Preview Roundups
March 13, 2015
Chicago at Charlotte 7:00 PM ET
In the midst of a busy stretch and already without several starters, Chicago hopes one of its key cogs can return to the lineup Friday in Charlotte. Joakim Noah sat out the Bulls' 104-95 overtime win in Philadelphia on Wednesday with left knee soreness, giving the team four of its top five players on the sidelines. Noah told reporters he hopes to return for Friday's game, which will be Chicago's sixth game in nine days, including four on the road.
Sacramento at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
Teams looking to the future meet Friday when the Sacramento Kings visit the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers are trying to stockpile assets, mostly in the form of draft picks, to find players to play alongside rookie Nerlens Noel and injured big man Joel Embiid. The Kings, on the other hand, are trying to find pieces to fit around star center DeMarcus Cousins, and one could be Ben McLemore, who scored a season-high 27 points to help the Kings snap a four-game losing streak Wednesday in Charlotte.
Orlando at Boston 7:30 PM ET
Coming off perhaps its best win of the season, Boston caps a quick two-game homestand Friday against Orlando. Despite the absence of guard Isaiah Thomas - who has scored at least 20 points in eight of 10 games with the Celtics - they were able to get past Memphis 95-92 on Wednesday, holding their own against the solid front line of the Grizzlies and making big plays down the stretch. Boston has won four of five, 11 of 17 and sits 1 1/2 games behind Miami for the final playoff spot in the East.
Miami at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors look to beat the Miami Heat for the first time in over five years when they square off at Air Canada Centre on Friday. The Raptors have dropped 16 straight games to the Heat, including the last seven at home, and they hope to emerge victorious in the series for the first time since Jan. 27, 2010. Toronto is mired in its worst slump of the season with nine losses in the last 10 and is in danger of relinquishing home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Minnesota at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM ET
The Oklahoma City Thunder attempt to post their 11th consecutive home win over Minnesota when they host the sinking Timberwolves on Friday. Minnesota hasn’t won on the road against Oklahoma City since registering a 105-103 win on Nov. 28, 2008. The Thunder are 2-0 against the Timberwolves this season and certainly could use another win since they have fallen a half-game behind New Orleans for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
L.A. Clippers at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers will try for a three-game sweep when they travel to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Los Angeles beat the Mavericks by 20 points on Jan. 10 as Blake Griffin scored 22 points, but the All Star power forward missed the second meeting Feb. 9, the day he underwent surgery to eliminate a staph infection in his elbow, and the Clippers pulled off a 115-98 win. Griffin will miss his 15th straight game, but is shooting for a return Sunday against the visiting Houston Rockets.
Golden State at Denver 9:00 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets have been a different team since making a coaching change and have a chance to make a big statement for the future. The Nuggets, who knocked off Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta on Wednesday, will try to take out the best in the West when they host the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Denver is trying to win three straight for the first time in two months and is 4-2 under interim coach Melvin Hunt after a 115-102 win over the Hawks.
Atlanta at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks have suddenly become vulnerable at a key point of the season and they’ll try to turn things around when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday. The Hawks have lost two of three and both losses were unimpressive, falling to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday and the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Atlanta trailed by as many as 34 in the fourth quarter at Denver before closing the gap to nine in the final minute and eventually losing by 13.
Detroit at Portland 10:00 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers look to continue their dominance of Detroit when they host the sliding Pistons on Friday. Portland is looking for its 11th win in the last 13 meetings with Detroit, and it catches the Pistons at a good time to tack on another victory. Detroit has lost eight consecutive games and center Andre Drummond was the lone bright spot in Wednesday’s 105-98 loss to the Golden State Warriors as he corralled a career-best 27 rebounds.