The Boston Celtics arguably have been the best team in the NBA since Jan. 1, but will there be any changes to the roster in the near future? It doesn’t sound like it. The Celtics certainly were busy ahead of the NBA trade deadline and there has been plenty of chatter of whether or not […]
Will Celtics Add To Roster In Buyout Market? Ime Udoka Gives Update — NESN.com
Some have suggested that trading James may be the quickest and easiest way to fix the team’s disconnect.
NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Says Without Lebron James, the Lakers Will Never Win Again — NBC Los Angeles
Editor’s note: This is the Monday, Feb. 28 edition of the Purple & Bold Lakers newsletter from reporter Kyle Goon. To receive the newsletter in your inbox, … 1,316 more words
At a moment when the Lakers need to fight, they are showing signs of quitting — San Gabriel Valley Tribune
After the worst fourth-quarter collapse in the NBA this season and the first 20-plus point lead blown by the Warriors in a regular-season game since 2007, Golden State is heading on the road for a brutal stretch of games to start off what appears to be a ruthless March. 1,133 more words
Kurtenbach: Warriors losing the benefit of the doubt in title push — East Bay Times
INJURY REPORT AT 5:30 P.M.
Brooklyn Nets
Durant, Kevin Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; MCL Sprain
Harris, Joe Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Surgery
Irving, Kyrie Out Ineligible To Play
Simmons, Ben Out Return to Competition Reconditioning
Toronto Raptors
Anunoby, OG Out Injury/Illness – Right Hand; Ring Finger – Fracture
Bonga, Isaac Out G League – On Assignment
Johnson, David Out G League – Two-Way
VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Soreness
GAME #60 – TORONTO RAPTORS (32-27) at BROOKLYN NETS (32-29)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2022 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – BARCLAYS CENTER
TV: TSN – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO
• The Toronto Raptors (32-27) complete a three-game road trip Monday night with the first game of a back-to-back set both against the Brooklyn Nets (32-29). Tonight marks the third of four meetings between the two teams this season, with Brooklyn winning the first two. Fred VanVleet is averaging a team-high 26.0 points in two games against the Nets this season. The Raptors are currently in the middle of a stretch that will see the team play six games in eight days (Feb. 25 – Mar. 4) for the first time since March 10-17, 2012.
• The Raptors fell 127-100 to Atlanta on Saturday night and have now lost four of their last five games (Feb. 12-26), after a season-long eight game winning streak (Jan. 29 – Feb. 10). Toronto outrebounded the Hawks 11-to-5 on the offensive glass, leading to a 23-4 advantage in second chance points. The Raptors currently ranks second in the NBA in both offensive rebounds (13.1) and second chance points (16.2). Toronto is a +31 (140-109) on the offensive glass through 11 games in February.
• Precious Achiuwa scored a season-high 21 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 3PT, 3-3 FT) and grabbed nine rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench Saturday in Atlanta. Achiuwa is the second reserve to score 20+ points
for Toronto this season. Chris Boucher had 23 points Jan. 17 at Miami. Achiuwa has now led the bench in scoring 10 times this year, including each of the last three games (Feb. 16-25). Reserve Thaddeus Young also scored in double digits Saturday adding 10 points. The Raptors dropped to 7-2 this season when two
or more players scored 10+ points off the bench.
• Pascal Siakam recorded his team-leading 19th double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds Feb. 26 vs. Atlanta. Siakam passed his previous single-season career high of 18 double-doubles set during in 2018-2019 season. He is currently averaging 21.4 points, and career bests of 8.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists, in 46 games. Siakam is one of just seven players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Dejounte Murray. No Raptor has averaged 20-8-5 for an entire season.
• Fred VanVleet has scored 20+ points in eight of nine games played during the month of February, averaging 20.7 points and shooting .429 (39-91) from three-point range during this span. He sat out Feb. 10 at
Houston with left groin soreness and Feb. 16 at Minnesota with a right knee contusion. VanVleet has made 208 threes this season – third most in a season in Raptors history; behind only Kyle Lowry (238 in 2017-18 & 212 in 2015-16). VanVleet has connected on 5+ threes in a franchise record 19 games this season.
• Scottie Barnes leads the Raptors – and all rookies – with 122 offensive boards this season. Barnes currently ranks fifth all-time among Raptors rookies in offensive rebounds – behind Chris Bosh (191), Charlie Villanueva (181), Ed Davis (168) and Marcus Camby (131).
