Toronto Raptors at Indiana Pacers
The Raptors (35-13) visit Indiana (31-15) in an Eastern Conference heavyweight matchup.
Toronto continue to power through the season, winning seven of their last eight games to currently sit just 0.10 per cent behind the first placed Bucks.
Nick Nurse’s team is coming off a 119-90 win over the Grizzlies on Sunday, where Danny Green poured in a game-high 24 points with a franchise-record seven 3-pointers.
Kawhi Leonard (rest) is set to miss this one after sitting out Toronto’s clash with the Kings on Wednesday (AEST). This will be a tough travel from California, while the Raptors will still be without Jonas Valanciunas (hand).
Meanwhile, the Pacers are coming off consecutive wins against the Mavericks and Hornets and in as good a shape as they’ve looked all season.
Last time these teams met in Toronto on January 7, the Raptors came out on top in Kyle Lowry’s return from an injury absence, while Leonard did not play. Norman Powell had 23 points off the bench and Damontis Sabonis racked up 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Tip: Indiana to win - $1.74
San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN)
The Spurs (27-21) head to Philadelphia (31-17) in the first of ESPN’s double-header.
San Antonio are coming off a loss to the Clippers on Monday, but have welcomed Rudy Gay back into the fold, who was having a nice season before his wrist injury (averaging 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, shooting 52% FG).
The Spurs have played much better recently and sit two games clear inside the top eight, but run into an elite Sixers team who are an NBA-best 20-5 at home.
Philly have won three of their last four games, with the only loss coming thanks to Paul George’s buzzer-beating heroics on Sunday. Brett Brown’s team even steamrolled their way through Houston on Tuesday without Jimmy Butler (wrist) and tamed the red-hot James Harden.
Butler remains questionable for this one, as does Ben Simmons due to an illness, so be sure to check their status ahead of the contest.
This is the first meeting between San Antonio and Philadelphia this season.
Tip: Philadelphia to win - $1.55
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz (ESPN)
An intriguing division rival matchup caps of ESPN’s double-header as Denver (31-14) make the trip to Utah (26-22).
The Nuggets have taken their game to another level this year behind the meteoric rise of Nikola Jokic and emergence of role players like Malik Beasley and Monte Morris to cover their slew of injuries. Denver have become genuine top four contenders out West, having won three of their last four games.
The only concern with Mike Malone’s team is their consistency on the road, where they are just 11-10 for the season. The Nugs recently got Will Barton and Garry Harris back from injuries, but both players are expected to remain on a 15 to 20 minute restriction.
The Jazz were riding a six-game win streak before falling to the Blazers at home on Tuesday despite 36 points from Donovan Mitchell and the return of Ricky Rubio (hamstring).
Utah are starting to find their groove and occupy the West’s eighth seed after an impressive month. If Joe Ingles warms up and Mitchell maintains his hot shooting from Tuesday, Quin Snyder’s team will present a big challenge to Denver.
In their last meeting on November 4, Denver took it 103-88 at home behind a 20-point outing for Harris as Jokic was held to just seven points.
Tip: Utah to win @ $1.64
