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NBA roundup: Pistons dominate Knicks to cap season sweep

Fri Feb 20 12:08am ET
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Cade Cunningham totaled 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds as the Detroit Pistons pulled away in the second half and completed a season sweep of the host New York Knicks with a 126-111 victory on Thursday.

Detroit won the three meetings by a combined 84 points, improving its regular-season winning streak vs. New York to six games. The Knicks had won the previous 16 matchups between the teams.

Cunningham made 17 of 34 shots and posted his third 40-point game of the season. Paul Reed filled in for Jalen Duren (NBA suspension) and contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks as the Pistons won for the ninth time in 11 games.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 33 points and eight assists. Karl Anthony-Towns added 21 points and 11 rebounds as New York lost for the third time in five games.


Hawks 117, 76ers 107

Jalen Johnson recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as Atlanta continued its dominance of host Philadelphia to end a three-game losing streak.

Atlanta won despite 43.2% shooting from the field and a 10-of-32 showing (31.2%) from 3-point range. CJ McCollum chipped in with 23 points off the bench for the Hawks, who improved to 3-0 against the 76ers this season.

Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points on 8-of-23 shooting for the Sixers, while VJ Edgecombe contributed 20 points and nine rebounds. Andre Drummond notched 10 points and 14 rebounds for the hosts, who were without Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (suspension) and lost their third straight.

Cavaliers 112, Nets 84

Donovan Mitchell scored 17 points and James Harden had 16 points and nine assists as host Cleveland dominated Brooklyn, extending its winning streak to six and at one point holding its largest lead of the season.

Jarrett Allen posted 15 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which led from wire to wire for the second straight game and has won 11 of its last 12. Dennis Schroder made two free throws late in the third quarter to put Cleveland up 102-59, its biggest margin of the season.

Michael Porter Jr. scored 14 points and Ochai Agbaji had 13 points off the bench for Brooklyn, which shot 34.5% from the field. Danny Wolf collected 11 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

Rockets 105, Hornets 101

Kevin Durant poured in 35 points on 14-for-20 shooting as Houston fended off host Charlotte for a victory in the first game after the All-Star break.

Jabari Smith Jr. added 15 points and Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard both scored 13 points for the Rockets, who benefitted from 16 Charlotte turnovers. Houston has won five consecutive road games.

The Hornets had won 10 of their previous 11 games, but they had too many rough patches that prevented them from sweeping the season series. Grant Williams cranked in 20 points. LaMelo Ball, playing a day after he was involved in an automobile accident, had 11 points in 31 minutes, making one of his six 3-point attempts.

Spurs 121, Suns 94

Stephon Castle scored 20 points as San Antonio dominated short-handed Phoenix in Austin, Texas, to win its seventh straight game.

Victor Wembanyama added 17 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and four assists for the Spurs, who led by 12 at halftime before opening the gap to 29 in the third quarter.

Jalen Green's 26 points led the Suns, who have dropped two straight. Devin Booker missed the second half due to right hip soreness, and Phoenix was without Grayson Allen (ankle) and Dillon Brooks (league suspension).

Wizards 112, Pacers 105

Bub Carrington, Jaden Hardy, Anthony Gill and Kadary Richmond each scored 13 points as Washington beat visiting Indiana.

The Wizards finished with seven double-figure scorers while snapping a three-game losing streak. Washington forced 23 turnovers to help win the first of back-to-back matchups against the Pacers.

Jarace Walker led Indiana with 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. Rookie Taelon Peter had a career-high 16 points as the Pacers' two-game winning streak ended.

Raptors 110, Bulls 101

Brandon Ingram scored 31 points to fuel visiting Toronto to a victory over Chicago.

Ingram added eight rebounds and six assists to help the Raptors defeat the Bulls for the second time this month. Scottie Barnes logged 14 points and nine rebounds for Toronto, which benefited from 23 turnovers by Chicago to pick up its eighth win in 12 games.

Anfernee Simons scored 20 points and Isaac Okoro added 16 for the Bulls, who saw their losing streak extend to seven. Tre Jones recorded 12 points and six assists and Josh Giddey had five and five in their returns from their left hamstring injuries.

Player Notes
Stephen Curry Thu Feb 19 8:20pm

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) will be re-evaluated in 10 days as he continues to deal with a persistent right knee injury, and he is expected to miss at least five more games. Curry has not played since Jan. 30, leaving a 33.5 percent usage rate absent from the lineup. In the most recent loss to San Antonio, Brandin Podziemski logged 16 points in 36 minutes, while De'Anthony Melton added 17 points and five threes in 25 minutes. Pat Spencer saw 31 minutes. Podziemski and Melton profile as strong short-term holds, with Draymond Green likely seeing more playmaking duties.

