NBA roundup: Alperen Sengun, Rockets hold off Cavs
Wed Nov 19 11:57pm ET
Field Level Media
Alperen Sengun scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Kevin Durant added 20 points and the visiting Houston Rockets emerged with a 114-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Sengun also had seven assists in Houston's fifth straight win.
The Rockets built a 22-point lead in the third quarter before Cleveland pulled within 77-76 early in the fourth on a Donovan Mitchell 3-pointer. Aaron Holiday scored 14 of his 18 points in the final period to help Houston hold on.
Donovan Mitchell scored 21 points for Cleveland, but only two in the first three periods on 1-of-7 shooting. De'Andre Hunter led the hosts with 25 points, and Evan Mobley had 18 points and six rebounds.
Pacers 127, Hornets 118
Bennedict Mathurin posted 24 points and 12 rebounds as Indiana snapped an eight-game losing streak with a victory over Charlotte in Indianapolis.
The Pacers' Pascal Siakam scored 22 points, while Jay Huff added a season-best 20 off the bench. Indiana didn't shoot below 60% from the field or 50% from 3-point range in any of the first three quarters before fending off a gritty Charlotte rally in the fourth.
Kon Knueppel tallied 28 points, Miles Bridges added 25 and LaMelo Ball tallied 18 for the Hornets, who lost their fourth straight. Pat Connaughton and Knueppel caught fire in the fourth, inspiring a 15-0 Charlotte burst that slashed Indiana's lead to 117-109.
Heat 110, Warriors 96
Norman Powell led a late charge to cap a 25-point night, Bam Adebayo returned from a six-game absence to contribute 20 points and host Miami took advantage of road-weary and short-handed Golden State.
Playing without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, Draymond Green, Al Horford and Jonathan Kuminga at the end of a six-game trip, the Warriors faded in the fourth quarter. Brandin Podziemski scored a team-high 20 points as Golden State finished 3-3 on its trek.
Adebayo started, played 29 minutes and grabbed seven rebounds. Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 17 points as the Heat won their second game in a row.
Raptors 121, 76ers 112
Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett scored 22 points each as visiting Toronto defeated Philadelphia for its fifth straight win.
The Raptors have won nine of their past 10 games overall, with the lone exception being a home loss to the 76ers on Nov. 8. Toronto avenged that setback thanks to key contributions from Ingram, Barrett, Jakob Poeltl (19 points), Immanuel Quickley (18) and Scottie Barnes (16 points, nine rebounds).
Tyrese Maxey scored 24 points to lead Philadelphia, which shot 40% from 3-point range and dominated the glass (41-31), but also committed 21 turnovers. Quentin Grimes and VJ Edgecombe added 21 points apiece for the hosts.
Thunder 113, Kings 99
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points to lead Oklahoma City to a home win over Sacramento.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 or more points for the 13th time this season and finished with eight rebounds. The Thunder have won 15 of 16 to begin the season, including seven consecutive. Chet Holmgren added 21 points and Luguentz Dort scored 14.
The Kings have lost seven straight games, including the first three on a five-game road trip. Dennis Schroeder led the Kings with 21 points off the bench. Zach LaVine equaled his season low of eight points for the second consecutive game.
Timberwolves 120, Wizards 109
Julius Randle totaled 32 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, helping Minnesota hold off Washington in Minneapolis.
Naz Reid scored 23 of his 28 points off the bench in the first half, while Anthony Edwards had 18 points for the Timberwolves, who have won eight of their past 10. Rudy Gobert had nine points and 15 boards.
Kyshawn George had 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Wizards, who dropped their 12th straight. CJ McCollum chipped in 14 points.
Nuggets 125, Pelicans 118
Peyton Watson scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, both career highs, Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, and visiting Denver beat New Orleans.
Watson, who made a career-high five 3-pointers, recorded the first double-double of his four-year career. Jamal Murray scored 16 points, for the Nuggets, who were without Aaron Gordon (bilateral hamstring injury management).
