1. Porzingis returns to New York: It was more than 640 days ago that then-Knicks All-Star Kristaps Porzingis last played at Madison Square Garden. He was since dealt to the Dallas Mavericks, who are in New York for his return game tonight (8 pm ET, NBA League Pass). The stats show he’s still up to his “unicorn” ways and knows cheers (or boos) cascading from Knicks fans at MSG tonight are not outside the realm of reality. This game will close out the teams’ season series after New York won in Dallas, 106-102, on Nov. 8.
2. George back tonight (right?): Still no definite word yet, but all week long reports have indicated Paul George will make his long-awaited LA Clippers debut against the New Orleans Pelicans (8 pm ET, NBA League Pass). We’ll be keeping an eye on this all day and updating you accordingly once we know more. For the time being, though, check out the wild ending to last night’s Clippers-Rockets game if you missed it.
3. Scorers collide in desert: Among East players, no one is averaging more points per game against West foes this season than the Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young (34 ppg). On the flip side of that equation, the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker is 4th among West players (29.7 ppg) when facing East opponents. As Atlanta visits Phoenix (9 pm ET, NBA League Pass), there’s the added bonus of Young going for his fourth straight game with 30 or more points and 10 or more assists. Scoring records might fall in this one!
4. A battle of who’s more clutch: For the uninitiated, clutch games are defined by the NBA as a game within five points with less than five minutes less. Both the Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets have played in eight such games (Brooklyn is 4-4; Denver is 6-2) this season. As these teams meet this evening (10:30 pm ET, NBA League Pass) in Denver, the Nets may be without Caris LeVert but remain potent. Six of Brooklyn’s 10 games this season have been within three points or less in the final minute.
5. Remember when Jennings scored 55?: Ten years can go by fast. We’re at that point now with Brandon Jennings, who as a rookie lit up the Golden State Warriors (and future two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry!) for 55 points in 2009. Jennings’ career never really could live up to the hype of that kind of moment, but nine seasons, four playoff appearances and a seminal franchise moment are nothing to sneeze at.
