Around the NBA 2/9: Crushing win by Nets; NBA prospects Hield, Ingram in action; New mock draft
As the Celtics were traveling to Milwaukee for their game against the Bucks tonight, there were 20 NBA teams in action last night. Here are 14 things you should know:
2016 DRAFT PICK WATCH
1. The Nets (14-39) beat the Nuggets last night on a buzzer-beating three by Joe Johnson. The Celtics own the Nets unconditional first-round draft pick. Brooklyn has the third-worst record in the NBA. As of today, the bottom of the league standings are as follows:
5. Timberwolves 16-37
4. Suns 14-39
3. Nets 14-39
2. Lakers 11-43
1. 76ers 8-44
2. The Celtics (31-22) were idle last night. They are currently projected to receive the 24th pick in the NBA draft. As of this morning, their complete list of picks include 3, 19, 24, 31, 35, 49, 52 and 57.
3. The Mavericks (29-25) were idle last night. Dallas will convey their first-round pick to the Celtics only if it falls between 8-30. If Dallas' pick falls between 1-7, the conditional 2016 pick will become a 2017 first-round pick with the same conditions. This pick would be conveyed if the season ended today as they would be projected to receive the 19th pick in the draft.
ATLANTIC DIVISION WATCH
4. 76ers lost to the Clippers 98-92.
5. Raptors beat the Pistons 103-89.
6. Nets beat the Nuggets 105-104.
Atlantic Division Standings as of 2/9
Toronto 34-16
Boston 30-22
New York 23-30
Brooklyn 13-38
Philadelphia 7-43
EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS WATCH
7. Winners: Cavaliers, Pacers and Raptors
8. Losers: Pistons, Bulls and Hawks.
Eastern Conference Standings as of 2/9
1. Cavaliers 35-14
2. Raptors 34-16
3. Celtics 31-22
4. Heat 29-23
5. Hawks 30-24
6. Pacers 28-24
7. Bulls 27-24
8. Pistons 27-26
9. Hornets 26-26
FORMER CELTICS
9. Rajon Rondo played 33 minutes in the Kings loss to the Cavaliers last night. Rondo shot 1 of 8 from the field and finished with 7 points, 16 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 steals.
10. Brandon Bass played 32 minutes in the Lakers loss to the Pacers last night. He finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
11. Tony Allen played 39 minutes in the Grizzlies loss to the Blazers last night. He finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds. Jeff Green played 39 minutes off the bench and finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
UPDATED MOCK DRAFTS
12. NBA Draft Express released a new mock draft this week. They project the Celtics using their first-round picks on Kris Dunn (6’4 PG, Providence), Wayne Baldwin (6’3 PG, Vanderbilt) and Zhou Qi (7’2 C, China).
POTENTIAL DRAFT PICK UPDATES
13. Brandon Ingram played all 40 minutes in Duke’s win over Louisville last night. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
14. Buddy Hield was amazing last night in Oklahoma’s win over Texas. He shot 7 of 18 from the field, made 10 free throws, and finished with 27 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
WHAT'S ON TONIGHT?
Celtics @ Bucks
Spurs @ Heat
Wizards @ Knicks
Jazz @ Mavericks
Follow Max Sandgrund on Twitter @SotoSpeakz
