Preview Roundups
April 13, 2014
Oklahoma City at Indiana 1:00 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers are still hopeful of claiming the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but the quality of the opponent could pose a problem on Sunday. Indiana hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder – the No. 2 team in the West – as it attempts to wrestle the top spot in the East away from the Miami Heat, who defeated the Pacers on Friday. Oklahoma City leads the Los Angeles Clippers by 2 1/2 games and can clinch the second seed with a victory.
Toronto at Detroit 3:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors, fresh off clinching their second Atlantic Division crown in franchise history, will try to build momentum heading into the postseason when they play at the Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon. The Raptors couldn't take care of business on their own Friday night, losing to the New York Knicks 108-100, but wrapped up the division title not long after when the Nets lost to the Hawks. Toronto is now guaranteed home-court advantage to start its first-round playoff series.
Orlando at Brooklyn 6:00 PM ET
The Brooklyn Nets saw their franchise-record 15-game home winning come to an end Friday and will try to begin another one that extends deep into the playoffs. The Nets, all but locked into the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, look to refine their game going into the postseason when they host the Orlando Magic on Sunday night. Brooklyn has lost its last two, including a 115-111 defeat at Orlando on Wednesday, and the Magic own the league’s worst road record (4-35).
Chicago at New York 7:30 PM ET
The Chicago Bulls are enjoying a season-high seven-game winning streak and jumped into third place in the Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks, who host the Bulls on Sunday, have nothing left to play for after the Atlanta Hawks knocked them out of playoff contention with a win on Saturday. The Knicks fought their way into a tie for the No. 8 spot in the East but dropped two in a row over last weekend and Atlanta put them out of their misery.
Golden State at Portland 9:00 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors have the slimmest of chances to jump up to the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference, but they need some help. The first thing the Warriors need to do is go into Portland and beat the Trail Blazers on Sunday. The Trail Blazers lead Golden State by 2 1/2 games for fifth place but the Warriors lead the season series 2-1 and can still pull off the unlikely jump if they win out and Portland drops its last two.
Minnesota at Sacramento 9:00 PM ET
Corey Brewer looks for an encore performance when he leads the Minnesota Timberwolves into a matchup at Sacramento on Sunday. Brewer erupted for a career-high and franchise record-tying 51 points in a 112-110 win over Houston on Friday night, pulling Minnesota within one win of finishing with at least a .500 record for the first time since 2004-05. Gorgui Dieng continued his solid play for the Timberwolves with 12 points - including the game-winner with 4.6 seconds left - and 20 rebounds.
Memphis at L.A. Lakers 9:30 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies can’t afford a letdown in their hunt for a playoff spot when they visit the lowly Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Memphis is competing with the Phoenix Suns for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference and the Grizzlies have a road showdown with the Suns looming on Monday. Memphis has a half-game lead over Phoenix but can’t slip up against the Lakers, who have lost six straight and are finishing up the worst season in franchise history.