
The Pacers are reportedly considering trading Myles Turner (and Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert).
Pacers’ Myles Turner: ‘I’m not valued as anything more than a glorified role player here, and I want something more’ — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

The Pacers are reportedly considering trading Myles Turner (and Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert).
Pacers’ Myles Turner: ‘I’m not valued as anything more than a glorified role player here, and I want something more’ — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

The Pelicans recently viewed Kira Lewis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker as their backcourt of the future.
Pelicans: Kira Lewis tore ACL, sprained MCL — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

2021-22 Matchups vs. Tampa Bay: First of Four
2020-21 Record vs. Tampa Bay: N/A
Next Game vs. Tampa Bay: Monday, April 4 at Tampa Bay
Toronto Season Record: 18-7-2
Toronto Home Record: 11-3-1
TV: TSN4 RADIO: TSN 1050
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
December 7, 2021 Forward Joey Anderson has been loaned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
December 7, 2021
Defencemen Alex Biega and Kristians Rubins and forward Alex
Steeves have been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
December 5, 2021
Goaltender Michael Hutchinson has been loaned to the Toronto Marlies
(AHL)
December 3, 2021
Goaltender Petr Mrázek has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
on an LTIR conditioning loan
LAST GAME
Score: Toronto 5 vs. Columbus 4
Date: Tuesday, December 7, 2021
TOR Goals: Nylander, Matthews (2), Ritchie, Tavares
CBJ Goals: Bjorkstrand (2), Kuraly, Domi
TOR Goaltender: Campbell, 28/32, .875 SV%
CBJ Goaltender: Merzlikins, 25/30, .833 SV% – Tarasov, 10/10, 1.000 SV%
TOR Power Play: 2-for-3
TOR Penalty Kill: 1-for-2
NEXT GAME
Date: Saturday, December 11, 2021
Opponent: vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Broadcast Information: Sportsnet (TV), TSN 1050 (Radio)
INJURY REPORT
Travis Dermott (Shoulder)
Mitch Marner (Shoulder) *On Injured Reserve
Ilya Mikheyev (Thumb) *On Injured Reserve
Rasmus Sandin (Knee) *On Injured Reserve
Games Lost to Injury: 32
ALL-TIME VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING:
First Matchup between Clubs: October 15, 1992 (Toronto 5 vs. Tampa 3)
All-Time Record: 57-35-2-7 (101 Games)
All-Time Record at Home: 30-18-1-3 (52 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road: 27-17-1-4 (49 Games)
Last Road Win vs. Opponent: November 4, 2021 (Toronto 2 vs. Tampa Bay 1 – OTW)
Record in Last Five Games: 3-2-0
Record in Last 10 Games: 4-5-1
ACTIVE LEADERS VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING:
Games Played: Jason Spezza (50), John Tavares (37), Wayne Simmonds (29)
Goals: Jason Spezza (23), John Tavares (14), Wayne Simmonds (9)
Assists:
Jason Spezza (33), John Tavares (26), Wayne Simmonds (10), Mitch
Marner (10)
Points: Jason Spezza (56), John Tavares (40), Wayne Simmonds (19)
Penalty Minutes: Wayne Simmonds (65), Nick Ritchie (28), John Tavares (20)
2021-22 AVERAGES AND RANKINGS
Points % GF/Game GA/Game PP% PK% SF/G SA/G FO%
Toronto .704 3.15 2.41 27.3% 81.6% 34.7 31.3 54.9%
Tampa Bay .720 3.28 2.60 19.2% 83.8% 29.6 30.0 49.2%
Power Play: 21/77 (27.3%)
THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2021-22
Power Play Goal Leader: 6 – Matthews
Power Play Point Leader: 11 – Matthews (6G, 5A), Nylander (4G, 7A)
2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%)
ON THE PK IN 2021-22
Penalty Kill: 62/76 (81.6%)
Shorthanded Goal Leader: 1 – Marner
Shorthanded Point Leader: 1 – Marner (1G), Muzzin (1A)
2020-21 Penalty Kill: 113/144 (78.5%)
FAST FACTS
Thursday games 4th of 16 (10 home, 6 road)
Back-to-Backs played 5 of 13
Record in first game of back-to-back 2-2-1
Record in second game of back-to-back 2-3-0
December games 5th of 13 (6 home, 7 road)
RECENT MILESTONES
TJ BRODIE Appeared in his 700th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK
JACK CAMPBELL Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 16 vs. NSH
JACK CAMPBELL Recorded his 50th career NHL win, Nov. 18 vs. NYR
PIERRE ENGVALL Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 2 vs. VGK
ONDREJ KAŠE Recorded his 100th career NHL point, Nov. 10 at PHI
ALEXANDER KERFOOT Appeared in his 300th career NHL game, Nov. 26 at SJS
AUSTON MATTHEWS
Recorded his 200th career NHL goal, Oct. 25 at CAR. Per NHL Stats,
Matthews required the second-fewest games to reach 200 goals in Maple
Leafs history among players who debuted with the team, trailing only
Charlie Conacher (317 games)
MORGAN RIELLY Recorded his 250th career NHL assist, Oct. 27 at CHI
WAYNE SIMMONDS Skated in his 950th career NHL game, Oct. 16 vs. OTT
JASON SPEZZA Skated in his 1,200th career NHL game, Nov. 28 at ANA
JOHN TAVARES Recorded his 200th point with the Maple Leafs, Oct. 18 vs. NYR
JOHN TAVARES Scored his 100th goal with the Maple Leafs, Nov. 13 at BUF
UPCOMING MILESTONES
TJ BRODIE One goal away from 50 career NHL goals
TRAVIS DERMOTT One point away from 50 career NHL points
JUSTIN HOLL Eight points away from 50 career NHL points
ONDREJ KAŠE One goal away from 50 career NHL goals
DAVID KÄMPF Five assists away from 50 career NHL assists
ILYA MIKHEYEV Seven games away from 100 career NHL games played
MORGAN RIELLY One game away from 600 career NHL games played
JOHN TAVARES Four games away from 900 career NHL games played
2021-22 TEAM LEADERS
CATEGORY LEADER CATEGORY LEADER
GOALS 17 – Matthews BLOCKED SHOTS 38 – Brodie, Holl
ASSISTS 19 – Rielly TAKEAWAYS 27 – Nylander, Marner
POINTS 28 – Matthews (17G, 11A) HITS 61 – Ritchie
POWER PLAY POINTS
11 – Matthews (6G, 5A), Nylander
(4G, 7A)
TOI PER GAME 24:09 – Rielly
SHORTHANDED POINTS 1 – Marner (1G), Muzzin (1A) PP TOI PER GAME 3:09 – Matthews
PIMs 38 – Simmonds SH TOI PER GAME 2:33 – Muzzin
SHOTS 109 – Matthews WINS 14 – Campbell
FACEOFF% 60.0% – Marner GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE 1.92 – Campbell
SHOT ATTEMPTS% 61.25% – Clifford SAVE PERCENTAGE .939 – Campbell
LIGHTNING
BOLT NOTES
LAST GAME
Tampa Bay 3 at Montreal 2
Tampa Bay scored two goals 1:31 apart in the final 2:09 of the game to erase a 2-1 deficit and earn a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on
Tuesday at Bell Centre…The Lightning have won five in a row and 10 of their last 11 in the regular season over Montreal…The Bolts have come out
victorious in their last three regular season trips to Montreal and five of their last six…The Lightning overcame a deficit in the final 150 seconds to win for
the second time this season (also: 7-6 OT win Oct. 14 at DET)…Tampa Bay netted the game’s opening goal at 10:31 on Pat Maroon’s sixth marker of
the season…Nick Suzuki (2nd – 4:20) and Mike Hoffman (2nd – 7:08) scored back-to-back goals to put Montreal ahead…Corey Perry tied the game 2-2
at 17:51 of the third…Ondrej Palat netted the game-winner with 38 seconds remaining…Tampa Bay and Montreal played for the first time since the 2021
Stanley Cup Final.
PP: TBL – 0-3 MTL – 0-1
SOG: TBL – 27 MTL – 23
Attendance: 19,976
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
The Lightning and the Maple Leafs are playing their second of four meetings this season and the second of two at Scotiabank Arena…The two teams
won’t play again until April when the Bolts host the Leafs Apr. 4 and 21 at AMALIE Arena…In the first meeting between the two teams, Toronto’s John
Tavares scored an extra-attacker goal with 42 seconds to tie the game 1-1 and William Nylander won it 2:43 into overtime with a power-play goal in a 2-
1 Maple Leafs OT win…The Lightning have lost three in a row to the Maple Leafs, including two straight to them at Scotiabank Arena…Since the start of
the 2015-16 season, Tampa Bay is 13-7-1 overall against the Maple Leafs, including an 8-4-0 record in Toronto…Steven Stamkos has recorded 20
goals and 49 points in 42 career games versus Toronto, tied for the third-most points he’s put up against any team for his career.
TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
Tampa Bay is on a season-long four game win streak, its longest since posting victories in four-straight games Apr. 22-29, 2021…The Lightning are on a
five-game point streak (4-0-1), their second-longest of the season (7-0-2 over 9 games Oct. 26-Nov. 18)…The Bolts have collected points in four consecutive road contests (3-0-1)…Tampa Bay’s .750 road point percentage is tied with Carolina for the best in the NHL…The Lightning are the only
NHL team with two or fewer road regulation losses…Since 2016-17, the Bolts own the best road record in the NHL (118-61-20, .643 pts.
percentage)…Tampa Bay has given up two or fewer goals four-straight games.
INJURIES
2021-22 Reg. Season Man Games Lost: 89
Current injuries
Erik Cernak (Lower-body injury Dec. 4; Day-to-day) 2 Games
Nikita Kucherov (Lower-body injury; Underwent successful procedure Oct. 26; Out 8-10 weeks) 22 Games
Brayden Point (Upper-body injury Nov. 20; Out 4-6 weeks) 9 Games
Gemel Smith (Lower-body injury Sept. 28; Out indefinitely) 25 Games
TRANSACTIONS
Dec. 7 – Claimed F Riley Nash off waivers from Winnipeg
Dec. 7 – Recalled D Fredrik Claesson from AHL Syracuse
Dec. 7 – Re-assigned F Alex Barre-Boulet to AHL Syracuse
HANGING WITH MR. COOPER
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper recorded his 399th career win in the NHL Dec. 7 at MTL and needs one more to reach win No. 400…Cooper will
become the 39th NHL coach all-time to reach the 400-win milestone when he accomplishes the feat…Of the NHL coaches with 400+ wins, only one
(Scotty Bowman – .657) has a better reg. season point percentage than Cooper’s .650…Currently with 658 games coached, Cooper can become the
fastest NHL coach in history to reach 400 wins (current fastest: Bruce Boudreau – 663 games to reach 400 wins).
ANDREI THE GIANT
Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 21-of-23 shots Dec. 7 at MTL to collect his third-straight win and fifth win in his last six
starts…Vasilevskiy has given up two or fewer goals in 12 of his last 15 starts and 13 of 20 starts overall…Vasilevskiy earned his 13th win of the season
on Tuesday and ranks tied for third in the NHL for wins.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Media Notes
NHL GOALIE WINS LEADERS
T-1. Jack Campbell (TOR) – 14 wins (20 GS)
T-1. Cam Talbot (MIN) – 14 wins (19 GS)
T-3. Igor Shesterkin (NYR) – 13 wins (17 GS)
T-3. Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) – 13 wins (20 GS)
2 goalies tied with 12 wins
Vasilevskiy (60-21-4) recorded his 60th win of the calendar year (regular season &playoffs combined) on Tuesday; the next closest goalie is Philipp
Grubauer (43-22-3)…Vasilevskiy became the second goaltender in NHL history to record at least 60 wins in a calendar year, joining Marc-Andre Fleury
(62-30-6 in 2009 w/ PIT).
STAMMER TIME
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos posted an assist Dec. 7 at MTL to extend his point streak to four games (1-3–4 pts.), matching his season long (also:
2-4–6 pts. over 4 GP Nov. 21-28)…Stamkos has recorded at least one point in the last eight games he’s played (3-7–10 pts.)…Stamkos continues to
pace the Bolts for goals (T-14th in NHL) and scoring (T-9th in NHL)…Stamkos has recorded at least one point in 18 of the 24 games he’s played this
season, tied with Victor Hedman for the most games with at least a point on the Lightning.
HED OF THE CLASS
Bolts defenseman Victor Hedman notched an assist Dec. 7 at MTL to extend his assist and point streak to five games (2-7–9 pts.), establishing a new
season high for an assist streak and matching his season long for a point run (also: 2-5–7 pts. over 5 GP Nov. 13-21)…Hedman was named the NHL’s
Second Star of the week Monday for the week ending Dec. 5 after putting up 2-6–8 pts. in 4 GP to pace the Bolts…Hedman has recorded at least one
assist in 15 of 25 games this season and leads all NHL defensemen for assists and ranks tied for third among all NHL skaters.
NHL ASSIST LEADERS

