NBA League Pass games to watch: Week 9 of 2021-22 season
Joel Embiid has averaged 27.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists since returning to the Sixers lineup on Nov. 27.
Monday, December 13
Philadelphia at Memphis, 8:00 p.m. ET
The Memphis Grizzlies are an impressive 7-1 since Ja Morant went down with a knee injury two weeks ago. They will look to keep riding that momentum as they welcome Joel Embiid and the Sixers to the Grind House. Embiid has averaged 27.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists since returning to the Sixers lineup on Nov. 27; Philly has gone 5-3 in those eight games and have won four of the last five games.
Tuesday, December 14
Toronto at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Nets won the first meeting of the season over the Raptors, 116-103 on Nov. 3, behind a combined 59 points from Kevin Durant (31) and James Harden (28). It is one of three games this season in which Durant and Harden each scored at least 25 in the same game – all of which were Brooklyn wins (Nov. 30 vs. NYK, Nov. 12 at NOP).
Wednesday, December 15
Minnesota at Denver, 9:00 p.m. ET
The Nuggets (13-13) and Timberwolves (12-15) enter Week 9 ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, in the Western Conference. The first meeting between these teams on Oct. 30 came down to the wire. After Karl-Anthony Towns stripped Nikola Jokic on a drive to the basket, the Wolves broke out looking for a game-tying layup in transition. But a spectacular block by Will Barton and a missed putback by Anthony Edwards sealed the Nuggets win. What will they do for a follow up in Denver?
Thursday, December 16
Washington at Phoenix, 9:00 p.m. ET
The Suns enter Week 9 with the top record (21-4) in the NBA as they have won two straight since their franchise-record 18-game win streak was snapped by Golden State on Dec. 3. This is the first meeting of the season with Washington; the teams split their season series a year ago with the home team winning each game by 20+ points. The Suns are 12-2 at home, winning games by an average of 8.6 points.
Friday, December 17
San Antonio at Utah, 9:00 p.m. ET
The Jazz enter Week 9 with the longest active win streak in the NBA with seven straight victories, with the last three wins all coming on the road by 20+ points. Utah opens a six-game home stand on Wednesday (vs. LAC) before hosing the Spurs on Friday. During Utah’s seven-game win streak, Donovan Mitchell is averaging 29.4 points on 54.2% shooting from the field, 44.8% from 3-point range (on 9.6 attempts per game) and 91.7% from the free throw line.
Saturday, December 18
Golden State at Toronto, 7:30 p.m. ET
Stephen Curry enters Week 9 needing only seven 3-pointers to break the all-time record held by Ray Allen (2,973). With three nationally televised games before this League Pass game, Curry should have the 3-point crown before the Warriors visit the Raptors on Saturday. But there is another 3-point milestone on the horizon, as Curry enters the week needing just 33 triples to become the first player with 3,000 career 3-pointers. If Curry gets hot from beyond the arc, that milestone could be in reach this weekend.
Sunday, December 19
Portland at Memphis, 6:00 p.m. ET
Damian Lillard returned to the lineup for Portland on Sunday, but his 24 points, 11 boards and six assists were not enough to stop the Blazers losing streak, which extended to five games after falling to the Wolves 116-111. The Blazers find themselves just outside of the West play-in field to open Week 9 and a key to getting their season back on track is winning on the road. The Blazers are just 1-11 away from Portland and face a tough test this weekend against the Grizzlies, who are 1-6 at home.
