1. Can anyone in the East slow Milwaukee?
Game after game, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are making this whole winning-games-in-the-NBA thing look pretty simple. Antetokounmpo had a 40-20 game in a romp against the Hornets on Sunday to give Milwaukee its sixth straight win. In theory, a stiffer test awaits tonight as the Miami Heat host the Bucks (7:30 ET, NBA TV) in what should be a showdown of East powers. In reality, the Bucks are dominating the East’s winning teams, too, going 33-4 against them as they haven’t lost to such a team Feb. 12 vs. the Pacers. There is a challenge schedule stretch a
2. Phenoms face off in Atlanta
The Hawks and Grizzlies are two of the more intriguing young squads in the NBA today thanks to their young star guards. Atlanta’s All-Star Trae Young has been one of the most thrilling scorers and playmakers of 2019-20, while Memphis rookie Ja Morant has his team on the cusp of an unexpected playoff berth. They meet tonight (7:30 ET, League Pass) in what could be a showdown chock full of highlights. If you were building an NBA team from scratch and could pick one of them to be your guard of the future, which would would you take?
3. On this date: Wilt scores 100
On March 2, 1962, legendary center Wilt Chamberlain set the NBA single-game scoring record by tallying 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 169-147 victory over the New York Knicks. No one has come close to touching that mark since, which makes it one of the most remarkable feats in sporting and NBA lore.
4. Spurs, Pacers headed in opposite directions
Indiana is finding its groove again, having won three straight and five of its last six games. The same can’t be said for San Antonio, which continues to struggle and is 3-7 in its last 10 games as it hosts the Pacers (8:30 ET, League Pass). The Spurs will have to find a way to slow down T.J. Warren (who is averaging 22.2 ppg over his last six games) and Domantas Sabonis (18.7 ppg, 12.0 rpg in his last six games). Since the All-Star break, Indiana ranks No. 3 in Defensive Rating (101.6) and No. 9 in Net Rating, while the Spurs are 12th and 23rd, respectively, in those categories since then.
5. Rose injured in loss to Kings
From injuries to trades to buyouts, this season has been a forgettable one for most Pistons fans. Last night in Sacramento, Detroit not only blew a 17-point lead to secure its eighth straight road loss, but also saw Derrick Rose go down with an ankle injury. An injury to him would be cruel on several levels, with the greatest disgrace of all being that Rose is averaging 18.3 ppg on 48.9 percent shooting — his best performance since the 2011-12 season with the Bulls.
