Houston Rockets at Orlando Magic
The Rockets head to Houston in an inter conference battle at the Amway Centre on NBA Saturday (all times AEST).
Houston’s form has been patchy, as is the case with a team that goes out there every night and simply tries to outscore their opponent and not do much on the defensive end. The Rockets are starting to turn a corner, winning three of their last four to move into the West’s fourth seed.
They were seriously challenged in their last outing, narrowly getting past the Cavs on the road 116-110 behind a huge outing from James Harden, tallying 55 points, 10 triples, eight assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Magic started the season slow but are starting to get it together. They recently tied together four-straight wins, but have since dropped their last two, albeit to the Bucks and Lakers.
It has been tough goings with Nikola Vucevic sidelined with an ankle injury, but the likes of Evan Fournier and Jonathan Isaac have really picked up the slack. Fournier is averaging a career-high 19.9 points per game on 48% from the field with 2.8 threes, while Isaac has been a defensive juggernaut, averaging 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and a league-high 2.8 blocks.
Tip: Houston to win @ $1.39
LA Lakers at Miami Heat (ESPN)
The Lakers are in South Beach to face Miami in a massive contest between two of the league’s heavyweight teams.
The Lakers can do no wrong, winning 15 of their last 16 games to sit first in the West at 22-3 overall. LA’s 103.1 defensive rating ranks fourth in the league and their offence is humming with LeBron James running the point.
The four-time MVP is coming off a big performance in his team’s 96-97 win over the Magic on Thursday, racking up 25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Anthony Davis had a poor shooting night for his 16 points, but added 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.
Davis will match up against one of the league’s best centres in Miami’s Bam Adebayo, who is having an All-Star calibre season. Adebayo is coming off a massive triple-double in the Heat’s win over Atlanta on Thursday, recording 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Jimmy Butler tallied his own triple-double against the Hawks (20 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists), while Duncan Robinson poured in a career-high 34 points with 10 triples and Kendrick Nunn scored career-high 36 points.
Miami have won six of their last seven, including three in a row, to sit second in the East at 18-6. Their 104.5 defensive rating ranks 10th in the league and they are undefeated at home at 11-0.
The Lakers defeated Miami 95-80 at Staples Centre earlier in the season.
Tip: LA to win @ $1.70
LA Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN)
The Timberwolves journey to Staples Centre to take on the Clippers in a Western Conference showdown.
The Clippers have won five of their last six, including three in a row, to improve into the West’s second seed at 19-7 overall. Their last two wins came on the road in Indiana and Toronto.
The Clippers’ 112-92 win over the Raptors on Thursday was one of their most impressive for the season as Kawhi Leonard received his championship ring and a standing ovation from the fans at Scotiabank Arena. Leonard finished with 23 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals against his old side.
After a strong start to the season, the Timberwolves have really trailed off, having lost their last six games. There is only so much Karl-Anthony Towns can do for this team, with the big man averaging 25.9 points, 3.5 triples, 11.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, one steal and 1.3 blocks. Andrew Wiggins has been a revelation and is finally starting to live up to his potential, putting up a career-high 24.6 points to go with 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
The Wolves have strangely been better on the road (7-6) than at home (3-8) this season.
Tip: Clippers to win @ $1.45.
