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Saturday's Tip Sheet
February 28, 2015
Pistons at Wizards – 7:05 PM EST
Stan Van Gundy’s team wasted huge games from Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, who combined for 49 points and 28 rebounds in last night’s 121-115 double-OT loss to the Knicks. Van Gundy blamed poor defense and rebounding for the letdown, which came complete with a late meltdown in regulation where where the team blew a three-point lead. Missed shots were also a major culprit, as the Pistons failed to knock down 11 of 40 and connected on just 8-for-31 from 3-point range. New point guard Reggie Jackson shot just 5-for-24 from the field in a damaging loss to Detroit’s postseason aspirations.
The Wizards continued their brutal post-All-Star break slide in an 89-81 loss in Philadelphia, dropping their sixth consecutive game. Bradley Beal has been badly missed, as Randy Wittman has gotten very little out of the shooting guard position and literally got no points from starter Garrett Temple in last night’s loss. John Wall shot just 7-for-26 as a result of defenses being geared to stop him, so expect to see more of a point guard tandem with him and Ramon Sessions since Beal is expected to miss yet another game. Paul Pierce and Kris Humphries missed Friday’s game and are questionable tonight. The Wizards have split their two games with Detroit, winning on Nov. 12 and losing just last Sunday, 106-89.
Hawks at Heat – 7:35 PM EST
The Hawks overcame a halftime deficit with a 34-22 third quarter surge and took down Orlando 95-88 on Friday for their third consecutive win. Paul Millsap led the way with 20 –points and Al Horford added 17 points and 13 rebounds against the Magic. Atlanta has won its first two meetings against Southeast Division rival Miami this season, averaging 113 points. Their last five games have gone under the posted total.
Miami suffered a 104-102 loss in New Orleans, squandering a significant fourth quarter lead and ultimately losing when Dwyane Wade’s game-winning 3-point attempt rimmed out. Luol Deng led the way with 22 points while Goran Dragic added 20, but the Heat ultimately couldn’t overcome an off night from Wade, who shot just 4-for-16. Michael Beasley made his season debut after playing in China, scoring seven points in just over 10 minutes.
Grizzlies at Timberwolves – 8:05 PM EST
A brutal second half that saw the Grizzlies outscored 56-38 by the Clippers resulted in a 97-79 home loss to the Clippers. Jeff Green scored just two points in 16 minutes, missing all six of his field goal attempts, while point guard Mike Conley shot just 2-for-11 and was outplayed by Chris Paul. Memphis has lost two straight for only the second time in 2015 and will be out to avoid what would be just their second three-game losing streak of the season. Zach Randolph scored 20 points and 10 rebounds against L.A., but was the only starter who shot better than 50 percent from the field. Eight consecutive games and 11 of the last 12 involving the Grizzles have gone under the posted total.
The Timberwolves lost in Chicago by a 96-89 count despite holding the Bulls to just 38.5 percent shooting. Rookie of the Year favorite Andrew Wiggins shot just 4-for-10 from the free throw line and never seemed to get into a rhythm due to foul trouble. Ricky Rubio had 15 points and 10 assists in Chicago. Minnesota has lost each of its two meetings with the Grizzlies this season, but has covered each time.
Nets at Mavericks – 8:35 PM EST
Brooklyn is closing out an eight-game road trek that started way back on Feb. 7 and picked up after the All-Star break. The Nets have lost five of seven thus far, but have been in almost every contest and have managed to cover four of the last five. Last night’s 102-98 loss in Houston was tied in the final minute before James Harden played closer. Deron Williams, back in the starting lineup after a spell as a reserve, led the way with 15 points to lead six Nets in double-figures.
The Mavericks were one of only two teams that didn’t play on Friday night, so they’ll be the more rested team here. Rajon Rondo has served his one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team after getting into it with head coach Rick Carlisle earlier in the week and is expected to start. Tyson Chandler is also expected to return after missing Wednesday’s loss to Atlanta with a hip injury, but Chandler Parsons will remain out with an ankle sprain. Dallas has played six consecutive games that have gone under the posted total.
Spurs at Suns – 9:05 PM EST
San Antonio snapped a four-game losing streak against the DeMarcus Cousins-less Kings on Friday night, winning 107-96 despite entering the fourth quarter up just a bucket. Tony Parker led the way with 19 points and Manu Ginobili added 16 off the bench as the legendary Spurs backcourt turned back the clock some. Tim Duncan played just 28 minutes and no Spur except Kawhi Leonard played over 30, which means Gregg Popovich should have his full roster available on the second night of a back-to-back. This will be the final game of San Antonio’s Rodeo road trip, which has seen them on the road since Feb. 8.
Phoenix was the only other team to have Friday off, getting to bask in the glow of their exciting overtime win over OKC on Thursday. The victory prevented the Suns from falling further behind the Thunder in the race for the No. 8 seed, so look for the sense of urgency to be turned up for them going forward. Brandon Knight is looking more comfortable with his new team, while Eric Bledsoe was the best player on a floor that included MVP candidate Russell Westbrook. The Suns have split their two meetings with San Antonio this season, winning at home way back on Oct. 31 and losing at AT&T Center on Jan. 9.
