Preview Roundups
December 28, 2016
Indiana at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Wizards are winners of seven of their last 10 games as they march toward the .500 mark and turned up the defense when it counted in the fourth quarter to come away with a victory on Monday. The Wizards will try to avenge one of their recent losses when they host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
Charlotte at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic will attempt to match their longest winning streak of the season when they play host to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. Orlando, which defeated visiting Memphis 112-102 on Monday, can win three straight for the third time this season and it feels as if a veteran group is beginning to come together.
New York at Atlanta 7:30 PM ET
The New York Knicks visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday in a matchup of two teams looking to break out of a crowded pack in the Eastern Conference. New York sits in fifth place in the East, seven games behind Cleveland, Atlanta resides 1 ½ games behind the Knicks in sixth, and entering Tuesday only four games separated the third playoff spot in the conference from the four teams immediately outside the postseason picture.
Milwaukee at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The Detroit Pistons ended a five-game losing streak with a win over the LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday and will try to make it two straight when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. The Pistons put together their strongest defensive effort in weeks in the win and are hoping that carries over into the rest of the season.
Brooklyn at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Bulls continue to be one of the more confusing teams in the NBA, but at least they have a chance to build some positive momentum. The Bulls will try to string together consecutive wins for the first time in over two weeks when they host the lowly Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
L.A. Clippers at New Orleans 8:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers dropped three consecutive games and will once again be shorthanded when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Power forward Blake Griffin is sidelined after recent knee surgery and the starting backcourt of Chris Paul and J.J. Redick could each miss another contest due to hamstring injuries.
Phoenix at San Antonio 8:30 PM ET
LaMarcus Aldridge has become accustomed to being the No. 2 scoring option for the San Antonio Spurs but occasionally reminds everybody that he remains one of the more potent offensive forces in the league. Aldridge aims to follow up his season-best 33-point scoring effort against Chicago with another stellar outing when San Antonio hosts the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
Minnesota at Denver 9:00 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets are fresh off an impressive road victory and play six of their next eight games at home, beginning with Wednesday's tilt against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets won four of their last six overall games, including Monday's 106-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sacramento at Portland 10:00 PM ET
The Sacramento Kings are putting together a nice little run while the Portland Trail Blazers are spiraling in the wrong direction. Sacramento aims for its fifth straight victory and Portland attempts to halt a six-game losing streak when the teams meet on the Trail Blazers' home floor on Wednesday.
Toronto at Golden State 10:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors have yet to lose on their six-game road trip but the path is only growing harder with a visit to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. The Raptors, who already have two losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and one to the Warriors on the 2016-17 resume, are trying to prove that they belong in the conversation as one of the best teams in the league.