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NBA roundup: Lakers drop Pistons to historic low

Thu Nov 30 1:12am ET
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D'Angelo Russell racked up 35 points and nine assists for Los Angeles while the host Detroit Pistons established a franchise record for futility in the Lakers' 133-107 victory on Wednesday night.

Anthony Davis powered for 28 points and 16 rebounds while LeBron James contributed 25 points as the Lakers bounced back from a 44-point loss to Philadelphia on Monday.

Detroit has lost 15 straight games, setting a franchise record for the longest losing streak in a single season. The Pistons lost 14 consecutive games during the 1979-80, 93-94 and 2021-22 campaigns.

Cade Cunningham's 15 points led Detroit. Isaiah Livers had 14 points, while Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson chipped in 12 apiece.


Magic 139, Wizards 120

Franz Wagner scored a season-high 31 points to fuel host Orlando past Washington, the Magic's eighth straight win.

Wagner made 11 of 14 shots from the floor -- including 4 of 6 from 3-point range -- for Orlando, which can tie its franchise-record run of nine straight wins (accomplished three times) when the club hosts Washington again on Friday.

Washington's Kyle Kuzma scored 24 points and Deni Avdija added 15 of his 22 points in the second quarter for the Wizards, who have lost 14 of their last 16 games.

Raptors 112, Suns 105

Scottie Barnes scored 23 points -- 12 in the fourth quarter -- and Toronto defeated visiting Phoenix to end the Suns' seven-game winning streak.

Pascal Siakam added 22 points and Jakob Poeltl had 17 for the Raptors, who had lost their two previous games.

Kevin Durant scored 30 points for the Suns after missing two games with a sore right foot. Phoenix's Jusuf Nurkic had 19 points and 14 rebounds, but Devin Booker was held to eight points on 2-of-12 shooting.

Grizzlies 105, Jazz 91

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 20 points, David Roddy added 19 and host Memphis snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Utah.

The Grizzlies overcame an early eight-point deficit and led by as many as 25 points en route to their first home win after losing their first eight in Memphis. Desmond Bane contributed 17 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals as the Grizzlies picked up their fourth win.

John Collins scored 17 points to lead the Jazz. Utah shot only 37.8 percent -- compared to Memphis' 49.4 percent shooting -- and had only three players reach double figures in scoring.

Nuggets 134, Rockets 124

Nikola Jokic recorded his seventh triple-double of the season and Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high 30 points as Denver never trailed in a win over visiting Houston.

Jokic had 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds after being sidelined for one game due to low back pain. Jamal Murray returned after missing 11 games with a strained right hamstring and scored 16 points in 22 minutes as Denver won its third straight game overall and improved to 9-0 at home this season.

Jalen Green led Houston with 26 points and nine assists. Alperen Sengun scored 22 points, Jabari Smith Jr. had 15, Jeff Green added 12 and Dillon Brooks had 11.

Clippers 131, Kings 117

Kawhi Leonard went for a team-high 34 points, James Harden led a 3-point barrage with five en route to 26 points and visiting Los Angeles beat an emotionally drained Sacramento team.

Paul George chipped in with 19 points, Terance Mann 18 and Ivica Zubac 14 for the Clippers, who ran up 72 points while building a 22-point halftime lead before coasting home.

De'Aaron Fox led all scorers with 40 points for the Kings, who celebrated an NBA in-season tournament group win via a one-point thriller over the Golden State Warriors one night earlier.

Pelicans 124, 76ers 114

Zion Williamson scored 33 points and host New Orleans never trailed in a victory against Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia.

CJ McCollum returned from a 12-game absence caused by a collapsed lung to score 20 for the Pelicans. Jonas Valanciunas added 19 points.

Embiid sat out because of an illness two nights after he reached a triple-double in the third quarter of a 138-94 rout of the visiting Los Angeles Lakers. In his absence, Tyrese Maxey scored 33 and De'Anthony Melton had 17.

Player Notes
David Roddy Fri Jul 26 8:50pm

The Phoenix Suns traded forward David Roddy to Atlanta in exchange for forward EJ Liddell. The 23-year-old began his career in Memphis but was traded to Phoenix ahead of last season's deadline. He played sparingly in Phoenix, averaging only 1.3 points in 17 games. With that in mind, Roddy likely won't see much action with the Hawks. However, he could be worth adding to fantasy rosters if Atlanta needs to put him on the floor during the 2024-25 campaign.

Trey Jemison Fri Jul 26 8:30pm

The Pelicans claimed center Trey Jemison off waivers. He was recently waived by the Grizzlies after spending time with the team last season. In 23 games in Memphis, Jemison averaged 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. While the 24-year-old will likely spend time in the G League, the Pelicans may require his services at some point during the 2024-25 campaign, so the streaming potential is there for fantasy managers.

