It only makes sense that Stephen Curry almost certainly will break the NBA record for made 3-pointers in league history at Madison Square Garden, The Mecca of Basketball, but it may serve as a brutal reminder for the New York Knick fans in attendance. Curry, after all, was one draft spot away from potentially landing […]
Brooklyn Nets Aldridge, LaMarcus Out Health and Safety Protocols Bembry, DeAndre’ Out Health and Safety Protocols Carter, Jevon Out Health and Safety Protocols Durant, Kevin Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Soreness Harris, Joe Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Surgery Irving, Kyrie Out Ineligible To Play Johnson, James Out Health and Safety Protocols Millsap, Paul Out Health and Safety Protocols Toronto Raptors Achiuwa, Precious Out Health and Safety Protocols Anunoby, OG Out Injury/Illness – Left Hip; Pointer Banton, Dalano Out Injury/Illness – Illness; Non-COVID Birch, Khem Out Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Swelling Dragic, Goran Out Not With Team Johnson, David Out Injury/Illness – Left Calf; Strain
• The Toronto Raptors (13-14) play the second game of a back-to-back set Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets (19-8) at Barclays Center. The Raptors won for the fourth time in five games beating Sacramento 124-101 on Monday night. Toronto led wire-to-wire in the win and finished its homestand with a 4-3 record. • The NBA announced Monday that Thursday’s game (Dec. 16) between the Raptors and Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena has been postponed. Ten Bulls players, along with additional staff members, are currently in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols. Following Tuesday, Toronto’s next game will now be Saturday night when they host the Golden State Warriors. • Chris Boucher matched his season high with 17 points, Yuta Watanabe had 12 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, and the Raptors used a 70-point first half to beat Sacramento on Monday. Toronto made a season-best 53 field goals and set a season high with 28 assists, including 19 in the first half. The Raptors also set season highs for bench points (51) and points in the paint (68). • Nine different players scored 10 or more points, including all five starters, in Monday’s victory over the Kings. It’s the first time in franchise history the Raptors had nine players score in double figures in the same game. It’s just the second time this has happened in the NBA this season (Last: Dec. 2, 2021 – Memphis vs. Oklahoma City). • Scottie Barnes tallied 16 points, four rebounds and a season-high five blocks in 32 minutes Monday night against the Kings. Barnes currently ranks second among rookies in scoring (15.1) and rebounds (8.2), leads in minutes (35.8) and is third with a .486 (155-319) field goal percentage. • Pascal Siakam has scored 16+ points in 10 of the last 11 games (Nov. 19 – Dec. 13). Siakam is averaging a team highs of 20.7 points and 8.3 rebounds during this stretch. He is shooting .475 (87-183) from the field and .333 (13-39) from beyond the arc over the last 11. contests. • Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. lead the NBA in deflections with 97 apiece this season. VanVleet has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. Trent Jr. also ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (2.08) and has recorded multiple steals in 16 games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (19.3) and rank third in steals (9.1) this season. • Goran Dragic is currently taking time away from the team for a personal matter. There is no definite time-line, and updates will be provided as appropriate. Dragic is averaging 8.0 points in five games this season. PROBABLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.8 REB: 8.2 AST: 3.2 STL: 1.2 TO: 1.9 BLK: 1.0 PTS: 15.1 • Recorded 16 points, four rebounds and a season-high five blocks in 32 minutes Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento. • Has scored in double figures in 10 straight games (Nov. 21 – Dec. 13), averaging 15.4 points during this stretch. • Ranks second among rookies in scoring (15.1) and rebounds (8.2), and leads in minutes (35.8). F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 33.8 REB: 7.7 AST: 3.8 STL: 0.6 TO: 2.2 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 18.8 • Finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento. • Tied with Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes for the team lead with four double-doubles this season. • Averaging 20.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists through five games in December. . C – CHRIS BOUCHER #25
MIN: 14.9 REB: 4.3 AST: 0.3 STL: 0.4 TO: 0.7 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 7.2 • Matched his season high with 17 points Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento; added five rebounds in 22 minutes. • Has scored in double digits in each of the last four games (Dec. 5-13), averaging 14.0 points during this span. • In three starts this season, averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 23.9 minutes. G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.5 REB: 3.2 AST: 1.9 STL: 2.1 TO: 0.9 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 16.7 • Contributed 10 points, four assists and three steals in 31 minutes of action Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento. • Ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (2.08); has recorded multiple steals in five of the last six games. • Has scored 20+ points nine times; something he did 15 times in 58 games last season. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 37.7 REB: 5.0 AST: 6.4 STL: 1.5 TO: 3.1 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 19.4 • Tallied 12 points, five assists and two steals in 26 minutes Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento. • Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.7), has logged 40+ minutes in six games. • Has scored in double digits in all 26 of his games played this season, including 20+ points 10 times.