NEW ORLEANS – The battle in the Bayou turned into the battle of the big men. And the NBA’s reigning MVP prevailed. Nikola Jokic dug deep into his bag of post moves, dancing and dipping through the Pelicans’ paint. Jokic saved 11 of his 39 points for overtime, ensuring a gripping 120-114 win in New…
Nikola Jokic’s overtime heroics saves Nuggets vs. Pelicans — The Denver Post

SAN FRANCISCO — With Steph Curry, anything is possible. But with each subsequent misfire it became clearer that a new 3-point king would not be crowned Wednesday at Chase Center. Airfare will now be required to witness history. It was not for a lack of effort on the part of Curry, who hoisted 17 attempts…
Warriors overcome dud vs. undermanned Blazers, but Curry’s record has to wait — Monterey Herald

“I had the Olympics, took three weeks off, and I relaxed a little bit. Maybe too much. I’ve just got to get back on track.”
Mavericks’ Luka Doncic admits his conditioning has “got to be better” — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

He’s missed four games with an abdominal issue, but he hasn’t been himself all season.
Report: Lillard received cortisone injection, could return this weekend — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

• The Toronto Raptors (11-13) continue a season-long seven-game homestand (Nov. 28 – Dec. 13)
Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder (7-16) at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won
back-to-back games (Dec. 2-5) for the first time since a five-game winning streak Oct. 27 – Nov. 3. Toronto
is 2-2 on its current homestand. Toronto and Oklahoma City split the season-series in 2020-21 with the
home team winning both meetings. Gary Trent Jr. averaged 31.0 points against the Thunder last season.
• The Raptors held Washington to just 90 points in Sunday’s victory. Toronto has now held its opponent to
fewer than 100 points in three straight games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 5) for the first time since a four game streak
Dec. 28, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020. Over the last three games, opponents are averaging 93.7 points and shooting 39 percent (98-251) from the field, including .322 (29-90) from three-point range.
• Scottie Barnes currently leads all rookies in points (15.1) and minutes (35.6), and ranks second in rebounds
(8.0) and field goal percentage (.489). Barnes is shooting .448 (13-29) from three-point range over the last seven
games (Nov. 21 – Dec. 5) after shooting .154 (2-13) from beyond the arc in his first 15 games.
• Pascal Siakam scored 24 of his game-high 31 points in the first half Sunday against the Wizards. Siakam
poured in 17 points in the second quarter and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. He has now scored 20+
points in three straight games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 5), averaging 23.7 points. Siakam is shooting .483 (28-58)
from the floor and .800 (12-15) at the free throw line over the last three.
• Precious Achiuwa recorded his team-leading fourth double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, one
shy of his career high, in Sunday’s win vs. Washington. Achiuwa has hauled down 22 rebounds in the last
two games, including nine on the offensive glass. He currently leads all sophomores in rebounding (8.2).
• Dalano Banton led the team in assists for the first time in his career with six in 15 minutes off the bench
Dec. 5 vs. Washington. Banton added five points and had zero turnovers against the Wizards.
• Fred VanVleet (83) and Gary Trent Jr. (83) are currently tied for third in the NBA in deflections. VanVleet
has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. Trent Jr. is also tied for fourth in
the NBA in steals per game (2.00) and has recorded multiple steals in 13-of-21 games. The Raptors lead