February 28, 2015
Pistons at Wizards – 7:05 PM EST
Stan Van Gundy’s team wasted huge games from Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, who combined for 49 points and 28 rebounds in last night’s 121-115 double-OT loss to the Knicks. Van Gundy blamed poor defense and rebounding for the letdown, which came complete with a late meltdown in regulation where where the team blew a three-point lead. Missed shots were also a major culprit, as the Pistons failed to knock down 11 of 40 and connected on just 8-for-31 from 3-point range. New point guard Reggie Jackson shot just 5-for-24 from the field in a damaging loss to Detroit’s postseason aspirations.
The Wizards continued their brutal post-All-Star break slide in an 89-81 loss in Philadelphia, dropping their sixth consecutive game. Bradley Beal has been badly missed, as Randy Wittman has gotten very little out of the shooting guard position and literally got no points from starter Garrett Temple in last night’s loss. John Wall shot just 7-for-26 as a result of defenses being geared to stop him, so expect to see more of a point guard tandem with him and Ramon Sessions since Beal is expected to miss yet another game. Paul Pierce and Kris Humphries missed Friday’s game and are questionable tonight. The Wizards have split their two games with Detroit, winning on Nov. 12 and losing just last Sunday, 106-89.
Hawks at Heat – 7:35 PM EST
The Hawks overcame a halftime deficit with a 34-22 third quarter surge and took down Orlando 95-88 on Friday for their third consecutive win. Paul Millsap led the way with 20 –points and Al Horford added 17 points and 13 rebounds against the Magic. Atlanta has won its first two meetings against Southeast Division rival Miami this season, averaging 113 points. Their last five games have gone under the posted total.
Miami suffered a 104-102 loss in New Orleans, squandering a significant fourth quarter lead and ultimately losing when Dwyane Wade’s game-winning 3-point attempt rimmed out. Luol Deng led the way with 22 points while Goran Dragic added 20, but the Heat ultimately couldn’t overcome an off night from Wade, who shot just 4-for-16. Michael Beasley made his season debut after playing in China, scoring seven points in just over 10 minutes.
Grizzlies at Timberwolves – 8:05 PM EST
A brutal second half that saw the Grizzlies outscored 56-38 by the Clippers resulted in a 97-79 home loss to the Clippers. Jeff Green scored just two points in 16 minutes, missing all six of his field goal attempts, while point guard Mike Conley shot just 2-for-11 and was outplayed by Chris Paul. Memphis has lost two straight for only the second time in 2015 and will be out to avoid what would be just their second three-game losing streak of the season. Zach Randolph scored 20 points and 10 rebounds against L.A., but was the only starter who shot better than 50 percent from the field. Eight consecutive games and 11 of the last 12 involving the Grizzles have gone under the posted total.
The Timberwolves lost in Chicago by a 96-89 count despite holding the Bulls to just 38.5 percent shooting. Rookie of the Year favorite Andrew Wiggins shot just 4-for-10 from the free throw line and never seemed to get into a rhythm due to foul trouble. Ricky Rubio had 15 points and 10 assists in Chicago. Minnesota has lost each of its two meetings with the Grizzlies this season, but has covered each time.
Nets at Mavericks – 8:35 PM EST
Brooklyn is closing out an eight-game road trek that started way back on Feb. 7 and picked up after the All-Star break. The Nets have lost five of seven thus far, but have been in almost every contest and have managed to cover four of the last five. Last night’s 102-98 loss in Houston was tied in the final minute before James Harden played closer. Deron Williams, back in the starting lineup after a spell as a reserve, led the way with 15 points to lead six Nets in double-figures.
The Mavericks were one of only two teams that didn’t play on Friday night, so they’ll be the more rested team here. Rajon Rondo has served his one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team after getting into it with head coach Rick Carlisle earlier in the week and is expected to start. Tyson Chandler is also expected to return after missing Wednesday’s loss to Atlanta with a hip injury, but Chandler Parsons will remain out with an ankle sprain. Dallas has played six consecutive games that have gone under the posted total.
Spurs at Suns – 9:05 PM EST
San Antonio snapped a four-game losing streak against the DeMarcus Cousins-less Kings on Friday night, winning 107-96 despite entering the fourth quarter up just a bucket. Tony Parker led the way with 19 points and Manu Ginobili added 16 off the bench as the legendary Spurs backcourt turned back the clock some. Tim Duncan played just 28 minutes and no Spur except Kawhi Leonard played over 30, which means Gregg Popovich should have his full roster available on the second night of a back-to-back. This will be the final game of San Antonio’s Rodeo road trip, which has seen them on the road since Feb. 8.
Phoenix was the only other team to have Friday off, getting to bask in the glow of their exciting overtime win over OKC on Thursday. The victory prevented the Suns from falling further behind the Thunder in the race for the No. 8 seed, so look for the sense of urgency to be turned up for them going forward. Brandon Knight is looking more comfortable with his new team, while Eric Bledsoe was the best player on a floor that included MVP candidate Russell Westbrook. The Suns have split their two meetings with San Antonio this season, winning at home way back on Oct. 31 and losing at AT&T Center on Jan. 9.
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