Tag: game preview

Preview: Heat and Thunder meet for first time this season

After an offseason full of trade rumors, OKC hosts the Heat on Friday. Miami is 10-11 on the road and has lost two of their last three.

It very easily could’ve been the other way around.

If things had worked out the way everyone thought they would back in July, it would be Chris Paul leading the Miami Heat into Chesapeake Energy Arena for Friday night’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But as it is, Paul is running point for a surprising Thunder squad that’s sitting at No. 7 in the Western Conference standings and fighting for a spot in the postseason.

One of the hottest teams in the NBA during the month of December, Oklahoma City has cooled off a little in the month of January, having dropped two of their last three.

Against the Raptors on Wednesday night, OKC fell behind by 30 before making a furious comeback that saw them draw within just a few points in the final minutes.

That’s been their M.O. to get down in the first half, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had a historic triple-double earlier this week against the Timberwolves, told ESPN that OKC needs to find ways to get off to a faster start.

“We know if there’s time on the clock, there’s nothing us as a group is not capable of. It’s been a little bit of us in the past to get down a little bit — a lot actually — to start games. We’ve just got to figure out a way to not let that happen, and put together a full four quarters.”

Miami comes into Friday second in the Eastern Conference, but the Heat have struggled on the road and are just 10-11 away from South Beach.

Friday night’s matchup is the first between the two teams this year. They split the regular-season series in 2018-19.

Healthy Raptors look to topple Thunder on Wednesday night

Toronto will get Marc Gasol back in time to face the Thunder on Wednesday night. OKC beat the Raptors 98-97 in Toronto back on Dec. 29.

It’s going to be a healthy Toronto Raptors team that makes the trek to Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

The defending NBA Champions are getting Marc Gasol back after being sidelined for 12 games with a hamstring injury.

Per ESPN, Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell will also return after missing 11 games each.

Siakam attributed Toronto’s success during that stretch to the play of someone the Thunder know quite well – Serge Ibaka.

“Serge has been playing unbelievable the whole time with all the injuries,” Siakam said. “He’s been great. Having those two guys coming in and out is a nightmare for the other team.”

Over the last 13 games, Ibaka has averaged a double-double, 18.6 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 42.1% from beyond the arc.

The last time these two teams met, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made NBA history when he scored a career-high 32 points, the most ever scored against the Raptors by a Canadian born player.

He also scored the game-winning basket to lift OKC to a 98-97 win over the Raptors.

Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off another historic performance in Oklahoma City’s 117-104 win over the Timberwolves on Monday when he became the youngest player in league history to record a 20-rebound triple-double.

Wednesday’s game is the final meeting of the regular season between the two teams.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Preview: Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls

The 26-11 Boston Celtics attempt to keep the wins coming as they take on the 14-26 Chicago Bulls on the road.

The 26-11 Boston Celtics look to continue their winning ways Monday, Jan. 13 as they travel to face the 14-26 Chicago Bulls at United Center at 7:30 pm ET.

Boston, who fell to third in the East despite a 140-05 win over the New Orleans Pelicans Jan. 11, returned to the win column Saturday evening after a three-game skid, the team winning six of its last ten games.

The tenth-place Bulls won their last game, but lost seven of their last ten — including one to the Celtics on Jan. 4.

Chicago forward Otto Porter (foot) and center Wendell Carter (ankle) will be out against Boston, with Carter out at least another month, and Porter looking to return close to the All-Star game.

Lauri Markkanen (ankle), Ryan Arcidiacono (elbow) and Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) are all questionable for Monday’s contest, though Markkanen has played every game since turning his ankle in the two team’s last meeting.

Boston big man Vincent Poirier has a chance to return from a broken hand sustained in December after being upgraded to questionable Sunday. Conversely, center Daniel Theis may end up sitting due to soreness in his right knee.

Rookie wing Romeo Langford will be available after missing several games due to illness, while center Robert Williams III (hip) will be out for at least a few more weeks, according to the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn.

The Celtics should win this contest handily, but shouldn’t expect the Bulls to roll over, even with so many players potentially sitting. Possessing one of the better defenses in the league, Chicago is a tougher team than many might assume based solely on their record.

Despite the Bulls’ defensive competence, online sportsbooks favor Boston considerably, extending an average spread of -9.5.

