NBA roundup: Heat get Jimmy Butler back, stomp on Sixers
Tue Nov 19 2:53am ET
Field Level Media
Jimmy Butler made a triumphant return from injury and Tyler Herro scored 16 of his 18 points in a pivotal third quarter as the host Miami Heat rallied for a 106-89 victory over the slumping Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Butler, after missing four straight games due to a sprained right ankle, scored a season-high 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Heat trailed by 19 points in the second quarter before coming back to earn just their second home win of the season.
Rookie Jared McCain led Philadelphia with 20 points, and veteran Paul George added 18 points. Sixers center Joel Embiid, who played but had been listed as questionable due to an illness, finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Bucks 101, Rockets 100
Damian Lillard made a driving layup with 3.9 seconds remaining and had a hand in the game's final seven points as Milwaukee rallied for a victory over visiting Houston.
After Alperen Sengun (18 points) gave Houston a 100-94 lead by tipping in his miss with 1:58 to play, Lillard sank two free throws before assisting on an AJ Green 3-pointer at the 1:17 mark. Lillard (18 points, 10 assists) converted the game-winner after Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a short jumper from Sengun with 19.7 seconds left.
Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 27 points and five 3-pointers while adding 10 rebounds and four blocks. Antetokounmpo paired 20 points with 13 rebounds to help Milwaukee snap the Rockets' five-game winning streak. Fred VanVleet paced Houston with 26 points.
Clippers 102, Warriors 99
Norman Powell scored 23 points, Ivica Zubac grabbed 17 rebounds and Los Angeles beat Golden State again in Inglewood, Calif. -- the Clippers' fifth straight home win after losing each of their first four games at their new arena.
James Harden produced 12 points and 16 assists as the Clippers earned their fifth consecutive victory over the Warriors. Los Angeles has handed Golden State two of its three losses this season.
The Clippers survived potential game-tying 3-point attempts from Stephen Curry with 12.3 seconds remaining and Gary Payton II with 2.2 seconds left. Curry scored 26 points and Andrew Wiggins added 22 as the Warriors had their three-game winning streak end.
Bulls 122, Pistons 112
Nikola Vucevic had 29 points and 12 rebounds as visiting Chicago defeated Detroit.
Zach LaVine and Coby White supplied 25 points apiece for the Bulls, while Josh Giddey amassed 11 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Chicago had allowed 144 and 143 points while losing its previous two contests.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 26 points and 10 assists, and Malik Beasley had 21 points off the bench. Detroit had won three of its previous four games.
Raptors 130, Pacers 119
RJ Barrett scored a season-best 39 points, Jakob Poeltl added 30 points and 15 rebounds and host Toronto beat Indiana as the Pacers opened a three-game road trip.
Barrett, who also pulled down nine rebounds, scored 15 points in the fourth quarter. Gradey Dick added 15 points for the Raptors, who ended a seven-game losing streak.
Former Raptor Pascal Siakam had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, while Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points. Indiana has lost three of its past four games.
Knicks 134, Wizards 106
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns each posted a double-double before sitting out the fourth quarter for host New York, which cruised past Washington for its third straight win.
Brunson finished with 26 points and 11 assists while Towns had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who moved to a season-high two games over .500.
Carlton Carrington and reserves Jonas Valanciunas and Corey Kispert all scored 18 points for the Wizards, who have lost nine straight games, including eight by double digits.
Magic 109, Suns 99
Franz Wagner matched a season high with 32 points as visiting Orlando won its sixth straight game, beating Phoenix.
Anthony Black posted season bests of 20 points and nine assists, and Goga Bitadze had a season-high 17 points to go with 10 rebounds for the Magic.
The Suns played their sixth straight game without Kevin Durant and the fourth consecutive minus Bradley Beal. Both All-Stars are out with left calf strains. Tyus Jones led Phoenix with 18 points and eight assists.
Hawks 109, Kings 108
Dyson Daniels knocked the ball away from red-hot De'Aaron Fox just prior to the buzzer to cement Atlanta's victory over host Sacramento.
Fox netted 28 points to raise his three-game total to 137 and was hunting for a game-winning shot as he operated to the left of the hoop. Daniels got his hand in and batted the ball away as Fox was about to shoot. Daniels collected the ball and passed it to Trae Young, then time expired.
De'Andre Hunter scored 24 points off the bench to pace the Hawks, who won for the third time in the past four games. Reserve Keon Ellis established career highs of 33 points and nine 3-pointers for Sacramento.
