Preview Roundups
November 05, 2014
Miami at Charlotte 7:00 PM ET
The Miami Heat look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they hit the road to face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday. The Heat were held to just 14 points in the fourth quarter as they fell 108-91 to the Houston Rockets and hope to turn their fortunes around by beating the Hornets for the 17th consecutive time. However, fatigue could play a major role for Miami as it prepares for its fourth game in five nights.
Orlando at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
Both teams will be looking to post their first victory of the season when the Orlando Magic visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. The Magic were within three points late at Chicago on Tuesday before dropping a 98-90 decision for their fourth straight loss as they work six newcomers into their rotation, including impressive shooting guard Evan Fournier. The 76ers gave unbeaten Houston a tussle before falling 104-93 on Monday and continue to see progress from rookie big man Nerlens Noel.
Toronto at Boston 7:30 PM ET
The Boston Celtics fell into too deep a hole to climb all the way out in Dallas on Monday and are hoping to avoid a similar deficit when they host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. The Celtics trailed by 31 points against the Mavericks before pulling within a basket in the fourth quarter of a 118-113 setback. The Raptors are trying to prove their 2013-14 Atlantic Division crown was no fluke and picked up their third win Tuesday.
Minnesota at Brooklyn 7:30 PM ET
The Brooklyn Nets look like a different team with Brook Lopez in the starting lineup, and they’ll need his big body Wednesday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lopez made his season debut Monday against the severely shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder after missing the first two games with a sprained right foot, the same one he broke last December. He finished with 18 points and six rebounds in the 116-85 victory.
New York at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The Stan Van Gundy era has gotten off to a slow start in Detroit, and a woeful offensive attack is to blame. Van Gundy's winless Pistons will attempt once again to find rhythm on that end of the floor when they host the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Detroit, which dropped a 102-90 decision against Brooklyn in its home opener Saturday, ranks last in scoring (86.7) and 3-point percentage (21.9) while ranking near the bottom in field-goal percentage (40.2) and free-throw percentage (65.7).
Chicago at Milwaukee 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Bulls managed a shorthanded home win, but now they have to take their next-man-up mentality on the road to face the upstart Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. The Bulls could be without stars Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah for a second straight night. The supporting cast had enough firepower to beat winless Orlando, but the young Bucks are confident after snapping a 16-game road losing streak with an 87-81 win at Indiana on Tuesday.
Indiana at Washington 8:00 PM ET
The surging Washington Wizards get their first chance to get back at the Indiana Pacers for last season's playoff loss when the teams tangle Wednesday night in the nation's capital. The Pacers ousted the Wizards in the Eastern Conference semifinals last spring but the squads have opened up this season on very different notes. Washington's third straight victory was an impressive 98-83 decision at New York on Tuesday, its fourth win in a row at Madison Square Garden.
Atlanta at San Antonio 8:30 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs aim for a 17th consecutive home win over the Atlanta Hawks when the teams clash Wednesday. The Spurs have won seven straight and 15 of 16 overall in the series and haven't lost to the Hawks in San Antonio since Feb. 15, 1997. It's a homecoming for Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, who was an assistant with the Spurs for 19 years before taking over in Atlanta last season.
Memphis at Phoenix 9:00 PM ET
Zach Randolph has a double-double in all four games and the Memphis Grizzlies have yet to suffer a loss as they visit the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. The Grizzlies are 4-0 for the first time in franchise history and are allowing a league-low 85 points per game. Phoenix posted a road win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and begins a five-game homestand with the contest against the Grizzlies.
Cleveland at Utah 9:00 PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers looked like a team not used to playing with each other in a 19-point loss at Portland on Tuesday. LeBron James and the Cavaliers will try to quickly turn the page when they visit the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Cleveland hit its first 10 field-goal attempts against the Trail Blazers before going 21-of-75 the rest of the way and getting run off the court in falling to 1-2.
Denver at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets must be wondering what it’ll take to earn a victory after they were stung by two straight hard-to-swallow losses heading into their matchup Wednesday night against the host Sacramento Kings. The Nuggets fell to the visiting Kings on Monday night, two days after they couldn’t take advantage of an injury-depleted Thunder team and lost by double digits. The Kings, meanwhile, are off to their first 3-1 start since 2010.
L.A. Clippers at Golden State 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers ousted Golden State from the playoffs last spring and the Warriors look to remain perfect this season when the rivals meet on Wednesday. Golden State’s 3-0 start is the best since the franchise won five straight games to open the 1994-95 season and forward David Lee (hamstring) is expected to make his season debut against Los Angeles. The Clippers improved to 3-1 when Blake Griffin scored 31 points and Chris Paul delivered a triple-double in Monday’s win over Utah.