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Preview: Russell Westbrook returns as Houston visits the Thunder

Franchise icon Russell Westbrook makes his first return to Oklahoma City as he and former OKC teammate and current Houston Rockets cornerstone James Harden take on Chris Paul and the Thunder.

Tonight, two former Oklahoma City Thunder guards have a homecoming of sorts, but it won’t be all hugs and handshakes come tip-off.

As All-NBA guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook return to OKC — Russell’s first return since being dealt to the Houston Rockets — it remains a mystery how the recently-dealt Russell and the city he was emblematic of for more than a decade will react.

In his stead, ex-Rocket Chris Paul has been defying expectations of decline both in his own game and the franchise into which he was traded, the Thunder currently in seventh place in a contentious West, after winning eight of their last 10 games.

Houston has been making the fit with Westbrook work in the regular season, climbing up to the third slot in the West on a three-game win streak, also 8-2 over their previous 10.

Just 4.5 games separate the two franchises, and the energy likely to permeate the contest may have as much to do with the outcome as the rosters. Strong attachments are still held by Thunder fans towards Russ — but they are also proud of how well they’ve adapted and succeeded under Paul.

However the Thunder home crowd treats their former franchise icon, they’ll have to win without forward Danilo Gallinari (calf), center Nerlens Noel (ankle) and Andre Roberson (knee), all listed as out for the contest with the Rockets as they recuperate from their respective injuries.

Houston will be healthy save for Nene Hilario (hip) and Gerald Green (foot), both unlikely to play any time soon.

The game should be closer than the standings might suggest, though the Rockets have the edge in terms of both talent and health. Online sportsbooks give Houston a slight nod with an average spread of -2.5.

For the Thunder to eke out a win against their former floor general and his new team, Chris Paul and company will have to ride a wave of emotion, using the energy of the home crowd to will them to a win.

There will be no easy way to contain both Westbrook and Harden, but doubling the Beard while hoping the likely high-energy environment baits Russ into one of his equally-high-energy-but-inefficient nights may be their best option for a win.

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Three 76ers-Celtics questions with Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin

We spoke with Sixers Wire editor Ky Carlin ahead of the Boston Celtics’ Jan. 9 road meeting with their Atlantic Division rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers.

The night after starting point guard Kemba Walker was ejected for the first time in his career, The Boston Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers at home.

Ahead of the Boston’s Thursday night meeting with their Atlantic Division rivals, Celtics Wire caught up with Ky Carlin — the editor of Sixers Wire, our sister site — about the meeting between the two teams.

While both teams have been dealing with injury and illness of late, Philadelphia will be without Joel Embiid, one of the Celtics’ biggest obstacles to a win against the 76ers this season, and Boston is mostly healthy save for centers Robert Williams (hip) and Vincent Poirier (finger).

To find out what other issues might be coming to the fore in the third meeting between the teams this season (Philly winning the prior two), we asked Carlin to weigh in on tonight’s matchup.

Can you give me an overview of the Sixers’ season so far?

It’s been the ultimate roller coaster. This team possesses impressive wins such as the two over these Celtics, the Toronto Raptors, the Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers, the Denver Nuggets, and a blowout over the Milwaukee Bucks. They also have lost twice to the Orlando Magic and own a loss to the hobbled Brooklyn Nets.

The Sixers overall have a ton of good talent, but it just has not meshed yet at all and it’s been a hindrance on the offensive end of the floor. It’s killing them.

How do the Sixers win Thursday’s matchup? How does Boston win?

They won’t be able to play true bully ball without Joel Embiid, but they can play fast which is the strength of Ben Simmons. This game screams “Ben Simmons offensive game” without Embiid. He will have to be aggressive and attack the basket using his elite size, strength, and athleticism to hurt Boston.

Boston will win if they use their speed and their quickness to get to the basket. Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown can use their perimeter game to pressure the Sixers and put them on their heels.

Also without Embiid, the Celtics can get to the basket and finish up over the slower Al Horford.

What else should we know?

Philadelphia has changed the way they run things offensively. Simmons is now used as a roller in the pick-and-roll game with the Sixers wanting to use his size and athleticism around the basket. They’ve also inserted Trey Burke into the rotation as he’s given them an offensive spark late in games.

