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Nevada Opens Three-Game Road Swing Against LMU

NCAABB Editor

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December 3, 2022

Nevada Opens Three-Game Road Swing Against LMU

RENO, Nev. – After earning a dominant 78-60 victory over previously undefeated Sam Houston State to move to 7-1 on the season, the University of Nevada Men’s Basketball team will travel to Los Angeles, California to face LMU in the first contest of a three-game road swing for the Pack.

Nevada had a sensational outing against Sam Houston State on Monday evening, in what marked Head Coach Steve Alford’s 650th career win. Alford currently ranks 14th out of all active Division I head coaches in career wins.

Nevada completely shut down the Bearkats, holding them to just 34.0 percent from the field, and a brutal mark of 29.4 percent from three for the game.

The Pack had six different players score at least nine points in the game, and they recorded 17 assists on 21 made field goals.

Nevada outscored Same Houston State by 17 points in the second half, knocking down 14-30 shots from the field (46.7%), 6-13 shots from behind the arc (46.2%), and 15 of their 18 free throw attempts (83.3%).

The 78 points scored by the Pack was 23 points more than the most the Bearkats had previously allowed in a single game this season, and nearly 30 more points than Sam Houston was allowing on average entering the contest.

Following a 16-point outing in his most efficient shooting night of the season, senior guard Jarod Lucas ranks fourth in the Mountain West in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game. Lucas also ranks third in the conference in both 3-point field goal percentage (40.4%) and free throw percentage (88.4%), as he has been lethal from behind the arc and at the line this year.

Kenan Blackshear continues to lead the Mountain West in assists per game, averaging 6.1 per contest, which also ranks 16th best in the country. Blackshear ranks in the top 20 in the conference in points (19th), rebounds (13th), steals (18th), free throw percentage (12th), and assist/turnover ratio (8th).

Redshirt-junior center Will Baker has been on a tear over the past three games, as the big man is averaging 17.7 points on 58 percent shooting from the field, in addition to pulling down six rebounds, dishing out two assists, and averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game over the Pack’s last three contests. Baker currently ranks 16th in the conference in scoring at 13.3 points per game this season.

Freshman Darrion Williams has maintained his exceptional start to his collegiate career, most recently scoring nine points and pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds in the Pack’s win over Sam Houston State. Williams ranks seventh in the Mountain West in rebounding, grabbing 7.6 per contest. Williams is also averaging 8.8 points on 53.3 percent shooting from the field and a phenomenal 50 percent clip from 3-point range. Williams leads all freshmen in the conference in points, rebounds, and steals per game.

As a team, Nevada continues to have one of the best defenses in the Mountain West, as they currently rank in the top five of the conference in an abundance of statistical categories, including scoring defense (4th), opponent field goal percentage (1st), opponent 3-point field goal percentage (2nd), defensive rebounding (4th), and blocked shots (1st).

Nevada is holding their opponents to a paltry 36.1 percent shooting clip from the field, which ranks as 12th best in the nation. They are also limiting their opponents to just 27.6 percent shooting from three which is good for 42nd best in the country.

Offensively, the Pack ranks fifth in the Mountain West in scoring (75.6 ppg), in addition to owning the second-best 3-point field goal percentage (38.0%), while leading the conference in free throw percentage (77.0%).

Nevada will look to pick up their third consecutive victory against a tough LMU team on Saturday night, as they seek to begin their three-game road swing with a victory and move to 2-0 in true road contests this season.

Scouting LMU

LMU enters Saturday’s contest boasting a record of 6-3 with marquee victories over Georgetown and Wake Forest.

LMU has been solid on both ends of the court this season, as they currently rank third in the West Coast Conference in both scoring (80.0 ppg) and scoring defense, allowing 72.3 points per game.

The Lions prefer to slow down the tempo of the game, and take a lot of 3-point shots, as nearly 50 percent of their field goal attempts this season have come from behind the arc.

Individually, guard Cam Shelton and forward Keli Leaupepe have led the way for LMU. Shelton leads the team in both scoring (16.7 PPG) and assists (3.8 APG), while ranking second in rebounding (5.5 RPG).

Leaupepe has made a formidable duo with Shelton, as the senior is averaging 15.5 points per game on 53.2 percent shooting from the field and 42.1 percent from three. Leaupepe also leads the team in rebounding, pulling down 7.1 boards per contest.

Nevada will need to maintain their exceptional defensive play and protect the 3-point line against the Lions if they hope to come away with the road victory.

Series History

Nevada owns a 3-0 record against LMU throughout history. The two squads last met on the hardwood last season, as Nevada earned a 68-63 home victory over the Lions.

NHL Preview: Anaheim Ducks (6-16-2) at Minnesota Wild (11-9-2)

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NHL

NHL Editor

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December 3, 2022

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NHL Preview: Anaheim Ducks (6-16-2) at Minnesota Wild (11-9-2)

ANAHEIM DUCKS NOTES:

LAST ANAHEIM DUCKS GAME
DEC. 1, 2022 – ANAHEIM 0 @ DALLAS 5
The Ducks opened their 14-game December schedule with a 5-0 loss to Dallas at American Airlines Center. Anthony Stolarz made 36 saves, including his first career penalty shot save on Jamie Benn at 17:31 of the third period (second penalty shot against, last: Jan. 27, 2022 @ MTL, goal by Laurent Dauphin).
PP: 0-3 PK: 2-4 SF: 21 SA: 41 TOI: Cam Fowler (28:27)
Three Stars: 1. J. Robertson 2. M. Heiskanen 3. J. Oettinger Game Summary | Event Summary | Game Recap

