Seven NBA games headline Sunday’s schedule, with the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Detroit Pistons, the Boston Celtics travelling to the struggling Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers visiting the Chicago Bulls.
The action starts at 3:30pm ET with the 76ers, 8-2, at the Bulls, 1-7, at the United Center, and runs through to the late games at 9pm ET, according to Sports Mole and FanDuel Research. It is a non-Cup Sunday, with the next Emirates NBA Cup group games coming on Friday, November 13.
The headline game is at Little Caesars Arena, where the Lakers, 8-2, visit the Pistons, 6-2, at 6pm ET on NBA TV.
Doncic questionable for Detroit
Luka Doncic is listed as questionable with back tightness for the Lakers’ trip to Detroit, after his 53-point night against Portland on Friday. The Lakers have won four straight games, and they will be hoping their star is fit to face a Pistons side who swept last season’s series between the teams.
Detroit, at 6-2, have been one of the surprise packages of the early season, and a home win over the Lakers would be another statement. The Pistons’ physicality and energy will test a Lakers side who have relied heavily on Doncic’s brilliance.
Celtics visit the struggling Bucks
Boston, 7-2, visit Milwaukee, 1-8, at 8pm ET at the Fiserv Forum. The Celtics beat the Bucks 109-102 just four days ago, and Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.9 points and 8.0 assists this season.
The Bucks have lost three straight at home and are rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They were beaten 121-107 by Toronto on Friday night, and Sunday’s visit of the Celtics looks no easier.
Elsewhere on Sunday
The Utah Jazz, 1-8, visit the Minnesota Timberwolves, 7-3, at 7pm ET, with Anthony Edwards out for the hosts. The Brooklyn Nets, 2-7, visit the Dallas Mavericks, 5-4, at 7:30pm ET, while the New Orleans Pelicans, 4-5, visit the Los Angeles Clippers, 1-7, and the Miami Heat, 3-6, visit the Sacramento Kings, 1-8, both at 9pm ET.
The 76ers finish a three-game road trip a day after losing 119-95 at Cleveland, while the Bulls have lost five straight by an average of 20.8 points. The Clippers have lost seven straight, and the Kings, at 1-8, have matched the worst nine-game start in franchise history.
What to watch
Sunday’s slate is a chance for the early-season form teams to consolidate. The Lakers, the Celtics and the Timberwolves have all started strongly, while the Bucks, the Bulls and the Kings are all looking for a way out of trouble. By Monday morning, the standings will look a little clearer.
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