Nightly Pulse: NBA news & highlights from February 11th

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Tuesday night hoops

Raptors vs. 76ers (

Live on NBA League Pass

)

Knicks vs. Pacers (

Live on TNT/truTV/Max

)

Pistons vs. Bulls (

8 ET, Live on NBA League Pass

)

Grizzlies vs. Suns (

10 ET, Live on TNT/truTV/Max

)

️Toronto clamp down️

The Raptors have jumped out to a 26-18 lead over Philadelphia with the first quarter in the books.

They held the 76ers to 33.3% shooting in the first frame while converting on 47.4% of their own buckets.

Leading the way for Toronto has been Scottie Barnes with nine points, who also has a steal and a block, and Immanuel Quickley who has put up eight points.

Ready to make history

With Kevin Durant just 26 points shy of being the eighth person to join the 30K club, take a look back at some of the best buckets of his career below,

Also worth noting, if he gets the 26 points needed for 30K tonight, he will tie Kareem for the third-fewest games played to reach 30K points. Only Wilt Chamberlin and Michael Jordan have done it faster.

Game notes

Both Toronto and Philadelphia are riding losing streaks heading into tonight’s matchup. The return of Joel Embiid from a month-long absence has yet to pay dividends for the Sixers, who are 1-2 in the games he’s played since getting back into the lineup. Considering the team has spent most of the season without at least one of Embiid or Paul George on the floor, it may take some time to find their groove. Tonight against the 16-37 Raptors would be a pristine opportunity for Philadelphia to get back in the win column.

The Knicks and Pacers will battle for the third time this season. They split the previous two matchups, with the home team earning the victory in each instance. The Strong play of Indiana as of late has moved them up to the No. 4 seed, one spot below their opponent tonight. However, New York has a 4.5-game buffer, which the Pacers will be working to shrink this evening. 

The Pistons head to Chicago for back-to-back games in the Windy City before the All-Star break. The Bulls got the best of Detroit in a Nov. 18 matchup, then the Pistons responded with a win over Chicago nine days ago. The Bulls will be trying to end a two-game losing streak and hold their ground for the final play-in spot in the East, while a victory for the Pistons would nudge them closer to the No. 5 spot while gaining a firmer grasp on the No. 6 seed they currently hold. 

Kevin Durant will return to action tonight after a three-game absence and will be looking to make history in the process. The 16-year pro is just 26 points shy of becoming the eighth player to score 30,000 points in their career. Considering KD is averaging 26.9 points per game this season, that feat is well within reach when he takes the floor against Memphis.