First Major Trade; Schroder and Lowry Players of the Week! 12/23/19

It’s a Monday in the NBA and we have 11 games on the schedule tonight.

Jordan Clarkson of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been traded to the Utah Jazz for Dante Exum and 2 future 2nd round picks. The Cavs look to continue to rebuild, and the Jazz look for some more scoring off the bench.

Congratulations to Dennis Schroder of the Oklahoma City Thunder for winning the Western Conference Player of the week for games played from Dec. 16th to Dec. 22nd. Schroder averaged 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6 assists while leading the Thunder to a 4-0 record.

Congratulations to Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors for winning the Eastern Conference Player of the week for games played from December 16th to the 22nd. Lowry averaged 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 10 assists while leading the Raptors to a 4-0 record.

Toronto Raptors vs Indiana Pacers

Prediction: Indiana Pacers

The Raptors travel to Indiana to face the Pacers. Pascal Siakam is out again for the Raptors.

The Pacers won a close game in OT, 120-115. At the end of regulation, Kyle Lowry hit a floater with 34.7 seconds left to tie the game at 107-107.

Myles Turner had 24 points and 7 rebounds and TJ Warren had 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Pacers.

Kyle Lowry had 30 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists for Toronto.

The Pacers shot 47% from the field and 43% from 3. The Raptors had 50 points in the paint and the Pacers had 40.

The Pacers are now 21-10 on the year, and the Raptors have fallen to 21-9.

Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic

Prediction: Chicago Bulls

The Bulls go to Florida to take on the Magic.

The Magic controlled, winning 103-95.

Terrence Ross had 26 points for Orlando.

Zach Lavine had 26 points and 8 rebounds for the Bulls.

The Magic shot 48% from the field and 39% from 3. The Magic outscored the Bulls by 10 in the paint, 48-38.

The Magic are now 13-17 on the year, and the Bulls are now 12-20.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Detroit Pistons

Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers travel to Motown to take on the Pistons.

The 76ers dominated, winning 125-109.

Tobias Harris had 35 points and 7 rebounds for the 76ers.

Andre Drummond had 27 points and 9 rebounds for Detroit.

The 76ers shot 55% from the field and 40% from 3. The 76ers had 8 blocks, and the Pistons had 1.

The 76ers are now 22-10 on the year, and the Pistons have fallen to 11-20.

Washington Wizards vs New York Knicks

Prediction: New York Knicks

The Wizards go to New York to face the Knicks.

The Wizards won a close game, 121-115.

Bradley Beal had 30 points for Washington.

Julius Randle had 35 points and 5 rebounds for the Knicks.

Both teams shot 47% from the field, and the Knicks shot 42% from 3. The Wizards forced New York into 14 turnovers.

The Wizards are now 9-20 on the year, and the Knicks are 7-24.

Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers

The Hawks are going to Cleveland to face off with the Cavs. John Collins makes his long awaited return for Atlanta after being suspended for 25 games by the NBA.

The Cavs won a close game, 121-118.

Collin Sexton had 25 points and 6 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Trae Young had 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists for Atlanta.

The Cavs shot 52% from the field and 38% from 3. The Hawks forced Cleveland into 23 turnovers.

The Cavs are now 9-21 on the year, and the Hawks have fallen to 6-25.

Utah Jazz vs Miami Heat

Prediction: Miami Heat

Two of the best teams in the NBA face off from South Beach.

The Heat won a close game 107-104.

Jimmy Butler had 20 points and 8 rebounds for Miami.

Joe Ingles had 27 points for the Jazz.

The Jazz shot 44% from the field, and the Heat shot 36% from 3. The Heat made 10 more free throws than the Jazz, 24-14.

The Heat are now 22-8 on the year, and the Jazz have fallen to 18-12.

San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies.

The Spurs dominated, winning 145-115.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 40 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Spurs.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 22 points for Memphis.

The Spurs shot 67% from the field and 63% from 3. The Spurs had 60 points in the paint, and the Grizzlies had 54.

The Spurs are now 12-17 on the year, and the Grizzlies are now 11-20.

Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns

Prediction: Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets travel to the desert to take on the Suns.

The Nuggets won a close game 113-111 thanks to Jamal Murray hitting the game winner with 3.2 seconds left in the game.

Jamal Murray had 28 points and 7 assists and Nikola Jokic had a triple double for Denver.

8 players scored in double figures for the Suns, led by Ricky Rubio who had 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists.

The Nuggets shot 55% from the field and 54% from 3. The Suns forced Denver into 21 turnovers.

The Nuggets are now 21-8 on the year, and the Suns have fallen to 11-19.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers

Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers

The Pelicans travel to Portland as the Blazers look for their 5th straight win.

The Pelicans controlled the game, and they won 102-94.

Jrue Holiday had 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Pelicans.

Carmelo Anthony had 23 points and 9 rebounds for Portland.

Both teams shot 41% from the field, and the Pelicans shot 43% from 3. The Blazers outscored the Pelicans by 12 in the paint, 48-36.

The Pelicans are now 8-23 on the year, and the Blazers lose their 4 game win streak, and they are 14-17.

Houston Rockets vs Sacramento Kings

Prediction: Houston Rockets

The Rockets look for revenge as they travel to Sacramento.

The Rockets held on to win 113-104.

James Harden had 34 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for Houston.

De’Aaron Fox had 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Kings.

The Kings shot 47% from the field, and the Rockets shot 39% from 3. The Rockets forced the Kings into 17 turnovers.

The Rockets are now 21-9 on the year and the Kings have fallen to 12-18.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors

Prediction: Golden State Warriors

The Timberwolves travel to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors. Karl Anthony Towns is again out for the Timberwolves.

The Warriors won a close game, 113-104.

D’Angelo Russell had 30 points for the Warriors.

Andrew Wiggins had 22 points and 7 rebounds for Minnesota.

The Warriors shot 44% from the field and 40% from 3. The two teams combined for 35 turnovers.

The Warriors are now 7-24 on the year, and the Timberwolves have fallen to 10-19.

Predictions: 8-3

I hope you have enjoyed another day in the NBA, please comment on how your team is doing so far, and enjoy the rest of the holiday season!