April 4,2021 at 1:00 PM
4/18/2021 1:00 PM
Hawks Host Pacers Looking To Bounce Back
The Atlanta Hawks will host the Indiana Pacers at State Farm Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawks (30-26) remain ticketed for playoff basketball this season since they're four games over the .500 threshold and have looked competitive since their managerial change, but they're coming off a loss since they were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. Bogdan Bogdanovic registered 28 points to lead the Hawks during that 120-109 loss, and he also added seven assists with six rebounds, while Trae Young had 15 points with nine assists. Clint Capela had another double-double since he finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Salomon Hill delivered 18 points and five boards. Kevin Huerter had 16 points. Atlanta has gone 14-11 playing at home this season and while their recent loss was a disappointing one, it's worth noting they've gone 3-2 in their last five games and 7-3 over their last 10 contests.

The Pacers (26-29) are coming off a 119-111 road loss against the Utah Jazz on Friday, and this means Indiana has now gone 2-3 in their last five games while dropping two of their last three contests. Domantas Sabonis had an impressive performance against the Jazz, as he finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block. Caris LeVert registered 24 points and seven rebounds, while Malcolm Brogdon delivered 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Goga Bitadze once again contributed off the bench and finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Jeremy Lamb had 12 points and five boards. The Pacers have not performed as expected this season after making the playoffs comfortably in 2019-20, but they should feel confident about their chances of getting back to the right path since they've gone 17-13 when playing away from home.
Knicks Looking To Extend Run, Host Pelicans
The New York Knicks will host the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon.

The Knicks (30-27) are undoubtedly on the rise and enter this game on a five-game winning run following their 117-109 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, and that means New York is now three games over the .500 threshold and getting more and more comfortable in the playoff zone with only a few weeks left in the regular season. The Knicks got a gem from Julius Randle in Friday's win against Dallas, as the All-Star power forward tallied 44 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists on 16-of-29 shooting. R.J. Barrett totaled 24 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Nerlens Noel had six points, 10 rebounds and three blocks before fouling out. Derrick Rose led the bench with 15 points and five assists. Aside from riding a five-game winning streak, it's also worth noting the Knicks have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games while posting a strong 17-10 record at Madison Square Garden. If anything, they have a strong shot to keep their winning run going based on numbers alone.

The Pelicans (25-31) are coming off a tight loss Friday since they were defeated by the Washington Wizards by a two-point margin (117-115), and that means New Orleans is now on a two-game losing run while going 3-2 in their last five games. Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 34 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals, in 42 minutes. Zion Williamson finished with 21 points, six rebounds, a steal and a block, while Naji Marshall totaled 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals. The Pelicans shot 41 percent from the field, including 7-of-28 from deep. The inconsistencies have hurt the Pelicans badly but injuries have also taken their toll, as they've struggled to get healthy of late and it's impossible for them to compete with so many absences. Their road record doesn't do them any favors either, as the Pelicans have gone 9-17 when playing away from Smoothie King Center.
April 4,2021 at 3:30 PM
4/18/2021 3:30 PM
Nets and Heat Tangle in Miami
The Brooklyn Nets take on the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The Nets (38-18) continue to do a serviceable job navigating the extended absence of star guard James Harden due to a hamstring injury, as they'll check into Sunday's clash with an 8-3 mark over their last 11 games and continue to retain the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference for the moment. Their most recent success came Friday night, when they toppled the Charlotte Hornets by a 130-115 score. Joe Harris led the Nets with 26 points, adding two rebounds, one assist and three steals. Kevin Durant posted a 25-point, 11-rebound double-double that also included one block. Landry Shamet poured in 20 points. Kyrie Irving contributed 12 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals. Jeff Green and Blake Griffin supplied matching 10-point tallies while dishing out five assists and pulling down five rebounds, respectively.

The Nets will continue without Harden and Tyler Johnson (knee) for Sunday's game.

