NBA roundup: Magic's Paolo Banchero pours in 50 vs. Pacers
Tue Oct 29 4:30am ET
Field Level Media
Paolo Banchero became Orlando's first player with a 50-point game in 20 years and flirted with a triple-double Monday night to lead the Magic past the visiting Indiana Pacers 119-115.
Banchero finished with 50 points and matched Tracy McGrady's franchise record for points scored in a half, putting up 37 in the first. The third-year forward joined McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal and Nick Anderson as Orlando's only 50-point scorers.
Banchero shot 16 of 26 from the field and made 15 of 22 free throws. He added a game-high 13 rebounds and a team-best nine assists.
Pascal Siakam's 26 points led six Indiana scorers in double figures. Among them was Tyrese Haliburton, who posted his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 assists. Haliburton also had nine rebounds.
Celtics 119, Bucks 108
Payton Pritchard came off the bench to make eight 3-pointers and score 28 points in 28 minutes as Boston remained unbeaten after four games with a victory over visiting Milwaukee.
Pritchard made 10 of his 14 field-goal attempts, including 8 of 12 from long distance. He also finished the game with five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points.
Damian Lillard paced Milwaukee with 33 points and seven assists. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Bucks, but he also committed seven turnovers.
Nuggets 127, Raptors 125 (OT)
Nikola Jokic had seven of his 40 points in overtime and added 10 rebounds for the game as visiting Denver came back to defeat Toronto.
The Raptors were up 111-101 with 2:17 left in regulation before falling apart down the stretch. Jamal Murray drew the Nuggets even at 114 with a layup with under a second left in the fourth quarter.
Scottie Barnes had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who lost their second game in a row.
Heat 106, Pistons 98
Jimmy Butler scored 23 points and dished out seven assists as host Miami defeated Detroit for the seventh consecutive meeting.
The Heat also got 20 points from Terry Rozier and 19 from Tyler Herro on the day when the team celebrated the unveiling of a Dwyane Wade statue just outside their arena.
Cade Cunningham had 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the Pistons, who remain winless. However, he was held to just six points in the second half.
Cavaliers 110, Knicks 104
Darius Garland scored 15 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter for visiting Cleveland, which overcame a 13-point third-quarter deficit to beat New York.
Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points and Jarrett Allen had 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who improved to 4-0 for the first time since they opened 6-0 in 2016-17.
Jalen Brunson scored 21 points and Mikal Bridges put up 19 for the Knicks, who have alternated losses with wins in their first three games. Josh Hart (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Karl-Anthony Towns (13 points, 10 rebounds) each posted double-doubles.
Mavericks 110, Jazz 102
Kyrie Irving scored 23 points to lead Dallas past visiting Utah in a game marred by an injury to Jazz power forward Taylor Hendricks.
Dallas' P.J. Washington produced 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Dereck Lively II had 14 points. Klay Thompson scored 18 points, Luka Doncic contributed 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, and Irving added a game-high nine assists.
Utah, which lost its third straight game, did not get closer than five points during the final quarter. Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 23 points. Hendricks sustained a broken right leg and dislocated ankle on a non-contact play in the third quarter.
Suns 109, Lakers 105
Devin Booker scored 33 points and Kevin Durant added 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots to lead host Phoenix to a victory over Los Angeles.
Bradley Beal had 15 points and Royce O'Neale contributed 12 points and nine rebounds for Phoenix, which recovered from an 18-point first-quarter deficit to win for the third time in four games.
Anthony Davis recorded 29 points and 15 rebounds and Austin Reaves scored 23 points as Los Angeles lost for the first time this season after three straight wins. LeBron James had just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting, though he delivered eight assists.
Wizards 121, Hawks 119
Kyle Kuzma broke out of a slump with a season-high 25 points and Jordan Poole added 26 to lead visiting Washington past Atlanta for its first win of the season.
Kuzma's previous best had been 14 points, but he came alive in the second half. He finished with 11 rebounds and seven assists, though he exited in the final two minutes due to a sore groin.
The Hawks' Jalen Johnson scored a career-high 29 points and added 12 rebounds and seven assists. Trae Young chipped in 14 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds but missed the potential game-winning 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
Bulls 126, Grizzlies 123
Zach LaVine scored 30 points and Nikola Vucevic added 22 to lead visiting Chicago to a win over Memphis, which played without injured guard Ja Morant.
Morant missed his first game of the season due to thigh soreness. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 30 points and seven rebounds, and Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 19 points.
Memphis led by double digits for much of the game, but the Bulls recovered from a 20-point first-half deficit behind effective 3-point shooting (25-for-53).
Rockets 106, Spurs 101
Jalen Green poured in 36 points, 24 of them in the first half, as visiting Houston defeated San Antonio.
The Rockets split the teams' two-games-in-three-nights series after the host Spurs won 109-106 on Saturday. Jabari Smith Jr. added 17 points for Houston, which has alternated losses and wins through four games.