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.1 REB: 7.3 AST: 3.2 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 14.5
• Tallied six points, four rebounds and one block in 21 minutes Feb. 26 at Atlanta.
• Leads all rookies in minutes (35.1), ranks third in rebounds (7.3), and fifth in both points (14.5) and assists (3.2).
• Has scored 20+ points 11 times – the most by a Raptors rookie since Charlie Villanueva (12) in 2005-06.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 37.6 REB: 8.6 AST: 5.1 STL: 1.2 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 21.4
• Recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds for his team-leading 19th double-double Feb. 26 at Atlanta.
• Averaging 22.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and is shooting .524 (100-191) from the field in 11 games this month.
• The Raptors are 6-1 this season when Siakam scores 30+ points this season.
C – KHEM BIRCH #24
MIN: 18.5 REB: 4.4 AST: 1.2 STL: 0.7 TO: 0.6 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 4.7
• Contributed two rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes Feb. 26 at Atlanta.
• Averaging 5.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 19.0 minutes in 10 games as a starter.
• Has scored in double figures three times this season (Last: 10 – Nov. 19 at Sacramento).
G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.7 REB: 2.7 AST: 1.9 STL: 1.8 TO: 1.0 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 18.2
• Finished with nine points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 31 minutes Feb. 26 at Atlanta.
• Ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (1.84) and fourth in total deflections (171).
• Averaging 20.8 points and shooting .413 (90-218) from beyond the arc in 25 games on the road this season.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.2 REB: 4.5 AST: 6.9 STL: 1.6 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 21.4
• Scored a team-high 24 points in 35 minutes Feb. 26 at Atlanta; added nine assists and three rebounds.
• Leads NBA in minutes (38.2), and ranks second in total deflections (200) and three-point field goals made (208).
• Has logged 40+ minutes in 17 games – the most by a Raptor since Kyle Lowry (19) in the 2016-17 season.
2021-22 RECORDS
W-L EAST WEST
OVERALL 32-27 21-16 11-11
HOME 16-13 10-7 6-6
AWAY 16-14 11-9 5-5
OVERTIME 2-1 2-1 0-0
INJURY REPORT
OG Anunoby (Right Hand; Ring Finger – Fracture) – Out
Isaac Bonga (G League – On Assignment) – Out
David Johnson (G League – Two-Way) – Out
Fred VanVleet (Right Knee; Soreness) – Questionable
UPDATED: Feb. 27, 2022
NEXT GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
Date: Tuesday, March 1
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Scotiabank Arena
Television: TSN
Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. BROOKLYN
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2021-22 0-2 0-1 0-1
ALL-TIME 58-44 34-17 24-27
STREAKS Lost 3 Lost 2 Lost 1
LAST WIN: Apr. 21, 2021 (114-103)
LAST HOME WIN: Apr. 21, 2021 (114-103)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +37 (Nov 2, 2007)
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -25 (Jan. 15, 1996)
LAST TIME VS. BROOKLYN
GAME 28 – DECEMBER 14, 2021
BROOKLYN 131, TORONTO 129 (OT)
NEW YORK — Patty Mills made a 3 to force overtime, Kevin Durant had
34 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the
Toronto Raptors 131-129 … Durant was upgraded from questionable just
before the game because Brooklyn has seven players in the NBA’s health
and safety protocol … He responded with his 14th triple-double of his
career … Brooklyn won its third straight, with Mills adding 30 points … The
Nets also got 17 from Kessler Edwards, 16 from Nic Claxton and 13 from
Blake Griffin … The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Toronto
(13-15) … Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 31 … Gary Trent Jr. and
Pascal Siakam each finished with 25 … Scottie Barnes had 23, but missed
what would have been a game-winning, buzzer-beating 3 in overtime …
Trailing by 10 entering the third quarter, Toronto outscored Brooklyn 44-
25 to take a 100-91 advantage going into the fourth … But Brooklyn outscored Toronto 26-11 over the first 7:18 of the fourth quarter, regaining
the lead … It didn’t last. Barnes knocked down two 3s to tie the game, and
Trent made a 3 with 1:21 left to give the Raptors a 120-117 lead … That
held until Mills’ 3 with 13 seconds left forced overtime.
1 2 3 4 OT TOT
TORONTO 32 24 44 20 9 129
BROOKLYN 33 33 25 29 11 131
BROOKLYN NETS
LAST GAME STARTERS
[ F ] B R U C E B R O W N
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game
6.8 ppg
4.4 rpg
1.4 apg
21.7 mpg
• Acquired by Brooklyn from Detroit in a three-team trade with
the Clippers on 11/19/20; re-signed with the Nets on 8/8/21.