INJURY REPORT Precious Achiuwa (Health & Safety Protocols) – Out OG Anunoby (Left Hip; Pointer) – Out Dalano Banton (Illness; Non-COVID) – Out Khem Birch (Right Knee; Swelling) – Out Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out David Johnson (Left Calf; Strain) – Out
2021-22 RECORDS W-L EAST WEST OVERALL 13-14 10-8 3-6 HOME 6-9 5-6 1-3 AWAY 7-5 5-2 2-3 OVERTIME 0-0 0-0 0-0
PROBABLE STARTERS [ F ] K E V I N D U R A N T
7 • TEXAS (15th Season) • 6-10 • 225
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 29.4 ppg 7.6 rpg 5.6 apg 36.5 mpg • Was acquired via a sign-and-trade with Golden State on 7/7/19 and signed a multi-year contract extension on 8/8/21. • Is an 11-time All-Star (2010-19, 2021), nine-time All-NBA honoree (six First Team, three Second Team), two-time NBA Champion (2017, 2018), two-time Finals MVP, four-time scoring champion (2009-12, 2013-14) and the MVP in 2014. 51 pts, 7 rebs, 9 asts 41 mins 12/12 at DET
[ F ] D E A N D R E ’ B E M B R Y
95 • SAINT JOSEPH’S (6th Season) • 6-5 • 210
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 5.6 ppg 3.3 rpg 1.1 apg 19.6 mpg • Is in his first season with the Nets after signing as a free agent on 8/8/21. • Has drawn his first starts of the season in the Nets’ last 10 games, averaging 7.3 ppg (.596 FG), 4.7 rpg and 1.1 apg in 24.9 mpg. 4 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts 17 mins 12/12 at DET
[C ] L A MA R C U S A L D R I D G E
21 • TEXAS (11th Season) • 6-11 • 265
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 14.0 ppg 5.7 rpg 0.9 apg 23.6 mpg • Is in his second season with Brooklyn after re-signing on 9/3/21. He originally joined the Nets as a free agent on 3/28/21 and appeared in five games for the team last season. • Is one of two active players to record 20,000 points and 8,000 rebounds, joining LeBron James. 15 pts, 5 rebs, 1 ast 25 mins 12/12 at DET
[G ] P A T T Y MI L L S
8 • SAINT MARY’S (13th Season) • 6-0 • 180
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 12.7 ppg 1.7 rpg 2.4 apg 29.1 mpg • Is in his first season with Brooklyn after signing with the team as a free agent on 8/10/21. • Ranks fourth in NBA history in 3-pointers made off the bench. Since entering the NBA in 2009-10, he’s first in threes made and third in points and minutes played off the bench. 18 pts, 3 rebs, 5 asts 35 mins 12/12 at DET
[G ] J AM E S H A R D E N
13 • ARIZONA STATE (12th Season) • 6-5 • 220
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 20.8 ppg 7.9 rpg 9.6 apg 36.2 mpg • Acquired from Houston in a four-team trade on 1/14/21. • Is a six-time All-NBA First Team honoree, nine-time NBA All-Star, the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2018, three-time scoring champion (2018-20) and led the league in assists in 2017. INACTIVE – Rest 12/12 at DET
2021-22 BROOKLYN NETS RECORDS RECORD HOME ROAD OVERTIME OVERALL 19-8 8-5 11-3 — DIVISION 4-0 — 4-0 — WESTERN CONF. 4-3 1-2 3-1 — EASTERN CONF. 15-5 7-3 8-2 –
IF THE NETS WIN ➢ It would be Brooklyn’s third straight win, their 10th win in the last 13 games and 18th win in their last 23 games (since 10/29 vs. Indiana). ▪ The Nets begin a five-game homestand tonight (their second-longest homestand of the season and longest remaining homestand). ➢ It would extend the Nets’ win streak vs. Toronto to three games. The last time the Nets won three straight vs. Toronto came from 11/3/12 – 1/15/13. ▪ The Nets have won two straight against the Raptors for the first time since 2/4/15 and 4/3/15. ➢ It would improve Brooklyn’s record vs. Atlantic Division opponents this season to a perfect 5-0. ▪ Since last season, Brooklyn is 12-4 vs. Atlantic Division teams (6-1 at home). The Nets’ only home loss to an Atlantic Division team since the start of last season came on 2/5/21 vs. Toronto when Kevin Durant played just 19 minutes (health and safety protocols). ➢ It would prevent Brooklyn from losing consecutive home games for just the second time in the last two seasons (the Nets lost their last home game on 12/4 vs. Chicago). The Nets have lost consecutive home games just once across the last two seasons: 1/1/21 vs. Atlanta and 1/3/21 vs. Washington. EARLY SEASON LEAGUE LEADERS ➢ PPG: Kevin Durant leads