Preview Roundups
December 22, 2014
Denver at Charlotte 7:00 PM ET
Either Denver or Charlotte will be owners of a three-game winning after the Nuggets visit the Hornets on Monday. Both teams are below .500 but Denver is inching near the break-even mark with its two straight victories, including a low-scoring 76-73 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Charlotte stands 11 games below .500 even after consecutive victories, including an easy 104-86 triumph over the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
Toronto at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors look to stay on the winning track when they commence a six-game road trip against the Chicago Bulls in a battle of division leaders. The Raptors have won seven of their last eight - including a 118-108 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday - to open up a 10-game lead at the top of the Atlantic Division. Toronto hopes to earn its season-best seventh straight win on Monday and avenge a 100-93 loss to the Bulls on Nov. 13 in the process.
Portland at Houston 8:00 PM ET
Dwight Howard posted four straight double-doubles since returning to the lineup but the Houston Rockets are just 2-2 in that span. The Rockets will try to avoid a three-game losing streak when they host the scorching Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. Lost in the shuffle of Damian Lillard’s brilliance during a triple-overtime victory over the Spurs on Friday was LaMarcus Aldridge’s continued solid play, and he will give Howard a battle down low.
Utah at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
It is a mark of a successful franchise when two losses in a row feels like a low a point in the season, and the Memphis Grizzlies are certainly working on a successful campaign. The Grizzlies will try to avoid a third straight setback when they host the Utah Jazz on Monday. The two losses mark a third of Memphis’ total on the season, and both came with an asterisk as Zach Randolph was injured in the loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday and did not make the trip to Cleveland on Sunday.
Atlanta at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Mavericks were victorious in Rajon Rondo’s debut and look for another strong performance when they host the red-hot Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Rondo was acquired from the Boston Celtics last Thursday and he fit in well in his first game with his new team as Dallas defeated the San Antonio Spurs 99-93. Atlanta defeated the Houston Rockets 104-97 on Saturday to record its 12th win in 13 games.
L.A. Clippers at San Antonio 8:30 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs hope to continue their dominance over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers as they aim to snap their longest losing streak in more than three years. San Antonio has lost four straight, including a pair of three-overtime contests, while the Clippers have split their past six games following a nine-game winning streak. The Spurs won the first meeting this season, 89-85 on Nov. 10 in Los Angeles, and are 120-33 all-time against the Clippers including a 66-9 mark at home.
Sacramento at Golden State 10:30 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors had their 16-game winning streak come to an end last week but wasted no time bouncing back and will try to begin another streak with back-to-back victories when they host the Sacramento Kings on Monday. The Warriors will again be without Andrew Bogut (knee) but could get a lift from the return of forward David Lee. The former All-Star has missed the last 20 games with a nagging hamstring injury.