Tag: Gorgui Dieng

Sixers had pursued big man Gorgui Dieng before he signed with Spurs

The Philadelphia 76ers were in pursuit of Gorgui Dieng until he signed with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Philadelphia 76ers are looking for some reinforcements in the buyout market as they look to add some depth to a roster that really needs it right now. They are missing Joel Embiid and they traded two big men to acquire George Hill.

Throw in veteran Dwight Howard getting tossed in two straight games and that left coach Doc Rivers with just undersized Mike Scott and rookie Paul Reed to work with at the center spot. The Sixers have played admirably well as they have done a good job of digging deep and winning games, but it is clear that they do need some help in the big man department.

In the buyout market, the Sixers had been in pursuit of Gorgui Dieng who was bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies. He is a guy who shot 47.9% from deep with the Grizzlies, but he decided to sign with the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

After making the trade for Hill, team president Daryl Morey did mention that he is thinking big man in the buyout market as he plans on taking a look at the big man spot considering the lack of depth there at the moment so this makes sense as to why they looked at Gieng. It will be interesting to see how Morey works moving forward.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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P.J. Tucker says he has played through nerve damage, numb hand

“I don’t report [it] or cry about it,” Tucker said at Monday’s Rockets practice. “It’s something I just fight through and play.”

In Houston’s penultimate game of the 2019-20 regular season versus Indiana, veteran forward P.J. Tucker left early with an apparent hand injury after getting it briefly stuck in Victor Oladipo’s jersey.

It didn’t keep Tucker from playing in Friday’sfinale, even though that game had no meaning to the Rockets, and it also isn’t expected to sideline him n the 2020 NBA playoffs. Head coach Mike D’Antoni said it was a nagging injury that had bothered Tucker throughout the season.

At Monday’s practice, Tucker elaborated on the situation and said it traced back to a hit he took in a January game versus Minnesota, which led to nerve damage. The injury occurred when Tucker ran headfirst into an illegal screen set by Minnesota’s Gorgui Dieng, with the Rockets initially calling it as a “stinger.” In his latest comments, Tucker said he’s played with no feeling in his hand during some games this season.

I don’t think about it, I just play. The Minnesota game in January, I took a hit to the neck, and I had some nerve damage. So I’ve been fighting that all year, sometimes playing with a numb hand, to where I have no feeling at all. I’m still playing and not missing games.

That’s just me. I don’t report [it] or cry about it, or any of that stuff. It’s something I just fight through and play. It doesn’t matter, it’s a non-factor.

Somehow, Tucker never missed a single game. He’s played in every regular season and playoff game since signing with the Rockets in July 2017, and he’s played in the most games of any NBA player since the 2012-13 season. As a 6-foot-5 starting center for the undersized Rockets, Tucker is often asked to defend some of the league’s biggest and most physical players, and it still hasn’t sidelined him even once.

Tucker had previously said that extended rest, rather than any surgical procedure, was the best way to correct the nerve problem.

Now 35 years old, Tucker averaged 6.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in a career-high 34.3 minutes per game this season. Known best for his versatile defense, leadership, and toughness, Tucker is also valuable as a corner 3-point shooter for the Rockets, having made 36.9% of his treys over three seasons in Houston.

As for the present, Tucker will initially line up against rugged Oklahoma City center Steven Adams when the Rockets and Thunder face off in their first-round playoff series. Game 1 tips off at 5:30 p.m. Central on Tuesday evening, with a national broadcast on TNT and a regional version (with Houston announcers) on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.

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Memphis Grizzlies at Washington Wizards odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Memphis Grizzlies at Washington Wizards sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Memphis Grizzlies (26-26) travel to meet the Washington Wizards (18-32) Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET at Capital One Area. We analyze the Grizzlies-Wizards odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Grizzlies at Wizards: Key injuries

Grizzlies

  • PG Grayson Allen (hip) out
  • SF Justise Winslow (back) out

Wizards

  • C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
  • PG John Wall (Achilles) out

Grizzlies at Wizards: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Grizzlies 126, Wizards 116

Moneyline (ML)

The GRIZZLIES (-129) are a nice play on the road, as they look to replicate the success they had Dec. 14 when they topped the Wizards (+105) by a 128-111 score in Memphis. The Grizz will be in even better shape if they get newly acquired G Jordan Bell and C Gorgui Dieng in the mix.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The GRIZZLIES (-1.5, -115) are a better play laying the points, as you won’t have to pay as much juice. Memphis is 5-0 ATS in the past five games as a favorite, 6-2 ATS in the past eight games overall and 4-1 ATS in the previous five against teams with a losing record. They’re also 8-3-1 ATS in the past 12 while working on one day of rest.

For the Wizards (+1.5, -106), they’re 4-1 ATS in the past five at home, but just 3-7 ATS in the past 10 after a straight-up win and 4-9 ATS in the past 13 following a cover.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 239.5 (-106) is a super high line, but it’s worth a small-unit play. The Over is 5-0 in the past five on the road for Memphis, and 4-1 in the past five overall. The Over is 7-1 in the past eight for Washington, too, and 6-1 in the past seven as a dog.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Analyzing every deal from 2020 NBA trade deadline with Ben Golliver

Alex Kennedy and Ben Golliver break down every deal from the 2020 NBA trade deadline, the biggest winners/losers, possible buyouts and more.

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On this episode of The HoopsHype Podcast, Alex Kennedy is joined by Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. They break down every deal from the 2020 NBA trade deadline, the biggest winners and losers, possible buyout candidates and more. Time-stamps are below!

