Preview Roundups
November 13, 2015
Minnesota at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers are winners of back-to-back games and five of their last six with a focus on the defensive end. The Minnesota Timberwolves had a rough time on the defensive end on Thursday and will try to bounce back when they visit the Pacers on the second night of a back-to-back.
Utah at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic found a way to win despite an injury-depleted lineup last time out and look to build off that effort when they host the improving Utah Jazz on Friday night. Nikola Vucevic’s turnaround jumper at the buzzer gave Orlando a 101-99 triumph against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, bringing it within a victory of returning to .500 after a 0-3 start.
Atlanta at Boston 7:30 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics have excelled in converting turnovers into points in the first two weeks of the NBA season, but the Hawks have done a better job of finishing games. Atlanta travels to Boston on Friday, pitting the top two teams in the league in steals per game and percentage of points off turnovers.
Cleveland at New York 7:30 PM ET
The marquee matchup is between LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, but rookie forward Kristaps Porzingis is beginning to steal some of the spotlight. Porzingis will be on display again when he and the New York Knicks host James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
New Orleans at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The injury-ravaged New Orleans Pelicans hope to have star forward Anthony Davis back in the lineup when they continue a three-game road trip at Toronto on Friday. Davis (hip strain) became the latest in a long list of Pelicans to sit in street clothes when he watched New Orleans' 106-98 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday.
Charlotte at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets got off to an 0-3 start and looked terrible on offense before breaking out in a 130-105 demolition of the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 3. The Hornets have won four of their last five games beginning with that triumph and will attempt to victimize the Bulls again when they visit Chicago on Friday.
Portland at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a demoralizing start and aim to halt a four-game losing streak when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Memphis' skid began with a 115-96 road loss to the Trail Blazers on Nov. 5, when Portland guard Damian Lillard made a season-high seven 3-pointers while scoring 27 points.
Philadelphia at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM ET
The Oklahoma City Thunder got used to playing without Kevin Durant last season and will go through the experience again for at least the next week after their former MVP suffered a hamstring strain. Russell Westbrook will take the lead when the Thunder host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
L.A. Lakers at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Mavericks seek their ninth consecutive victory over the Los Angeles Lakers when the two squads meet on Friday. Dallas averaged 115.5 points while sweeping last season's four meetings and also delivered a 103-93 road victory over the Lakers on Nov. 1.
Houston at Denver 9:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets unraveled in their last contest and witnessed a four-game winning streak reach an end. Houston looks to recover from a 106-98 loss to the Brooklyn Nets and start a new streak when it visits the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Brooklyn at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins is once again feuding with coach George Karl as the Sacramento Kings prepare to host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Cousins directed a profanity-laced tirade at Karl after Monday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs and apologized for his actions two days later.