NBA Matchups: November 24

I hope you guys had a Happy Thanksgiving! I spent most of the day with my fam, so I didn’t have time to go with all the player notes. Justin Phan is back in the Injury Show today, so we’ll go over the slate and likely go over an hour. Let’s get it!

BOS @ ORL | PHX @ MEM | MIA @ NYK | CHI @ TOR | DET @ IND | DEN @ HOU | WAS @ MIL | SAC @ MIN | SAS @ GSW | NOP @ LAC

Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic

Team Totals: Celtics 114, Magic 107.5

Injury Report: Markelle Fultz (O, knee), Wendell Carter Jr. (O, hand), Jrue Holiday (D, ankle)

Celtics projected starters: Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis

Magic projected starters: Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Goga Bitadze

Mazzulla quotes: Said Jaylen Brown was a “well-rounded playmaker” and they knew he would come out of his slump, said he liked how they were on the glass and they were able to get it going in transition against the Bucks, said KP protected the paint while the perimeter guys didn’t allow many blow-bys.

Mosley quotes: Said Goga plays hard for them and continues to bring it on both ends, said the team is taking ownership of their defense.

Stats and Notes: 

UPDATE: Jrue Holiday is doubtful now, so the Magic are in a better spot.

*The Celtics continue to look like the best team in the league, and they’re doing it with their defense, ranking second overall and fourth in the halfcourt. Orlando is right behind them at fourth with a fifth-ranked halfcourt D, so this game could be a grind. The Celtics have seen their rim defense slip a bit, but that’s a little due to facing some rim-heavy teams. They’re still giving up some heavy volume to jump-shooting guys and it’s largely players who can get their own shot. On the Orlando side, they’re also a great rim defense at seventh, and they’ve been above average in most play types. Orlando’s offense just lives around the basket with their No. 2 rim points, so I would expect the Magic to have a tougher time scoring than the Celtics. Boston will certainly get ‘em up.

Great matchups: Nobody

Good matchups: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Franz Wagner

Bad matchups: Goga Bitadze, Jalen Suggs

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Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies

Team Totals: Suns 115.3, Grizzlies 107.3

Injury Report: Drew Eubanks (O, ankle), Desmond Bane (Q, foot)

Suns projected starters: Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Eric Gordon, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic

Grizzlies projected starters: Jacob Gilyard, Desmond Bane, Santi Aldama, Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo

Vogel quotes: Said there was no concern from him on the minutes for KD and Booker, said KBD’s size on the wing helps them go to small ball, said Eubanks rolled his ankle and they’ll see how he responds on Thursday, said Booker hurt his butt and may have dinged up his hip, but he should be OK.

Jenkins quotes: Nothing.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Suns continue their hot stretch on offense, and Devin Booker’s 127.0 O rating leads the league among the 290 players with 15+ MPG. They’re just rolling. The Grizzlies have really been excellent at taking away the rim, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has been among the best at FG% allowed on layups. However, they get wrecked by jump-shooters, so the Suns’ stars should punish this team. The Grizzlies can’t score right now, but the Suns aren’t too deep in the on-ball D department to make Desmond Bane a high-end option. Jaren Jackson Jr. should also be able to establish his interior game.

Great matchups: Devin Booker, Desmond Bane

Good matchups: Kevin Durant, Jaren Jackson Jr.

Bad matchups: Jusuf Nurkic

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Miami Heat at New York Knicks