The Heat (28-28) has seemingly been on a rollercoaster all season, and they'll check into Sunday's contest having dropped three straight games following a 6-1 stretch. Their most recent stumble was a rather surprising 119-111 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. Jimmy Butler led the way with 30 points, adding 10 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and one block. Trevor Ariza registered 21 points, seven boards, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Bam Adebayo turned in 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Goran Dragic managed 15 points, while Duncan Robinson delivered 11 points, four assists, one rebound, two steals and one block.

The Heat will list Butler (ankle) and Andre Iguodala (hip) as questionable for Sunday's contest. Victor Oladipo (knee) will remain out.

Sunday's game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season. The Nets hold a 2-0 series lead, having notched 128-124 and 98-85 wins on Jan. 23 and 25, respectively.
April 4,2021 at 7:00 PM
4/18/2021 7:00 PM
Rockets and Magic Clash in Orlando
The Houston Rockets take on the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Sunday evening.

The Rockets (14-42) have endured as miserable a season as their record implies, and they'll check into Sunday's contest in the midst of a five-game losing streak and a skid that's seen them drop 10 of their last 11 contests overall. Their most recent stumble came Friday night, when they fell to the Denver Nuggets by a 128-99 score. Kelly Olynyk led the Rockets with 23 points, adding six rebounds, two assists and one block. Jae'Sean Tate followed with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Christian Wood provided 15 points, three rebounds and one assist. John Wall supplied 10 points, two assists and one rebound.

The Rockets will be without Wall (rest), D.J. Augustin (ankle), Sterling Brown (knee), Danuel House (ankle), David Nwaba (wrist), Dante Exum (calf) and Eric Gordon (groin) for Sunday's game.

The Magic (18-38) have almost been an Eastern Conference version of their opponent, as they've also struggled throughout most of the campaign and enter Sunday's clash with a 1-7 mark over their last eight games. Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, which defeated them by a 113-102 score Friday night despite Toronto playing without four starters. Wendell Carter, Jr. led the way for the Magic with 20 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, one assist and one block. Cole Anthony registered 19 points, seven boards and five assists. Chuma Okeke provided 14 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Dwayne Bacon totaled 12 points, three rebounds and one assist.

The Magic will be without Michael Carter-Williams (ankle) and Otto Porter (foot) for Sunday's game. Mo Bamba (hip) will carry a questionable tag.

Sunday's game marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Rockets hold a 1-0 series lead, having notched a 132-90 win Jan. 8.
April 4,2021 at 7:00 PM
4/18/2021 7:00 PM
Raptors Look To Build On Two-Game Streak
The Toronto Raptors play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Amalie Arena on Sunday evening.

The Raptors (23-34) have won their last two in a row, but they are, 5-5, in their last 10 games. They will look to keep the momentum going and add to their, 13-15, record at Amalie Arena, as this marks their fourth game of a five-game home stand. Kyle Lowry (rest) did not play in the Raptors' most recent contest, but he should be ready for action on Sunday, while Fred VanVleet (hip) remains questionable for action on Sunday. Pascal Siakam continues to play well, averaging 20.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals, in 36 minutes per game. OG Anunoby is averaging 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals, while Chris Boucher averages 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. The Raptors have not been very efficient on the offensive end, as they are shooting an average of 45.0 percent from the field, which is seventh worst in the league.

Meanwhile, the Thunder (20-36) have dropped their last nine games. They will look to get back on track and add to their, 11-16, road record, as they face the second game of a four-game road trip. The Thunder remain without their leading scorer, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (foot) will be sidelined through Sunday's action. Luguentz Dort is averaging 13.6 points and 3.6 rebounds, while Darius Bazley is averaging 12.3 points and 7.4 rebounds. Moses Brown is averaging 10.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, over the last 10 games. The Thunder are averaging 105.3 points per game, which is third fewest in the league, and they are shooting an average of 44.4 percent from the field, which is fourth worst in the league. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 114.3 points per game, which is seventh most in the league.
April 4,2021 at 7:00 PM
4/18/2021 7:00 PM
Hornets Look To End Four-Game Slide
The Charlotte Hornets play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at Spectrum Center on Sunday evening.

