CHI @ SAC: When the Bulls are bad, they are horrible. Like last night. DeMarcus Cousins (quad bruise) didn’t play, but Patrick Patterson (14 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST) helped the Kings spring to an early lead and Tyreke Evans (26 PTS, 7 AST, 5 REB, 3 STL) was terrific all night. Isaiah Thomas (22 PTS, 3 AST, 3 REB) also had an easy time of it against the Chicago guards; Marco Belinelli went scoreless, missing nine shots in a listless 22 minutes. Carlos Boozer (21 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST) had the most respectable line for the visitors.
DET @ GSW: We told you that Rodney Stuckey (22 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB) and Will Bynum (16 PTS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 2 REB) would benefit from the injury to Brandon Knight (ankle) but the Pistons won’t win many games. Stephen Curry (31 PTS, 8 AST, 2 REB) hit five 3-pointers and David Lee (20 PTS, 15 REB, 5 AST) is back in form. Jarrett Jack (19 PTS, 5 AST) had been slumping in March, so that was encouraging.
Thursday Previews
DAL @ SAS: We are reasonably sure that Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard will play. Both have been battling tender knees for a while and did not make the trip to Minnesota on Tuesday, but that was rest in a back-to-back, more than an injury flareup. Dallas has won four straight games, without making up much ground in the playoff race. At least they are still alive. Vince Carter and Dirk Nowitzki have been the primary scorers. Shawn Marion (calf) has been ruled out, so Jae Crowder will get another start. Expect both teams to top 100 points, but it’s never easy to predict who will have the hot hand for the Spurs.
NYK @ POR: The long NBA season is a war of attrition. The last healthy player on these two teams should remember to turn out the lights. Melo has gone back to New York, Chandler will be limping and the rest of the Knicks are both physically tired — this is their third road game in four nights — and frustrated, having lost the first two by a combined 52 points. The Blazers’ walking wounded include LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle, hand, migraines) and Nicolas Batum (a painful wrist injury) but both will suit up as usual. Damian Lillard shows no sign of hitting the ‘rookie wall’ and J.J. Hickson is playing well. Portland is still mathematically alive for a playoff spot and will keep trying hard until counted out.