Sat Nov 23 2:05am ET
Field Level Media
Andrew Wiggins poured in a season-best 30 points, Stephen Curry added 19 and the Golden State Warriors clinched first place in West Group C of the NBA Cup with a 112-108 road victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Draymond Green chipped in with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Warriors, who improved to 3-0 in tournament play. Golden State will play in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Dec. 10 or Dec. 11.
Trey Murphy III went for a season-best 24 points and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl compiled a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench for the Pelicans, who fell to 1-2 in Cup play.
Wiggins, whose point total was one higher than his previous season-best, hit 9 of 14 shots and all nine of his free throw attempts en route to his third straight 20-point performance.
Bucks 129, Pacers 117
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second triple-double of the season with 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds as Milwaukee led wire-to-wire over visiting Indiana in an NBA Cup game.
Damian Lillard had 24 points and 12 assists for his third straight double-double to help Milwaukee win its third in a row. The Bucks have won five of their past six since opening the season 2-8 and improved to 2-0 in the NBA Cup.
Indiana trailed by as many as 25 points in the third quarter and lost for the fifth time in its past six games. The Pacers shot 11 of 34 (32.4 percent) from 3-point range and fell to 0-2 in the NBA Cup.
Mavericks 123, Nuggets 120
Naji Marshall scored a career-high 26 points, P.J. Washington had 22, and visiting Dallas beat Denver in an NBA Cup West Group C game.
Kyrie Irving finished with 19 points for Dallas, which played without Luka Doncic, who will be out for at least four games due to a right wrist injury. The Mavericks are 2-1 in the NBA Cup.
Nikola Jokic had 33 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in his return after missing three games for the birth of his second child. Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. scored 17 points each for Denver, which fell to 1-2 in the NBA Cup.
76ers 113, Nets 98
Jared McCain scored 30 points, Tyrese Maxey added 26, and despite playing without Joel Embiid and Paul George, Philadelphia snapped a five-game skid by beating visiting Brooklyn for its first NBA Cup victory.
McCain, a rookie, posted his seventh consecutive game scoring 20-plus point, and his second professional game with at least 30, shooting 11-of-20 from the floor and 6-of-11 from 3-point range.
Brooklyn's Cameron Johnson led all scorers with 37 points after putting up 34 in Tuesday's 116-115 win at Charlotte. Johnson shot 9-of-13 from 3-point range, but the rest of the Nets went just 4-of-24 from beyond the arc.
Celtics 108, Wizards 96
Jaylen Brown had 31 points and 11 rebounds to lead visiting Boston past stubborn Washington in an NBA Cup matchup.
Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday added 16 points each for the Celtics, who have won four straight overall and are 2-1 in East Group C Cup play.
Jordan Poole scored 23 points and Kyle Kuzma added 21 for the Wizards, who have lost 10 straight, nine by double digits. Malcolm Brogdon finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for Washington, which is 0-2 in NBA Cup play.
Bulls 136, Hawks 122
Zach LaVine scored 26 points and Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White added 20 apiece to spark seven Chicago players in double figures in defeating visiting Atlanta in an NBA Cup game.
Nikola Vucevic posted 18 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago. The Bulls reached a season high in points while blocking a season-best 10 shots, led by four from Vucevic, to help offset three Hawks with 20-plus points. Chicago is 1-1 in Cup games.
Atlanta's Jalen Johnson had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Trae Young contributed 25 points and 13 assists and Clint Capela amassed 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Hawks are 2-1 in Cup play.
Rockets 116, Trail Blazers 88
Dillon Brooks scored a season-high 28 points and Tari Eason added 22 off the bench as Houston rolled to a victory over visiting Portland.
Brooks shot 10 of 15 from the floor and finished 6-for-8 on 3-pointers, leading Houston to its seventh win in its past eight games. The Rockets improved to 2-0 and the Trail Blazers are 1-1 in West Group A of the NBA Cup.
Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija scored 13 points apiece for the Trail Blazers. Portland shot 33 percent while committing 21 turnovers, which the Rockets converted into 28 points.
Clippers 104, Kings 88
James Harden had 22 points and nine assists and Derrick Jones Jr. added 17 points as Los Angeles extended its winning streak to four games by beating visiting Sacramento in Inglewood, Calif.
The Clippers extended their home winning streak to seven games and have won consecutive games without leading scorer Norman Powell (23.3 points per game), who is out with a left hamstring strain. The Clippers improved to 1-1 and the Kings fell to 0-2 in West Group A of the NBA Cup.
De'Aaron Fox scored 29 points and Domantas Sabonis added 24 points with 15 rebounds after missing the previous two games with a back injury. DeMar DeRozan chipped in 16 points after missing three games with his own back issue.
Nuggets' C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 33 points, 10 assists and 17 rebounds in a 120-123 loss to the Mavericks on Friday, Nov. 22.
Golden State Warriors' F Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points on 9-of-14 shooting in a 112-108 win over New Orleans on Friday, Nov. 22. Wiggins is owned in only 65.7% leagues.
Milwaukee's F Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double, finishing with 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 129-117 win over the Pacers on Friday, Nov. 22.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Knicks. He will hope to return to the lineup after missing six games. John Collins has started alongside Kyle Filipowski (ankle) during Kessler's absence, but the two might now share the frontcourt, as Filipowski has been ruled out for Saturday's contest. If Kessler is not ready to return, Drew Eubanks and Brice Sensabaugh will take on larger roles, with one of them likely starting. However, the Knicks own outstanding defensive numbers against opposing frontcourts, so this isn't a good matchup for Utah's big men.
Utah Jazz forward/center Kyle Filipowski (ankle) has been listed as out for Saturday's meeting with the Knicks. The rookie big man sprained his right ankle against San Antonio on Thursday. Filipowski made a fifth straight start on Thursday. Drew Eubanks and Brice Sensabaugh saw extra action following his exit against the Spurs, with the latter tallying 18 points and six rebounds with one block. However, the situation might be different on Saturday because Walker Kessler (hip) is on the cusp of returning to the lineup.
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (knee) remains on the injury report as questionable ahead of Saturday's meeting with Utah. McBride hasn't featured in four games due to a knee problem, and there's a strong chance he remains on the shelf this weekend. Cameron Payne has had a good stretch during McBride's absence off the Knicks bench, averaging 12.0 points and 4.0 assists. He might be even more influential on Saturday because the Jazz allow the third-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (foot) might be absent for a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Knicks. The team considers him questionable for the matchup. Clarkson's absence opens up backcourt minutes for the likes of Isaiah Collier and Johnny Juzang. The two aren't reliable fantasy options, although Collier did a good job as a playmaker on Thursday versus San Antonio, dishing out six assists in 24 minutes off the bench.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will be out until at least next week. After playing in three consecutive games, Embiid was removed from the lineup on Friday against Brooklyn, and according to ESPN's Shams Charania, the former MVP will continue to sit on Sunday when Philadelphia faces the Clippers. Embiid is managing swelling in his left knee and is receiving treatment. Guerschon Yabusele drew the start on Friday after Andre Drummond had covered for Embiid on previous occasions this season.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (personal) is expected to return to action on Friday against Dallas. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Jokic will be available for the matchup. The Jokic family recently welcomed a new baby, resulting in a three-game absence for the three-time MVP. Jokic has been posting absurd numbers this season, including against the Mavericks in his most recent appearance. He racked up 37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists, and three steals in a 122-120 win on Nov. 10. Jokic's return pushes Dario Saric back to the bench.
Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (personal) is off the injury report and will be available for Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons after missing one game. The 31-year-old has had an inconsistent season. He plays significant minutes, averaging 29.9 per game, but has scored in double figures only twice in his last eight games. His struggles from beyond the arc, shooting just 22.9 percent from three-point range, have been concerning, and fantasy managers will be hoping he can turn his shooting around as the season progresses.