Zion Williamson had 14 points in 29 minutes in his return to the New Orleans lineup. He missed the previous eight games with a left hamstring injury. Rookie Derik Queen finished with a season-high 30 points for the Pelicans, who have dropped seven straight.
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- Giannis Antetokounmpo (groin) likely to miss two weeks
- Spurs standout Stephon Castle (hip) sidelined
- Cavaliers fined $100K for player participation violation
- LeBron James rules himself out of LA Olympics
- NBA scolds Draymond Green for engaging fan, but no fine
- Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo headed for MRI on groin
- NBA roundup: Giannis Antetokounmpo injured in Bucks' loss to Cavs
- Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (calf) sidelined for 2-3 weeks
- Winded LeBron James practices with Lakers, season debut Tuesday on table
- Grizzlies' Ja Morant (calf) out at least 2 weeks
- 76ers F Paul George to make season debut Monday
- Jason Kidd: Mavs C Anthony Davis needs 7-10 more days
- NBA roundup: Jazz's Keyonte George makes last-second 3 to top Bulls in 2OT
- Lakers among teams contacted in gambling investigation
- Spurs C Victor Wembanyama (calf) out vs. Kings
- Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo return to practice with Heat
Trail Blazers' F Deni Avdija recorded a triple-double, finishing with 32 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in a 121-122 loss to the Bulls on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Denver's C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in a 125-118 win over New Orleans on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (illness) will play in Wednesday's contest against the Chicago Bulls. He is available to return after missing Tuesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns because of an illness. On Wednesday, Grant could start the contest as Shaedon Sharpe's (calf) replacement. The Trail Blazers are also without Jrue Holiday (calf), allowing Grant to take on more offensive responsibilities. With Holiday already absent for Sunday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Grant had his second-highest scoring game of the season with 26 points.
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (chest) has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He is dealing with a right pectoral strain, but the issue isn't serious enough to keep Smith sidelined. Smith fills backup duties for Nikola Vucevic in Chicago, but he has produced some strong performances lately, even getting a couple of double-doubles. Portland allows the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, making it a potential field day for Chicago's big men on Wednesday night.
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (ankle) will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Brunson has been named a starter for the matchup, alongside Landry Shamet, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mitchell Robinson. The team initially listed the star guard as questionable for the game. Brunson ended up missing only two games with a right ankle sprain. Miles McBride will move back to the bench on Wednesday night.
Chicago Bulls point guard Tre Jones (ankle) has been downgraded to out ahead of Wednesday's tip-off against the Portland Trail Blazers. He carried a doubtful tag on the initial injury report. Wednesday's game will mark a third straight absence for Jones, who is dealing with left ankle impingement. Luckily for the Bulls, Coby White was cleared to make his season debut just as Jones exited the lineup, so the team has coped well with his absence. White will play with a 26-28-minute restriction on Wednesday night.
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Shaedon Sharpe (calf) will be sidelined for Wednesday's meeting with the Chicago Bulls. He will miss the second leg of a back-to-back with a sore right calf. Jrue Holiday (calf) will also remain out for this one, so Portland's backcourt won't have many healthy bodies left. Caleb Love impressed with a 17-point outing off the bench in Tuesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns and could make an even bigger impact against the Bulls. Sidy Cissoko is also likely to feature a lot more in the rotation.
Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports. He has caught an illness bug, and the team ruled Martin out for the game after adding him to the injury report late. Martin has played a minuscule role with the Mavericks this season, and his absence won't make much of an impact in the rotation. Over 13 appearances, Martin has averaged only 10.0 minutes per game.
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (ankle) will play against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports. Gafford carried a probable tag on the initial injury report. He is returning to action following a one-game absence. Dallas elected to rest Gafford on Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second leg of a back-to-back. On Wednesday, Gafford will continue to spearhead an Anthony Davis-less Dallas frontcourt. The athletic big man has averaged 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks since making his season debut at the start of this month.