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME (PT) TV / AUDIO
Dec. 4 @ Winnipeg Canadian Life Centre 12 p.m. BSSC / Ducks Stream
Dec. 6 Carolina Honda Center 7 p.m. BSSC / Ducks Stream
Dec. 9 San Jose Honda Center 7 p.m. ESPN+ / Ducks Stream
Dec. 12 @ Ottawa Canadian Tire Centre 4:30 p.m. BSW / Ducks Stream
Dec. 13 @ Toronto Scotiabank Arena 4 p.m. BSSC / Ducks Stream

RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
Nov. 15 Recalled D Drew Helleson from San Diego (AHL). Placed D Kevin Shattenkirk on Injured Reserve.
Nov. 17 Placed D Nathan Beaulieu on Injured Reserve.
Nov. 19 Reassigned D Drew Helleson to San Diego (AHL). Activated D Kevin Shattenkirk from Injured Reserve.
Nov. 23 Reassigned D Austin Strand to San Diego (AHL). Activated D Nathan Beaulieu from Injured Reserve.
Nov. 26 Assigned D Urho Vaakanainen to San Diego (AHL) on a Long-Term Injury Conditioning Loan.
Nov. 27 Recalled D Urho Vaakanainen from a Long-Term Injury Conditioning Loan in San Diego (AHL). Activated Vaakanainen and C Derek Grant from Injured Reserve (IR) and placed LW Max Comtois on IR.
Dec. 1 Placed D John Klingberg on Injured Reserve (IR).

ANAHEIM DUCKS INJURIES
Man-Games Lost: 114

PLAYER INJURY/ILLNESS EXPECTED ABSENCE GAMES MISSED
John Moore Upper-body Indefinite 24
Jamie Drysdale Torn labrum (shoulder) 4-6 months 16
Max Comtois Lower-body Day-to-day 9
John Klingberg Lower-body Day-to-day 4

ANAHEIM DUCKS NOTES
TODAY’S GAME: The Anaheim Ducks begin the back half of a four-game road trip tonight with the first of back-to-back matinee contests beginning tonight against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center (11 a.m. PT, TV: Balls Sports SoCal AUDIO: Ducks Stream). Today marks Anaheim’s third of nine matinee contests in 2022-23 (two home, seven road), where the club is 0-2-0 to date. Anaheim’s other matinee contests include Dec. 4 @ WPG, Dec. 17 @ EDM, Jan. 21 @ BUF, Feb. 12 @ VGK, Feb. 20 @ FLA and Apr. 8 @ ARI. Anaheim is currently in the midst of 12 games in a 21-day span from Nov. 15-Dec. 6, with tonight’s contest the 10 in 19 days. Anaheim owns an all-time record of 1,026-887-303, including 577-384-145 at home and 449-503-157 away from Orange County. Anaheim continues its 14-game December schedule, consisting of six home and eight road contests. All-time, Anaheim is 152-139-47 in the month of December, including points in nine of 11 games in 2021-22 (5-2-4). Since the start of 2013-14, Anaheim is 59-29-18 in December, picking up points in 77 of the 105 contests. Following today’s game, the Ducks will conclude the four-game road trip and matinee back-to-backs tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 4 at Winnipeg (12 p.m. PT).

DUCKS-WILD: Anaheim and Minnesota continue a three-game season series today at Xcel Energy Center. The Ducks own a 36-30-14 all-time record vs. the Wild, including a 16-14-9 mark in Minnesota. The Wild earned a 4-1 win in the first matchup of the season in Anaheim. John Gibson (7-6-3 in 17 games) is tied for the franchise-lead in shutouts (3) against the Wild with Jean-Sebastien Giguere while also posting a career 2.43 GAA and .925 SV% vs. Minnesota. Kevin Shattenkirk (4-19=23 in 43 games) leads active Ducks skaters in career scoring and assists vs. the Wild, and Adam Henrique (8-12=20 in 26 GP) and Jakob Silfverberg (8-7=15 in 27 GP) co-lead the Ducks in career goals vs. Minnesota. These two teams wrap up the three-game set Dec. 21 in Orange County (7 p.m. PT).

ANA-MIN SEASON SERIES:
DATE LOCATION TIME / RESULT TV / AUDIO
Nov. 9 Honda Center 4-1 MIN win
Dec. 3 Xcel Energy Center 11 a.m. PT Bally Sports SoCal / Ducks Stream
Dec. 21 Honda Center 7 p.m. PT Bally Sports West / Ducks Stream

ANA-MIN ALL-TIME SERIES:
Overall @ Anaheim @ Minnesota
All-Time Series: 36-30-14 20-16-5 16-14-9
Current Streak: 11 MIN wins Five MIN wins Six MIN wins
Last ANA Win: Jan. 18, 2021 (1-0) Jan. 18, 2021 (1-0) Dec. 10, 2019 (3-2 SO)
Last MIN Win: Nov. 9, 2022 (4-1) Nov. 9, 2022 (4-1) Jan. 14, 2022 (7-3)
ANA Last 10: 0-7-3 2-7-1 4-3-3

CLUTCH COMEBACKS: The Ducks co-lead the NHL with three third-period, multi-goal comebacks wins this season (also NYI), including Oct. 12 vs. SEA (5-4, OT win, trailed 4-2 with 15:51 in third), Oct. 30 vs. TOR (4-3 OT win, trailed 3-1 with 12:36 remaining) and Nov. 5 @ SJS (5-4 shootout win, trailed 4-2 with 9:33 remaining). The Ducks four multi-goal comeback wins this season rank second behind only Chicago. Anaheim’s comeback win over San Jose marked the second time in franchise history the club has come back from a multi-goal deficit in the final 5:00 of regulation in the regular season (also Dec. 7, 2016 vs. CAR). Anaheim has recorded four third-period, multi-goal comeback victories in a single regular season just three times in franchise history (six in 2014-15 and five in 2009-10 & 4 in 2013-14).