the NBA in deflections per game (19.5) and rank third in steals (9.3).
• 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: 35.6 REB: 8.0 AST: 3.2 STL: 1.2 TO: 2.0 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 15.1
• Recorded 11 points, six rebounds and one assist in 37 minutes of action Dec. 5 vs. Washington.
• Has scored in double figures in seven straight games (Nov. 21 – Dec. 5), averaging 15.4 points during this stretch.
• Leads all rookies in points (15.1) and minutes (35.6), and ranks second in rebounds (8.0) and FG pct. (.489).
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 33.4 REB: 7.1 AST: 3.7 STL: 0.7 TO: 2.2 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 19.1
• Scored 24 of his game-high 31 points in the first half Dec. 5 vs. Washington; added six rebounds in 36 minutes.
• Has scored in 20+ points in three consecutive games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 5), averaging 23.7 points during this span.
• Needs 13 points to reach 5,000 for his career; will become ninth player in franchise history to reach milestone.
.
C – PRECIOUS ACHIUWA #5
MIN: 26.5 REB: 8.2 AST: 1.6 STL: 0.5 TO: 1.1 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 8.0
• Tallied 10 points and 14 rebounds, one shy of his career high, in 31 minutes Dec. 5 vs. Washington.
• Leads the team with four double-doubles; had three in 61 games as a rookie with Miami last season.
• In 17 starts, averaging 7.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 26.7 minutes.
G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.2 REB: 3.3 AST: 1.8 STL: 2.0 TO: 0.9 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 16.4
• Contributed six points, four rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes Dec. 5 vs. Washington.
• Tied for fourth in the NBA in steals per game (2.00); has recorded multiple steals in 13 games.
• Averaging 18.8 points on the road this season, compared to 13.5 points at home.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.1 REB: 5.0 AST: 6.1 STL: 1.5 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 19.8
• Finished with 10 points and four assists in 33 minutes Dec. 5 vs. Washington.
• Leads the NBA in minutes per game (38.1), has logged 40+ minutes in six games.
• Has scored in double digits in all 23 of his games played this season, including 20+ points 10 times.
INJURY REPORT
OG Anunoby (Left Hip; Pointer) – Out
Khem Birch (Right Knee; Swelling) – Out
Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out

After a 10-16 start to the season, Indiana management and ownership have apparently seen enough.
Report: Pacers open to trade for Sabonis, LeVert, Turner; “moves toward rebuild” — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Lillard wants a max extension this summer, but is that Portland’s best long-term move?
Question facing Portland owner, new GM: Extend Lillard or trade him? — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

The Ravens are slight underdogs ahead of their rematch Sunday with the host Cleveland Browns, according to Las Vegas sportsbooks. The Ravens (8-4) have entered their past eight games as favorites, but after falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night and losing star cornerback Marlon Humphrey to a season-ending pectoral injury, it’s the Browns…
After 8 straight games as favorites, Ravens are slight underdogs in rematch vs. Browns — The Denver Post

The Oakland A’s are one of two MLB teams in need of a manager and have begun the interview process with a handful of candidates internally and outside the organization. So far, the A’s have or plan to interview at least six candidates for the job to replace Bob Melvin. Internally, that includes quality control…
Oakland A’s in process of interviewing six managerial candidates. Could a hire come soon? — East Bay Times