The two teams face off at 7pm ET at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, with Boston trying to break a two-game losing streak. They are currently a game behind the Miami Heat in third place in the East, and have won seven of their last 10.

Philadelphia is 2.5 games behind the Celtics to hold fifth place in the East, having won their last game and a less-inspiring four of their last 10.

With Embiid out, the odds should be more favorable for a Boston win, but even still the 76ers have the advantage with the subdued way Boston has played of late. Online bookmakers agree, giving Philly a -2.5 spread for the contest.

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Preview: Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards

The Boston Celtics try to take their win streak to four games on the road against the Washington Wizards. While currently stuck in twelfth place in the East, the Wiz are also are fresh off a win over the 24-11 Denver Nuggets.

The 25-8 Boston Celtics face the 11-24 Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena at 7pm ET as Boston tries to maintain its three-game winning streak.

The Wizards, losers of seven of their last ten games, will try to remain in the win column after beating the 24-11 Denver Nuggets on Jan. 4.

Boston has won eight of its last ten games and currently holds not only the No. 2 spot in the East, but the league’s second-best record overall; Washington is in sole possession of twelfth place in the East.

The second meeting of the two teams this season (Boston winning the first, a 140-133 win at TD Garden on Nov. 13), the Celtics will be without All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker (illness) and centers Robert Williams III (left hip bone edema) and Vincent Poirier (broken finger).

Rookie wing Romeo Langford (illness) is questionable.

The Wizards will not have center Thomas Bryant (foot) or forwards Davis Bertans (quad), Moritz Wagner (ankle) or Rui Hachimura (groin) available against Boston, and starting point guard John Wall (Achilles) and C.J. Miles (wrist) remain out for the season.

Starting shooting guard Bradley Beal (leg) and center Ian Mahinmi (finger) are questionable for a banged-up Wizards roster.

The Celtics should have little trouble winning the game so long as they play defense against a thin Washington franchise struggling to put healthy bodies on the floor, especially at the wing, where Boston is deepest.

Most online bookmakers strongly agree, with an average spread of -8.5.

However, the Nuggets loom as a fresh example of what this Wizards team can do to a franchise that doesn’t treat them with respect defensively.

Preview: Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls

The 24-8 Celtics take on the 13-22 Chicago Bulls on the road Saturday — can they keep their two-game win streak going after a near-loss to the Atlanta Hawks?

The 24-8 Boston Celtics face the 13-22 Chicago Bulls at United Center at 8pm ET with Boston looking to continue its two-game win streak on the road.

The first meeting of the season for the two teams, Chicago has lost two straight and five of their last ten games, and currently sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, a far cry from the second-place Celtics, who have won seven of their last three contests.

The Bulls’ forward Otto Porter (foot) is a scratch for the tilt, while point guard Zach LaVine (ankle), center Wendell Carter (ankle) and reserve guard Ryan Arcidiacono (elbow) are all expected to play despite missing time recently.

The Celtics will be without point guard Kemba Walker (illness), who did not fly with the team for the game, as well as centers Robert Williams III (left hip bone edema) and Vincent Poirier (broken finger).

Enes Kanter (chin contusion) called himself a game-time decision after needing stitches during Friday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks, but is not on the team’s daily injury report.

Rookie guard Carsen Edwards was scheduled to join the team in Chicago after a stint with the Maine Red Claws, Boston’s G League affiliate, and should be available barring unforeseen changes.

The Celtics should be able to win this contest handily, but online bookmakers are judging it a close call, with Boston a slight favorite where there is one noted.

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6 surprising stats for the Eagles, Cowboys

6 surprising stats for Eagles, Cowboys

The Philadelphia Eagles (7-7) are playing another must-win contest, this time for the division against the Dallas Cowboys (7-7) at Lincoln Financial Field.

The game offers some interesting matchups, dynamics and surprising stats for both teams.

***

1. Eagles defense dominant at home

When the Eagles are on the road, their defense looks like something out of the old Big-12 conference. They don’t travel well and apparently miss the home cooking.

In seven away games, the Eagles have held opponents to 29 points per game on the road. That figure drops dramatically to 17.9 and the Birds have allowed 11 fewer touchdowns at home as well.

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