Cavs, Hawks Looking For First Win Of Season
By Dan Bruno
The Cleveland Cavaliers play host to the Atlanta Hawks, at Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday evening.
Both the Cavs (0-2) and the Hawks (0-2) are winless to start the season, and will be battling for every inch in this opportunity for one of them to break the streak.
The Cavaliers had a couple of tough road games to start their season, as they fell in Toronto and Minnesota, in their first games in the second post-LeBron James era. They gave up a total of 247 points in the two contests combined, as their defense already looks in need of repair. On the bright side Kevin Love has been solid in both contests, putting up all-star numbers, while Cedi Osman has also looked very good at the starting small forward position. The Cavaliers will have a chance to earn their first win of the season in their first home game of the season.
Meanwhile, the Hawks have also started their season with two straight road games, having fallen short in New York and then in Memphis. This marks their third and final game of a road trip to start their season. Trey Young has looked solid in his first two games as a rookie, averaging 17 points, seven assists and four rebounds per game. Taurean Prince has also had a strong start to the season, averaging 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game.
Both the Cavs (0-2) and the Hawks (0-2) are winless to start the season, and will be battling for every inch in this opportunity for one of them to break the streak.
The Cavaliers had a couple of tough road games to start their season, as they fell in Toronto and Minnesota, in their first games in the second post-LeBron James era. They gave up a total of 247 points in the two contests combined, as their defense already looks in need of repair. On the bright side Kevin Love has been solid in both contests, putting up all-star numbers, while Cedi Osman has also looked very good at the starting small forward position. The Cavaliers will have a chance to earn their first win of the season in their first home game of the season.
Meanwhile, the Hawks have also started their season with two straight road games, having fallen short in New York and then in Memphis. This marks their third and final game of a road trip to start their season. Trey Young has looked solid in his first two games as a rookie, averaging 17 points, seven assists and four rebounds per game. Taurean Prince has also had a strong start to the season, averaging 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists per game.
Kings and Thunder Seek First Win in Sunday Night Battle
The Sacramento Kings take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Sunday evening.
The Kings (0-2) have found defense hard to come by in the early going this season, as they've allowed 123 and 149 points to the Jazz and Pelicans in their first two games. Sacramento has at least been able to muster solid offense, as they're averaging 123.0 points in that pair of contests. Willie Cauley-Stein led the way against New Orleans on Friday night, posting 20 points and seven rebounds. Second overall pick Marvin Bagley III paced the second unit with 19 points and added eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. De'Aaron Fox contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Frank Mason matched Fox's scoring total off the bench. Buddy Hield drew a start and poured in 17 points, three assists, two rebounds and one block.
The Kings will continue to be without Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) on Sunday, and both Kosta Koufos (hamstring) and Zach Randolph (coach's decision) are likely to be listed as questionable at best.
The Thunder (0-2) have naturally missed the presence of Russell Westbrook (knee) over their first two games, as they've only managed to averaged 96.0 points during that span. OKC faded late in a 108-92 loss to the Clippers on Friday night, as they were outscored 37-15 in the final period. Paul George led the way with 20 points, but he shot just 7-for-27 from the field. He added eight rebounds and four assists. Steven Adams generated a 17-point, 18-rebound double-double. Raymond Felton (12 points) and Alex Abrines (10 points) were the only other two double-digit scorers for the Thunder. Dennis Schroder mustered just eight points on 2-for-15 shooting, although he also dished out eight assists.
The Thunder have officially listed Westbrook as out in the early version of the game notes for Sunday's contest, but there's reportedly still a chance he could play. Andre Roberson (kneecap) remains out for several more weeks.
The Thunder took three of four games from the Kings in the 2017-18 season.
The Kings (0-2) have found defense hard to come by in the early going this season, as they've allowed 123 and 149 points to the Jazz and Pelicans in their first two games. Sacramento has at least been able to muster solid offense, as they're averaging 123.0 points in that pair of contests. Willie Cauley-Stein led the way against New Orleans on Friday night, posting 20 points and seven rebounds. Second overall pick Marvin Bagley III paced the second unit with 19 points and added eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. De'Aaron Fox contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Frank Mason matched Fox's scoring total off the bench. Buddy Hield drew a start and poured in 17 points, three assists, two rebounds and one block.
The Kings will continue to be without Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) on Sunday, and both Kosta Koufos (hamstring) and Zach Randolph (coach's decision) are likely to be listed as questionable at best.
The Thunder (0-2) have naturally missed the presence of Russell Westbrook (knee) over their first two games, as they've only managed to averaged 96.0 points during that span. OKC faded late in a 108-92 loss to the Clippers on Friday night, as they were outscored 37-15 in the final period. Paul George led the way with 20 points, but he shot just 7-for-27 from the field. He added eight rebounds and four assists. Steven Adams generated a 17-point, 18-rebound double-double. Raymond Felton (12 points) and Alex Abrines (10 points) were the only other two double-digit scorers for the Thunder. Dennis Schroder mustered just eight points on 2-for-15 shooting, although he also dished out eight assists.
The Thunder have officially listed Westbrook as out in the early version of the game notes for Sunday's contest, but there's reportedly still a chance he could play. Andre Roberson (kneecap) remains out for several more weeks.
The Thunder took three of four games from the Kings in the 2017-18 season.
Nuggets, Warriors Looking To Stay Undefeated
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Golden State Warriors, at Pepsi Center on Sunday evening.
