Get up to speed on the latest NBA news, plus a quick look at some storylines and tidbits worth noting today:
1. Another clutch performance from Jokic?: If you’ve missed it somehow, go ask a Sixers or a Timberwolves fan just how cool Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic has been of late in close games. Hawks fans are hoping they won’t have a strong opinion on that notion (9 ET, League Pass) and get a rare win in Denver. Overall in clutch time this season, Jokic has scored 28 points on 12-for-20 shooting (2-for-2 on 3-pointers).
2. Turnover troubles in Philly: To date, the Sixers are No. 1 in turnovers, which is a category they’ve finished 25th or worse every season since 2012-13. That topic has drawn the attention of coach Brett Brown as the Cavs pay a visit tonight (7 ET, NBA TV). Thankfully for Philadelphia, Cleveland is one of the NBA’s worst teams at scoring points off opponent turnovers, which means the Sixers’ performance in that department tonight (good or bad) should be considered a misnomer.
3. Lakers vs. Suns worth watching: Just about everyone expected the Lakers to be among the West elite by early November. The Suns? Not so much. Yet hours before this showdown (9 ET, League Pass), we have a game that could have meaning for both teams come April and May for the first time in a decade. Lakers not named “Davis” or “James” are thriving in L.A., while Phoenix coach Monty Williams continues to make an impact on his crew. Don’t miss this one tonight.
4. Knicks get away from MSG: After Sunday’s blowout loss to the Cavs, all manner of off-court storylines bubbled up as team president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry addressed the media. Coach David Fizdale has reportedly seen his job — which he’s barely into Year 2 of — in jeopardy after a 2-8 start. Probably a good thing, then, for he and the Knicks to be on the road facing the Bulls (8 ET, League Pass) if for no other reason than to get away from the New York news cycle.
5. Pacers try to keep rolling: Injuries (to Myles Turner and Victor Oladipo) have thinned the ranks for Indiana this season. Yet they’ve won three in a row as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder (7 ET, League Pass) as they load up on an early-season schedule that has been thin on winning teams. The Pacers’ bench has been hot of late, topping 35 points in five of the team’s last six games.
6. Blazers, Kings reunite in Sacramento: Three of Portland’s four wins to date have come on the road, the first of which was on Oct. 25 in Sacramento. A lot has changed since then, namely for the Kings, who are still without Marvin Bagley Jr. and got word yesterday that De’Aaron Fox (ankle) will be out 3-4 weeks. Portland has relied heavily on Damian Lillard (as you’d expect) this season, but is he carrying too big of a load for the Blazers?
7. That time Kevin Love went for 30-30: On this date in 2010, Love made history with 31 points and 31 rebounds in a 112-103 Minnesota Timberwolves win against the New York Knicks. He set a team record with 31 rebounds, breaking the mark set by Al Jefferson on Jan. 13, 2010, and became the first player with 30-plus points and 30-plus rebounds in a game since Moses Malone on Feb. 11, 1982.
