Preview Roundups
December 16, 2016
Detroit at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Detroit Pistons were embarrassed by an 18-point home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday but looked like a different team after a couple of days of practice. The Pistons will try to carry the effort they showed in a 95-85 triumph at Dallas on Wednesday back to the East Coast when they visit the Washington Wizards on Friday.
Brooklyn at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Brooklyn Nets are trying to win their first road game in over a month and are heading out on a three-game trip with some momentum after knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Wednesday. The Nets will try to take advantage of the struggling Orlando Magic when they start their trip in Florida on Friday.
Charlotte at Boston 7:30 PM ET
A pair of Eastern Conference hopefuls suffering through three-game losing streaks meet in Boston on Friday night when the Celtics host the Charlotte Hornets. Boston has lost four of five overall but all four defeats have come by seven points or fewer, including a 108-101 setback at San Antonio on Wednesday.
Atlanta at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
DeMar DeRozan continues scoring in big numbers and the Toronto Raptors continue winning, bringing a four-game winning streak into Friday’s home contest against an Atlanta Hawks’ team moving in the opposite direction. DeRozan posted his 13th 30-point game of the season in Wednesday’s victory over Philadelphia, pushing Toronto 11 games above .500, while the Hawks dropped eight of 10 to fall outside of the Eastern Conference’s top eight.
Milwaukee at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the midst of a fantastic three-game stretch and the Milwaukee forward looks to help the Bucks complete a home-and-home sweep of the host Chicago Bulls on Friday. Antetokounmpo contributed 30 points, 14 rebounds and three steals as Milwaukee posted a 108-97 victory in Chicago on Thursday.
Sacramento at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
Sacramento coach Dave Joerger is well aware how much the Memphis Grizzlies dominate the Kings when the teams square off in Memphis. The former Grizzlies' coach is now the head man of the Kings and he will try to break Sacramento's 12-game skid in Memphis when he faces his former squad on Friday.
New Orleans at Houston 8:00 PM ET
James Harden and the Houston Rockets are controlling the pace of play and racking up victories. Harden has posted five triple-doubles this season and fast-paced Houston seeks its ninth straight win when it hosts the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
L.A. Lakers at Philadelphia 8:00 PM ET
The returns of D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young are not stopping the Los Angeles Lakers' slide, which reached eight straight with a loss at lowly Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Lakers will try to avoid a ninth consecutive defeat when they visit the only team lower in the Eastern Conference standings than the Nets - the Philadelphia 76ers - on Friday.
L.A. Clippers at Miami 8:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers aren't stifling teams on the defensive end like they did earlier in the season, but they are moving in a positive direction as far as wins are concerned. The Clippers will try to push their latest streak to four straight when they visit the Miami Heat on Friday.
Dallas at Utah 10:30 PM ET
The Utah Jazz haven't made the postseason since 2012 but reside in first place in the Northwest Division and are looking like a probable Western Conference playoff squad. The Jazz are aiming for their 10th win in the past 12 games on Friday when they host the Dallas Mavericks, who are a porous 1-11 on the road.