the league in ppg (29.4) despite ranking seventh in FGA/game (20.1). ➢ APG: James Harden is second in the league in apg (9.6), trailing only Chris Paul (10.2). ➢ TRIPL-DBLS: James Harden is tied for third in triple-doubles with Dejounte Murray (four), trailing Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic (five). ➢ DBL-DBLS: James Harden is tied for fifth in the league in double-doubles (17). ➢ FTM-FTA: James Harden is fifth in FTM/game (6.5) and fifth in FTA/game (7.4). KD is sixth in FTM/game (6.3) and sixth in FTA/game (7.2). ➢ 3FGM: Patty Mills is tied for fifth in the league in 3-pointers made (82) and is tied for second in the league in catch-and-shoot 3FGM (63-of-139). ➢ 3FG %: Joe Harris is second in the league in 3FG % (.466). Patty Mills is eighth (.443). ➢ FG %: LaMarcus Aldridge is 12th in the league in FG % (.573). ➢ PLUS/MINUS: Patty Mills is 12th in the league in plus/minus (+173).
➢ ROAD: The Nets lead the league in road wins (11). Brooklyn’s 11-3 road record marks the furthest the Nets have been over .500 on the road at any point in franchise history. ▪ The Nets are 31-19 (.620) on the road since the start of last season. Only Phoenix (33-14, .702) and Utah (31-18, .633) are better in that time. ▪ The only team with a higher win % on the road this season than Brooklyn is Phoenix (9-2, .818). ➢ DISHING: The Nets are 16-2 this season when dishing out 25+ assists in a game. ➢ MIDRANGE: The Nets are shooting a league-best .494 FG % from midrange this season, ranking first in midrange FGM/game (7.7) and second in midrange FGA/game (15.5). Brooklyn finished second in midrange FG % last season (.463), trailing Phoenix (.474). ➢ CLUTCH: The Nets are 10-3 in ‘clutch’ games this season (games within five points in the last five minutes), marking the fourth-best record in the league, trailing only Washington (12-1), Phoenix (11-1) and Memphis (8-2) in such games. ▪ The Nets had the third-best ‘clutch’ record in the league last season (27-13), trailing only Philadelphia (25-9) and Phoenix (25-12). ➢ ON D: Brooklyn is 8-0 this season when holding its opponent under 100 points. The Nets have won a franchise record 25 straight games (last loss: 94-82 on 12/26/19 vs. New York) when holding their opponent under 100 points (11-0 last season). ▪ Brooklyn is also 9-1 when holding its opponent under .400 FG % this season (10-0 in such games last season). ▪ The Nets are also 16-1 this season when holding their opponent to 110 or fewer points (only loss: 106-93 on 10/27 vs. Miami). ➢ ON O: The Nets are 4-0 this season when scoring 120+ points and 7-1 when shooting .500+ FG %. ▪ The Nets have won 24 straight games (dating back to 2/2/21 vs. L.A. Clippers) when scoring 120+ points, which marks the longest active streak in the league. The 24 straight wins when scoring 120+ points is also the longest streak in Nets history. ▪ The Nets are also 13-0 this season when scoring 110+ points in a game. ▪ Brooklyn was 31-3 when scoring 120+ points last season and 25-4 when shooting .500+ FG %. ➢ FTM-FTA-FT%: The Nets are one of two teams in the league to rank in the top-five in FTM/game, FTA/game and FT %, joining Boston. ➢ LOSSES: The Nets are one of two teams this season that have not lost consecutive games, joining Golden State. ▪ This is the deepest the Nets have gone into a season without losing consecutive games in franchise history (previously: the Nets didn’t lose consecutive games in the 2002-03 campaign until the 15th and 16th games of the season
LOS ANGELES — The Clippers had just convincingly taken down the team that not only came into play Monday with the NBA’s best record and having won 20 of its past 21 games — but which also ended their playoff run last season in Western Conference finals. 718 more words