The Hornets (27-28) have dropped six of their last 10 games, including their last four in a row. They have lost four straight games at home but will look to get back on track and add to their, 13-12, home record. Terry Rozier leads the team, averaging 20.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals, in 34 minutes per game. Devonte' Graham is averaging 14.2 points, 5.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals, while Miles Bridges is averaging 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Hornets average 110.3 points per game, which is ninth fewest in the league and they are shooting an average of 45.8 percent from the field, which is 10th lowest in the league. On the other end, they are giving up an average of 111.7 points per game, and they are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 46.8 percent from the field. Gordon Hayward (foot) remains out.

Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers (31-22) are coming off a win in their most recent outing, but they are, 5-5, in their last 10 games. They will look to get back on track and continue building on their, 16-11, road record, as they face the second and final game of a road trip. Damian Lillard (hamstring) missed the Blazers' most recent contest and will remain sidelined through Sunday's action. On the bright side, C.J. McCollum is playing well, averaging 21.6 points, 4.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals, over the last 10 games. Enes Kanter is averaging 12.0 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, while Norman Powell is averaging 17.2 points on 45 percent shooting. The Trail Blazers are averaging 114.6 points per game, which is seventh most in the league, and they are shooting an average of 38.0 percent from long range, which is sixth best in the league. They also do a great job taking care of the ball, as they limit themselves to 11.1 turnovers per game, which is second fewest in the league.
April 4,2021 at 7:30 PM
4/18/2021 7:30 PM
Mavericks Host Kings on Sunday
The Sacramento Kings travel to Texas to face the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Sunday.

The Kings (22-34) can't get out of their own way right now, entering this matchup in the midst of a nine-game losing streak, You'd think they were getting blown out every night, but they continue to lose close game after close game. Late-game execution has always been an issue for this club, and pairing that with the worst defense in the NBA makes this team truly hard to trust. What makes all of this even more infuriating is that De'Aaron Fox is having the best stretch of his career. The speedy point guard is averaging 28.4 points and 7.2 assists per game since February 23, and it's hard to understand how they've been so bad behind averages like those.

The Mavericks (30-25) had a tough loss themselves on Friday, losing to the New York Knicks, 117-109. That actually marks their third defeat in their last four games, and it was embarrassing how badly Julius Randle put it on this club. He finished with 43 points and nearly recorded a triple-double. That emphasizes how much this team struggles with dominant frontcourt players, which could become a serious issue in the playoffs when they have to play guys like Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis. Luka Doncic did finish that game with 19 assists, though, and gems like that show just how good he can be, even when his shot isn't falling.

These teams have yet to play this season, but Dallas has won three straight in this series. With that said, Sacramento won the previous four matchups between these clubs.
April 4,2021 at 10:00 PM
4/18/2021 10:00 PM
Clippers Host T'Wolves on Sunday
The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on Sunday.

The Timberwolves (15-42) just picked up a really impressive win on Friday, beating the Miami Heat, 119-111. Games like that's showcase just how much talent this club has, and it makes the 15 wins truly hard to understand. That actually gives the Timberwolves the worst record in the NBA, and it's really discouraging to see them play so poorly and have random gems like that. Karl-Anthony Towns, Ricky Rubio, Anthony Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell all played well in that win, but it was role players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Naz Reid who really stepped up. That's way too good of a core to be this bad, and this could be a team to watch out for when they add yet another top pick in next year's draft.

The Clippers (39-19) suffered a really tough loss on Friday, being beaten by the Philadelphia 76ers, 106-103. They actually had a shot to tie that game at the buzzer, but Marcus Morris fell just short. One would have to believe that would usually be Kawhi Leonard taking that shot, but he's been out all week because of a foot issue. It has forced Paul George into a playmaking role and led to his best stretch in a Clippers uniform, though. He's got at least 32 points in each of his last five games, providing about six rebounds and six assists a night as well. That's the Indiana stud we remember, and if they can get him to do that with Kawhi, this might be the most dangerous team in the west.

These teams have already played twice this season, with Los Angeles winning both games. That gives the Clippers five wins in their last six meetings with the T'Wolves in total.