- NBA roundup: Heat get Jimmy Butler back, stomp on Sixers
- Jimmy Butler set to return for Heat; Terry Rozier out
- Sixers C Joel Embiid (illness) doubtful Monday at Miami
- Bucks coach Doc Rivers fined $25K after criticizing officials
- NBA roundup: Cavs top Hornets, improve to 15-0
- Clippers G James Harden now 2nd on all-time 3-point list
- Grizzlies rookie C Zach Edey (ankle) exits game vs. Nuggets
- Hornets star LaMelo Ball fined $100K for anti-gay phrase
- Mavericks' Luka Doncic (knee) ruled out vs. Thunder
- Cavs G Donovan Mitchell (rest) to skip game vs. Hornets
- NBA fines Wolves' Anthony Edwards $35K for gesture
- 'Inside the NBA' to move to ESPN, ABC next season
- NBA roundup: Jayson Tatum's 3 at buzzer lifts Celtics in OT
- NBA roundup: Kings' De'Aaron Fox scores 60 in OT loss
- NBA considering four-team format for All-Star Game
- Nuggets' Nikola Jokic out vs. Pelicans for personal reasons
- Warriors’ De’Anthony Melton sprains ACL, to undergo tests
- Bronny James only playing G League home games
- NBA roundup: Giannis Antetokounmpo nets 59 in Bucks' OT win
- 76ers hold Joel Embiid, Paul George out vs. Cleveland
Sacramento Kings' G Keon Ellis scored 33 points on 9-of-17 shooting in a 108-109 loss to the Hawks on Monday, Nov. 18. Ellis is owned in only 2.8% leagues.
Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (foot) is listed as probable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Utah Jazz. The foot injury is nothing new, so fantasy managers should expect to see his name on the injury report moving ahead. With that in mind, Davis has missed just one game so far this season after appearing in 76 during the 2023-24 campaign. He's played well, too, averaging a career-high 31.1 points with 11.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 42.9% shooting from behind the arc. As always, AD is a must-start, although his ceiling could be higher against the Jazz with Walker Kessler (hip) out again.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) will play on Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. The multi-time All-Star was questionable heading into this contest. But fantasy managers were encouraged after head coach Steve Kerr indirectly indicated he'd be good to go. Curry missed three games this season because of an ankle injury. However, he's still playing well despite being in the league for well over a decade, averaging 22.7 points and shooting 43.2% from behind the arc. With that in mind, Curry can be safely added back to fantasy lineups, although his presence will likely mean less work and scoring opportunities for Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (leg) has been ruled out of Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings. The team announced that Johnson is dealing with left lateral lower leg inflammation. The 22-year-old has been an integral part of the Hawks' lineup, averaging 19.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG and 5.4 APG. Garrison Mathews is starting in Johnson's place, though Johnson's absence should mean more expected points production from rookie Zaccarie Risacher and more rebounding production from Clint Capela. Fantasy managers and DFS managers may find more value in Risacher than Capela.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (personal) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. If he's unable to play it will be his third straight game missed. Expect Dario Saric to be back in the lineup on Tuesday if the 29-year-old doesn't play. Saric has started both games that Jokic has missed and has provided decent fantasy value from a rebounding perspective, grabbing eight and 10 boards in his two starts. He's been much less productive scoring, notching only nine and 10 points in his two starts. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may find more value in starting Saric but other fantasy managers and DFS players may be able to find better options.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) is expected to play on Tuesday night in the Warriors' game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Head coach Steve Kerr mentioned he didn't even know Curry was on the injury list. The 36-year-old was a little banged up after last game but it'd appear he should be good to go on Monday. Curry has averaged 22.7 PPG this season and is a must start in all fantasy formats. He put up 18 points, four rebounds and six assists when Golden State met up with the Clippers earlier this season. Expect similar, if not better production out of the future hall of famer.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. This will be the fourth straight game that Alvarado has missed due to his hamstring strain. With the Pelicans dealing with a litany of injuries, the sooner the 26-year-old can get his high-energy style back on the court the better. Expect Brandon Boston Jr. (12.3 PPG) to continue getting additional minutes.
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (back) has been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Sabonis had been listed as doubtful so him missing Monday's game is not a surprise. He also missed Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz with lower back tightness. The team announced today that the 28-year-old has made "significant improvement" on his back injury and was cleared for on-court workouts, a positive sign for the Kings. In his absence, expect Trey Lyles and Doug McDermott to get more opportunities for the injury-riddled Kings. Neither has been a viable fantasy option this season. However, DFS managers may want to consider both as longshots against the Atlanta Hawks. Both can shoot the ball well from three and Atlanta gives up the most three-point attempts per game.
Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. The 31-year-old is dealing with a left ankle sprain but is expected to play through it. After missing two games, Finney-Smith returned to the starting lineup on Friday and has played well in his last two appearances, scoring at least 15 points in both games against the New York Knicks. As a key part of the Nets' rotation, he averages nearly 30 minutes per game, contributing 10.9 points and 4.8 rebounds this season.
Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (hip) is listed as probable for Tuesday's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets with right-hip tightness. The 23-year-old has yet to miss a game this season and is trending toward playing. Williams has been steadily improving, posting career-best averages of 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, along with standout performances like his 23-point effort against the Boston Celtics last week.
Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (back) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. The 23-year-old missed Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers as he continues to deal with a lower-back injury. On the season, Mann has been a reliable presence for the Hornets, averaging 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. If he is unable to play, Vasilije Micic and Seth Curry could see expanded opportunities to contribute off the bench for Charlotte.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (calf) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a left calf contusion. The 25-year-old will miss the first half of the Thunder's back-to-back set as he recovers from the injury. Joe, who is averaging 9.0 points per game across 14 appearances this season, is considered doubtful for Wednesday's home matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Aaron Wiggins may see increased playing time in his absence.
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) will remain sidelined for Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns, extending his absence to eight straight contests due to left plantar fasciitis. The 25-year-old, who has been a consistent contributor when on the floor, is averaging 8.3 points and 8.8 rebounds this season. In his stead, Moritz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, and Goga Bitadze are likely to see expanded roles in the frontcourt. Carter's next opportunity to return to action will be Wednesday when the Magic face the Los Angeles Clippers.
Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (head) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the New York Knicks. Coulibaly took a hit to the head during Sunday's game, so he's likely still feeling it on Monday. The Wizards don't play again until Friday after this game, so hopefully Coulibaly will be ready to play by then. Corey Kispert, Malcolm Brogdon, and Kyshawn George are all candidates to see increased playing time with Coulibaly out. Between the trio, Kispert is the strongest fantasy option right now. He's averaging 11 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 29 minutes per game this season. He should see a bigger role in the rotation until Coulibaly returns.
According to Justin Turpin of WEEI.com,Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard (thumb) is questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Pritchard has averaged 17.3 points, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 28.8 minutes per game during his last 12 outings.He's yet to miss a contest this regular season, but if the 26-year-old cannot go, Sam Hauser will likely see an uptick in minutes on the court.
Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Caris LeVert (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Boston Celtics. He previously missed two games earlier in the season because of right knee soreness, but now he is dealing with inflammation in his left knee. With LeVert, along with Sam Merrill (ankle) and Isaac Okoro (ankle), all potentially sidelined, the Cavaliers might need to rely heavily on their bench players for Tuesday, leaving minutes on the table for Craig Porter, Georges Niang, and Ty Jerome.
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (ankle) will play during Monday's game against the Chicago Bulls. As expected, Ivey is active after being listed as probable on the injury report ahead of this game. It sounds like he's dealing with a minor ankle sprain but that won't be enough to hold him out of Monday's contest. Ivey posted 28 points and eight assists during Sunday's game. The 22-year-old has posted a few duds this season, but Ivey has mostly been solid early on. Fantasy managers should get him back in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
Detroit Pistons guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (head) is available ahead of Monday's game against the Chicago Bulls. The veteran guard will make his return to the court after missing each of the last three games due to a head laceration. Malik Beasley has been seeing an increase in playing time with Hardaway sidelined. Beasley has scored 20 points or more in each of the last four games, so he should still remain a key piece of the rotation. Hardaway hasn't done enough on the court to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats but he might have some deep league appeal.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) will play in Monday's game versus the Houston Rockets. It's not uncommon to see the 29-year-old on the injury report. But he was listed as probable, so there wasn't much concern amongst fantasy managers regarding his availability. Despite Milwaukee's struggles, Antetokounmpo has had an MVP-caliber year, averaging 32.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. Although he's shot just 20.0% from deep and 60.5% from the line, he's a must-start in any fantasy format, obviously.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (concussion) has been cleared to suit up for Monday's game against the Houston Rockets. Lillard will make his return to the court after missing each of the last three games while in the league's concussion protocol. His return will push Delon Wright back to the bench where he won't have ideal streaming value. The expectation is that Lillard will see his full workload during his first game back. Fantasy managers should feel safe about getting Lillard back in their fantasy lineups ahead of tip-off. Lillard is averaging 26 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in 35 minutes per game. He has been one of the best guards in the league this season.
