Preview Roundups
January 17, 2015
Indiana at Charlotte 7:00 PM ET
After returning from a 14-game absence Wednesday, Lance Stephenson will play his former team for the second time when the Indiana Pacers visit the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. The swingman returned from a pelvic sprain and scored eight points in 19 minutes in the 98-93 loss to San Antonio as Charlotte had its season-long five-game win streak snapped. The Pacers, who beat Charlotte 88-86 in Stephenson's return to Indiana on Nov. 19, have dropped three straight after winning seven of 11.
Philadelphia at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
Coming off one of their most impressive performances of the season, perhaps the Philadelphia 76ers can look to the Detroit Pistons as a source of inspiration. The Sixers aim for their second straight victory and fourth in six games when they travel to Detroit on Saturday. The Pistons are in the midst of a dramatic turnaround, having won 10 of 12 after a 98-96 victory at Indiana on Friday.
Atlanta at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks were back at full strength Friday and easily kept their winning streak alive. The Hawks expect to have everybody available again Saturday when they travel to Chicago looking for a clean sweep of a four-game road trip and a 12th straight victory overall. Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer rested Jeff Teague on Tuesday against Philadelphia, and Al Horford and Kyle Korver the next night in Boston but had everybody suited up in Friday's 110-89 beatdown in Toronto.
Golden State at Houston 8:00 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors find themselves in rare territory as they prepare for a road test against the Houston Rockets on Saturday. The Warriors are in the unfamiliar position of trying to rebound from a loss after having an eight-game winning streak snapped in a 127-115 loss at Oklahoma City on Friday. The Rockets, who have won five of their last six, aim for a season-high fifth straight home victory.
Washington at Brooklyn 8:00 PM ET
The Brooklyn Nets need a spark to prove that they still belong in the conversation in the Eastern Conference, and sweeping a home-and-home with the Washington Wizards would be a good start. The Nets dominated the opener on the road and will try to pull off the sweep when they host the Wizards in the back end on Saturday. Brook Lopez fought off trade rumors and put up 26 points on Friday to lead the way.
Portland at Memphis 9:00 PM ET
Memphis saw what Jeff Green can do for its offense and the recent acquisition looks for another stellar performance when the Grizzlies host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Green had 21 points in Friday’s 106-96 win over the Orlando while playing in his second game since being dealt to Memphis from the Boston Celtics. “Adding a guy like Jeff just gives us that much more versatility,” point guard Mike Conley told reporters after sitting out with soreness in both ankles.
Minnesota at Denver 9:00 PM ET
Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried has been on a tear over the past three weeks, and the Minnesota Timberwolves were the opponent for the highlight of that run. Faried will try to put up another monster line and get his team back in the win column when the Nuggets host the Timberwolves on Saturday. The standout forward recorded 26 points and a career-best 25 rebounds in a 106-102 home win over Minnesota on Dec. 26.
L.A. Clippers at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers look to bounce back from a draining loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Los Angeles lost the up-and-down game to Cleveland 126-121 on Friday and will be hoping most of the players have the proper amount of energy left after an emotional game. Sacramento has lost 13 of its last 18 games after falling 95-83 to the Miami Heat on Friday and will be without second-leading scorer Rudy Gay (knee) for the second straight night.