Grayson Allen Thu Feb 19 8:10pm

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against San Antonio after being ruled out with a right ankle sprain. Allen had just returned from a knee issue before landing back on the injury report, creating another rotation shift on the wing. In the last game against Oklahoma City, Jordan Goodwin logged 28 minutes and finished with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two threes, while Royce O'Neale posted 12 points and four threes in 24 minutes. Goodwin is a viable short-term streamer, and O'Neale gains value in three-point formats alongside Devin Booker.

Ajay Mitchell Thu Feb 19 8:00pm

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) will be sidelined for at least one more week and is set for re-evaluation, remaining out alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and Jalen Williams (hamstring). The absence keeps Oklahoma City's backcourt thin. Over the last five games, Isaiah Joe has averaged 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.4 threes in 28.1 minutes, while Cason Wallace has posted 11.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals in 30.8 minutes. Aaron Wiggins has added 10.8 points and 1.6 steals in 24.8 minutes. Wallace is the safest hold, with Joe and Wiggins viable category streamers.

Cedric Coward Thu Feb 19 7:50pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward (knee) won't play on Friday versus Utah. The rookie has had a quality inaugural campaign, averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. He also hasn't missed many games. Unfortunately, Coward will be sidelined for a second-straight contest due to a hyperextended right knee. His next chance to get back on the floor will be on Saturday in Miami. With that said, Jahmai Mashack will likely remain in the starting lineup, with the 23-year-old averaging 8.5 points and 4.0 steals in two starts this season.

Jalen Williams Thu Feb 19 7:40pm

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) is scheduled to be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks, extending his absence after aggravating the injury earlier this month. With Williams sidelined and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) also out, perimeter minutes remain available. Over his last five games, Cason Wallace has averaged 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals in 30.8 minutes, while Aaron Wiggins has posted 10.8 points and 1.6 threes in 24.8 minutes. Alex Caruso is adding 1.0 steals in 19.4 minutes. Wallace profiles as the safest hold, with Wiggins and Caruso viable deep-league streamers.

Santi Aldama Thu Feb 19 7:40pm

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama (knee) remains out for Friday's meeting with Utah. He has been battling a nagging knee injury, costing him the previous four games leading up to the All-Star break. It appears he might be back on Saturday in Miami. However, while Aldama is out of commission, Kyle Anderson will likely handle things in the middle to begin the game. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, coming off 14-point, five-rebound effort in the loss to the Denver Nuggets ahead of the All-Star break, remains in line for additional minutes and scoring chances, especially with so many names listed on the injury report for the Grizzlies.

Jusuf Nurkic Thu Feb 19 7:30pm

Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (nose) won't play on Friday versus Memphis. The veteran is listed as out on the injury report due to injury management purposes, so he'll likely be back on Monday in Houston. In the meantime, Kyle Filipowski will presumably remain in the starting lineup. Filipowski is coming off a solid 15-point, nine-rebound, six-steal effort in the loss to the Trail Blazers ahead of the All-Star break.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thu Feb 19 7:30pm

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) will be re-evaluated in approximately one week and is set to miss additional time after sitting out since Feb. 3. With the All-Star sidelined alongside Ajay Mitchell (abdomen), Oklahoma City's backcourt minutes are wide open. Over his last five games, Isaiah Joe has averaged 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.4 threes in 28.1 minutes, while Cason Wallace has produced 11.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals in 30.8 minutes. Jared McCain added 13 points in 24 minutes last game. Joe and Wallace are strong streamers, with Chet Holmgren likely absorbing added usage.

Collin Murray-Boyles Thu Feb 19 7:20pm

Toronto Raptors forwards/centers Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (rib) are available for Thursday's game against Chicago, but their upside hinges on minutes in a crowded frontcourt with Jakob Poeltl active. Over his last five games, Murray-Boyles averaged 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 25.7 minutes, flashing category juice if the workload holds. Mamukelashvili posted 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 threes in 25.3 minutes across that span. Both carry deep-league appeal, yet Poeltl's presence caps ceilings, leaving Scottie Barnes as the safest frontcourt play.

Keyonte George Thu Feb 19 7:20pm

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (ankle) remains out for Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 22-year-old missed three games because of a left ankle injury at the beginning of February. While he returned for the matchup with the Orlando Magic on February 7, he tweaked his right ankle and will now miss his fourth-straight contest. It's unknown how close George is to returning to the floor, although it's certainly realistic to assume he could miss more games moving forward. Jusuf Nurkic (nose) also won't suit up on Friday, meaning Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, Isaiah Collier, and Brice Sensabaugh should receive extra scoring opportunities on the offensive end.