David Duke Jr. Fri Jul 26 4:20pm

The San Antonio Spurs have signed guard David Duke Jr. to a two-way contract. The young guard signed a two-way deal with the organization last December. However, Duke only ended up playing in four games with the Spurs. Before that, Duke spent two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets. This is looking more like a depth move than anything else. The assumption is that Duke will spend a majority of his time in the G-League.

Kessler Edwards Fri Jul 26 4:20pm

The Dallas Mavericks have signed forward Kessler Edwards to a two-way contract for the upcoming season. Edwards didn't make much of an impact on the court last season. He averaged 5.1 minutes per game across 54 appearances with the Sacramento Kings. Edwards started his career with the Brooklyn Nets but has played each of the last two seasons in Sacramento. He's a decent depth option but will likely spend most of his time in the G-League with the Mavs.

Russell Westbrook Fri Jul 26 4:10pm

The Denver Nuggets have signed guard Russell Westbrook to a two-year deal. The veteran guard will receive $6.8 million over the next two seasons. Westbrook officially joins the Nuggets after being waived by the Utah Jazz following a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers. This was expected to happen after Utah waived the star guard. The assumption is that Westbrook is going to see significant minutes off the bench in Denver. He should immediately upgrade this bench that struggled to produce last season.

Brook Lopez Fri Jul 26 12:50pm

According to Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst, the team doesn't plan on trading center Brook Lopez. "Brook is so core to who we are," said Horst during an interview. "Of course, he has value around the league. That's a credit to him. But we've not engaged in any real conversations about trading Brook. I hope Brook retires as a Milwaukee Buck." The 36-year-old has been with the Bucks since the 2018-19 campaign. Since then, he's appeared in at least 68 games in all but one season. While Lopez's production has decreased over the years, he remains a double-double threat and one of the most durable big men in the National Basketball Association, giving him value for fantasy managers heading into the 2024-25 season. His abilities from deep and as a shot-blocker also give him a higher ceiling for category participants.

Draymond Green Thu Jul 25 9:10pm

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been instrumental to the team's success over the years. It's known his career is nearing an end. Yet, he added some clarity recently, stating during an interview he's "probably got two more" seasons left before he hangs it up. The 34-year-old has spent his entire career with the Warriors since entering the National Basketball Association, averaging 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks. He's also a four-time All-Star, four-time NBA champion, and the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. Without question, Green has a Hall of Fame resume. While he should have more than a few quality showings for fantasy managers on the horizon, his days of consistent production are likely over, even with Klay Thompson now in Dallas.

Stephen Curry Thu Jul 25 9:00pm

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry wants to finish his career with the team. While it's hard to envision the multi-time NBA champion playing for another club, he seemingly hasn't ruled it out. "I've always said I want to be a Warrior for life," Curry said during an interview with Marc J. Spears. "I'm taking it one step at a time, to be honest. I want to win. Let's put it this way, it's a long-winded way of saying that if it is a situation where you're a bottom feeder and it's just because you want to stay there, I'd have a hard time with that." The 36-year-old is entering the final phase of his Hall of Fame career. However, he's still playing at an All-Star level, most recently averaging 26.4 points and 5.1 assists while shooting 40.8% from deep during the 2023-24 campaign. It's a new era in Golden State, with Klay Thompson now a member of the Dallas Mavericks. But Curry has a chance to remain productive for fantasy managers, so he has a good chance of remaining a top-20 option in nearly every format imaginable.

Josh Christopher Thu Jul 25 8:50pm

Free-agent guard Josh Christopher agreed to a two-way deal with the Miami Heat. The 22-year-old spent the last two years with the Rockets. In 138 games in Houston, he averaged 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. With that said, he likely won't see much work with the big club during the 2024-25 campaign. However, even if Christopher gets his chance with the main unit, he probably won't play often enough to be a relevant fantasy option.

Anthony Gill Thu Jul 25 8:40pm

Free-agent forward Anthony Gill re-signed with the Washington Wizards. The terms of the deal haven't been disclosed. The 31-year-old has spent his entire career with the Wizards. However, he hasn't done much, averaging 3.6 points in 179 regular season contests. Gill was decent in his three starts in 2023-24, averaging 13.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. Yet, he'll presumably spend most of his time at the end of the bench this season, making him nearly irrelevant for fantasy purposes.

