Get up to speed on the latest NBA news, plus a quick look at stories we’ll be following closely today:
1. A reunion in Houston: What kind of reception will Chris Paul get tonight when his Oklahoma City Thunder — yep, that still sounds weird — visit his old pals in Houston? This one will be a free watch on NBA League Pass (8 ET) and couldn’t feature more different styles: the Thunder are 3rd in Defensive Rating (and 27th in Offensive Rating) while the Rockets are 10th in Offensive Rating (and 21st in Defensive Rating).
2. Trae tries to do it again: Yes, it’s only two games into an 82-game slog. Still, you can’t help but be amazed by what Trae Young of the Hawks has done to open 2019-20, notching 38- and 39-point games to get Atlanta to 2-0. The Sixers, who have the fifth-best defensive rating in the NBA this season, pay Young and Co. a visit tonight (7:30 ET, League Pass).
3. Someone’s gotta win … right?: Who would have thought after Week 1 in the NBA we’d see the Warriors and Pelicans both winless? Golden State has the NBA’s worst defense (124.3 Def. Rating) and effective field goal percentage, while the Pelicans are just two spots ahead of the Warriors on defense (114.8 Def. Rating). They meet in New Orleans (8 ET, NBA TV).
4. Big man concerns for Portland: The Blazers are waiting to see how Zach Collins’ MRI on his left shoulder turns out. They won’t have much time to celebrate (or bemoan) his status, though, as they visit the 2-0 Spurs tonight (8:30 ET, League Pass) in what should be a solid matchup in the West.
5. Break up the Suns!: Phoenix was the darling of the NBA weekend after upsetting the Clippers on Saturday night. There’s no rest for the weary, though, as the Suns host the Jazz (10 ET, League Pass) in hopes of another upset. A win tonight would give Phoenix its first 3-1 start since 2013-14, while a Jazz win would have them off to their best start since a 5-0 run in 2008-09.
6. Happy debut anniversay, D-Rose: Eleven years ago today, Derrick Rose burst onto the scene as a bright-eyed rookie with the Bulls. Since then, he’s been a superstar (and won Kia MVP in 2010-11) and dealt with a myriad of injuries. He seems comfy again in his career these days as his Pistons host the Pacers (7 ET, League Pass).
