Paul George Injured; Harden and Giannis Players of the Month! 1/2/20

It’s a Thursday in the NBA and we have a full slate of 9 games on the schedule tonight.

Congratulations to James Harden for winning the Western Conference Player of the Month Award for December. Harden averaged 37.3 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds and led the Rockets to a 10-5 record.

Congratulations to Giannis Antetokounmpo for winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Month Award for December. Giannis averaged 29.3 points, 12 rebounds and 5.3 rebounds and led the Bucks to a 13-2 record.

Congratulations to Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks for winning the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for December.

Congratulations to Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder for winning the Western Conference Coach of the Month Award for December.

Congratulations to Kendrick Nunn of the Miami Heat for winning the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Award for December. Nunn averaged 15.5 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. Nunn becomes the first ever undrafted player to win the award multiple times.

Congratulations to Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies for winning the Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award. Morant averaged 15.5 points and 6.5 assists. Morant has also won this award two times in a row.

Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers

The Hornets travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavs.

The Hornets hung on to win 109-106. Collin Sexton missed the 3 at the buzzer that would have sent the game to overtime.

Terry Rozier had 30 points and 6 rebounds for the Hornets.

Collin Sexton had 21 points for Cleveland.

The Cavs shot 51% from the field, and the Hornets shot 40% from 3. The Hornets outscored the Cavs by 9 at the line, 20-11.

The Hornets are now 14-23 on the year, and the Cavs have fallen to 10-24.

Denver Nuggets vs Indiana Pacers

Prediction: Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers.

The Nuggets cruised to a 124-116 win.

Michael Porter Jr. had 25 points and 5 rebounds for Denver.

Jeremy Lamb had 30 points and 6 rebounds for the Pacers.

The Nuggets shot 53% from the field, and the Pacers shot 46% from 3. The Nuggets outscored the Pacers by 16 in the paint, 66-50.

The Nuggets are now 24-10 on the year, and the Pacers have fallen to 22-13.

Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat

Prediction: Miami Heat

The Raptors travel to South Beach to take on the Heat.

The Heat won a defensive battle, 84-76.

Bam Adebayo had 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Heat.

Serge Ibaka had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto.

The Heat shot 41% from the field and 32% from 3. The Raptors forced the Heat into 14 turnovers.

The Heat are now 25-9 on the year, and the Raptors have fallen to 23-12.

Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls

Prediction: Utah Jazz

The Jazz travel to the Windy City to take on the Bulls.

The Jazz won a close game, 102-98.

Bojan Bogdanovic had 19 points and 6 rebounds for Utah.

Zach Lavine had 26 points and 5 assists for the Bulls.

The Jazz shot 49% from the field and 37% from 3. The Bulls forced the Jazz into 17 turnovers.

The Jazz are now 22-12 on the year, and the Bulls have fallen to 13-22.

Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves

The Warriors travel north to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves cruised to a 99-84 win.

Robert Covington had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Shabazz Napier had 20 points and 7 assists for the Timberwolves.

Glenn Robinson III had 16 points and 6 rebounds for Golden State.

The Warriors shot 43% from the field, and the Timberwolves shot 30% from 3. The T-Wolves forced Golden State into 16 turnovers.

The Timberwolves are now 13-21 on the year, and the Warriors have fallen to 9-27.

Brooklyn Nets vs Dallas Mavericks

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

The Nets travel south to Texas to take on the Mavs.

The Mavericks cruised to a 123-111 win.

Luka Doncic had 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists for Dallas.

Spencer Dinwiddie had 19 points and 5 assists for the Nets.

The Mavericks shot 50% from the field and 46% from 3. The Nets outscored the Mavs by 12 in the paint, 56-44.

The Mavericks are now 22-12 on the year, and the Nets have fallen to 16-17.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs

The Thunder travel to the Lone Star State to take on the Spurs.

The Thunder outscored the Spurs by 8 in the 4th quarter and they won 109-103.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Thunder.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio.

The Thunder shot 48% from the field, and the Spurs shot 42% from 3. The two teams combined for just 12 turnovers.

The Thunder are now 19-15 on the year, and the Spurs have fallen to 14-19.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings

Prediction: Sacramento Kings

The Grizzlies travel to California to take on the Kings.

The Kings won a high scoring game, 128-123.

De’Aaron Fox had 27 points and 9 assists for Sacramento.

Ja Morant had 23 points and 7 assists for the Grizzlies.

The Kings shot 49% from the field and 41% from 3. The Kings forced the Grizzlies into 17 turnovers.

The Kings are now 13-22 on the year, and the Grizzlies have fallen to 13-22.

Detroit Pistons vs LA Clippers

Prediction: LA Clippers

The Pistons travel to Staples Center to take on the Clippers.

The Clippers cruised to a 126-112 win. Paul George left early with a hamstring injury.

Montrezl Harrell had 23 points for the Clippers.

9 players scored in double figures, led by Bruce Brown Jr. who had 15 points and 6 assists for Detroit.

The Clippers shot 54% from the field and 39% from 3. The Pistons outscored LA by 10 at the line, 25-15.

The Clippers are now 25-11 on the year, and the Pistons have fallen to 12-23.

Predictions: 7-2

I hope that you have enjoyed another day in the NBA, please leave a comment on how your team is doing and which teams look like they might not make the playoffs.