Jeremy Sochan logged 22 points while Chris Paul put up 16 points for the Spurs, who have lost two of their first three games.
Kings 111, Trail Blazers 98
De'Aaron Fox scored a game-high 24 points, DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 23 and host Sacramento broke into the win column with a victory over Portland.
Domantas Sabonis went for 16 points and game highs in rebounds (13) and assists (seven), allowing the Kings to break through after tough losses at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves and on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Deandre Ayton had 20 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Trail Blazers, who were coming off a Sunday home win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Four-time All-Star Paul Millsap officially retires
- Return on hold for Lakers F Jarred Vanderbilt
- NBA roundup: Wolves limit Lakers to 80 points
- Hornets star LaMelo Ball (calf) out at least two weeks
- Lakers C Jaxson Hayes (ankle) out 2-3 weeks
- Nuggets' Russell Westbrook fined $35K for obscene gesture
- NBA roundup: Rockets edge Thunder in battle of top 2 West teams
- NBA roundup: Giannis Antetokounmpo's triple-double lifts Bucks to 6th straight win
- NBA roundup: Anthony Edwards, Wolves edge Clippers
- NBA roundup: Hawks send Cavs to first home loss
- NBA roundup: Damian Lillard hoists banged-up Bucks over Heat
- NBA roundup: Kristaps Porzingis returns as Celtics club Clippers
- Suns expect Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal to play vs. Lakers
- G Ja Morant set to return Monday for Grizzlies
- Rockets G Fred VanVleet fined $50K for late-game outburst
- Pelicans G Dejounte Murray to return Wednesday
- Kristaps Porzingis to make season debut Monday
- NBA roundup: Heat turn back Mavericks in OT
- Hornets F Grant Williams (knee) out for season
- NBA roundup: LaMelo Ball scores 50 in Hornets' loss to Bucks
Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (foot) will make his season debut against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. This will be the first time that Williams has played since December of 2023. Fantasy managers should expect Williams to be under heavy minute restriction. He figures to be eased into action for quite some time, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect Williams to be a great fantasy option right away. He figures to split up the center minutes with Nick Richards. For now, Richards is the better streaming option, but Williams should be a strong option once he's back up to full speed.
Utah Jazz forward/centerMicah Potter (illness) has been downgraded to doubtful for Tuesday's matchup with the Thunder. The Jazz have been shorthanded lately, so Potter has played for at least 13 minutes in three consecutive contests. With the 26-year-old likely sidelined, players like Drew Eubanks, Brice Sensabaugh, and Svi Mykhailiuk could potentially see more playing time. However, they will not be factors in fantasy during Tuesday's contest.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Washington Wizards. Jerome will head to the sideline for the first time this season. His absence will free up additional playing time behind Darius Garland. This should result in more playing time for Craig Porter Jr. and possibily Caris LeVert sees more minutes as well. LeVert is already averaging 24 minutes per game, so a few more minutes should give him an uptick in fantasy value for Tuesday's slate.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is available ahead of Tuesday's game against the Detroit Pistons. As expected, Antetokounmpo will play after being listed as probable on the injury report. The expectation is that Antetokounmpo will have a normal workload in this game. Antetokounmpo has been battling through tendinitis in his knee throughout the season. Despite that, he continues to suit up and play at an elite level. Fantasy managers can feel safe getting Antetokounmpo back in their lineups on Tuesday.
According to Aaron Rose of SI.com, Toronto Raptors guardGradey Dick(calf)will not suit up against the Pacers on Tuesday. Before suffering a left calf contusion, the 21-year-old averaged 18.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers in over 32 minutes per contest. In Dick's absence, Ja'Kobe Walterwill likely start once again, as he's made an impression by posting 12 points and three rebounds in 17 minutes against Miami on Sunday.
Miami Heat have ruled out forward Nikola Jovic (ankle) and center Kel'el Ware (G-League assignment) for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Key players Jimmy Butler (knee), Kevin Love (back), and Josh Richardson (illness) are all listed as questionable, adding uncertainty to Miami's rotation. Jovic, who averages 7.7 points per game, will be a notable absence, for Miami Heat's offense and dealing a blow to fantasy managers. Butler's potential return would provide a significant boost to Miami's offense, while the statuses of Love and Richardson could open the door for other players to make an impact.
According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Milwaukee Bucks forwardGiannis Antetokounmpo(knee) remains probable and will likely play against the Pistons on Tuesday. Antetokounmpo participated in the team's morning shootaround, which is a good sign he will be on the court this evening. The 29-year-old has been playing exceptionally well recently, averaging 38.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists during his last four appearances. He's also been on fire from the field, shooting 63 percent.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced guard MarJon Beauchamp (neck) has been downgraded to questionable for Tuesday's contest with the Detroit Pistons due to neck spasms. Beauchamp has also been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue that has caused him to only suit for nine of the 18 Bucks games this season. The 24-year-old averages 1.6 points while playing under five minutes per contest, making him not a strong option for fantasy managers.