• The Toronto Raptors (12-14) complete a season-long seven-game homestand (Nov. 28 – Dec. 13) Monday night when they host the Sacramento Kings (11-16) at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors are 3-3 on their current homestand. Gary Trent Jr. scored 24 points, Fred VanVleet had 17 points and 11 assists, and the Raptors won for the third time in four games beating New York 90-87 on Friday. Toronto plays the second game of a back-to-back set Tuesday night in Brooklyn. The Raptors have won eight of their last nine meetings against the Kings. • Scottie Barnes tallied 12 points, a season-high 15 rebounds and three assists in a season-high 41 minutes of action in Friday’s victory over the Knicks. Barnes became just the sixth Raptors rookie, and first since Jamario Moon (March 23, 2008 vs. Denver), to post 12/15/3 in a game. Barnes currently ranks second among rookies in scoring (15.1) and rebounds (8.3), leads in minutes (36.0) and is third with a .489 (149-305) field goal percentage. • The Raptors held New York to just 87 points and .358 (29-81) shooting from the field Friday night. Toronto has now held its opponent to fewer than 100 points in four of the last five games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 10). Over the last five contests, opponents are averaging 95.6 points and shooting .397 (165-416) from the floor, including .335 (55-164) from three-point range. The Raptors have already held opponents below the century mark eight times (6-2), something they did in seven games last season. • Gary Trent Jr. has scored 24 points in back-to-back games (Dec. 8-10), leading the Raptors in scoring in both contests. Trent Jr. is shooting .576 (19-33) from the field and 60 percent (9-15) from three-point distance over the last two games. Toronto is 6-3 this season when Trent Jr. scores 20+ points. • The Raptors tied a season-low for the second time in three games with just eight turnovers in Friday’s win over the Knicks. The Raptors rank fourth in the NBA in turnovers per games (12.7). • Fred VanVleet (93) and Gary Trent Jr. (91) currently rank second and third, respectively, in the NBA in total deflections. VanVleet has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. Trent Jr. is also third in the NBA in steals per game (2.04) and has recorded multiple steals in 15 games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (19.3) and rank third in steals (9.1) this season. • Goran Dragic is currently taking time away from the team for a personal matter. There is no definite time-line, and updates will be provided as appropriate. Dragic is averaging 8.0 points in five games this season. PROBABLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 36.0 REB: 8.3 AST: 3.3 STL: 1.2 TO: 2.0 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 15.1 • Recorded his fourth double-double with 12 points and a season-high 15 rebounds Dec. 10 vs. New York. • Has scored in double figures in nine straight games (Nov. 21 – Dec. 10), averaging 15.3 points during this stretch. • Ranks second among rookies in scoring (15.1) and rebounds (8.3), and leads in minutes (36.0). F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 34.1 REB: 7.7 AST: 3.8 STL: 0.6 TO: 2.3 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 18.9 • Posted second straight double-double with 13 points and a season high-tying 12 rebounds Dec. 10 vs. New York. • Tied with Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes for the team lead with four double-doubles this season. • Averaging 21.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists over the last five games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 10). . C – CHRIS BOUCHER #25
MIN: 14.6 REB: 4.3 AST: 0.3 STL: 0.5 TO: 0.6 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 6.8 • Finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and one block in 28 minutes of action Dec. 10 vs. New York. • Has scored in double digits in each of the last three games (Dec. 5-10), averaging 13.0 points during this span. • In two starts this season, averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 24.7 minutes. G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.6 REB: 3.3 AST: 1.8 STL: 2.0 TO: 0.9 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 17.0 • Led the team in scoring with 24 points for the second straight game Dec. 10 vs. New York. • Ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (2.04); has recorded multiple steals in four of the last five games. • Has scored 20+ points nine times; something he did 15 times in 58 games last season. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.1 REB: 5.1 AST: 6.4 STL: 1.5 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 19.7 • Finished with 17 points and 11 assists for his third double-double Dec. 10 vs. New York; added six rebounds. • Leads the NBA in minutes per game (38.1), has logged 40+ minutes in six games. • Has scored in double digits in all 25 of his games played this season, including 20+ points 10 times. INJURY REPORT Precious Achiuwa (Health & Safety Protocols) – Out OG Anunoby (Left Hip; Pointer) – Out Khem Birch (Right Knee; Swelling) – Out Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out David Johnson (Left Calf; Strain) – Out
