Portland Trail Blazers at Boston Celtics (ESPN)
The Blazers (37-23) head to Boston (37-23) in the first of ESPN’s double-header.
Portland bolstered their bench ahead of the trade deadline, adding Rodney Hood and Enes Kanter to show that they are serious about making the top four.
Terry Stotts’ team are currently riding a four-game win streak, three of those on the road. CJ McCollum was sensational in their latest win in Cleveland, pouring in 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting with seven 3-pointers.
They face a Celtics team who are currently on the outside of the East’s top four and coming off consecutive losses.
Their most recent defeat in Chicago was disappointing, given the Bulls are one of the teams in tank mode. All year we’ve waited for Boston to get it together but it just hasn’t happened. They will need to act quickly given there are only 20 odd games left.
Last time these teams met back in November, Portland prevailed at home 100-94.
Tip: Boston to win @ $1.71.
The Clippers (34-28) visit Utah (33-26) as two teams vying for the always competitive Western Conference playoff spots go head-to-head.
The Clips have won three of their last four but are still tinkering with their formula after shipping out several key pieces before the trade deadline, including Tobias Harris.
Danilo Gallinari, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams are the leaders for this team, who were all sensational in Tuesday’s win over Dallas (all times AEST).
Meanwhile, the Jazz could yet make a run for the top four where they are currently just three and a half games behind.
Utah have only managed one win from their last three games but are starting to hum again behind Donovan Mitchell (averaging 26.2 points, 2.8 threes, 6.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals in his last five).
In their last meeting in LA last month, the Jazz took it 129-109.
Tip: Utah -5.5 @ $1.50.
New Orleans Pelicans at LA Lakers (ESPN)
New Orleans (27-35) make the trip to LA (29-31) to cap of ESPN’s double-header.
The Pelicans have been a mess ever since Anthony Davis’ trade request. Dropping four of their last six and capping Davis and Jrue Holiday’s minutes, this team has lost its identity.
It seems like they are focused on rotating heaps of bodies onto the floor for the remainder of the season to get a good look at everyone and figure out what direction they will go in. And that will lead to mixed results.
The Lakers have not been much better. Luke Walton’s head is on the guillotine with his team dropping four of their last five.
LA’s most recent loss in Memphis was inexcusable and LeBron James has even come out and challenged his teammates’ lack of competitiveness. It is becoming more likely that the Lake Show will miss the playoffs, currently trailing the eighth-placed Spurs by three games.
The Pels beat the Lakers at home 128-115 over the weekend.
Tip: LA to win -4.5 @ $1.82.