The Nuggets (2-0) and the Warriors (2-0) are both undefeated to start the season. Both teams have already earned one home win and one road win, and will be looking to maintain their perfect records as they face off on Sunday.
This marks the second game of a back to back-to-back for the Nuggets, who are coming off an impressive, 119-91, home win over the Suns on Saturday evening. Nikola Jokic led Denver with 35 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, four steals and one block, in just 30 minutes of action. Jamal Murray also came up large, with 26 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block, in the win. Neither Isaiah Thomas (hip) nor Michael Porter Jr. (back) have seen action yet for the Nuggets.
Meanwhile, despite their undefeated record, the Warriors faced two tough battles in their first two games of the season. In each game they had to fight right down to the wire, but nonetheless managed to get the job done in incredible fashion. New addition, Jonas Jerebko, was the hero for Golden State in the win over Utah, as he was in the right place at the right time for the last-second, put-back game-winner. Kevin Durant has been a monster so far, averaging 32.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. Stephan Curry is right there with him, averaging 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game. The Warriors have another new addition who has yet to play, as DeMarcus Cousins (foot) awaits his return to game action.
The Nuggets (2-0) and the Warriors (2-0) are both undefeated to start the season. Both teams have already earned one home win and one road win, and will be looking to maintain their perfect records as they face off on Sunday.
This marks the second game of a back to back-to-back for the Nuggets, who are coming off an impressive, 119-91, home win over the Suns on Saturday evening. Nikola Jokic led Denver with 35 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, four steals and one block, in just 30 minutes of action. Jamal Murray also came up large, with 26 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block, in the win. Neither Isaiah Thomas (hip) nor Michael Porter Jr. (back) have seen action yet for the Nuggets.
Meanwhile, despite their undefeated record, the Warriors faced two tough battles in their first two games of the season. In each game they had to fight right down to the wire, but nonetheless managed to get the job done in incredible fashion. New addition, Jonas Jerebko, was the hero for Golden State in the win over Utah, as he was in the right place at the right time for the last-second, put-back game-winner. Kevin Durant has been a monster so far, averaging 32.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. Stephan Curry is right there with him, averaging 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game. The Warriors have another new addition who has yet to play, as DeMarcus Cousins (foot) awaits his return to game action.
Clippers Host Rockets
By Jason Rubin
The Los Angeles Clippers will host the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Sunday.
The Clippers welcome James Harden and the Rockets after an electrifying Saturday night in downtown Los Angeles given LeBron James home debut for the Lakers. The Rockets matchup historically positioned Carmelo Anthony against LeBron James in one form of a debut, the significance resting on James and Anthony's first NBA game coming against each other, save for the detail that James was on the Cavs and Anthony was on the Nuggets.
The Clippers have yet to leave Staples Center and will take on their third straight opponent at home. Los Angeles (1-1) missed the mark in the opener against the Nuggets, but bounced back against a Russell Westbrook-less Thunder squad 108-92 on Friday. The scoring output will be on the shoulders of Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris all season long, and as long as the duo combines for 52 points like they did against Oklahoma City, they will be able to compete with most teams in the Western Conference. Houston poses a run and gun challenge that will see the defensively sound Patrick Beverley and Avery Bradley tested, but not outside their range of stifling play. The Clippers also pose a bench threat in reigning sixth man of the year Lou Williams and fan favorite Boban Marjanovic. Both players aided in the win on Friday with 30 combined points off the bench.
The Rockets (1-1) spoiled the Lakers home opener 123-115 on Saturday and will be on the second game of a back-to-back. The game was not short of drama, as the neck and neck affair saw Rondo and Chris Paul throw punches, with a fight breaking out with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. Paul and James Harden led the way, with Harden dumping 37 points, leading all scorers, to go with seven rebounds and five assists. Anthony is still adjusting to his bench role, and added seven points in the win, but the promising note was his plus-23, which was a game high for both teams.
The Clippers welcome James Harden and the Rockets after an electrifying Saturday night in downtown Los Angeles given LeBron James home debut for the Lakers. The Rockets matchup historically positioned Carmelo Anthony against LeBron James in one form of a debut, the significance resting on James and Anthony's first NBA game coming against each other, save for the detail that James was on the Cavs and Anthony was on the Nuggets.
The Clippers have yet to leave Staples Center and will take on their third straight opponent at home. Los Angeles (1-1) missed the mark in the opener against the Nuggets, but bounced back against a Russell Westbrook-less Thunder squad 108-92 on Friday. The scoring output will be on the shoulders of Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris all season long, and as long as the duo combines for 52 points like they did against Oklahoma City, they will be able to compete with most teams in the Western Conference. Houston poses a run and gun challenge that will see the defensively sound Patrick Beverley and Avery Bradley tested, but not outside their range of stifling play. The Clippers also pose a bench threat in reigning sixth man of the year Lou Williams and fan favorite Boban Marjanovic. Both players aided in the win on Friday with 30 combined points off the bench.
The Rockets (1-1) spoiled the Lakers home opener 123-115 on Saturday and will be on the second game of a back-to-back. The game was not short of drama, as the neck and neck affair saw Rondo and Chris Paul throw punches, with a fight breaking out with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. Paul and James Harden led the way, with Harden dumping 37 points, leading all scorers, to go with seven rebounds and five assists. Anthony is still adjusting to his bench role, and added seven points in the win, but the promising note was his plus-23, which was a game high for both teams.