Washington Wizards @ Philadelphia 76ers
The Wizards (8-13) make the trip to Philly (15-8) in a star-studded Eastern Conference matchup.
Washington have been playing better since turmoil erupted in their practice, but only just overran a Chris Paul-less Rockets in OT earlier in the week and were smacked by the Pelicans 125-104 on Thursday (all times AEST).
John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter are playing for their Washington careers right now and Kelly Oubre Jr. is getting a chance to prove his worth in the starting lineup, while Markieff Morris has looked much better with the second unit.
Scott Brooks’ team struggled to matchup against Anthony Davis on Wednesday, particularly without Dwight Howard, and they will face similar problems against Joel Embiid.
The Embiid-Jimmy Butler-Ben Simmons trio has come together seamlessly, and this has the feel of the team that is about to surge.
Embiid is arguably the league’s frontrunner for the MVP and the Sixers rank third in the league in assists per game (26.6) and seventh in points (114.3).
Once their defence comes together, Brett Brown’s team will be a serious handful.
Tip: Philadelphia -5.5 @ $1.66.
Houston Rockets @ San Antonio Spurs (ESPN)
Who would have thought that the heavyweight Texas battle currently sees Houston (9-11) and San Antonio (10-11) both in the West’s bottom four.
The Rockets are on a four-game skid and have not looked the same without Chris Paul, who remains questionable for Saturday’s matchup with a hamstring injury.
James Harden has been on a tear, averaging 38 points, 4.8 triples, 6.3 rebounds, 12.8 assists and 2.5 steals this week, but he can’t do it alone.
The Spurs have been equally bad, having lost five of their past seven games and are struggling at either end of the court.
Gregg Popovich’s lesser players aren’t stepping up like they have in the past and the likes of DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay are being too heavily relied upon and not getting enough rest.
However, if Paul misses again, it’s hard to see Houston getting a W in San Antonio.
Tip: San Antonio to win.
Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN)
A huge division rival matchup awaits at the Moda Centre as Denver (14-7) visits Portland (13-8).
The Nuggets have pulled together impressively this season, despite Isaiah Thomas (hip), Will Barton (groin) and highly-touted prospect Michael Porter Jr. (back) all playing a combined two games.
Michael Malone has transformed his band into a defence-first team, ranking third in the league in points allowed (102.3), as Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Garry Harris continue to develop.
The Nuggets are riding a four-game win streak and coming off a 117-85 belting to the Lakers at home, but Denver will run into a red-hot Damian Lillard.
The All-Star guard is coming off an explosive 41-point outing in his team’s 115-112 over Orlando on Thursday, that included 10 three-pointers to break the Blazers’ all-time record.
Jusuf Nurkic always seems to give Jokic and his old side problems too, and the homecourt advantage could push Terry Stotts’ team over the line.
Tip: Portland to win @ $1.71.
