Preview Roundups
February 28, 2015
Detroit at Washington 7:00 PM ET
Washington is in free-fall while Detroit is sure to be fatigued when the two teams meet Saturday in the nation's capital. The Wizards dropped their sixth straight and lost for the 11th time in 13 games overall with an 89-81 setback at lowly Philadelphia on Friday, shooting a season-low 32.3 percent. All-Star John Wall continued his struggles with a 7-of-26 showing, falling to 9-of-36 over his last two games in which Washington has averaged 79 points against two of the league's worst teams.
Atlanta at Miami 7:30 PM ET
After a crushing defeat, the Miami Heat return home for an extended homestand they hope will solidify their playoff chances. The Heat open a stretch of nine of 11 games on their own floor when the Atlanta Hawks visit Saturday. Miami squandered a 10-point, third-quarter lead Friday in New Orleans, falling 104-102 when Dwyane Wade's 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the back iron.
Toronto at New York 7:30 PM ET
There is no better cure for a long losing streak than a date with the New York Knicks, and the Toronto Raptors will try to stop a four-game slide when they visit New York on Saturday. The Raptors managed to hang onto sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference thanks to Cleveland’s loss Friday but are nowhere near the top of their game. The Knicks snapped an eight-game skid with a double-overtime win in Detroit on Friday.
Memphis at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies were rolling off victories and flying high but have suddenly hit a rough patch as they enter Saturday’s road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Memphis won 16 of 19 games before falling to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday and then suffered a 97-79 home-floor drubbing Friday by the Los Angeles Clippers. The Grizzlies had ascended to second place in the Western Conference and the Houston Rockets lurk just 1 1/2 games behind.
Brooklyn at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
Dallas and point guard Rajon Rondo have a chance to hit the reset button Saturday night when they host road-weary Brooklyn in the opener of a two-game homestand. With Rondo suspended for his heated dispute with head coach Rick Carlisle during Tuesday's win over Toronto, the Mavericks put forth one of their sloppiest efforts of the season in a 104-87 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. Rondo returns to action looking to bury the hatchet and improve upon his recent play.
San Antonio at Phoenix 9:00 PM ET
The Phoenix Suns looked like they were surrendering their chances at a playoff spot in the Western Conference with five straight losses but are back to building positive momentum. The Suns will try to post a third straight win when they host the road-weary San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. The Spurs have finally reached the conclusion of their nine-game rodeo road trip and ended a four-game slide with a win at Sacramento on Friday.
Milwaukee at Utah 9:00 PM ET
The Milwaukee Bucks look for their first win in Salt Lake City in more than 14 years when they take on the Utah Jazz on Saturday. The Bucks opened up their four-game Western road swing by blowing a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter to fall 101-93 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Milwaukee has dropped three of its last four games and three straight away from home as it hopes to get back on track by beating the Jazz on the road for the first time since Oct. 30, 2001.