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Mavs coach Jason Kidd refers to Luka Doncic’s latest thigh injury

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2 months ago

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After his recent appearances in the FIBA World Cup with Slovenia, Luka Doncic has created concern in the Dallas camp over his lingering thigh injury which started last season. As the Mavericks are only days away from starting their training camp on September 27, coach Jason Kidd referred to his star’s status. 

“I think hopefully, as we go forward here, that he will be ready to go,” he said in an interview with insider Marc Stein. “I presume that sometimes in our career, we are not 100 percent. Maybe we’re 99 or 95 percent. The more games you play, the longer your career, I think you can ask anyone. No one’s really 100 percent.”

The Mavs trainer recognized the need to count on his roster’s depth and not depend entirely on Doncic, who must rest and not be overburdened with responsibility.

“Now, looking at our roster, hopefully, we don’t have to play him 40 or more minutes per night,” Kidd assured. “With the depth that we have, I thought Nico [Harrison] did an incredible job this summer, but I’m excited with Luka and Kyrie Irving, and having Luka ready to go and achieve his goals, and that’s to win a championship.”

Just as Slovenia was eliminated by a 100-84 loss to Lithuania in the past international competition, Luka revealed he’d been suffering with thigh pains and had some concerns. “It’s not okay,” he said after the match.

Even though he wasn’t 100% healthy, he still played 37 minutes in that contest, right after logging 38 minutes the night before against Italy. “I do not know what to say. It’s not okay. At the same time, I have to prepare for one more game, and then for a whole season in the NBA,” he later admitted.

Dallas are getting ready to start their upcoming NBA campaign against the San Antonio Spurs on October 25, as the basketball world will be tunning in to see the official debut of No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama.

Texas Legends head coach praises rookies Dereck Livelly II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper and describes them as ‘gym rats’

As the Dallas camp is about to begin this Wednesday, there is a shared optimism around the fanbase for the upcoming season. Not only is Doncic gonna team up with Kyrie Irving since the start of the campaign, but there is a lot of talk over their rookies’ potential.

According to Texas Legends’ coach Jordan Sears, both Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper have proven why they are worthy of NBA basketball during their summer workouts.

“Honestly, we’ve spent a lot of time with them from Summer league through now,” he said. “Because they’ve been in the gym every week, and they’ve been really committed to their work. You really can’t find guys like who are just so genuine and are just so focused and committed to learning. I think those are two of the best young guys I’ve seen with that. They’re very mature in their approach on the day-to-day, [and] they understand what they don’t know.”

As for Lively, he believes the 19-year-old big man not only has an impressive physical gift, but also a high basketball IQ.

“I know everybody’s talked about his defense, and obviously he has the size and the mobility and the athleticism to do all of those things,” Sears shared. “I think for a big, you try to keep the game simple for them in terms of screening angles, rolling to the rim, putting pressure on the rim, finishing around the rim and protecting the rim conversely on the defensive side of the ball, [and] being able to communicate your pick-and-roll coverages.”





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Rockets vs Nuggets Odds, Picks, & Predictions (Nov. 29)

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3 hours ago

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November 30, 2023

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Tonight, the Denver Nuggets (12-6, 7-11 ATS) host the Houston Rockets (8-7, 10-4-1 ATS) in the third meeting of the 2023-24 NBA season; preview, odds, picks, predictions, and injuries for the Rockets vs Nuggets matchup are here. Sportsbooks show the Nuggets as 7.5-point favorites at home. BetOnline odds are below.

Rockets vs. Nuggets Game Preview

Click the Jazz Sports link below to watch the free live stream.

