a homestand they hoped would set them on a positive path heading into the new year, the Rockets must uncover a means to rebuild their broken shots and collective spirit.

One of the Rockets’ two victories in the first month of the season came against the Magic, who have righted their own ship recently. Dejounte Murray had to make two free throws with 1.3 seconds remaining to lift the Atlanta Hawks to a 126-125 win on Monday that halted a six-game winning streak for Orlando.

The injury-riddled Magic have found their footing despite a rotation continually compromised by absences, with Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) and Jalen Suggs (ankle) the latest starters to be sidelined. Orlando has been bolstered by the return of Markelle Fultz, who is averaging 11.6 points and 5.1 assists since joining to rotation 11 games ago, and the emergence of Moritz Wagner, who has averaged 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds while starting the last 10 contests.

Of the nine players averaging double figures in scoring for Orlando, three are currently unavailable, with Gary Harris part of the mix. Yet the Magic have found a way to press forward.

NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (15-16) at Boston Celtics (22-9)

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NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (15-16) at Boston Celtics (22-9)

The Boston Celtics will look to bounce back from a winless weekend when they host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

Boston, which is two games into a seven-game homestand, has lost four of its last five games after falling to the Orlando Magic on Friday and Sunday.

Despite shooting a season-low 34.8 percent without Jayson Tatum (personal reasons), the Celtics fell just a possession short in Sunday’s 95-92 loss.

Boston has not eclipsed the 30 percent mark from 3-point range in their last four losses.

On Sunday, though, 22 of the team’s 31 field goals were assisted. Marcus Smart had seven of them, while Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 24 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Boston’s biggest bright spot was the return of big man Robert Williams, who had not played prior to Friday after September knee surgery.

The return of his thunderous dunks energized the crowd, but the Celtics were not able to take advantage of his 7.5 points per game and pick up a win.

Indiana has also lost four of five games, most recently falling to the streaking Knicks 109-106 on Sunday in New York. Forward Aaron Nesmith logged career highs of 23 points and 10 rebounds for his first NBA double-double.

Buddy Hield matched Nesmith’s 23 points, Tyrese Haliburton added 15 and 10 assists, and rookie Bennedict Mathurin also scored 15.

Nesmith was the Celtics’ top draft pick in 2020 (No. 14 overall) and helped the team reach the NBA Finals last summer, but he has averaged 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in a more regular role with Indiana. He has started 15 of his 27 games this season.

Nesmith was 9 of 12 from the field and 4 of 6 from 3-point range in 31 minutes during his career night.

Sunday concluded a stretch of 19 games in 33 days for Indiana.

This is the first meeting between the teams this season. The Celtics have won five of the last six contests, including three out of four last season.

NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (22-8) at Cleveland Cavaliers (21-11)

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NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (22-8) at Cleveland Cavaliers (21-11)

Following wins over Western Conference opponents, two of the top teams in the East meet as the Cleveland Cavaliers welcome in the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge for Milwaukee in New Orleans on Monday night, scoring 42 points in the Bucks’ 128-119 win over the Pelicans. Antetokounmpo also grabbed 10 rebounds while going 17 for 22 at the free-throw line.

Brook Lopez scored 30 points and Jrue Holiday chipped in 18 along with 11 assists. Winners of three of their past four games, the Bucks were able to withstand a career night from Jonas Valanciunas, who scored 37 points while shooting 7 for 10 from beyond the arc.

Cleveland, which has won four in a row, cruised to a 122-99 win over the Utah Jazz at home on Monday night in Donovan Mitchell’s first game against his former team.

Mitchell led the way for Cleveland with 23 points, but it was a balanced effort with seven Cavaliers scoring in double-figures. Jarrett Allen finished with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Entering Tuesday’s play, Antetokounmpo is the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer with 31 points a game while also leading Milwaukee with 11.1 rebounds. Holiday leads the team with 7.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game and Lopez leads the NBA with 2.7 blocks per game.

Mitchell has been the scoring leader in his first season with Cleveland, ranking eighth in the NBA at 29.3 points per game. Allen leads the team with 10.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while Darius Garland ranks fifth in the NBA with eight assists per game.

Joe Ingles made his Bucks debut on Monday night after returning from an ACL injury he suffered with Utah in January. He finished 0 for 4 from the field with one rebound, one steal and two assists, including a lob to Antetokounmpo at the rim, in 15 minutes.

Khris Middleton missed his second straight game for Milwaukee on Monday due to right knee soreness. He is considered day-to-day, and Budenholzer hopes to get him back during the club’s current five-game road trip.

For Cleveland, Lamar Stevens is day-to-day with knee soreness. Dean Wade, Dylan Windler and Ricky Rubio all remain out with injuries.

Milwaukee is up 2-0 in the four-game season series with their Cavaliers, winning 113-98 and 117-102 in Milwaukee. The Bucks have a chance to clinch the series after the Cavaliers took three of four last season.

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