OT HEROICS: Anaheim is 3-1 in games decided in overtime this season, while earning victories in five of the seven contests that have required extra time (2-1 in shootouts). Anaheim’s three straight wins in OT to begin the season marked a franchise record, surpassing the two wins to begin a campaign (also 2010-10, 2008-09 and 1995-96). All three Ducks OT wins have come on home ice to lead the NHL in home OT wins, including Oct. 12 vs. SEA (Troy Terry GWG), Oct. 30 vs. TOR (Trevor Zegras GWG) and Nov. 15 vs. DET (Ryan Strome GWG). Strome (1-1=2) and Zegras (1-1=2) pace Anaheim in OT points, while Zegras is second among NHL leaders with two shootout goals and paces the NHL with eight shootout goals since the start of 2021-22.

TERRY TALK: Right wing Troy Terry leads Anaheim in points (10-14=24), goals and assists this season, recording 3-1=4 points his last five games and 6-9=15 points his last 16 outings. Terry ranks tied for sixth among NHL skaters in even-strength points (8-11=19) and tied for fourth in even-strength assists (11). Terry also has 3-1=4 points his last five games and 7-11=18 points his last 18 contests. He had a career-best five-game assist streak Oct. 30-Nov. 6 (1-7=8), surpassing his prior best of four straight games with an assist Nov. 9-16, 2021 (3-4=7). Terry is currently on pace for 86 points, which is ahead of his career high set last season (37-30=67 in 75 GP in 2021-22) and would stand as the highest single-season total by a Ducks skater since Ryan Getzlaf in 2013-14 (31-56=87 in 77 GP).

GENERATION Z: Center Trevor Zegras co-leads the Ducks in goals (8), while he ranks second among team leaders in points (8-12=20) and assists. Zegras has three assists his last three games (0-3=3), 1-7=8 points his last 10 games, 4-11=15 points his last 15 games and 6-11=17 points his last 19 outings. On Nov. 27 vs. SEA, he tied a career high with three assists (0-3=3), his third career three assist game, the most by a Ducks skater before the age of 22. His three points also tied his single-game career high (last: Feb. 19, 2022 @ VAN; 0-3=3). It was his fourth career three-point game, tying Ryan Getzlaf for the second-most three-point games by a Duck at age 21 and trailing only Paul Kariya (12). Zegras finished the month of November with 11 assists (2-11=13 in 14 GP), one of three Ducks players since 2013-14 to post at least 11 assists in a calendar month, joining Ryan Getzlaf (eight times; best: 17 in March 2017) and Corey Perry (12 in November 2016).

QUE RICO!: Center Adam Henrique has eight goals his last 14 outings (7-3=10), while he ranks third among team leaders in goals (8) and tied for third in scoring overall (7-5=12). He recorded points in a season-long six straight games Nov. 5-19 (5-3=8), his best as a Duck and one short of his career-long point streak set over 10 years ago in seven straight contests with New Jersey Nov. 25-Dec. 8, 2011 (2-7=9). He scored goals in a season-best three straight games Nov. 5-12 (3-0=3, +3; missed Nov. 9 due to birth of first child), including his 100th goal as a Duck (100-90=190) Nov. 12 vs. CHI, becoming the 10th player in franchise history to reach the milestone.

CAM’S CORNER: Defenseman Cam Fowler has 2-9=11 points his last nine games, including four multi-point outings (three multi-assist). Since Nov. 15, Fowler’s 11 points (2-9=11 in 9 GP) lead all NHL defensemen and rank tied for eighth among all NHL skaters in that span. Fowler had a career-tying five-game point streak from Nov. Nov. 15-23 (2-6=8), matching his prior high set four prior times; last: Nov. 7-16, 2021; 1-4=5). The last Ducks defenseman with a longer run was Chris Pronger (six games, Oct. 29-Nov. 7, 2009; 3-6=9). Fowler recorded three straight multi-point efforts Nov. 15-19 (1-5=6), joining San Jose’s Erik Karlsson (four straight multi-point games, Oct. 27-Nov. 3; 7-4=11) as the only defensemen in the NHL with three or more consecutive multi-point outings. Fowler is one of four defensemen in Ducks history with multiple points in three consecutive games and the first since Scott Niedermayer in 2008-09.

PLAYER SEASON MULTI-POINT STREAK DATES PTS
Cam Fowler 2022-23 3 GP Nov. 15-19, 2022 1-5=6
Scott Niedermayer 2008-09 3 GP Jan. 27-31, 2009 1-6=7
Chris Pronger 2006-07 3 GP Nov. 19-22, 2006 1-5=6
Scott Niedermayer 2005-06 3 GP Mar. 7-12, 2006 0-6=6
Scott Niedermayer 2005-06 3 GP Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2006 2-6=8
Oleg Tverdovsky 1999-00 3 GP Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2000 0-6=6

