If you’re already sick of hearing about the Bucks, you’re in for a long NBA season. They’ve won 14 straight, their average point differential is +13.6 (the record is +12.3), they lead the league in rebounding, scoring and two-point field goal percentage, and they have at their nightly disposal one of the most devastating talents the league has even seen. Giannis Antetokounmpo turned 25 on Friday and is averaging 30-13-5, something that has been done just three other times, by Elgin Baylor in 1960-61, and Wilt Chamberlain in 1963-64 and 1965-66.
Tuesday, December 10
Denver Nuggets (14-7) vs Philadelphia 76ers (17-7)
8pm ET on TNT
The Nuggets have fallen on hard times, losing four of their last five games, most recently falling Sunday to the Brooklyn Nets, 105-102, with Jamal Murray’s potential game-tying three-pointer bouncing away harmlessly as time expired. Ben Simmons was a dime short of a triple double, going 16-11-9 in the Sixers’ 110-104 win over Toronto on Sunday, however, he failed to meet his quota of one 3-pointer attempt.
Wednesday, December 11
Los Angeles Clippers (17-7) vs Toronto Raptors (15-7)
7pm ET on ESPN
Kawhi Leonard returns to Toronto for the first time since winning the 2019 NBA Finals. Leonard posted 34-11-5 and Paul George had 27 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals on Sunday to lead the Clippers to a 135-119 win over the Wizards, though both are questionable for Monday’s game against Indiana — that means they should be ready to go for Wednesday’s nationally-televised game. Right? The Raptors took their third straight L on Sunday, losing 110-104 to the Sixers on a night when Marc Gasol went scoreless for just the fourth time in his career, and for the first time in a game in which he played 30 minutes.
New Orleans Pelicans (6-17) vs Milwaukee Bucks (20-3)
9:30pm ET on ESPN
The Pels took it on the chin Saturday, getting blown out 130-84 by the Dallas Mavericks, as New Orleans went 3-for-32 to become just the fifth team in league history to chuck up 30+ 3-pointers and make only three. The unstoppable Bucks have won 14 in a row, including their last four by an average of 34.25 ppg. The Bucks celebrated Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 25th birthday with a statement game, beating the Clippers Friday, 119-91, as the birthday boy went 27-11-4.
Thursday, December 12
Philadelphia 76ers (17-7) vs Boston Celtics (16-5)
8pm ET on TNT
Tobias Harris scored 26 points Sunday to lead the Sixers to a 110-104 win over the Raptors. The Celtics enjoyed a big win Friday over the Nuggets, outscoring them 108-95, despite getting to the line for only eight free throws, getting outrebounded 41-37 and making more turnovers — the secret? They outshot them 53.7 percent to 41.5 percent.
Portland Trail Blazers (9-15) vs Denver Nuggets (14-7)
10:30pm ET on TNT
The ‘Melo-ssaince hit a bump in the road Sunday, as the Carmelo Anthony shot made 4 of 18 from the floor in the Blazers’ 108-96 defeat at the hands of the Thunder. To be fair, the whole team hit just 36 of 100. Who can say what’s up with Nikola Jokić, but the towering Serb’s production is down all across the board — points, rebounds, assists, shooting percentage inside and outside the arc, as well as at the line.
Friday, December 13
Los Angeles Lakers (20-3) vs Miami Heat (17-6)
7pm ET on ESPN
Anthony Davis threw the Lakers (and my fantasy team) on his back Sunday night, overcoming a sore shoulder to score 50 points on 20-of-29 shooting in a 142-125 win over the T’wolves to keep LA on pace with the Bucks for the best record in the league. Tyler Herro came off the bench Sunday night to lead all scorers with 27 points, draining a 27-footer with seven seconds to play in regulation and then scoring the Heat’s last five points in OT to seal a 110-105 win over the Bulls.
Los Angeles Clippers (17-7) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (10-12)
9:30pm ET on ESPN
The Clips are 1-2 on Fridays, 10-4 with one day of rest, and 3-6 on the road so far this season. The Timberwolves had eight guys score in double digits on Friday, including all five starters, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers, who rode Anthony Davis’ 50-point effort to a 142-125 win — it was Minnesota’s second straight loss in which they scored 125+.
Stats through Sunday, December 8, courtesy Basketball Reference