  • 🏀 2023-24 NBA Regular Season Matchup: Houston Rockets @ Denver Nuggets
  • 📅 2023-24 NBA Regular Season Game Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023
  • 🕙 What time is Rockets vs. Nuggets Game: 9 p.m. ET
  • 🏟 Where is Rockets vs. Nuggets Game: Ball Arena | Denver, Colorado
  • 📺 TV Channel(s): Altitude, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
  • 💻 Free 2023-24 NBA Season Game Live Stream: Jazz Sports
  • 🎲 2023-24 NBA Season Game Odds: Rockets +7.5 (-112) | Nuggets -7.5 (-108)

Rockets vs. Nuggets Odds

Rockets vs. Nuggets Predictions

Entering this Western Conference rematch, the Rockets visit Denver aiming to eliminate their six-game road losing streak. Houston has yet to win a game on the road this season.

The Rockets are 7-6 in conference games. However, Houston is the best team in the West defensively, allowing just 105.5 points per game while holding opponents to 43.9% shooting.

Note that Houston won 105-86 in the last matchup with Denver on Nov. 25. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 25 points, and Nikola Jokic scored a team-high 38 points for the Nuggets.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets are 10-4 in Western Conference action. Denver also ranks seventh in points surrendered, giving up 108.9 points per game. Plus, their opponents are shooting 46.1% as well.

The Nuggets are 5-5 in their last 10 contests, averaging 109.9 points, 44.2 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 6.2 steals, and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field.

Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Nuggets hold a 72.9% chance of defeating Houston. Although Denver defeated the Los Angeles Clippers without Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray, the Rockets are a better team. The Nuggets should remain undefeated at home, but this final score could be close due to injuries.

Rockets vs. Nuggets Injuries

Houston Rockets Injury Report

SG Victor Oladipo (knee; out indefinitely) | PG Amen Thompson (ankle; out indefinitely)

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

PF Aaron Gordon (heel; questionable) | C Nikola Jokic (back; questionable) | PG Jamal Murray (hamstring; questionable) | SF Vlatko Cancar (knee; out indefinitely) | SF Peyton Watson (illness; probable) | PF Hunter Tyson (illness; questionable)

2023-24 NBA Betting Trends

  • Houston is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games.
  • The Rockets are 8-4 SU in their past 12 contests as well.
  • Next, Houston is 3-10 SU in its previous 13 meetings with Denver.
  • On the other side, the Nuggets are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 contests.
  • Denver is 9-0 SU in its past nine home games.
  • Lastly, the point total has gone under in 13 of Denver’s previous 20 games.

Projected Houston Rockets Starting Lineup

PG Fred VanVleet | SG Jalen Green | PF Jabari Smith Jr. | SF Dillon Brooks | C Alperen Sengun

Projected Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup

PG Jamal Murray | SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | PF Aaron Gordon | SF Michael Porter Jr. | C Nikola Jokic

Free NBA Expert Picks

Through 15 games, the Rockets are 3-0 as favorites, 5-7 as underdogs, 3-3 ATS away, and 3-3 over/under away. As for the Nuggets, the reigning NBA champs are 11-6 as favorites, 1-0 as underdogs, 5-3 ATS at home, and 4-4 over/under at home. In spite of injuries, Denver remains undefeated at Ball Arena.

Our betting experts here at Basketball Insiders are projecting the Nuggets to win, Houston to cover the spread, and the point total to go over 215.5. The winner of this contest might depend on whether or not Jokic plays. Houston is due for a win on the road, and what better way to earn it than to make a statement win in Denver?

Pick the Nuggets to win! In the end, Houston will likely cover the spread. Most predictions include the Nuggets winning. Not enough bettors are brave enough to take a team that’s winless on the road. Simply put, the risk outweighs the reward here. If you are new to sports betting, check out our handicap betting guide.

More NBA picks and predictions are on the main page.



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NBA legend Kevin Garnett revealed he plans to ‘dedicate’ a son to Kobe Bryant

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4 hours ago

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November 30, 2023

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The Celtics and Lakers are the most successful franchises in NBA history and have held the most fierce rivalry for many decades. Two of their most important icons, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant, always celebrated a strong friendship despite their team’s history. 

In a recent interview on Stephen A. Smith’s podcast, the Boston legend revealed that he wishes to put their long-standing rivalry aside and someday dedicate a son to his late friend. Garnett always spoke highly of Bryant, and admitted he’s always admired him since day one.

