Preview Roundups
February 27, 2015
Cleveland at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers look to increase their home winning streak over Cleveland to 10 games when they host the Cavaliers on Friday. Cleveland hasn’t won at Indiana since Jan. 29, 2010, and fell to the Pacers this season 103-99 on Feb. 6. The Cavaliers are red-hot entering the contest with 18 wins in 20 games after beating the Golden Warriors on Thursday, while Indiana has won six of its past eight games.
Washington at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
Two teams hoping to end five-game losing streaks meet Friday when Philadelphia hosts Washington. The slide for the Wizards is troubling, as a once-trendy pick to challenge in the East has lost 12 of 16 after a 97-77 setback in Minnesota on Wednesday, when Paul Pierce was a late scratch and Kris Humphries suffered a hamstring strain to add to the injury woes. Washington hopes to have both players back Friday and expects shooting guard Bradley Beal (leg) to return from a seven-game layoff.
Orlando at Atlanta 7:30 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks raised their level of play on defense the last two games and look to continue the trend when the Orlando Magic visit on Friday. The Eastern Conference-leading Hawks allowed 86 points in a win over Milwaukee before beating Dallas 104-87 on Wednesday – giving up 53 in the final three quarters combined. “It feels good,” forward DeMarre Carroll told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “It feels like we are trusting each other. Guys have each others' back on the defensive end.”
Charlotte at Boston 7:30 PM ET
Two teams in contention for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference square off Friday when the Boston Celtics host the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets snapped a five-game skid with a 98-86 win at Chicago on Wednesday to pull into an eighth-place tie with Brooklyn, but they have plenty of close pursuers. The Celtics are one of three teams who are a game out of eighth.
New York at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
After surrendering a double-digit lead to Cleveland, the Detroit Pistons look to rebound against the visiting New York Knicks before embarking on an extended road trip that could determine their postseason future. The Pistons currently sit tied for 10th in the East - one game out of eighth – and will play seven of their next eight on the road. Detroit couldn't have asked for an easier send off than New York, which has dropped eight straight games and the first two to Detroit this season.
Golden State at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors finished out a four-game road trip with three straight losses and have the misfortune to host the NBA-best Golden State Warriors on Friday before heading back out on the road. The Raptors get a bit of a break as the Warriors come in on the second night of a back-to-back after battling to a 110-99 loss at Cleveland on Thursday. Golden State is playing its third game in four nights and is slumping on the defensive end.
Minnesota at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
While the Minnesota Timberwolves adjust to having a franchise icon back, the Chicago Bulls are getting used to playing without their star point guard after yet another injury. The Bulls play their second game since losing Derrick Rose to a torn meniscus when they host the Timberwolves on Friday. Minnesota is coming off a 97-77 home win over Washington in Kevin Garnett's first game back with the team.
Brooklyn at Houston 8:00 PM ET
Houston looks to maintain a perfect homestand Friday night when it hosts road-weary Brooklyn in what has been a lopsided series of late. The Rockets have won the first three games of a five-game stay at home after a 110-105 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, their seventh win in the last eight home games overall. James Harden had 21 points and 10 assists to help offset the absence of point guard Patrick Beverley, who remains day-to-day with an illness.
L.A. Clippers at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies look to follow up on Monday’s victory over Los Angeles when they host the Clippers on Friday. Memphis is 2-0 against the Clippers this season, including the tightly contested affair in Los Angeles in which Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley stole the ball from Clippers point guard Chris Paul to preserve the 90-87 victory. Los Angeles has lost two straight games and Memphis fell to Sacramento 102-90 on Wednesday.
Miami at New Orleans 8:00 PM ET
Teams playing without key players meet Friday when the Miami Heat visit the New Orleans Pelicans. The Heat are still reeling from the loss of Chris Bosh (blood clots in his lung) while the Pelicans are making due without All-Star Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday for the near future. The Heat have managed to win three of four without Bosh to remain in the seventh slot while the Pelicans have won three straight as they continue to chase Oklahoma City for the eighth spot in the West.
Utah at Denver 9:00 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets look to halt their eight-game home losing streak when they host the Utah Jazz on Friday night. The Nuggets are coming off a 110-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday and have dropped 17 of their last 19 games, including their last three by an average margin of 22.3 points. Denver has surrendered 104 or more points in six of its eight losses in the month of February and hopes to stop the bleeding by beating the Jazz for the third consecutive time.
San Antonio at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs have traditionally performed well on the annual rodeo road trip while setting themselves up for a strong stretch run. The Spurs are just trying to make it home in one piece this time and will attempt to avoid a season-high fifth straight loss when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday. San Antonio dropped to 2-5 on the nine-game trip with a 111-95 loss at Portland on Wednesday and is getting little from Tony Parker.
Milwaukee at L.A. Lakers 10:30 PM ET
The Milwaukee Bucks look to continue their recent dominance over the Los Angeles Lakers by winning their fifth straight in the series on Friday. The Bucks have won 10 of their last 13 and are coming off a 104-88 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers to move within a half-game of overtaking the Washington Wizards as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee has won four of its last five against Western Conference opponents, including a 113-105 overtime triumph over the Lakers on Feb. 4.
Oklahoma City at Portland 10:30 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers attempt to defeat Oklahoma City for the third straight time this season when they host the Thunder on Friday. Portland posted a 17-point home win over the Thunder on Oct. 29 and later recorded a 115-111 overtime win on the road when star guard Damian Lillard made eight 3-pointers while contributing 40 points and 11 assists. The Thunder could be a tired group after suffering a 117-113 road overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
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