NBA NEWS - NBA PREVIEW for WEEK 15

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.4 assists with four triple-doubles in his last five games- NBA photo

Charles Barkley was a member of the 1992 USA Olympic Dream team BUT… he was never a member of an NBA title winning team ALL TIME NBA NEVER WON-NA TITLE TEAM

NBA Hall of Fame player Bob Pettit was as tough as they come. Not only could he score but he demanded respect in the lane and a blast from his cast could make you a believer. There was no SISSY BALL during the Pettit era - (The Sporting News Archives - photo) NBA's NEW SISSY BALL ERA

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.4 assists with four triple-doubles in his last five games - The Phoenix Suns have won six consecutive games to improve to an NBA-best 36-9, tied for the best 45-game start to a season in franchise history - Joel Embiid, who has been on a roll. The four-time NBA All-Star is averaging 42.7 points and 12.3 rebounds in his last three games - As Week 15 begins, the Warriors have the best home record (21-4) and the Nets have the second-best road record (17-6) in the NBA - OUTTA POCKET - THIS DAY IN THE NBA

NEW YORK, NY USA

Monday January 24, 2022

Scorching Suns:

The Phoenix Suns have won six consecutive games to improve to an NBA-best 36-9, tied for the best 45-game start to a season in franchise history. The winning streak began when the defending Western Conference champions swept a five-game road trip. The Suns are a league-leading 18-4 on the road and 18-5 at home for the season. Guard Chris Paul has posted 39 assists and only four turnovers in his last three games. Phoenix plays its next two games against the Utah Jazz: Monday at 9 p.m. ET on NBA TV and Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

For Starters:

The starters and captains for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game will be revealed Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. Comprising three frontcourt players and two guards in each conference, the starters are being selected by NBA fans, current NBA players and a media panel. The team captains will be the two All-Star starters who receive the most fan votes in their respective conferences. TNT will then air a doubleheader with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Golden State Warriors hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (10 p.m. ET).

Yes, Embiid:

TNT’s matchup between the 76ers and Lakers on Thursday will feature Philadelphia center Joel Embiid, who has been on a roll. The four-time NBA All-Star is averaging 42.7 points and 12.3 rebounds in his last three games, including 50 points and 12 rebounds in 27 minutes against the Orlando Magic on Jan. 19. In his last 17 games, Embiid is averaging more points (33.8 ppg) than minutes played (32.5 mpg). He has also scored at least 30 points in a franchise-record 12 straight road games.

Primed for Primetime:

NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC returns this week as the Warriors host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET. This marks the first of six consecutive Saturdays (excluding NBA All-Star 2022) with a Primetime matchup. As Week 15 begins, the Warriors have the best home record (21-4) and the Nets have the second-best road record (17-6) in the NBA. The visit to San Francisco will tip off Brooklyn’s five-game road trip, all against Western Conference teams.

Around the NBA:

Minnesota (23-23) has already matched its win total from last season (23-49). … Last week, San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray became the first Spurs player to record a triple-double in consecutive games since David Robinson in 1991. … Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.4 assists with four triple-doubles in his last five games. … The Portland Trail Blazers have won four of their last five games, all played on the road. … Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young is averaging 31.3 points during the team’s current four-game winning streak. … Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored at least 25 points in each of his last 13 games.

OUTTA POCKET

Bucks’ Grayson Allen suspended

January 23, 2022 NEW YORK – Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen has been suspended one game without pay for having made unnecessary and excessive contact against Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, resulting in substantial injury to Caruso, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The incident, for which Allen was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter of the Bucks’ 94-90 win over the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 21 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Allen will serve his suspension on Wednesday, Jan. 26 when the Bucks face the Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

David Vanterpool and Nets’ organization fined

January 20, 2022 NEW YORK – Brooklyn Nets assistant coach David Vanterpool has been fined $10,000 and the Nets’ organization has been fined $25,000 for Vanterpool interfering with live play by reaching across the sideline and deflecting an opponent’s pass, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The incident occurred with 5:42 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Nets’ 119-118 win over the Wizards on Jan. 19 at Capital One Arena.

New York Knicks fined

January 21, 2022 NEW YORK – The New York Knicks organization has been fined $25,000 for violating league rules governing media interview access, the NBA announced today. The fine results from the Knicks’ refusal to make Julius Randle available to the media following last night’s game vs. the New Orleans Pelicans.

THIS DAY IN THE NBA

January 24, 1956 With the West defeating the East 108-94 in the sixth All-Star Game in Rochester, Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks captured the first of his NBA record four All-Star Game MVP awards, leading his team with 20 points and 24 rebounds.

January 24, 1985 NBA players announced plans to aid famine victims in Ethiopia by donating their winners’ and losers’ shares from the 1985 All-Star Game. The NBA matched this sum to bring the donation to more than $100,000.

January 24, 1990 The Los Angeles Lakers’ Pat Riley became the 13th coach to reach the 500-victory plateau, getting there faster than any coach as the Lakers downed the Pacers 120-111. At 500-184 Riley surpassed Don Nelson, who was 500-317 when he reached that milestone.