GIBBY’S GAME: John Gibson leads NHL goalies in saves (558), co-leads in starts and appearances (18) and goaltender assists (2). Gibson has recorded three 40-plus save games this season (Nov. 23 vs. NYR, 41; Nov. 6 vs. FLA, 43; Oct. 12 vs. SEA, 44), co-leading the NHL with Connor Hellebuyck (WPG), Ilya Sorokin (NYI) and James Reimer (SJS). Gibson earned his fifth career helper, the primary assist, on Troy Terry’s OT winning goal Oct. 12 vs. SEA and tied J.S. Giguere for second in Ducks all-time goaltender assists with his sixth career helper Nov. 3 @ VAN. Gibson stopped his eighth career penalty shot (10th attempt) against Alexander Kerfoot Oct. 30 vs. TOR. He has stopped an NHL-leading six penalty shots since the start of 2020-21, with two goalies tied with three penalty shot saves (Connor Hellebuyck, WPG & Frederik Andersen, CAR/TOR). Gibson leads the NHL with eight games of 35-plus saves this season, two more than any other goaltender. Gibson is one of six goalies
the last 10 years with eight 35-plus save contests through the first 18 starts in a season, and is the only goalie to do so twice (also 2018-19). His league-leading 558 saves mark the 18th-most by a goaltender the last 10 years through 18 games, one of 16 goalies to do so in that span. Gibson is one of two goaltenders to appear on the list three times also Ottawa’s Craig Anderson, with the Anaheim goalie stopping 568 in 18 GP (2018-19) and 576 in 18 GP (2017-18).

M(A)C ATTACK: Rookie center Mason McTavish has picked up 4-7=11 points this season, while he co-leads Anaheim in PPG (2) and ranks tied for fourth in assists and is sixth in points and goals among team leaders. McTavish recorded his 10th point Nov. 23 vs. NYR (3-7=10), with only Trevor Zegras (10 points in 15 GP in 2021-22) reaching the mark in fewer games the last 10 seasons. Among NHL rookies, McTavish ranks tied for fifth in scoring and sixth in assists (7). McTavish scored his first goal of 2022-23 Nov. 5 @ SJS (1-1=2), as part of his second career multi-point game (also Oct. 13, 2021 vs. WPG; 1-1=2).

MINNESOTA WILD NOTES:

SERIES NOTES
All-Time Wild Record: 42-31-7 (21-12-6 at Xcel Energy
Center, 21-19-1 at Anaheim)
2022-23: Minnesota earned a 4-1 victory in the season opening game at Honda Center (11/9)…LW Kirill Kaprizov led the Wild with two goals (2-0=2)…C Joseph Cramarossa (1-0=1) and D Matt Dumba (1-0=1) each added a goal…D Calen Addison (0- 1=1), LW Matt Boldy (0-1=1), C Connor Dewar (0-1=1), C Tyson Jost (0-1=1), C Mason Shaw (0-1=1) and RW Mats Zuccarello (0-1=1) all added assists…G Filip Gustavsson stopped 31-of-32 shots faced… LW Pavol Regenda (1-0=1) recorded a goal for the Ducks…D Dmitry Kulikov (0-1=1) and RW Frank Vatrano (0-1=1) notched assists…G John Gibson stopped 35 of 39 shots faced.

WILD LEADERS: D Alex Goligoski (6-18=24 in 53 games) and Zuccarello (8-16=24 in 27 games) lead Minnesota with 24 points vs. Anaheim…D Jared Spurgeon has 16 points (7-9=16) in 37 contests…C Ryan Hartman has 13 points (7-6=13) in 22 games…Kaprizov owns 13 points (3-10=13) in 12 games.

WILD GOALIES: G Marc-Andre Fleury is 21-5-0 with a 1.93 GAA, a .930 SV% and three shutouts in 26 career starts against Anaheim… Gustavsson is 1-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .969 in his lone start against the Ducks.

DUCKS LEADERS: D Kevin Shattenkirk leads Anaheim with 23 points (4-19=23) in 43 matches against the Wild…D John Klingberg has 22 points (6-16=22) in 31 games…C Adam Henrique owns 20 points (8-12=20) in 26 contests…RW Jakob Silfverberg has 15 points (8-7=15) in 27 contests.

DUCKS GOALIES: Gibson is 7-6-3 with a 2.43 GAA, a .925 SV% and three shutouts in 17 starts against the Wild…Stolarz is 1-2-0 with a 4.44 GAA
and a .892 SV% in three career starts.

FAST FACTS: Minnesota has won the last 11 meetings, the longest winning streak against an opponent in team history…The Wild is 13-1-1 in the last 15 games against Anaheim…The Wild is 10-2-0 in its last 13 games at Honda Center, outscoring Anaheim, 37-20…The Wild has earned points in 22 of its last 32 games played at Xcel Energy Center (19-10-3)…Minnesota was swept by Anaheim in the 2003 Western Conference Final and lost 4-1 in the 2007 First Round.

INJURIES
Jonas Brodin: lower body
Brandon Duhaime: upper body
Ryan Hartman: upper body

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Nov. 22, 2022 – Dec. 2, 2022
12/1/22 Recalled D Andrej Sustr from Iowa
11/29/22 Reassigned G Zane McIntyre to Iowa
11/28/22 Assigned F Marco Rossi to Iowa
11/26/22 Recalled G Zane McIntyre from Iowa
11/24/22 Reassigned G Zane McIntyre to Iowa
11/23/22 Acquired F Ryan Reaves from the New York Rangers in
exchange for a 2025 fifth-round draft pick

NO FREE HANDOUTS
• Minnesota is averaging 6.14 giveaways per game (135 in 22 games) this season, the third-lowest rate in the NHL.

• The total is the team’s highest through a season’s first 22 games since the 2018-19 season (four SHG).

PENALTY KILLERS
• The Wild is ninth the NHL with a 81.7 pct. penalty-kill percentage (13 of 71) this season.

• Minnesota has killed 11 of 12 opponent power-play opportunities in its last five games.

• Since Nov. 8, Minnesota has recorded a 89.2 pct. penalty-kill percentage (31 of 34), the second-best mark in the NHL.

SHORT (HANDED) KINGS
• Minnesota is tied for first in the NHL with four shorthanded goals this season.

• The total is the team’s highest through a season’s first 22 games since the 2018-19 season (four SHG).