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since Nov. 3 due to left foot plantar fasciitis. Fantasy managers will hope he can take the floor soon, but will want to see some improvement. He has averaged 8.3 points and 8.8 rebounds across six games this season but has struggled with his shooting, converting just 44.7 percent of his attempts, which is below his typical efficiency. If Carter is unable to suit up on Saturday, Goga Bitadze is expected to start in his place.
Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (back) is out for Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to lower back soreness. The 23-year-old has been dealing with back issues recently, which have caused him to miss multiple games. In his absence, Seth Curry and Vasilije Micic are expected to see additional playing time. Mann has been inconsistent of late, posting 19 points against the Brooklyn Nets but just five points versus the Detroit Pistons in his last two outings. His next opportunity to return will be Monday against the Orlando Magic.
Indiana Pacers power forward Jarace Walker (illness) will be good to go on Friday against Milwaukee. He's been battling an illness, but the team has upgraded Walker from questionable to available ahead of the game. Walker's role on the team has grown in recent weeks, and he was even a starter on Monday versus Toronto. Across the last five games, Walker has averaged 6.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 21.7 minutes.
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (rib) is out for Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to rib soreness. Richards, who returned to practice Thursday, has not been cleared to play and will miss the matchup. The 26-year-old has been highly effective this season, averaging 11.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting over 63% from the field. His last game was on November 1st against the Boston Celtics. Richards' next opportunity to play will come Monday against the Orlando Magic. In his absence, Tidjane Salaun and Moussa Diabate are expected to take on additional frontcourt responsibilities.
Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig (lower leg) will be in the lineup on Friday against Atlanta. He hurt his lower leg versus Milwaukee on Wednesday but avoided serious injury, and the team has upgraded him from probable to available. Replacing Patrick Williams (foot), Craig made his first start of the campaign on Wednesday. The veteran produced a solid performance with 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. However, he'll be heading back to the bench on Friday, with Ayo Dosunmu promoted to the first unit. Craig doesn't have fantasy value as a reserve.
Indiana Pacers guard/forward Ben Sheppard (oblique) has been ruled out for Friday's clash against Milwaukee. He will sit out a third consecutive game due to an oblique injury. Before getting hurt, Sheppard saw at least 23 minutes of action in five straight games. Quenton Jackson has picked his minutes, producing a pair of mixed performances. He impressed with a team-high 24 points last time out against Houston but managed just nine points in the previous game versus Toronto.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (illness) is officially listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Chicago Bulls. Smart has missed the last three games while dealing with an illness and previously sat out six consecutive contests earlier this season due to a left ankle injury, limiting his overall court time. If he remains sidelined, Jaylen Wells and Luke Kennard are likely to see increased minutes for Memphis. So far, Smart's season has fallen short of fantasy expectations, with averages of 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. However, his minimal playing time leaves room for optimism that he can improve once fully healthy.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (illness) will suit up for Friday's meeting with Houston. His status was initially thrown into doubt when he popped up on the injury report with an illness. However, the team has upgraded him from questionable to available. Grant will look to end a poor spell. He has scored only 31 points across the last three games. It's a matchup against a team that's ranked second in defensive efficiency, so fantasy managers shouldn't bank on Grant bouncing back on Friday.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (hip) has been upgraded to doubtful for Saturday's game against the Chicago Bulls, signaling some progress in his recovery. Head coach Taylor Jenkins shared that imaging on Morant's hip showed no significant issues, providing optimism for a return soon. In his absence, Scotty Pippen Jr. is expected to continue filling the void at point guard. Morant has only played in eight games this season but has been highly productive when available, averaging 20.6 points, 9.1 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his status closely as he works his way back to full health.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (hand) will rejoin the action on Friday against Houston. He has missed three games with a hand injury. Following a great start to the campaign, Simons has been inconsistent with his performances in November, shooting below 38 percent from the field. He might have a difficult time again on Friday, as the Rockets boast the second-best defensive rating in the league (104.8).
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