On Tuesday, Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (calf) is available to play against the San Antonio Spurs. He's been dealing with a calf injury that caused him to miss Saturday's game against Golden State. The 31-year-old has performed well when available this season, averaging 18.2 points per game. With the Suns' top players healthy, Beal is expected to make a significant impact in fantasy this evening.
Golden State Warriors forwardDraymond Green(calf) is unavailable for Tuesday's matchup with the Nuggets in the Mile High City. Green hasn't been able to practice this week due to calf tightness. With the 34-year-old sidelined, Jonathan Kuminga andKyle Anderson will likely see an uptick in minutes on the court. However, neither player has been a viable fantasy option so far this season.
Portland Trail Blazers point guard Scoot Henderson (quadriceps) carries a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's clash against the Clippers. He has played in only one of the Trail Blazers' last six games. Dalano Banton looks set to get extended action again if Henderson doesn't return on Tuesday. He has averaged 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 steals across the past five games. However, Banton has been very inconsistent in the scoring department, reaching double figures only twice during the stretch.
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (concussion) will miss a fourth consecutive game on Tuesday versus the Clippers. He hasn't traveled to Los Angeles as Williams III remains in concussion protocol. Donovan Clingan (knee) is also currently out, giving Deandre Ayton a big workload. During the team's frontcourt injury crisis, Deni Avdija has also logged some minutes as a center. The Portland centers should be in for a good night on Tuesday, as the Clippers give up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing fives.
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Kevin Huerter (ankle) has been labeled as questionable for Tuesday's battle against Houston. He has just missed his third game of the season due to an ankle sprain. With Huerter absent on Sunday versus San Antonio, Malik Monk made his first start of the season. He provided a full line in 37 minutes of action, scoring 19 points with seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block. Huerter practiced fully on Monday, which signals that there's a good chance he will return against the Rockets. However, Kings head coach Mike Brown suggested on Sunday that Monk may continue to roll with the starters, which will be a big blow to Huerter's fantasy value.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (thumb) appears ready to rejoin the lineup on Tuesday against Phoenix. He has been listed as probable on the injury report. A fractured thumb has robbed Sochan of 13 games. He looked good before the injury happened, averaging 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals. Stephon Castle has run with the starters during Sochan's absence, although Julian Champagnie might be the one who has to make way in the first unit for Sochan.
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's matchup against Dallas, marking an eighth consecutive absence for him. The rookie giant is recovering from a left ankle sprain. Brandon Clarke will likely receive another start on Tuesday. It's a good matchup for him, as the Mavericks have struggled to stop big men this season, giving up the fourth-most fantasy points in the league to opposing fives.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (illness) is considered questionable for Tuesday's meeting with Washington. He's in the midst of a bout with an illness and may miss his first game of the campaign. After being a third-stringer on the Cavaliers team last season, Jerome has emerged as a big part of the rotation in 2024-25. He's fifth in scoring on the team with 11.8 points and has averaged 3.6 assists with 1.4 steals in 18.8 minutes. Caris LeVert and Sam Merrill are in a position to get more action without Jerome, while Craig Porter Jr. might be back in the rotation to take care of some of the backup point guard minutes.
Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (hamstring) will not be available for a fourth straight game on Tuesday against the Knicks. The veteran nurses a left hamstring strain. Harris had just made his second start of the year when he got hurt. However, he's not been a big part of the Magic rotation, averaging 4.1 points in 16.6 minutes. Tristan Da Silva, Anthony Black, and Jett Howard have been more involved in the action without Harris, but the three don't provide consistent fantasy value.
Bulls' G Josh Giddey recorded a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 11 assists and 13 rebounds in a 128-102 win over the Nets on Monday, Dec. 2.
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hip) is listed as probable for Tuesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors. Watson is dealing with an adductor issue but it hasn't forced him to miss any time. Watson has been seeing additional minutes while filling in for Aaron Gordon, who's been dealing with calf issues, but with Gordon's return on Sunday night Watson will be at risk of losing minutes going forward. In Gordon's return on Sunday Watson was still able to play 28 minutes in a start, but if Gordon is back in the starting lineup then the 22-year-old will be at risk of losing minutes. Fantasy managers should keep their eyes open for any news about the Nuggets' starting lineup on Tuesday before making any decisions about starting or sitting Watson.
Utah Jazz center Kyle Filipowski (leg) has been ruled out of Tuesday night's game against the Utah Jazz. Filipowski will now miss his sixth straight game as he deals with a lower leg issue. The rookie has been okay in limited minutes, averaging 7.3 PPG and 4.7 RPG in 19 minutes per game this season. With Filipowski continuing to miss time, expect more minutes overall from Jazz big men Walker Kessler and John Collins. Off the bench, expect Drew Eubanks to get some minutes but he likely won't have a big impact overall. Kessler and Collins will make much stronger fantasy options for those in need.
