Preview Roundups
February 11, 2015
New York at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic are looking for positives out of the last 27 games of a disappointing season, and one would be to win more on their home court. The Magic own an Eastern Conference-low six victories at home as they prepare to host the struggling New York Knicks on Wednesday night. The Knicks are losers of four straight, have the least wins in the league with 10 and leading scorer Carmelo Anthony left Monday’s loss at Miami in the fourth quarter after aggravating a left knee injury.
Atlanta at Boston 7:30 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks try to finish a sensational first half of the season on a high note when they travel to take on the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. The Hawks have won three straight against the Celtics and are trying to complete a season sweep of Boston for the first time since 2009-10 and only the second time since 1998-99. The Celtics had matched their season-high with three straight wins before a 96-93 loss at Milwaukee on Saturday.
San Antonio at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
With a milestone win out of the way, San Antonio aims for a solid finish before the All-Star break when it visits Detroit on Wednesday. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich became the ninth coach in NBA history to reach 1,000 wins with his team's 95-93 triumph in Indiana on Monday, improving to 1-1 on the team's annual "Rodeo Road Trip." After the visit to Detroit, the rest of the nine-game stretch away from home continues after the break, and each opponent will be from the Western Conference.
Washington at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors look to conclude their five-game homestand with a winning record when they host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The Raptors have won back-to-back games, including a hard-fought 87-82 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, after dropping two straight at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto has already set a franchise record for most wins before the All-Star break and hopes to continue its winning ways by beating the Wizards for the third consecutive time.
Sacramento at Milwaukee 8:00 PM ET
The Sacramento Kings are reportedly on the verge of handing the coaching reins over to veteran George Karl, and any change might be a positive at this point. The Kings will try to post their second win in seven games this month when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Milwaukee has won seven of its last eight and is trying to carry that momentum into the All-Star break.
Golden State at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
In the middle of their longest road stretch of the season, the Golden State Warriors seek a sixth win in seven games when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. The Warriors are playing a fourth straight road game during a stretch of 10 road contests in 11 overall. The Timberwolves, who are in the midst of a big home stretch, had their three-game winning streak snapped in a 117-105 loss to Atlanta on Monday.
Indiana at New Orleans 8:00 PM ET
The New Orleans Pelicans attempt to stay in the hunt for a Western Conference playoff spot while fighting injuries to key personnel when they host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. All-Star Anthony Davis (shoulder) is questionable and Ryan Anderson (elbow) along with Jrue Holiday (ankle) are not expected to play as the Pelicans try to snap a two-game slide. Indiana had won three straight before Monday’s damaging 95-93 loss to San Antonio after leading by 14 in the fourth quarter.
Memphis at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies look to stay on the winning track when they hit the road to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Grizzlies have won 10 of their last 11, including a 95-86 victory Tuesday over the Brooklyn Nets, to maintain their three-game lead atop the ultra-competitive Southwest Division. Memphis has held nine of its last 11 opponents to 90 points or less and can achieve its 40th win before the All-Star Break, which would be five weeks earlier than when it reached the mark last year.
Miami at Cleveland 8:00 PM ET
Dwayne Wade will not be in action when he and his Miami teammates visit old friend LeBron James and a surging Cleveland squad on Wednesday. Wade has missed six straight games due to a hamstring issue and while he will travel to Cleveland to be with his team, he is not expected to play and on Tuesday took himself out of the upcoming All-Star Game. The Heat were 1-4 in their first five games since Wade was sidelined before rallying to produce a 109-95 win over the New York Knicks on Monday.
Utah at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Mavericks have dominated the Utah Jazz in recent years, but they're likely to be without three key players when the series is renewed Wednesday in Dallas. Point guard Rajon Rondo, leading rebounder Tyson Chandler and leading scorer Monta Ellis all are likely to be sidelined when Dallas tries for its eighth straight win over the Jazz. Utah is aiming for its first three-game winning streak of the season.
L.A. Lakers at Portland 10:00 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers are pulling out of a lengthy funk and will try to carry some momentum into the All-Star break when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers are coming off a strong performance in a win at Houston and have taken three of four after finishing January with eight losses in 10 games. The Lakers are losers of five straight and 14 of 15 after falling at home to Denver on Tuesday.
Houston at L.A. Clippers 10:30 PM ET
James Harden is playing the best basketball of his career, and the Southern California native should be energized when his Houston Rockets visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Harden scored 45 points in Sunday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and came back with 40 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in Tuesday’s win at the Phoenix Suns. He’ll be facing a Los Angeles team that’s without its best player in Blake Griffin, who underwent surgery Monday for a staph infection.