• Posted career highs in FG % (.556), rpg (5.4), offensive
rating (115.9), net rating (3.5), effective FG % (.576) and
double-doubles (six) in 2020-21.
15 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts
32 mins
2/26 at MIL
[ F ] J AME S J O H N S O N
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game
6.0 ppg
3.6 rpg
2.1 apg
19.8 mpg
• Is in his first season with the Nets after signing with
Brooklyn as a free agent on 8/6/21.
• Made his seventh start of the season for Brooklyn on
Thursday night versus Boston at Barclays Center.
7 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts
35 mins
2/26 at MIL
[C ] A N D R E D R UM M O N D
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game
6.6 ppg
9.0 rpg
2.0 apg
18.8 mpg
• Is in his first season with Brooklyn after being acquired via
trade with Philadelphia on 2/10/22.
• Is a two-time All-Star (2016, 2018), a 2016 All-NBA Third
Team selection and has led the NBA in rebounds four times
(2016, 2018-20).
17 pts, 12 rebs, 5 asts
29 mins
2/26 at MIL
[ G ] S E T H C U R R Y
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game
15.4 ppg
3.4 rpg
4.0 apg
34.5 mpg
• Is in his first season with Brooklyn after being acquired via
trade with Philadelphia on 2/10/22.
• Ranks fourth all-time in NBA history in 3-point percentage
(.438) and second among active players, trailing only Joe
Harris (.439).
19 pts, 1 reb, 3 asts
29 mins
2/26 at MIL
[ G ] K Y R I E I R V I N G
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game
25.1 ppg
4.8 rpg
5.3 apg
36.4 mpg
• Signed as a free agent with the Nets on 7/7/19.
• Is a seven-time All-Star (2013-15, 2017-19, 2021), two-time
All-NBA honoree (second team in 2019 and third team in
2015), All-Star Game MVP (2014), Rookie of the Year (2012)
and an NBA champion (2016).
38 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts
39 mins
2/26 at MIL
2021-22 BROOKLYN NETS RECORDS
RECORD HOME ROAD OVERTIME
OVERALL 32-29 13-16 19-13 2-0
DIVISION 7-3 3-3 4-0 1-0
WESTERN CONF. 10-15 4-7 6-8 1-0
EASTERN CONF. 22-14 9-9 13-5 1-0
IF THE NETS WIN
➢ It would extend the Nets’ win streak vs. Toronto to four games, which would match the Nets’ longest win streak vs. Toronto all-time (the Nets topped
the Raptors in four straight games from 1/10/03 – 4/12/03).
▪ The Nets have won three straight games against Toronto (entering tonight’s game) for the first time since 11/3/12 – 1/15/13.
➢ It would improve Brooklyn’s record vs. Atlantic Division opponents this season to 8-3.
“If they boo, they can take their a** home. I ain’t worried about that. It doesn’t bother me none.”
Westbrook shrugs off boos from Lakers crowd, “If they boo, they can take their a** home” — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
How big of a push could Michael Porter Jr. give to the Nuggets’ late-season surge? The Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla and Mike Singer debate.
Kiz vs. Singer: How would Michael Porter Jr.’s return impact the Nuggets’ stretch run? — The Denver Post
“I want Kyrie on the court… [but] it would send the wrong message just to have an exception for one player.”
New York’s mayor’s plan to lift vaccine mandate will not let Kyrie Irving play home games, yet — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
“I was dominating when I got hurt, and I plan on coming back and dominating. I don’t want to limp out there.”
Draymond Green returns to Warriors practices, inches closer to return — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson is listed as out with an illness for the Warriors’ game Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center. Thompson is not in the NBA’s COVID health and safety protocols, but is listed as having a general illness. He was listed as questionable on the injury report on Saturday. Thompson,…
Warriors’ Klay Thompson listed as out with illness against Dallas — East Bay Times
At this point, it’s hard to imagine George — or Kawhi Leonard, for that matter — returning to the Clippers this season.
Paul George “will need more time” but MRI reveals progress with elbow — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
The competition is not over, stressed Bruins’ coach Bruce Cassidy. Jeremy Swayman is not yet the confirmed No. 1 goalie. But the rookie is certainly exhibiting some of those characteristics. It is not just that he was playing very well going into Saturday’s late game against the Sharks in San Jose. It is also the…
Bruins Notebook: Jeremy Swayman pushing to be No. 1 — Boston Herald
The view from left field 