1:35: Alex and Ben discuss their biggest winners of the deadline.

5:12: Alex and Ben discuss their biggest losers of the deadline.

7:55: Did the Golden State Warriors make the right move trading D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and a top-three protected 2021 first-round pick? Alex and Ben debate whether Golden State should’ve waited to see if a better offer emerged over the offseason, what to expect from Minnesota’s new-look team and more.

13:50: Breaking down the three-team deal that sends Marcus Morris to the Los Angeles Clippers. How much better does Morris make them? And what does this deal mean for the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards?

16:05: Alex and Ben discuss Darren Collison’s options if he decides to make an NBA comeback. If you were Collison, would you sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers or another team (such as the Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers, who have shown interest in him)?

20:15: The Cleveland Cavaliers added Andre Drummond and they didn’t have to give up very much to the Detroit Pistons. Alex and Ben discuss the trade, why they like the move for Cleveland and what Detroit was thinking. They also talk about what this trade says about the evolution of the NBA.

25:10: Alex and Ben discuss the four-team, 12-player trade between the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. They break down Atlanta’s acquisition of Clint Capela, Houston’s addition of Robert Covington and the Rockets’ decision to go super small.

32:45: The Miami Heat acquired Andre Iguodala in a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves, parting ways with Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and James Johnson. The Heat also added Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill from the deal. Alex and Ben discuss Iguodala’s fit in Miami and the two-year, $30 million extension he signed with the Heat, as well as Memphis’ return for the 36-year-old.

37:25: Alex and Ben rattle off the remainder of minor deals that went down before the deadline and discuss their significance.

39:25: After the trade deadline, focus shifts to the buyout market. Alex and Ben talk about a number of veterans who could potentially be bought out and what kind of impact they could make on a contending team.

P.J. Tucker leaves game for Rockets with right shoulder stinger

Rockets defensive ace P.J. Tucker left Saturday’s game with a right shoulder stinger, but he appears to have avoided serious injury.

The Houston Rockets lost veteran defensive ace P.J. Tucker in the opening minutes of Saturday’s home game versus Minnesota, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury.

Tucker was injured when he ran headfirst into an illegal screen set by Minnesota big man Gorgui Dieng, who was called for a foul on the play. Tucker stayed down for several minutes in obvious pain before walking off to the locker room, with a trainer holding his right arm still.

Despite the scary scene, the diagnosis from the Rockets after about 30 minutes was a right shoulder “stinger,” with the team adding that Tucker was attempting to return to the game. Typically, that would indicate that the injury is not viewed by the medical staff as overly concerning.

However, with the Rockets (25-12) comfortably leading the Timberwolves (15-22) by 16 points at the halftime, there was no clear incentive for the team to rush him back. Houston doesn’t play again until Tuesday at Memphis, which could give Tucker a few days of built-in rest.

The 6-foot-5 forward has been a huge part of the team’s defense since signing in Houston prior to the 2017-18 season. Tucker hasn’t missed a single game since becoming a Rocket, and he’s played the most games of any NBA player dating back to the 2012-13 season.

Now 34 years old, Tucker entered Saturday with averages of 8.4 points (46.9% shooting, 37.3% on 3-pointers) and 7.5 rebounds in 35.9 minutes per game this season. He has started all 38 of the team’s games.

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Head coach Mike D’Antoni is expected to update Tucker’s status in his postgame press conference after Saturday’s game.

With Tucker out, the Rockets started Danuel House Jr. in his place after halftime. House, who was benched earlier Saturday for Ben McLemore at his usual small forward spot, immediately replaced Tucker in Saturday’s game alongside the other four starters.

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The market for Dennis Schroder and why a trade to Minnesota might work

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder might consider sending Schroder to Minnesota in exchange for Gorgui Dieng and a first-round pick.

While Chris Paul, Steven Adams, and Danilo Gallinari are the names most frequently mentioned with regards to potential trades, they’re not the only players that Oklahoma City is open to dealing.

Dennis Schroder could prove to be a very interesting prospect on the trade market, simply because Schroder can fill various roles depending on the needs of any team he might be traded to.

Prior to coming to Oklahoma City, Schroder showed that he can be a starting point guard as he was with the Atlanta Hawks.

This year in OKC, Schroder has thrived as the sixth-man off the bench.

When looking at potential landing spots for Schroder, wherever he would end up, as Nick Crain from Forbes pointed out, Schroder is at his best when he’s a “volume scorer”.

This season, he is a top-65 scorer in the NBA in terms of points per game at 16.8 per contest.With that being said, his 14.2 attempts per game is second on the entire Thunder team. He needs the ball in his hand and opportunities to attack to be efficient.

What makes Schroder even more appealing as a trade option is, as noted by Crain, his age and his contract.

While Schroder is undersized and not the greatest defender, he still is only 26 year old and on a manageable contract worth $15.5 million per year through the 2020-21 season.

Some possible destinations for Schroder that Crain floated are the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Orlando Magic, the Toronto Raptors, or even back to the Atlanta Hawks.

Of those, Minnesota could be an intriguing option. As Crain pointed out, “normally Schroder wouldn’t return a first-round pick”, however, if Oklahoma City sent Schroder to the Timberwolves in return for Gorgui Dieng they might.

Taking on a bad contract in Gorgui Dieng would warrant getting a first round pick in return. This would be a win-win for Minnesota who would get Dieng off their books and also get a much needed scoring guard for a playoff push of their own. Oklahoma City would receive an large, expiring contract to flip next season along with yet another first round pick.

As of yet, however, no moves for any Thunder players have been made.