“When he hit that floor, he knew what it was and I loved him for it. I miss Kobe every day, man,” Kevin shared. “I look up and we celebrate him like he’s still alive, and I love that. If I have a son someday, I don’t know when and where, but I’mma dedicate a son to Kobe, man.”

The 47-year-old first entered the league a year before Kobe did, straight out of high school. Both legends clashed against each other in numerous occasions throughout their careers, but probably faced their most crucial battle during the 2008 and 2009 NBA Finals. While the Celtics won the first one, the Lakers got their revenge the next year.

“When I actually met Kobe he was a real kid,” the ex-Wolves star said. “We were both kids. I saw when he was nervous, when he was a human being, and when we would cry … We were gullible about [the NBA] and we wanted it so bad. That was my bro.”

Tragedy came over the Bryant family almost four years ago, when both Kobe, his daughter Gianna and seven other people died in a helicopter crash in California.

“The passing of Kobe and all of us getting older helped me understand that life is not given to none of us. It would have fu**** with me if something were to happen to Ray, and I didn’t get the chance to amend this,” KG told Kevin Hart sometime ago on his show Cold as Balls.

Back in 2007, Boston formed one of the most famous Big Threes in league history with Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who led the franchise to their first NBA trophy since Larry Bird. However, once they were champs, they parted ways and created conflict between them.

On his same interview on “The Stephen A. Show”, Kevin shared some thoughts on the reasons behind his quarrel with his former teammates.

 

“I took that so personal because out of the places you could have, you could have went to L.A., you could have went to another team. You went to the one team you knew that we was beefing with. You knew that was a reel beef with us, bro,” said the Hall of Famer.

Garnett explained that the real problem started when Allen decided to join the Miami Heat, which has always been one of the Celtics’ biggest rivals.





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Nets’ Cam Thomas (ankle) probable vs. Hornets after 9 games out

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5 hours ago

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November 30, 2023

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Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas has been upgraded to probable for Thursday night’s home game against the Charlotte Hornets. Thomas, 22, has missed the last night games due to a left ankle sprain.

A team source confirmed Brooklyn’s leading scorer will be on a minutes restriction, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. An MRI earlier this month confirmed the sprain.

The Nets went 5-4 without Thomas and finished 11th in offensive rating (116.9) in his absence. The LSU product suffered the injury during the third quarter of Brooklyn’s 100-93 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 8.

Per a few NBA betting sites, the Brooklyn Nets hold 24th-ranked odds to win this season’s championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Orlando Magic.

Thomas stepped awkwardly nearby defender PJ Tucker while driving to the basket, resulting in a tripping personal foul. The 6-foot-4 guard scored 14 points on 6-of-14 (42.9%) shooting in 20 minutes before exiting against L.A.

Prior to his injury, Thomas was averaging a team-high 26.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 32.4 minutes per game through eight appearances. Plus, he was shooting 47.9% from the field and 32.1% beyond the arc.

Brooklyn Nets’ Cam Thomas (ankle) probable vs. Charlotte Hornets, Ben Simmons (hip) out indefinitely

In Brooklyn’s 129-125 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 6, Thomas scored a season-high 45 points in 41 minutes as a starter. He finished 17-of-33 (51.5%) shooting from the floor and knocked down six 3-pointers.

Spencer Dinwiddie has carried the team during the absences of Thomas and Ben Simmons. Over his last nine games with the two players sidelined, Dinwiddie ranks 11th in the NBA in assists (7.3 per game). His assist-turnover ratio is 3.84.

Only four players have a better assist-turnover ratio during that span. Those players are Fred VanVleet (7.61), Mike Conley (5.46), Chris Paul (5.14), and Tyrese Haliburton (5.0).

For the rest of Brooklyn’s injury report, Simmons (hip) remains out indefinitely, guard Dennis Smith Jr. (back) is questionable, and forward Noah Clowney (shoulder) has been downgraded to out against Charlotte.

NBA sportsbooks show the Nets as 8.5-point favorites at home over the Hornets.





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