Preview Roundups
January 03, 2018
Houston at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets will be without the NBA’s leading scorer James Harden when they go for a second straight victory Wednesday night against the struggling Orlando Magic. Harden, who is averaging 32.3 points and a team-high 9.1 assists, suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in Sunday’s double-overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
San Antonio at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers will likely be without star center Joel Embiid when they attempt to end a stretch of 12 straight setbacks against the visiting San Antonio Spurs. Embiid is doubtful for the contest with a sprained right hand as Philadelphia attempts to defeat the Spurs for the first time in nearly seven years.
New York at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Wizards have enjoyed a strong run of success against New York and aim to defeat the visiting Knicks for the seventh straight time on Wednesday. Washington won all four of last season's meetings with New York and has emerged victorious in 13 of the past 14 matchups.
Minnesota at Brooklyn 7:30 PM ET
It took some time for Jimmy Butler to get comfortable with the Minnesota Timberwolves after being traded to the team during the offseason, but the veteran swingman is proving to be the catalyst for the franchise's turnaround. Butler will try to stay hot as the Timberwolves seek their eighth win in nine games with a visit to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Detroit at Miami 7:30 PM ET
The Detroit Pistons have stepped up their game on the defensive end and will try to stifle another opponent when they visit the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Despite playing once again without injured starting guards Reggie Jackson (ankle) and Avery Bradley (groin), the Pistons picked up a 93-79 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
Cleveland at Boston 8:00 PM ET
Storylines abound Wednesday in Boston as the Celtics welcome back Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matchup of Eastern Conference heavyweights. Thomas, who was a two-time All-Star with the Celtics before being traded with Crowder for star guard Kyrie Irving this offseason, made his debut for the Cavaliers in Tuesday's 127-110 win over Portland after missing the first 36 games of the season due to a hip injury.
Toronto at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Bulls are dealing with expectations for the first time this season and are starting to have some trouble closing out tight games. The Bulls will try to avoid a three-game losing streak for the first time since Nikola Mirotic returned when they host DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
Indiana at Milwaukee 8:00 PM ET
The Milwaukee Bucks came so close to a statement road win before falling short at Toronto on New Year's Day. They will try to rebound at home against an Indiana Pacers team that might once again be playing without leading scorer Victor Oladipo.
Golden State at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors made sure to wait until Stephen Curry was 100 percent before bringing him back from an ankle injury, and he certainly appeared healthy in his first game back. Curry will try to follow up a 38-point outburst when the Warriors open a three-game road trip by visiting the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
Phoenix at Denver 9:00 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets look to break out of a mini-funk when they attempt to defeat the visiting Phoenix Suns on Wednesday for the seventh straight time. Denver allowed an average of 117.5 points while losing its last two games and aims to figure out a way to slow down Suns star guard Devin Booker.
New Orleans at Utah 9:00 PM ET
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the more inconsistent teams in the NBA and just followed up a three-game winning streak with back-to-back home losses to teams without winning records. The Pelicans will try to turn their streaky nature positive when they begin a stretch with six of eight on the road by visiting the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers 10:30 PM ET
The Oklahoma City Thunder ended 2017 in a bit of a funk on the defensive end and dropped their last two contests after a six-game winning streak. The Los Angeles Lakers, who host the Thunder on Wednesday, know all about struggles on the defensive end and are allowing an average of 117.3 points during a seven-game slide.