2021-22 RECORDS W-L EAST WEST OVERALL 12-14 10-8 2-6 HOME 5-9 5-6 0-3 AWAY 7-5 5-2 2-3 OVERTIME 0-0 0-0 0–0
FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 90, NEW YORK KNICKS 87
DATE: DECEMBER 10, 2021 ATTENDANCE: 19,800 (Sellout)
FINAL SCORE
RECORD
HIGH POINTS
HIGH REBOUNDS
HIGH ASSISTS
New York
87
12-14
Barrett/Toppin – 19
Randle – 14
Randle/Burks – 5
Toronto
90
12-14
Trent Jr. – 24
Barnes – 15
VanVleet – 11
KEY RUN
Trailing by one (87-86) with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter, Gary Trent Jr. made his season high-tying fifth three-pointer to give the Raptors a two-point lead … Toronto held New York scoreless over the final 1:42 to secure the win as the Knicks missed their last four shot attempts.
KEY STAT
The Raptors defence held the Knicks to an opponent season low .358 (29-for-81) shooting from the field … Toronto is now is 6-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 100 points.
RAPTORS NOTES:
With the win, Toronto improves to 12-14 this season and 5-9 at home … The Raptors have won three of its last four games and are now 3-3 on their current homestand … Toronto completes a season-long seven-game homestand (Nov. 28 – Dec. 13) Monday night against the Sacramento Kings.
The Raptors have won ten straight games at home against the Knicks.
Pascal Siakam finished with 13 points and a season high-tying 12 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season.
Gary Trent Jr. had a team-high 24 points (9-16 FG, 5-7 3PT) in 39 minutes … Trent Jr. has now led the Raptors in scoring and recorded 20+ point performances in back-to-back games … Over the last two games, he is averaging 24.0 points and shooting .576 (19-for-33) from the field, including .600 (9-for-15) from beyond the arc.
Scottie Barnes tallied 12 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in 41 minutes for his fourth double-double … Barnes has now scored in double figures in nine consecutive games.
Fred VanVleet recorded is third double-double with 17 points, a team-high 11 assists, and six rebounds … VanVleet recorded 10+ assists for the second time this season, after tallying a career-high 17 assists Oct. 25 vs. Chicago … VanVleet has led (or tied) Toronto in assists in three of last four games.
Chris Boucher finished with 14 points (5-11 FG, 1-3 3PT) in 28 minutes … Boucher has now scored in double figures in three consecutive games … He also recorded a season high-tying five offensive rebounds for the second straight game.
KNICKS NOTES:
With the loss, New York falls to 12-14, including 7-6 on the road … The Knicks return home to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
RJ Barrett tallied 19 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes … Barrett has now led (or tied) the Knicks in scoring in all three games on the team’s road trip.
Obi Toppin posted career highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench for his first career double-double … Toppin helped the Knicks bench outscore the Raptors’ reserves 39-10 … New York entered tonight ranked third in NBA bench scoring, averaging 39.8 points per game.
Julius Randle finished with 13 points and a team-high 14 rebounds for his team-leading 12th double-double of the season.
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With their team in the midst of another lengthy losing streak, Timberwolves’ fans are currently clinging to hope that help is on the way. Help beyond the likes of point guard D’Angelo Russell, who has missed the last three games with ankle soreness. The Wolves are 0-5 in games he’s missed this season. But beyond…