WE’RE HEADED TO OVERTIME
• This season, Minnesota has three victories in games decided past regulation, two overtime wins and one shootout victory.

• Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Minnesota leads the NHL with 19 victories in extra-session games.

• During the 2021-22 season, the Wild ranked second in the NHL with a franchise record 11 overtime wins and ranked tied for second with five shootout wins, good for 16 total extra-session victories.

• Minnesota went 16-7 in 23 extra session games during the 2021-22 season – its most extra session contests since 23 in 2013-14. The 16 extra session wins are the second-most in team history (17 in 2006-07).

NBA Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (11-11) at Utah Jazz (14-11)

NBA Editor

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December 3, 2022

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NBA Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (11-11) at Utah Jazz (14-11)

Rookie Walker Kessler got his NBA career off to a strong start when he tallied a double-double in his first game for the Utah Jazz, the second team to trade for him before opening night after he was selected 22nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.

While he has had some moments since his debut, Kessler produced the best overall performance of his career on Friday. He will look to follow it up when the Jazz play host to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

The 7-footer scored a career-high 20 points on 7-of-7 shooting, hauled in 11 rebounds and blocked two shots to help the Jazz earn a 139-119 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Kessler had reached double figures in scoring just once since the opener against the Denver Nuggets, when he amassed 12 points and 10 rebounds. The double-digit rebound total on Friday was his first since his debut.

Jazz coach Will Hardy, whom some have jokingly teased about looking like Kessler, likes that his young big man affects opponents’ shots even when he doesn’t block them. Bonus: Kessler ranked eighth in the NBA with 1.6 rejections per game despite only averaging 15.8 minutes, by far the less action of any player in the top 10.

Kessler was one of many Jazz players to play well against Indiana. Lauri Markkanen had 24 points and 13 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season. Jordan Clarkson helped fuel an important first-half run and scored 19 points. Collin Sexton had 18 points, and Malik Beasley added 16.

While the Jazz appear to be on the right track, winning two straight after a five-game skid, the Blazers enter the Saturday contest with a noticeable limp. Portland lost for the seventh time in eight games on Wednesday, dropping a 128-109 decision to the host Los Angeles Lakers.

The Blazers have been without injured star Damian Lillard for six consecutive games, and he will be out against the Jazz, too.

It didn’t help that the Blazers were playing their second game in as many nights on Wednesday, having fallen to the Los Angeles Clippers 118-112 in Portland on Tuesday.

NBA Preview: Houston Rockets (6-16) at Golden State Warriors (12-11)

NBA Editor

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December 3, 2022

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NBA Preview: Houston Rockets (6-16) at Golden State Warriors (12-11)

Two teams experiencing opposite ends of the back-to-back difficulty spectrum hook up Saturday night when the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors meet in San Francisco.

Both clubs will be playing a second game in two days, with the Rockets having stunned the Phoenix Suns on the road 122-121 on Friday night before the Warriors, starting an hour later, put away the visiting Chicago Bulls 119-111.

Any advantage gained by the Rockets with the earlier starting time was lost — and then some — in the 90-minute flight between Phoenix and San Francisco early Saturday morning for a meeting with the defending champions.

That said, it no doubt was a very enjoyable trip for the Rockets, whose win allowed them to escape the Western Conference cellar at the expense of the San Antonio Spurs.

That almost wasn’t enough for the Rockets, who watched as the Suns, down by one point, used two offensive rebounds and a steal in order to get off four potential go-ahead shots in the final 19 seconds. Phoenix missed all four.

The Warriors, meanwhile, notched their ninth straight victory in San Francisco. Coupled with losses by Boston and Phoenix, Golden State tied the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best home record in the NBA at 10-1.

The Warriors and Rockets dueled in Houston on Nov. 20 when Golden State was on the front end of a back-to-back. The Rockets took the visitors to the wire in that one, prompting Warriors coach Steve Kerr to burn four starters upward of 31 minutes before giving them the next night off in New Orleans.

Kerr almost surely will do the same with Klay Thompson in the rematch, as the veteran has not played in any back-to-backs this season, sitting out the team’s previous four.

Another Warrior who has been given veterans’ treatment at times on back-to-backs has been Draymond Green, whose late 3-pointer stalled a Bulls rally on Friday to cap a near-triple-double performance (13 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds).

One of the youngest teams in the league, the Rockets have not adopted a rest plan on back-to-backs In fact, they put up quite a fight in a 95-93 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in October in a similar road back-to-back following a game at Phoenix.

The Warriors used 24 3-pointers as the backbone of their 127-120 win at Houston last month. They have hit at least 18 in each of their last five home games, a stretch in which they’ve averaged 123 points.

The Rockets countered with a 27-15 advantage in free-throw attempts in the earlier meeting. They outscored the Warriors 23-11 at the line.

Houston gained an even greater advantage at the line over the Suns on Friday, going 34-for-43 as opposed to Phoenix’s 14-for-19. Jalen Green got to the line 16 times himself and made 12.

NBA Preview: Orlando Magic (5-18) at Toronto Raptors (11-11)

NBA Editor

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December 3, 2022

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NBA Preview: Orlando Magic (5-18) at Toronto Raptors (11-11)

The Orlando Magic will try to end a seven-game losing streak Saturday night when they visit the struggling Toronto Raptors.

Both teams are coming off Friday night road losses.

The Raptors trailed by as many as 36 points before losing 114-105 to the Brooklyn Nets in New York to complete a winless two-game road trip. Toronto has dropped four of six.

The Magic lost 107-96 to the host Cleveland Cavaliers.

Toronto was outscored 41-17 in the first quarter against Brooklyn after trailing 40-29 to the New Orleans Pelicans in a 126-108 road loss on Wednesday.

