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NBA Notes: Kings, Malik Monk, Bulls, Matas Buzelis, Hawks

NBAE via Getty Kings After spending an extended stretch outside Doug Christie’s rotation, Malik Monk has resurfaced in a meaningful way for the Kings. Monk logged 26 and 32 minutes in back-to-back wins over Houston and the Lakers, scoring 15 and 26 points, respectively, as Sacramento pulled off a pair of unexpected upsets. The timing is notable. ESPN sources say the Kings explored Monk’s trade market last summer, including multiple frameworks that would have sent him to the Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State declined, and there’s no indication that stance has changed. Still, Monk is expected to remain available to the rest of the league ahead of the deadline, and his recent surge could modestly improve his value. Bulls Second-year forward Matas Buzelis has emerged as the brightest spot in a turbulent season for the Bulls. With Josh Giddey injured and Coby White appearing in only two of the past six games, Buzelis has taken on a larger offensive role and thrived. Since Dec. 31, Buzelis is averaging 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, three assists, and 1.8 blocks while shooting 47.9 percent from the field, per ESPN. Chicago has a favorable upcoming slate against Utah, Brooklyn (twice), and the Clippers, but Tuesday’s loss to Houston left the Bulls at 18-21 through 39 games for a fourth straight season. Hawks Before Tuesday’s loss to the Lakers, the post-Trae Young era had shown encouraging signs for the Hawks, including three straight wins and road victories over Denver and Golden State. The additions of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert should help stabilize a roster that has been ravaged by injuries. Atlanta was short-handed again against Los Angeles, missing Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and Zaccharie Risacher, and dressing just 10 players. Frontcourt size looms as a potential deadline focus. The Hawks rank 25th in rebounding percentage and have allowed the eighth-most points in the paint. The post NBA Notes: Kings, Malik Monk, Bulls, Matas Buzelis, Hawks appeared first on Hoops Wire.

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NBA Notes: Hornets, LaMelo Ball, Nets, Egor Demin, Pelicans

File photo Hornets The Hornets got a jolt Thursday when LaMelo Ball came off the bench for the first time since his rookie season, doing so in the second night of a back-to-back and responding with more than 30 points for just the third time all year. It was a notable wrinkle for a team still searching for consistency. That performance was quickly overshadowed two nights later. Charlotte steamrolled the Jazz by 55 points in one of the most lopsided wins in league history. According to Dunc’d On Daily Duncs, only three teams have ever won by that margin in a season in which they finished with fewer than 36 victories. The Hornets remain on pace for a sub-30-win season, but their minus-0.6 point differential now sits ahead of the 24-14 Lakers, per ESPN. Nets The good feelings that carried the Nets through December have faded fast. Brooklyn has dropped seven of eight games since Dec. 29 and has fallen from the league’s top defense in December to 26th in January, allowing 118.8 points per 100 possessions. Trade chatter around Michael Porter Jr. is expected to intensify as the deadline approaches. One bright spot amid the slide has been rookie Egor Demin, who is scorching from deep this month, hitting 53 percent of his threes on more than six attempts per game. Pelicans The Pelicans finally snapped their second nine-game losing streak of the season Friday against Washington, which was playing without newly acquired Trae Young. Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson each topped 30 points, while rookie Derik Queen recorded a triple-double against his hometown team. New Orleans followed with a more competitive showing in a loss at Orlando, but the bigger picture remains bleak. The Pelicans sit at the bottom of the standings with just nine wins at the midpoint, having faced only one team outside the play-in picture since Christmas. The post NBA Notes: Hornets, LaMelo Ball, Nets, Egor Demin, Pelicans appeared first on Hoops Wire.

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