NBA roundup: Pelicans end 7-game slide with rout of Blazers
Fri Dec 12 3:07am ET
Field Level Media
Trey Murphy III scored 24 points as the New Orleans Pelicans snapped a seven-game skid with a 143-120 win over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Bryce McGowens added a career-high-tying 23 points -- going 5-for-5 on 3-point attempts -- and Jordan Poole contributed 22 off the New Orleans bench in his first game since Nov. 4 following a left quad strain.
McGowens scored 10 points without a miss in the fourth quarter, which New Orleans dominated 38-23 to seize control of the contest.
Shaedon Sharpe posted 21 and Sidy Cissoko finished with a personal-best 20 for Portland, which took its sixth loss in seven games.
Nuggets 136, Kings 105
Nikola Jokic poured 23 of his game-high 36 points into a first-half runaway as visiting Denver crushed Sacramento.
Despite failing to add to his league-league total of 11 triple-doubles, Jokic also found time for a game-high 12 rebounds and eight assists, helping Denver beat Sacramento for a third time in four meetings this season. Peyton Watson chipped in with 21 points for the Nuggets, who have won 11 consecutive road games.
Malik Monk had a team-high 18 points for the Kings, who lost for the sixth time in their past seven games. In a head-to-head with Jokic, one of his primary challengers for all-time triple-double leadership, Sacramento's Russell Westbrook had 17 points but just three rebounds and five assists.
Bucks 116, Celtics 101
Kyle Kuzma scored a season-high 31 points to lead Milwaukee to a win over visiting Boston.
Bobby Portis added 27 on 11-of-13 shooting off the bench for the Bucks, who snapped a two-game skid. Kevin Porter Jr. compiled 18 points, 13 assists and 10 boards as Milwaukee prevailed without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf).
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points while Jordan Walsh added 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting. The Celtics had their five-game winning streak end.
Rockets 115, Clippers 113
Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson teamed up to spearhead a fourth-quarter rally that carried Houston to a victory over visiting Los Angeles.
Sengun (22 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, four steals) contributed two critical post baskets down the stretch. Thompson posted 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, including a three-point play with 17.2 seconds left that broke a 110-110 tie.
Los Angeles' Kawhi Leonard was dynamic on both ends, posting 24 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Ivica Zubac dominated the interior, producing 33 points on 13-of-14 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds. James Harden (22 points, seven assists) drilled a 3-pointer with 37.1 seconds left that tied the game at 110-110, but the Clippers could not avoid their eighth loss in nine games.
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Milwaukee's G Kevin Porter Jr. recorded a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in a 116-101 win over the Celtics on Thursday, Dec. 11.
Milwaukee Bucks' F Kyle Kuzma scored 31 points on 13-of-17 shooting in a 116-101 win over the Celtics on Thursday, Dec. 11. Kuzma is owned in only 42.1% leagues.
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley (Achilles) won't play on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. The veteran floor general is bothered by right Achilles tendinopathy. Conley has been limited to 19.1 minutes per game this season, so he won't be a big miss. However, Bones Hyland and Rob Dillingham could get a slight boost in playing time, increasing their fantasy prospects. The two may also benefit from the absence of Anthony Edwards (foot), who is listed as questionable for Friday's game. Matchups against Golden State have been favorable for point guards, as the Warriors allow the 12th-most fantasy points in the league to the position.
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (hip) will remain out for a seventh consecutive game on Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets. He was always unlikely to play after Sacramento listed Schroder as doubtful on the initial injury report. There's no Zach LaVine (thumb) either on Thursday night, opening up additional playing opportunities for Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Nique Clifford. The latter is set to start to contest in LaVine's place. Schroder's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (foot) is considered questionable for Friday's fascinating matchup against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. On Monday night, Edwards dropped 40 points on the Phoenix Suns, but he is now experiencing soreness in his right foot. Mike Conley (Achilles) has been officially ruled out for Friday, meaning Minnesota will be lacking playmakers if Edwards also has to sit. Players like Bones Hyland and Rob Dillingham will be asked to step up. At the same time, Edwards' absence would give additional offensive touches to Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Donte DiVincenzo.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray will join the first unit on Thursday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Portland is without Donovan Clingan (lower leg), Robert Williams (illness), and Yang Hansen (face), giving Murray a good opportunity to play a big role in the frontcourt. Duop Reath is also expected to see more action on Thursday night. Murray's previous two starts this season didn't go too well, as he averaged 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds across 30.0 minutes.
Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. will return to the starting lineup on Thursday against the Boston Celtics, replacing Jericho Sims. Trent Jr. was a regular starter earlier in the campaign but has come exclusively off the bench this month. Sims started each of the last two contests, but the 27-year-old was limited to only 2.0 points per game and had 6.0 rebounds. While Trent Jr. has done a decent job off the bench, his numbers have improved slightly in a starting role this season, jumping to 9.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (shoulder) will sit out Thursday's tilt against the Boston Celtics, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports. He was initially listed as questionable on the injury report after Green missed his first game of the season last Saturday against the Detroit Pistons. Kyle Kuzma moved to the starting unit against Detroit, while Gary Trent Jr.'s fantasy stock also receives a boost from Green's absence. Green will get his next chance to return on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (finger) has been ruled out for Friday's action against the Washington Wizards. The big man returned to full practice this week but will sit out a sixth consecutive game. Thomas Bryant and Dean Wade have picked up extra shifts in the rotation during Allen's absence, but neither player has been a good fantasy option. Wade's numbers tend to fluctuate, while Bryant hasn't provided much besides rebounds. On paper, Friday's matchup is a juicy one for Cleveland's frontcourt, as only Chicago has allowed more fantasy points to centers this season than Washington.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (quadriceps) has received the green light to play on Thursday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. The team has upgraded Poole's status from questionable to available. The savvy scorer has been out since early November, making only seven appearances this season. Due to his long layoff, Poole may only see limited action on Thursday. However, once he is back in shape, Poole could be set for a huge stretch, with Zion Williamson (adductor) on the shelf. Before straining his left quadriceps, Poole posted 17.3 points and 3.4 assists in 30.3 minutes per game.
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week, Ian Begley of SYN reports. McBride injured his left ankle in a contest against the Orlando Magic last Sunday. He has already missed one game and won't be able to help his team in the NBA Cup semifinal matchup against the Magic this weekend and a potential final on Tuesday. Jordan Clarkson will play a more active role in the rotation until McBride returns. The veteran guard put up 12 points and had three rebounds in 26 minutes when New York defeated the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (calf) has been upgraded to questionable on the injury report ahead of Friday's meeting with the Utah Jazz. Morant has missed 10 games due to a right calf strain, but he has been nearing a comeback and went through full practice on Thursday. This is a good sign that he will be able to return to the lineup. However, considering he has been out for nearly a month, Morant is unlikely to have a full workload against the Jazz. Vince Williams Jr. has been starting during Morant's absence and will be bumped back to the second unit on Friday if Memphis' star man makes a comeback. Cam Spencer also loses fantasy value with Morant's return.
Charlotte Hornets guardLaMelo Ball(ankle)is out for Friday's clash with the Chicago Bulls. Ball will miss his second consecutive game due to a left ankle bruise. His next chance to return will come on Sunday versus the Cavs. Fantasy managers should expect that he will likely carry a questionable tag ahead of Sunday's contest. Across 16 games this season, the 24-year-old is averaging 19.4 points, 8.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 28.9 minutes per contest.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (illness) is set to return from a one-game absence on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies after the team removed him from the injury report. The Finnish star couldn't play in Sunday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to illness, resulting in Kyle Filipowski getting his seventh start of the campaign. Filipowski will probably head back to the bench for Friday's action, but he has performed well recently and should maintain fantasy value. Markkanen has been inconsistent lately, but he could do plenty of damage against a Grizzlies team that allows the fifth-most three-point attempts in the league.
Portland Trail Blazers centers Robert Williams III (illness) and Yang Hansen (face) have been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Both players were listed as questionable on the initial injury report. Donovan Clingan (leg) also won't play against New Orleans, leaving Duop Reath as the only natural center in the Trail Blazers lineup. Kris Murray will probably also handle some of the minutes at the five position. Reath has had a very limited role with Portland this season, but he did post 12 points in 19 minutes during Sunday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey (illness) is listed as probable for Friday's contest against the Indiana Pacers. He has landed on the injury report with an illness; however, the probable designation suggests that Maxey is expected to be in the lineup. Maxey had led the Sixers' offense all season, averaging 31.5 points and 7.2 assists. Philadelphia faces a pace-up spot on Friday against a defensively-challenged team, putting Maxey in a great position to stuff the stat sheet.
Atlanta Hawks forward/centerKristaps Porzingis(illness) is unavailable for Friday's matchup with the Detroit Pistons. Porzingis will miss his second consecutive contest due to illness. Ahead of Friday's tilt, the Latvian big man has struggled staying healthy, sitting out nine of the last 13 Hawks games. When Porzingis has been able to suit up, he's still a valuable fantasy asset, averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks across 25.9 minutes per contest in 13 appearances.
Sacramento Kings shooting guard Nique Clifford will move to the starting unit on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets, Mark Haynes of the Sacramento Observer reports. He will take Zach LaVine's (thumb) spot. Clifford has previously started two games during his rookie season, averaging 7.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in those contests. It's a big opportunity for Clifford to impress, and considering how badly the Kings are doing, we may start seeing the 23-year-old among the starters regularly at some point.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid(knee) is considered probable for Friday's tilt against the Indiana Pacers due to left knee injury management. Despite another addition to the Sixers' injury report, the big man will likely suit up Friday for the second game in a row. Embiid finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in his last appearance during a 112-108 loss to the Lakers on Sunday. When the 31-year-old is actually available to take the floor, he is still a fantasy force and is a must-start across all formats.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (personal) will be out of action for Friday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 35-year-old had an excused absence from Thursday's practice and will miss at least one game due to personal reasons. A foot injury recently kept Green out two straight games, and it is unknown if he is still dealing with lingering pain. With Al Horford also sidelined, Trayce Jackson-Davis (knee) and Quinten Post will receive a bump in minutes to help out a depleted Warriors' frontcourt on Friday.