Jalen Smith Thu Feb 19 6:50pm

Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (calf) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Smith will play after missing the final three games before the All-Star break due to a lingering calf injury. The return of Smith should mean reduced roles for Guerschon Yabusele and Nick Richards. Over the last 12 games, Smith is averaging 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across 26.8 minutes per game. Smith figures to see an uptick in value as the starter with Nikola Vucevic being traded away at the deadline. Fantasy managers should keep Smith on their radar, assuming he can stay healthy.

Michael Porter Jr. Thu Feb 19 6:50pm

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (knee) will suit up for Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Porter is returning after missing the final two games before the All-Star break due to right knee tendinitis. He was given plenty of time to rest and is healthy enough to suit up on Thursday. Fantasy managers can safely get Porter back in their lineups ahead of tip-off on Thursday. This is the front end of a back-to-back set, so fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked to see an injury maintenance day on Friday.

Aaron Nesmith Thu Feb 19 6:40pm

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (back) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. Nesmith sat out the final game before the All-Star break due to lower back soreness. He was able to get fully healthy during the break and has shed the questionable tag ahead of Thursday's game. His return to the rotation should move Ben Sheppard back to the bench. Nesmith is averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 30.5 minutes per game this season. He's worth rostering in deep leagues as he's usually a fairly consistent contributor.

OG Anunoby Thu Feb 19 6:30pm

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (toe) is cleared to suit up for Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Anunoby is back in action after missing the last four games before the All-Star break due to left toe soreness. He had plenty of time to rest and is now ready to get back on the court. There is no word on him being limited, so fantasy managers should expect Anunoby to have a normal workload. His return to the court should mean a reduced role for Landry Shamet in the rotation. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can safely get Anunoby back in their lineups.

Josh Giddey Thu Feb 19 6:30pm

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (hamstring) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Giddey is back in the mix after missing the last eight games before the All-Star break due to a lingering hamstring injury. He's feeling good enough to play after the break, but it's unclear if Giddey is going to start. The Bulls might ease Giddey back into action and have him come off the bench while he gets up his conditioning. Regardless, fantasy managers in season-long formats can get Giddey active in their lineups. Collin Sexton and Anfernee Simons could take a hit in production with Giddey back in the mix now.

Tre Jones Thu Feb 19 6:30pm

Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (hamstring) is active ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Jones is back after missing 11 straight games due to a strained left hamstring. He was able to rest and fully recover during the All-Star break. He's cleared to play on Thursday, but it's unclear how much he's going to play. The Bulls added Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, and Jaden Ivey during the trade deadline. Also, Josh Giddey (hamstring) is active for Thursday's game as well. Fantasy managers can hold Jones for now, but he could become a cut candidate if he doesn't get consistent playing time.

T.J. McConnell Thu Feb 19 6:20pm

According to Tony East of Forbes.com, Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. McConnell will miss his second straight game due to a right hamstring injury. The 33-year-old's next chance to return could come on Friday versus Washington. Kam Jones will be expected to take on a heavier workload while McConnell is on the shelf, but he provides minimal fantasy value this evening.

Stephen Curry Thu Feb 19 6:00pm

ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (knee) is unavailable to suit up on Thursday against the Boston Celtics. Curry will be held out of action due to a knee issue. An MRI taken on Wednesday showed no structural damage, but the 37-year-old still has swelling and there isn't a clear timetable on when he will return. While Curry is out, the Warriors will have to continue to rely on Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer to take on extended minutes.

Malik Monk Thu Feb 19 5:50pm

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (illness) is available for Thursday's clash with the Orlando Magic. An illness kept the 28-year-old sidelined for four consecutive contests. Monk is averaging 12.4 points, 2.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds across 22.2 minutes in 43 games this season. With Zach LaVine (hand) and Domantas Sabonis (knee) out for the remainder of the season, Monk could absorb more offensive responsibility moving forward.

Russell Westbrook Thu Feb 19 5:30pm

Sacramento Kings point guard Russell Westbrook (ankle) is active for Thursday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. The 37-year-old was sidelined for the Kings' last game before the All-Star break due to an issue with his left ankle. Westbrook's fantasy value received a boost recently as Zach LaVine (hand) and Domantas Sabonis (knee) are unavailable for the rest of the season. He will likely see plenty of extra minutes on the floor for the forseeable future.


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