Rundown v02.13.20 – Toronto’s 15 Game Streak Ends, Pacers Beat Bucks, and Who Should Replace Damian Lillard at All Star?

With Damian Lillard’s groin injury last night and the resulting removal of himself from All Star festivities, who should replace him?

• Bradley Beal
• Devin Booker

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Atlanta Hawks  105
Cleveland Cavaliers  127

It’s been a couple of weeks since the Cleveland Cavaliers took over last place in the Eastern Conference from the Atlanta Hawks. Last night, they had some opportunity to gain back some ground and took full advantage. Tristan Thompson came in off the bench to lead the Cavaliers with 27 points, matching Atlanta’s Trae Young. John Collins added 23 which was matched by Cleveland’s Larry Nance, Jr. Nance also had 12 rebounds as the Cavaliers dominated the boards, 55-38. While we’ve still yet to see Clint Capela play for the Hawks, Andre Drummond notched 14 and 15 for the Cavs last night. Lost in many of Cleveland’s losses in the last 10-15 games is the emergence of Nance, whose play is making a solid statement that he needs to be a part of the future in Cleveland.

HAWKS (15-41) 14th in the East	CAVALIERS (14-40) 15th in the East
Trae Young 27 points – three rebounds – 12 assists – two steals	Tristan Thompson 27 points – 11 rebounds – one assist – one steal
John Collins 23 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal – one block	Larry Nance, Jr. 23 points – 12 rebounds – two assists – three steals – two blocks
Cam Reddish 16 points – four rebounds – two assists – one steal	Collin Sexton 23 points – two rebounds – six assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Miami at Atlanta – Thursday, February 20th
Cleveland at Washington – Friday, February 21st

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Detroit Pistons  112
Orlando Magic  116 (OT)

Orlando jumped out to a 12 point lead, only to watch it disappear into a regulation ending 108-108 tie. But an 8-4 showing in the extra period gave the Magic the upper hand over the Detroit Pistons, and their 24th win of the season through 55 games. Despite coming back from a 22 point hole, Detroit lost its fourth consecutive game. Markelle Fultz had an incredible night, and scored the first and last points in the overtime period to help the Magic win. Christian Wood led all scorers with 26 points and 12 rebounds.

PISTONS (19-38) 12th in the East	MAGIC (24-31) 8th in the East
Christian Wood 26 points – 12 rebounds – one assist – two blocks	Aaron Gordon 25 points – nine rebounds – nine assists – one steal – one block
Thon Maker 18 points – two rebounds – one assist – one steal – one block	Markelle Fultz 22 points – five rebounds – 10 assists – two steals
Tony Snell 16 points – three rebounds – five assists – one block	Nikola Vucevic 19 points – 11 rebounds – seven assists – three steals – one block

NEXT GAMES
Milwaukee at Detroit – Thursday, February 20th
Dallas at Orlando – Friday, February 21st

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Milwaukee Bucks  111
Indiana Pacers  118

After Indiana jumped out to a 14 point advantage in the first quarter, it was all the Milwaukee Bucks could do to dig themselves out of such a pit, but they never did, giving the Pacers a much needed win over the best team in the NBA. Playing for the second night without Giannis Antetokuonmpo, no Bucks player scored even 20 points in the loss. Indiana fared considerably better, with six players in double digits, led by T.J. Warren, who doubled up the next guy on the list, Malcolm Brogdon. Domantas Sabonis had a quieter night, but still got 15. Myles Turner added 14 and 10, while Victor Oladipo and Jeremy Lamb finished up with 13 apiece.