Pascal Siakam put up 24 points and O.G. Anunoby had 21 for the Raptors.

Scottie Barnes added 17 points and nine rebounds after coming off a poor game in New Orleans when he had four points, one rebound and five assists.

Barnes was playing his third game Friday after missing two games due to a sprained left knee.

Raptors coach Nick Nurse said he wants Barnes to concentrate on his strengths.

Barnes was the NBA Rookie of the Year last season, but he hasn’t played with the same spark at times this season.

The Magic trailed by as many as 20 points in Cleveland. They got 22 points from Paolo Banchero and 19 from Cole Anthony.

It was Anthony’s second game back from a torn right oblique. Markelle Fultz, who made his season debut Wednesday after being out with a broken left toe, contributed 10 points against the Cavaliers.

The Magic were without Mo Bamba (back spasms) for the third straight game on Friday. He was a game-time decision before being scratched about an hour before tipoff.

Wendell Carter Jr. (plantar fascia), Gary Harris (hamstring), Jonathan Isaac (knee), Chuma Okeke (knee) and Jalen Suggs (ankle) were also out for the Magic on Friday.

Precious Achiuwa (ankle) and Otto Porter Jr. (toe) did not play Friday for Toronto.

NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (15-6) at Charlotte Hornets (7-15)

NBA Editor

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December 3, 2022

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NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (15-6) at Charlotte Hornets (7-15)

The Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets had tense conclusions to their games Friday night.

Now it might be a matter of which team refocuses the best when they meet Saturday night in Charlotte, N.C.

The Bucks dropped a 133-129 decision to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers. That result came despite Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo posting 40 points.

The Bucks had forward Khris Middleton in the lineup for the first time this season. Coming off offseason wrist surgery, Middleton provided 17 points and seven assists in 27 minutes.

Budenholzer said it’s unlikely Middleton will play the back half of the games on consecutive nights.

Charlotte nearly wasted a 22-point lead but held on for a 117-116 victory against the Washington Wizards to open a three-game homestand.

The Hornets won despite a nearly disastrous finishing stretch in which they went scoreless over the last 3:45. The Wizards had four possessions with chances to take the lead in the final minutes and couldn’t do it.

Charlotte scored just 10 fourth-quarter points, the fewest in a victory in franchise history.

Hornets guard Terry Rozier scored a team-high 25 points in his first game back after missing one contest because of an illness.

Charlotte’s P.J. Washington made a season-high five 3-pointers on Friday night and finished with 21 points.

The Hornets have won three consecutive home games. The excitement generated from those results is providing a lift that the players recognize.

The Hornets had a break in that they were off for three straight nights after a loss at Boston on Monday. For an injury-riddled team, playing on back-to-back nights is going to be a challenge.

The Hornets continue to get big production from Kelly Oubre Jr., who has been thrust into a more prominent role as a starter. He put up 22 points and seven rebounds against the Wizards.

Middleton is bound to be a boost for the Bucks’ lineup in the long term even if he isn’t used Saturday night. The recovery took longer than expected, but he seems ready to contribute.

This roster development eventually could help take some of the stress off Antetokounmpo, who has scored 30 or more points in six consecutive games. He has led Milwaukee in scoring in each of the past seven games.

NBA Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder (9-13) at Minnesota Timberwolves (11-11)

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December 2, 2022

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NBA Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder (9-13) at Minnesota Timberwolves (11-11)

A pair of stars are expected to be missing when the Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday at Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves are working to adjust their game plan for extended life without Karl-Anthony Towns, who came away with a right calf strain in Monday’s loss to the Washington Wizards that will keep him out four-to-six weeks.

Oklahoma City doesn’t figure to be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for that long, but their leading scorer missed Wednesday’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs after he came away with a left hip contusion in Monday’s road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Without Towns, Minnesota figures to lean heavily on third-year shooting guard Anthony Edwards, who had 29 points, five assists, five steals, three blocks and just one turnover in Wednesday’s 109-101 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Finch said Edwards’ leadership role had been expanding even before Towns’ injury.

While Minnesota has players like Edwards and Rudy Gobert to fill the void with Towns out, the Thunder are not quite as equipped to succeed without Gilgeous-Alexander. The guard is averaging 31.1 points and 6.1 assists per game, while reaching the free-throw line 9.3 times per game – all career highs.

Before missing Wednesday’s game, Gilgeous-Alexander had only missed one game this season – the Thunder’s 116-106 home loss to Minnesota on Oct. 23.

Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said the Thunder are doing the same things structurally with or without Gilgeous-Alexander.

If Gilgeous-Alexander can’t play, more of the weight for Oklahoma City’s offense falls on the shoulders of Josh Giddey, who moves into the role as the Thunder’s primary ball-handler.

Without Gilgeous-Alexander against the Timberwolves early in the season, Giddey had 10 points, two rebounds, five assists and four turnovers in 22 minutes.

In Wednesday’s win over the Spurs, Giddey was much better. He had 14 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and no turnovers.

Saturday’s game is the third of four between the teams this season. The first two, both wins by the Timberwolves, came in the season’s first week. Minnesota beat the Thunder at Minneapolis 115-108 in the season opener for both teams.

The Timberwolves are likely to be without Taurean Prince, who has missed the last four games with a shoulder injury. Jaden McDaniels, who has missed the last three games with an illness, and Jordan McLaughlin, who has missed five with a calf injury, both practiced Friday.

NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (11-9) at Los Angeles Clippers (13-10)

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December 2, 2022

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (11-9) at Los Angeles Clippers (13-10)

A Saturday matinee between the Sacramento Kings and host Los Angeles Clippers features a stark contrast in styles, that has led to both teams producing records above .500 thus far into the season.