Washington Wizards forward/center Marvin Bagley III has been named a starter for Wednesday's contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He will replace Alexandre Sarr(toe), who will miss his first game of the season. Bagley III has typically been a reliable fantasy performer as a member of the first unit, averaging 13.6 points and 7.5 rebounds for his career as a starter. However, as a starting center, he must outbattle four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert on Wednesday night, which will be a tough task. Due to Sarr's absence, Tristan Vukcevic will likely also receive increased playing time.
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley will make his fifth start of the season in Wednesday's clash against the Washington Wizards. He will fill in for Jaden McDaniels (wrist), who has landed on the shelf after making an impressive 158 consecutive appearances. In his previous starts this campaign, Conley has averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals. While these aren't comparable to the numbers the 19-year veteran posted during his heyday, Conley's productivity has significantly improved when he has run with the starters. Wednesday's game is also a good fantasy matchup for him, as Washington owns the worst defensive record in the league against point guards this season and gives up the fifth-most assists to the position.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey (ankle) is good to go for Wednesday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets. He will return to action after missing one game with an ankle sprain. With Zion Williamson (hamstring) also back in the Pelicans lineup, Bey will likely be limited to a bench role, meaning his fantasy value will be low. As a reserve, Bey has averaged 9.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game this season. On Wednesday, he might make a slightly bigger impact, as Denver allows the third-most bench points in the league.
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) will sit out Wednesday's contest against the New Orleans Pelicans. Gordon was a late addition to the injury report and was initially handed a questionable designation. The veteran is managing a hamstring problem and may also miss time later in the week, when Denver has a back-to-back scheduled. With Gordon unavailable, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, and Spencer Jones are likely to absorb more minutes. Of the three players, Hardaway Jr. offers the most fantasy upside.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (hamstring) will play on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. New Orleans' explosive star has missed eight games with a hamstring injury and was listed as questionable on the initial injury report. Williamson has made five appearances so far this season, averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals in 31.4 minutes. While his workload may be limited after a long absence, Williamson can still make a fantasy impact.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the New York Knicks. He was added to the injury report late due to illness, and the team has now officially ruled him out. The top pick of this year's draft will miss his first career game. With no Anthony Davis (calf) on Wednesday either, the Mavericks offense will flow through P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Brandon Williams, and Klay Thompson.
Miami Heat forward/center Bam Adebayo (toe) will be available against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. The Heat have uprgaded his status from questionable to available. Adebayo was out for six games after spraining his left big toe. As a result of his return, Kel'el Ware will likely land in the second unit for Wednesday's game. However, Ware should still have a significant role to play in the rotation, and there might even be more minutes than usual available for Miami's bench mob on Wednesday, as the Warriors will play with a weakened team.
Charlotte Hornets guardTre Mann(ankle) will be out of the lineup on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers due to left ankle soreness. Mann hasn't missed a game this season, averaging 10.1 points, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per contest across 14 outings. He doesn't offer ton from a fantasy perspective when available as LaMelo Ball, Collin Sexton, and Kon Knueppel also log a ton of backcourt minutes for the Hornets.
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (knee) will play in Wednesday's contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team has upgraded Smith Jr.'s status from questionable to active. Smith Jr. has a chance to record a second consecutive double-double on Wednesday. However, he faces a tough battle in the frontcourt against Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. To counter the duo, Houston will also have Steven Adams in the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Sam Merrill (hand) will miss Wednesday's contest against the Houston Rockets. He was initially listed as questionable for the game after Merrill injured his shooting hand in Monday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks. With Darius Garland (toe) still absent, Nae'Qwan Tomlin will make his second career start. Tomlin finished his first career start with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double. However, it came in a contest that featured only Jarrett Allen from Cleveland's big guns. Tomlin will likely be limited to a complementary role in Wednesday's game.
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Buddy Hield (illness) will be active against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. He managed to play through an illness on Tuesday against the Orlando Magic and will attempt to do the same on Wednesday night. Hield has been limited to 6.6 points per game this season. However, he could have a larger offensive role in Wednesday's game, as the Warriors are going to be without Stephen Curry (ankle), Jimmy Butler III (back), Al Horford (toe), Draymond Green (illness), and Jonathan Kuminga (knee).