BUCKS (46-8) 1st in the East, NBA	PACERS (32-23) 6th in the East
Donte DiVincenzo 19 points – eight rebounds – one assist – one steal – one block	T.J. Warren 35 points – seven rebounds – one assist – four steals
Khris Middleton 17 points – five rebounds – five assists – one steal	Malcolm Brogdon 17 points – five rebounds – 13 assists
Eric Bledsoe 15 points – six rebounds – four assists – one steal	Domantas Sabonis 15 points – eight rebounds – four assists

NEXT GAMES
Milwaukee at Detroit – Thursday, February 20th
Indiana at New York – Friday, February 21st

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Toronto Raptors  91
Brooklyn Nets  101

With the Milwaukee Bucks falling to their eighth loss of the season, the Toronto Raptors had the opportunity to make up some ground with a team they battled back and forth with last year for the Eastern Conference’s and NBA’s best record. But they came up short against the Nets in Brooklyn. The Nets played once again without Kyrie Irving, but it’s nice to see other players besides Spencer Dinwiddie step up to the challenge. Last Saturday, Caris LeVert scored a career high 37 points against these very Raptors, but the Nets lost. Last night, LeVert scored 20, but got others involved as the Nets ended the Raptors’ 15 game win streak. Jarrett Allen and Garrett Temple also got into the double digit scoring for Brooklyn, and DeAndre Jordan added 10 rebounds as the Nets commanded the paint, 55-42.

RAPTORS (40-15)	NETS (25-28) 7th in the East
Serge Ibaka 28 points – nine rebounds – one steal – two blocks	Caris LeVert 20 points – seven rebounds – four assists – four steals – one block
Fred VanVleet 22 points – two rebounds – one assist – one steal	Joe Harris 19 points – six rebounds – two assists – one steal – one block
Pascal Siakam 16 points – eight rebounds – four assists – one steal	Spencer Dinwiddie 17 points – six rebounds – nine assists

NEXT GAMES
Brooklyn at Philadelphia – Thursday, February 20th
Phoenix at Toronto – Friday, February 21st

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Washington Wizards  114
New York Knicks  96

So you’re telling me that Bradley Beal isn’t an All Star in your minds, NBA coaches? Wow. Just wow. The guy has played all season long (and half of last season) without his PIC in John Wall, never complained once about shouldering the load, and this is how he gets treated simply because the Wizards have a sub-.500 record. Last night, the guy who’s an All Star in Washington led all scorers with 30 points and made it look like the New York Knicks are sorely missing Marcus Morris and what he brought to the table. In his place, Moe Harkless scored four points. 

WIZARDS (20-33) 9th in the East	KNICKS (17-38) 13th in the East
Bradley Beal 30 points – two rebounds – three assists – two steals – one block	Julius Randle 21 points – 13 rebounds – one assist – one block
Davis Bertans 16 points – two rebounds – two assists – two steals – one block	Elfrid Payton 19 points – four rebounds – eight assists – five steals
Isaac Bonga 13 points – five rebounds – three assists – two steals – two blocks	R.J. Barrett 16 points – five rebounds

NEXT GAMES
Cleveland at Washington – Friday, February 21st
Indiana at New York – Friday, February 21st

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Charlotte Hornets  115
Minnesota Timberwolves  108

Going into the All Star break, the Charlotte Hornets had the opportunity to swarm the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves and walk away with a win. But a 66-50 showing by the Wolves didn’t look so promising. One thing I learned (and nearly lost my life doing so) it you never piss off a Hornet, much less a horde of them. Charlotte came out in the second half and repeatedly stung the Timberwolves to the tune of 65-42 to take the seven point win and leave welts all over the Wolves heading into the break. Devonte’ Graham returned to leading the Hornets, scoring 28 points. Minnesota was led by their newest team members with Malik Beasley matching Graham’s scoring output, D’Angelo Russell had a nice night for naught with his stat line, and Juancho Hernangomez seems to have found a home where he can get not only playing time, but a starting nod. The win is Charlotte’s second straight; they had lost 13 of 14 games.