Sacramento has emerged as one of the surprises of the early NBA campaign. However, the Kings are just emerging from a recent three-game losing skid – their first losing streak since dropping the first four games of the season. They ended the mini drought with a 137-114 home rout of the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Seven Kings scored in double figures in the victory, including Malik Monk with 20 points off the bench. Fellow reserve Terence Davis added 15 points, and Domantas Sabonis neared a triple-double against his former team with 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Harrison Barnes led Sacramento with 22 points.

During the Kings’ seven-game winning streak that preceded the three-game swoon, they scored at least 120 points in all but one of the victories. Sacramento ranked second in the NBA in scoring, entering play Friday, with an average of 119.9 points per game.

Successfully pushing the tempo could prove central to Sacramento’s prospects on Saturday against a Clippers team that had the league’s lowest point-per-game average through Dec. 1 at 107.2. Los Angeles ranks among the top defensive teams, however, holding opponents to 107.8 points per game.

The Clippers are returning home Saturday for a one-game layover amid a stretch when they play six of seven games on the road. Los Angeles kicked off the road swing Tuesday with a 118-112 victory at Portland, but dropped the second half of a back-to-back Wednesday in a 125-112 loss at Utah.

The Clippers came into Wednesday’s matchup with the Jazz already down All-Stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George last played Nov. 19 due to a hamstring tendon strain behind his right knee, while Leonard’s return to the lineup has been cut short since Nov. 23 due to an ankle injury.

Norman Powell – who paced the Clippers with 32 points in the win at Portland – sat against Utah due to a groin injury. Powell, George, Leonard and Luke Kennard (calf) are all listed as day-to-day ahead of Saturday’s game.

John Wall came off the bench to lead Los Angeles with 26 points in Wednesday’s loss, while Moussa Diabate and Brandon Boston Jr. added 11 and 10 points respectively. Diabate and Boston, as well as Jason Preston, who scored two points in 3:29 on Wednesday, were call-ups from the Clippers’ G League squad.

The youngsters could continue to provide depth with Los Angeles facing roster uncertainty.

NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks (10-11) at New York Knicks (10-12)

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December 2, 2022

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NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks (10-11) at New York Knicks (10-12)

With nearly identical records and a similarly up-and-down 10-game stretch in the rearview mirror, the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks will take the court Saturday afternoon with the same goal in mind.

The Knicks will continue to face top-flight competition Saturday when they host NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.

Both teams endured six-point defeats in their most recent games. The Knicks fell to the Milwaukee Bucks, 109-103, on Wednesday night, while the visiting Mavericks lost to the Detroit Pistons, 131-125, in overtime on Thursday.

The loss to the Bucks dropped the Knicks to 4-6 in their last 10 games, a span in which they’ve been victimized in defeat by superstars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 145-135 win on Nov. 13, while Curry had a double-double (24 points, 10 assists) in the Golden State Warriors’ 111-101 win five nights later. Morant posted a triple-double (27 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds) and scored the game-winning basket off his own blocked shot with 13.9 seconds left in the Memphis Grizzlies’ 127-123 win on Sunday night, three nights before Antetokounmpo finished with 37 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks.

The Knicks seemed to get a break when Antetokounmpo fouled out as the Bucks held a 103-102 lead with a minute left, but Grayson Allen sank a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 30.9 seconds left as New York fell to 10-12.

The Mavericks’ current 4-6 stretch includes a 124-115 loss to the Bucks on Sunday in which Allen sank his first seven 3-pointers for Milwaukee.

The Mavericks seemed to get back on the right track by snapping a four-game losing streak on Tuesday. Doncic (41 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists) had a triple-double in a 116-113 win over the Warriors.

But Dallas frittered away an opportunity Thursday against the Pistons, who are 6-18 and in the thick of the race to finish with the best odds at landing French teenage sensation Victor Wembanyama. The Mavericks forced overtime by erasing an eight-point deficit late in the fourth quarter and led by four early in the extra session before Detroit finished on a 12-2 run.

While the Mavericks have allowed 108.7 points per game, the loss Thursday marked the third time in the last five games they’ve given up at least 124 points. Dallas surrendered more than 124 points just once in its first 16 games.

In addition, the Mavericks were outrebounded 52-30 on Thursday and have been outrebounded nine times in their last 10 games as they’ve fallen to 10-11 overall.

NHL Morning Skate – Dec. 3, 2022

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December 2, 2022

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* Brady Tkachuk netted Ottawa’s latest-tying goal in over four years and found the back of the net in the final seconds of overtime to rally the Senators to victory in his 300th career game.

* Patrik Laine made an impact in his return to Columbus’ lineup, posting a multi-goal performance against his former club in Winnipeg.

* Hockey Night in Canada will include Mitchell Marner aiming to extend his point streak to 19 games and place his name alone atop the Maple Leafs history books and Alex Ovechkin skating in his 1,300th NHL game.

BUSY SATURDAY FEATURES A FIVE-GAME HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
Thirteen contests are on tap for Saturday, including a five-game Hockey Night in Canada that will feature Mitchell Marner attempting take sole claim to a Maple Leafs franchise record that has stood for nearly 45 years.

* Marner (7-17—24 in 18 GP), who has found the score sheet in all seven of Toronto’s Hockey Night in Canada games this season (1-9—10), can surpass Eddie Olczyk (18 GP in 1989-90) and Darryl Sittler (18 GP in 1977-78) and become the first player to record a 19-game point streak with Toronto. The last NHL player with an official point streak of 19+ games was Patrick Kane (20 GP in 2018-19).

* Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (6-9—15 in 9 GP), who notched his 1,000th career point Thursday, can record the fifth 10-game point streak of his career when Tampa Bay hosts Toronto – only Martin St. Louis (7x) and Nikita Kucherov (6x) have had more double-digit runs with the franchise. Stamkos holds the Lightning franchise record for longest point streak, an 18-game run in 2009-10.

* Connor McDavid (19-24—43 in 24 GP) can become the fifth different skater in Oilers history to reach the 20-goal mark by his 25th game of the season. He would join Wayne Gretzky (5x; best: 16 GP in 1983-84), Jari Kurri (2x; best: 20 GP in 1984-85), Dave Lumley (24 GP in 1981-82) and Leon Draisaitl (19 GP in 2021-22). McDavid also would become the fifth player to record at least seven consecutive 20-goal campaigns for Edmonton (assuming Draisaitl – who carries 16 tallies and a four-game goal streak into Saturday – doesn’t beat him to it).

* The NHL’s top-scoring defenseman, Erik Karlsson (11-21—32 in 26 GP),makes his return to Ottawa during Hockey Night in Canada, skating in his seventh contest against the Senators since joining the Sharks in 2018-19 (0-4—4 in 6 GP). Ottawa is one of just two teams that Karlsson has never scored against (the other: Seattle, 3 GP).

* Elias Pettersson (11-16—27 in 24 GP) needs three points to hit 30 this season and can become the first Canucks skater to do so in 25 games or fewer since Henrik and Daniel Sedin in 2010-11 (24 GP) as Vancouver hosts its Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Pettersson leads all active Canucks players with 19 career three-point outings.

* Alex Ovechkin (793-642—1,435 in 1,299 GP) is set to skate in his 1,300th career game when the Capitals visit the Flames. Ovechkin, whose next goal will put him exactly 100 shy of Wayne Gretzky (894) for the NHL record, will become the 14th player in NHL history (and first active) to skate in 1,300 regular-season contests with one franchise – Gordie Howe owns the mark with 1,687 games played with the Red Wings.

BRUINS AIM TO EXTEND HOME WIN STREAK, AVALANCHE LOOK TO PLAY SPOILER AGAIN
The Bruins will look to extend their NHL-record season-opening home winning streak to 14 games when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche, who will aim to spoil their run for the second time. Nearly three years ago, on Dec. 7, 2019, Colorado snapped Boston’s 17-game season-opening home point streak with a 4-1 victory.

3 AND 300 THE LUCKY NUMBERS FOR TKACHUK, DUCHENE ON FRIDAY
Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk (2-1—3) and Nashville’s Matt Duchene (1-2— 3) both posted three-point performances and hit “300” milestones Friday:

* Trailing 2-1 in the third period, Tkachuk found the back of the net with 49 seconds remaining in regulation – Ottawa’s latest game-tying tally since Feb. 15, 2018 – and scored the winner in the final 18 seconds of overtime to hit and eclipse the 100-goal milestone in his 300th career game. Only five skaters in Senators history reached the 100-goal mark in fewer games: Dany Heatley (164 GP), Alexei Yashin (253 GP), Martin Havlat (286 GP), Marian Hossa (289 GP) and Jason Spezza (290 GP).

* Tkachuk became the first player to score a game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation and then the winner in the final minute of overtime since his brother Matthew did so with Calgary on Oct. 31, 2019 – netting his viral between-the-legs winner in the final two seconds of the extra frame.

* Duchene scored his 300th career goal and teammate Roman Josi (1-1—2)posted a multi-point outing as the Predators won their ninth consecutive game against the Islanders dating to Feb. 5, 2018 – their longest active win streak versus one opponent. Josi (146-416—562 in 783 GP) now sits four points shy of tying David Legwand (210-356—566 in 956 GP) for the most points in Predators history.

LAINE SCORES TWICE IN RETURN TO BLUE JACKETS LINEUP, WINNIPEG

Playing his first game since Nov. 12, Patrik Laine (2-0—2) scored for the first time against his former club and Johnny Gaudreau notched three assists to go along with a 37-save effort by Joonas Korpisalo as the Blue Jackets claimed their first road win since Oct. 23 – Columbus did so against one of the top-five home clubs in the NHL this season. Laine, who was facing the Jets for just the second time in his career, scored his 69th and 70th career goals in the arena he used to call home.

* Gaudreau recorded his 24th multi-assist game since the start of last season, trailing only Connor McDavid (30) and Artemi Panarin (25) for the most in that span. Gaudreau’s 71 assists in the 2022 calendar year are the most in the NHL, just ahead of McDavid (70), Matthew Tkachuk (70), Artemi Panarin (68), Mitchell Marner (68) and Roman Josi (68).

#NHLSTATS PACK PUBLISHED TO MARK ONE-MONTH COUNTDOWN TO WINTER CLASSIC

An #NHLStats Pack focused on the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic was published Friday to mark the one-month countdown leading up to the League’s 36th regular-season outdoor game, which will feature the Bruins and Penguins at Fenway Park on Jan. 2 (2 p.m. ET on TNT, SN, CBC, TVAS).

* The document includes information ranging from stats from past NHL outdoor games to historic nuggets on the Bruins and Pittsburgh Pirates – whose uniforms inspired the design of the Penguins’ kit for this year – to an overview of hockey’s ties to Fenway Park and the state of Massachusetts. Also featured is a “By the Numbers” section and charts detailing NHL outdoor experience for current Bruins and Penguins as the clubs get set to mark the 15th anniversary of the first-ever Winter Classic, a contest won by Pittsburgh in the “snow globe game” at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo.

* ICYMI: The Penguins unveiled their full uniforms Friday, following the Bruins who did so Thursday.