Preview Roundups
February 22, 2015
Cleveland at New York 1:00 PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers have won 15 of their last 17 games to make their way up the standings in the Eastern Conference while the New York Knicks have plummeted in the opposite direction. The Cavaliers will try to keep the momentum going at the expense of the Knicks when they visit New York on Sunday. The Knicks let go of Amar’e Stoudemire and sent Carmelo Anthony under the knife during the All-Star break, leaving the team absent of veteran presence.
Atlanta at Milwaukee 3:30 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks are not keeping up the lofty pace they set in January and will try to bounce back from a rare loss when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. The Hawks sandwiched a pair of losses around the All-Star break and are 3-4 in February after going undefeated the previous month. The Bucks have taken over as one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference and are winners of nine of their last 10 games.
Washington at Detroit 3:30 PM ET
The Washington Wizards hope to overcome their recent road woes and their latest bout with the injury bug when they travel to Detroit to face the Pistons on Sunday. The Wizards have lost four straight on the road and are likely to be without guard Bradley Beal for a fifth straight game. The Pistons are trying to stay in the playoff picture despite losing star point guard Brandon Jennings (ruptured Achilles tendon) for the season.
Golden State at Indiana 6:00 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors seek to continue their historic run while the host Indiana Pacers want to keep surging towards the playoffs when the teams meet Sunday. The Warriors increased their lead atop the Western Conference standings to 4 1/2 games over Memphis with a convincing 110-99 victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs on Friday, while the Pacers won for the fifth time in six games with an easy win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia at Orlando 6:00 PM ET
The Miami Heat look to start moving forward again after a few difficult days on and off the court when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. The Heat acquired sharp-shooting guard Goran Dragic on Thursday before learning they would be without All-Star Chris Bosh for the rest of the season and dropping a 105-91 decision to injury-depleted New Orleans two days later. Miami hopes to take advantage of Philadelphia, which is tied with Minnesota for the second-least wins in the league.
Philadelphia at Orlando 6:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic have shown progress on the defensive end since James Borrego took over as coach and look to continue the trend when the Philadelphia 76ers visit Sunday. The Magic allowed at least 100 points in 14 consecutive games before Jacque Vaughn was fired and gave up fewer than 100 in five outings since while gaining three victories. “We have new energy, new enthusiasm,” Orlando guard Evan Fournier told the Orlando Sentinel after a 95-84 win over New Orleans on Friday.
Denver at Oklahoma City 7:00 PM ET
Teams atop the Western Conference standings are beginning to take serious note of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The surging Thunder look for a sixth straight triumph when they host the transitioning Denver Nuggets on Sunday. Russell Westbrook continued his stellar season Saturday with 33 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as Kevin Durant sat with a toe injury and three players made their debuts in a 110-103 win over Charlotte.
Charlotte at Dallas 7:30 PM ET
Dirk Nowitzki avoided a serious injury to his elbow and is hopeful of being in the lineup when the Dallas Mavericks host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. Nowitzki was injured during Friday’s 111-100 win over the Houston Rockets and left the contest to get X-rays before later returning. “They tried to loosen it up and get me back out there but we all know if I can’t shoot, I’m pretty useless out there,” Nowitzki told reporters.
Memphis at Portland 9:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies finally resume play following the All-Star break and hope to have standout center Marc Gasol suited up when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Gasol missed back-to-back practices due to an illness and the club termed him as questionable while hoping to upgrade that in the hours leading to tip-off. Memphis has won the first two meetings between the Western Conference powers, including a 112-99 win in Portland on Nov. 28.
Boston at L.A. Lakers 9:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Lakers will try to avoid getting swept by the Boston Celtics for the first time since 2007-08 when they host their Eastern Conference rivals on Sunday. That might be the only thing the Lakers have to play for as they come in having lost seven in a row and 16 of 17 to fall within a game of the Western Conference basement. The Celtics lost Friday night at the Sacramento Kings with a limited roster but are still just 1 1/2 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.