Get up to speed on the latest NBA news, plus a quick look at some storylines and tidbits worth noting today:
1. Games, games and more games: Unless you’re a fan of the Mavs or Nuggets, your favorite NBA team is working tonight. The 14-game slate starts with Nets vs. Celtics (7 pm ET, NBA League Pass), which could feature the return of Kemba Walker. From there, plenty of enticing (and non-marquee) matchups abound. From a pair of East vs. West clashes (Jazz-Pacers at 7 pm ET on NBA League Pass and Wizards-Suns at 9 pm ET on NBA League Pass) to two late-night games featuring youthful squads (Thunder-Blazers, 10 pm ET on NBA League Pass and Bulls-Warriors, 10:30 ET on League Pass), there’s plenty to enjoy as Thanksgiving nears.
2. Welcome back, AD (?): The Pelicans have struggled to start 2019-20, but this date is one their fans have had circled on the calendar for a long time. Having the Lakers in town (9:30 pm ET, NBA League Pass) means Anthony Davis returns to the place where he first rose to NBA stardom. Throw in the Lakers being in the midst of an eight-game win streak, LeBron James playing at a Kia MVP level and you’ve got storylines and fuel aplenty for this matchup. Should be interesting to see exactly how the home crowd reacts to Davis being back in town.
3. Heat face big test at home: It may be easy to forget that, entering tonight, the Heat are 12-4 and have the Eastern Conference’s second-best record. A blowout loss to the Sixers on Saturday (in Jimmy Butler’s Philadelphia homecoming) took a little luster off Miami’s record. Completing a season-series sweep of the Rockets, though (8 pm ET, NBA League Pass), would go a long way in restoring what many think about Miami this season. And of course, you’ll want to watch for the Butler vs. James Harden matchup alone …
4. Bucks get even better: What do you get the East’s No. 1 team for a pre-Thanksgiving gift (if there is such a thing)? How about an All-Star shooting guard named Khris Middleton. The Bucks look for their ninth straight win (8 ET, League Pass) as the Hawks come to town and should have a fully stocked lineup when they do so. Middleton had missed the last two weeks with a left thigh contusion, but said at Tuesday’s practice he’s ready to play vs. Atlanta.
5. Raptors try to stay hot, too: Toronto native (and Knicks guard) RJ Barrett has his first NBA homecoming tonight (7:30 pm ET, NBA League Pass), but it may not go well for him. The Raptors are seeking their fifth straight win, are undefeated (7-0) at home and have picked up their offense of late, ranking No. 5 in Offensive Rating so far this month. Given the Knicks’ bottom-feeding defense and 0-5 mark against Atlantic Division foes, Toronto has a solid chance to exit Wednesday night with its streak in tact.
6. Clippers in a zone: The Clippers scored a big win on Tuesday night, rolling past the Mavericks on the road to push their win streak to six games. A date with the Grizzlies (8 pm ET, NBA League Pass) seems like an easier task on paper, but should Kawhi Leonard sit for load management reasons — as he’s done often in back-to-back games this season — that may not be the case. L.A. is 2-3 this season when Leonard sits and if that happens again tonight, Paul George (22 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.8 apg in last four games) will have a bigger burden to tote.
