Preview Roundups
December 10, 2016
Milwaukee at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Wizards were proud of their defensive effort the last time they hit the floor, and they will try to sustain that vibe when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. The Wizards are coming off a 92-85 win over Denver that stands as their best performance on the defensive end this season, as they forced 29 turnovers and held the Nuggets to 33 points after halftime.
Denver at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic hope to swing their see-saw season back in the positive direction when they host the struggling Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. The Magic put together a strong road trip with four wins in five games, including an inspiring victory against San Antonio, but lost at home by 30 against Boston on Wednesday before Friday’s 109-88 setback at Charlotte.
Portland at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers attempt to avoid their second three-game losing streak of the season when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The Trail Blazers are 1-2 entering the fourth contest of a five-game road and have dropped back-to-back games to Milwaukee and Memphis.
Charlotte at Cleveland 7:30 PM ET
LeBron James is more interested in winning his fourth NBA title than where he stands on the all-time scoring list, so the health of teammate Kevin Love and others for the rest of the season - beginning with Saturday's game against the Charlotte Hornets - is paramount. Love missed Friday morning's shootaround and was a game-time decision with back spasms, but responded with 28 points in 15 rebounds to help Cleveland win its third straight game, 114-84 over the Miami Heat.
Miami at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
After a win against one the NBA's best teams, the Chicago Bulls will take aim at one of the worst when it hosts the Miami Heat on Saturday. The Bulls snapped a three-game slide with Thursday's 95-91 win over the San Antonio Spurs, who suffered their first road loss in 14 games.
Golden State at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors' latest winning streak reached four straight on Thursday, but the team started to show signs of slippage in the second half and coach Steve Kerr is trying to make sure that doesn't fester. The Warriors will try to put together a complete 48 minutes when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies in the third stop of a five-game road trip on Saturday.
Dallas at Houston 8:00 PM ET
James Harden isn't always the most efficient shooter but the Houston guard isn't bothered by it as long as the Rockets win. Harden will attempt to relocate his shot when Houston seeks its sixth straight victory and 11th in the past 13 games with a home game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
Brooklyn at San Antonio 8:30 PM ET
The Spurs are vulnerable at home this season, offering the lowly Brooklyn Nets some hope of victory when they visit San Antonio on Saturday. Brooklyn is actually hitting the road with some momentum after pulling out a 116-111 home win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday but is searching for more at the defensive end.
Sacramento at Utah 9:00 PM ET
The Utah Jazz have been hit hard by injuries but the effects haven't hurt the win-loss column as they look for their eighth victory in the past 10 games when they host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Standout small forward Gordon Hayward (finger) is listed as probable after sitting out Thursday's 106-99 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
New Orleans at L.A. Clippers 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers are mired in a slump and got a close-up look at how far they need to go to become a team that challenges for the Western Conference when they were trounced by the Golden State Warriors at home on Wednesday. The Clippers got a couple days off to do some self-assessment and will return to the court by hosting the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.