HORNETS (18-36) 11th in the East	TIMBERWOLVES (16-37) 14th in the West
Devonte’ Graham 28 points – four rebounds – eight assists	Malik Beasley 28 points – six rebounds – three assists
Malik Monk 25 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal – two blocks	D’Angelo Russell 26 points – six rebounds – 11 assists – two steals – one block
Miles Bridges 20 points – three rebounds – two assists – one steal – one block	Juancho Hernangomez 16 points – 12 rebounds – one steal – one block

NEXT GAMES
Charlotte at Chicago – Thursday, February 20th
Boston at Minnesota – Friday, February 21st

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Portland Trailblazers  104
Memphis Grizzlies  111

A four point cushion in the opening period and a six point edge in the third gave the Memphis Grizzlies all the room they needed to get to two games above .500 and their 28th win of the season against the Portland Trailblazers, who are just at 25 wins after 56 games. After an MVP-like run through 15 games, Damian Lillard took a back seat last night (actually the last couple of games) and it has cost the Blazers. Not to mention a possible groin injury. Memphis took advantage, showcasing their rookies in Brandon Clarke, who stole the show last night with a game high 27 points, and Ja Morant. Lillard will forego the All Star festivities to rest his injury.

TRAILBLAZERS (25-31) 9th in the West	GRIZZLIES (28-26) 8th in the West
C.J. McCollum 23 points – three rebounds – five assists – one steal	Brandon Clarke 27 points – six rebounds – one assist – two steals – one block
Anfernee Simons 22 points – seven rebounds – one assist	Ja Morant 20 points – five rebounds – nine assists – one steal
Damian Lillard 20 points – five rebounds – 10 assists – one steal	Jonas Valanciunas 12 points – 18 rebounds – two assists – three blocks

NEXT GAMES
Memphis at Sacramento – Thursday, February 20th
New Orleans at Portland – Friday, February 21st

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Sacramento Kings  111
Dallas Mavericks  130

The Dallas Mavericks took full advantage of the idle Oklahoma City Thunder, who had moved past Dallas over a week ago for the sixth spot in the Western Conference. Last night, the Mavericks reclaimed what was theirs by defeating the visiting Sacramento Kings on the strength of a 64-49 run over the second and third quarters. Dallas leads Oklahoma City, who plays tonight, by a half game and .007 percentage points. Luka Doncic returned and paired with Kristaps Porzingis for 60 of the Mavericks’ 130 last night. They also combined for 25 rebounds, and 13 assists. Buddy Hield, who’s unhappy with coming off the bench in Sacramento and may be looking to be traded this upcoming offseason, has been averaging a team high 22.2 coming off the bench. He practically hit that mark last night to lead the Kings, underscoring his point. 

KINGS (21-33) 13th in the West	MAVERICKS (33-22) 6th in the West
Buddy Hield 22 points – one rebound – nine assists – one steal	Luka Doncic 33 points – 12 rebounds – eight assists
De’Aaron Fox 16 points – three rebounds – four assists – one steal – one block	Kristaps Porzingis 27 points – 13 rebounds – five assists – three blocks
Kent Bazemore 15 points – seven rebounds – one assist – one steal	Tim Hardaway, Jr. 19 points – three rebounds – six assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Memphis at Sacramento – Thursday, February 20th
Dallas at Orlando – Friday, February 21st

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Golden State Warriors  106
Phoenix Suns  112

The Phoenix Suns jumped out to a 34-24 first quarter lead and held on the rest of the evening to grab a six point win at the expense of the league worst Golden State Warriors last night. While Andrew Wiggins played his best and most complete game was a member of the Warriors, he was matched and a bit outdone by Phoenix’s Devin Booker. Phoenix’s bench played a big role in the win, outscoring Golden State’s 37-33, despite a nice night from Jeremy Pargo (15) and Eric Paschall (12 and six). Elie Okobo had 12 and newcomer Jonah Bolden scraped up six points and seven rebounds in his debut as a Phoenix Sun.

