Preview Roundups
December 21, 2014
New York at Toronto 3:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors look for their Eastern Conference-leading 22nd victory when they host the struggling New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon. The red-hot Raptors have won five in a row - including a 110-100 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday - to open up a 9.5 game lead atop the Atlantic Division standings. Toronto has won four straight at the Air Canada Centre and hope to beat the Knicks for the second time in a week before embarking on a six-game road trip.
Memphis at Cleveland 4:30 PM ET
After a much-needed day off, the Memphis Grizzlies look to add to the best start in franchise history when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Sunday. Memphis aims to bounce back after having a six-game winning streak snapped in a 103-97 home loss to Chicago on Friday - the Grizzlies' fifth game in eight days. The Cavaliers held on for a 95-91 win over Brooklyn on Friday, marking only their second victory in five games since an eight-game winning streak.
L.A. Lakers at Sacramento 6:00 PM ET
DeMarcus Cousins is back and Tyrone Corbin is behind the bench, but the Sacramento Kings are still trying to figure a way out of the loss column. A date with the Los Angeles Lakers, who visit on Sunday, could snap the Kings out of their five-game funk. Cousins collected 27 points and 10 rebounds in his return from a 10-game absence due to viral meningitis but was off the mark on a game-winning attempt in a 108-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Detroit at Brooklyn 6:00 PM ET
If the Brooklyn Nets are going to make a run in the Eastern Conference, now is the time to start. The Nets begin a stretch of five consecutive games – four at home – against teams with losing records when the woeful Detroit Pistons visit Sunday. Brooklyn may have to start the run without point guard Deron Williams, who injured his calf Friday in a loss to Cleveland and is set for an MRI exam.
Boston at Miami 6:00 PM ET
The new-look Boston Celtics aim for a season-high fourth straight victory when they travel to Miami to face the struggling Heat on Sunday. The Celtics ran their winning streak to three games with a 114-98 win over Minnesota on Friday — their first game since trading point guard Rajon Rondo to Dallas. The Heat, who squandered a late lead in a 105-103 loss to Washington on Friday, have lost five straight at home and eight of 11 overall.
Philadelphia at Orlando 6:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic have lost five of six games since a promising stretch of play and look to find their best form when the struggling Philadelphia 76ers pay a visit on Sunday night. The Magic appeared to moving forward after a 3-3 road trip, but averaged fewer than 90 points over the last six and need to beat the league’s worst team to avoid matching a season-high four-game losing streak. The 76ers have dropped five in a row and are beginning a seven-game road swing that ends out West.
Phoenix at Washington 6:00 PM ET
The Washington Wizards look to continue their winning ways when they host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The Wizards have emerged victorious in 10 of their last 11 games - including six straight after their 105-103 triumph over the Miami Heat on Friday - to match the 1974-75 squad for the best start in franchise history. Washington is 13-2 at the Verizon Center and hopes to extend its home winning streak to nine games by beating the Suns for the fourth time in its last five tries.
Indiana at Minnesota 7:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Timberwolves are expecting Andrew Wiggins to develop into a difference maker but the No. 1 overall pick in June’s draft is definitely experiencing growing pains. Wiggins is averaging seven points on 5-of-19 shooting over the past two games as Minnesota’s losing streak extended to four games entering Sunday’s matchup with the visiting Indiana Pacers. The Pacers have lost 10 of their last 11 games after falling 76-73 to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
New Orleans at Oklahoma City 7:00 PM ET
With or without reigning MVP Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder look to continue their surge Sunday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Thunder won for the eighth time in nine games when Russell Westbrook had 31 points and 10 assists in a 104-103 victory against the Lakers as Durant rested a sore ankle. The Pelicans, trying to establish themselves as a playoff contender, were embarrassed 114-88 at home Saturday against Portland, which was coming off a triple-overtime win Friday.