Killian Hayes Thu Jul 25 8:30pm

Free-agent guard Killian Hayes agreed to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Brooklyn Nets. It's an Exhibit 10 deal, so he'll have a chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp. The 2020 No. 7 overall pick has spent his entire four-year career with the Pistons. In 210 games, he averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals. With the Nets recently commencing a rebuild, there's a chance Hayes could get minutes and even start, giving him streaming value for fantasy managers. However, he'll need to make the team first.

Jarrett Allen Wed Jul 24 10:10pm

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen is drawing trade interest from teams around the NBA. This isn't anything new. However, Allen's name resurfaced in trade rumblings after Evan Mobley signed a five-year extension with the Cavs. The 2017 No. 22 overall pick has two years left on his current deal. But he's coming off the best year of his career, finishing 2023-24 by averaging a career-high 16.5 points with 10.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Allen has a relationship with new head coach Kenny Atkinson dating back to their days in Brooklyn, so that could be enough to keep him on the roster. With that in mind, he's expected to remain a top fantasy producer no matter where he plays moving ahead.

Trey Jemison Wed Jul 24 9:50pm

The Grizzlies waived center Trey Jemison on Wednesday. The 24-year-old appeared in 23 games for Memphis last season. He showed promise, averaging 10.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 14 starts. There are still teams around the National Basketball Association who have two-way spots available, so there's a chance Jemison will link up with a new team. However, he's far from being a relevant fantasy option, and that's not expected to change in the near future. Memphis signed center Jay Huff to a two-way contract in a corresponding move.

Jay Huff Wed Jul 24 9:50pm

Free-agent center Jay Huff agreed to a two-way contract with Memphis. The 26-year-old has spent time with the Lakers, Wizards, and Nuggets during his career. However, his most significant contributions came in the G League, most recently averaging 18.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks with the Greensboro Swarm last season. The Nuggets have Nikola Jokic in the middle, with Dario Saric, Peyton Watson, and DeAndre Jordan behind him on the depth chart. As a result, Huff isn't expected to be a relevant fantasy option anytime soon.

Orlando Robinson Wed Jul 24 9:40pm

Free-agent center Orlando Robinson agreed to a one-year deal to join the Sacramento Kings. He spent the last two seasons with the Miami Heat. However, Robinson averaged only 3.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 67 appearances for the team. His statistical contributions likely won't improve in Sacramento, especially with Domantas Sabonis being one of the most durable players in the National Basketball Association.

Kevin Durant Wed Jul 24 9:40pm

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant has resumed practicing with Team USA ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. However, Durant's playing status remains a mystery, with Team USA head coach Steve Kerr stating there will be a "big collaboration" regarding when he will play. Fortunately, it appears the multi-time All-Star is moving in the right direction. While Durant likely won't suit up versus Serbia on Sunday, it appears he has a chance to get on the floor soon.

DeAndre Jordan Wed Jul 24 9:30pm

Free-agent center DeAndre Jordan re-signed with the Denver Nuggets. The 36-year-old averaged a career-low 3.9 points and 4.4 rebounds last season. While his presence adds depth to a team looking to capture another NBA championship, he will likely spend most of his time on the bench, especially with Dario Saric, Peyton Watson, and Zeke Nnaji on the roster. With that in mind, Jordan did average 16.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks in two starts during the 2023-24 campaign, so there is streaming potential for fantasy managers if Nikola Jokic misses time.

James Johnson Wed Jul 24 9:30pm

Free-agent forward James Johnson agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract to return to Indiana. The 37-year-old has played for 10 teams throughout his decade-plus tenure in the National Basketball Association. He spent the last two seasons with the Pacers, most recently averaging 0.9 points during the 2023-24 campaign. Johnson's leadership is his biggest asset for Indiana. However, it won't do much for his fantasy value.

Nikola Topic Wed Jul 24 8:00pm

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic (knee) underwent successful surgery to repair a partially torn ACL. He's still expected to miss the entire 2024-25 campaign. While teams around the National Basketball Association were aware of the injury, that didn't stop OKC from selecting him with the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. With that said, Topic won't have any value in redraft leagues this season. However, patient dynasty managers can draft the 18-year-old accordingly, although it may take him a few seasons to find his rhythm.

Bruce Brown Wed Jul 24 7:50pm

Toronto Raptors guard/forward Bruce Brown continues to draw interest from several teams around the National Basketball Association. The 27-year-old is entering the final season of his current deal, making him an attractive commodity, especially for teams looking to make a deep postseason run. After signing with the Pacers before the 2023-24 campaign, he was traded to Toronto ahead of the deadline. However, Brown averaged just 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. His fantasy outlook isn't promising as long as he remains with the Raptors. Yet, it could increase significantly if Brown gets consistent minutes with a new team.