WARRIORS (12-43) 15th in the West	SUNS (22-33) 12th int he West
Andrew Wiggins 27 points – four rebounds – five assists – two steals – four blocks	Devin Booker 27 points – five rebounds – eight assists – two steals – one block
Marquese Chriss 18 points – 12 rebounds – three assists	Kelly Oubre, Jr. 15 points – six rebounds
Jeremy Pargo 15 points – one rebound – two assists	Mikal Bridges 14 points – two rebounds – one assist – three steals – one block

NEXT GAMES
Houston at Golden State – Thursday, February 20th
Phoenix at Toronto – Friday, February 21st

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Miami Heat  101
Utah Jazz  116

Either way, in this battle of the fourth place teams from each conference, someone was going to walk away 36-18. In the end, after a 10 point runaway fourth quarter, it was the Utah Jazz who would be carrying a tune and the 36th win of the season into the All Star break. The reason Donovan Mitchell outplayed Jimmy Butler? Assists. Butler had one. The guy doesn’t often share the ball, and perhaps that’s why he didn’t get along in Minnesota and Philadelphia. It was expected in Chicago, as the franchise there has been starved for a star since Michael Jordan hung ‘em up. Utah spreads the ball around – Butler doesn’t. So don’t come at me with this MVP talk about Jimmy Butler.

HEAT (35-19) 4th in the East	JAZZ (36-18) 4th in the West
Jimmy Butler 25 points – eight rebounds – one assist	Donovan Mitchell 26 points – five rebounds – four assists – two steals
Duncan Robinson 18 points – one rebound – three assists – one steal	Bojan Bogdanovic 22 points – seven rebounds – four assists
Jae Crowder 15 points – three rebounds – one assist – one steal	Jordan Clarkson 21 points – four rebounds – three assists – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Miami at Atlanta – Thursday, February 20th
San Antonio at Utah – Friday, February 21st

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Los Angeles Lakers  120
Denver Nuggets  116 (OT)

If nothing else, the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers – and the rest of the world – got to see what each game might be like if these two meet in the Western Conference Finals. Competitive games. Maybe even a seven game series. The Lakers had to play big last night to deal with the Nuggets, as evidenced by Anthony Davis, LeBron James (12th triple double of the season), and Dwight Howard taking the lead in the overtime win. But it was L.A.’s bench that killed it last night, outscoring the Nuggets, 38-29, with Howard (14 and 11) and Alex Caruso (10-6-4) leading the way. Davis scored seven points in the decisive overtime period to seal the win. The Lakers’ win stops the four game win streak for the Nuggets, who have nothing to hang their head over going into All Star.

LAKERS (41-12) 1st in the West	NUGGETS (38-17) 2nd in the West
Anthony Davis 33 points – 10 rebounds – two assists – two steals – two blocks	Jamal Murray 32 points – three rebounds – 10 assists
LeBron James32 points – 12 rebounds – 14 assists	Nikola Jokic 22 points – 11 rebounds – six assists – three steals – one block
Dwight Howard 14 points – 11 rebounds – two assists	Jerami Grant 15 points – seven rebounds – one assist – one steal

NEXT GAMES
Denver at Oklahoma City – Friday, February 21st
Memphis at Los Angeles – Friday, February 21st

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THURSDAY’S LINEUP
(All Times Eastern Standard Time)

8 p.m. Los Angeles Clippers Boston Celtics TNT Fox Sports Prime Ticket

8 p.m. Oklahoma City Thunder New Orleans Pelicans Fox Sports Oklahoma, Fox Sports New Orleans

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Tracy Graven is a Senior NBA Analyst for BackSportsPage.com.
He has written the NBA, and done NBA radio, for the last two decades for HoopsWorld, Swish Magazine, and HoopsHype, the Coach Scott Fields Show and NBARadioShow.com, and is also tackling the NFL, NCAA, and will be pinch-hitting on some Major League Baseball coverage for BackSportsPage.
He’s spent 20 years in locker rooms in 

• Orlando
• Boise (G League) 
• San Antonio
• Phoenix
• Denver
• Oklahoma City
• Atlanta 

A corporate trainer by day, he currently resides in SEC Country near Knoxville, Tennessee.
Reach him on Twitter at @RealTMoneyMedia