Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers
Sacramento visit Indiana to open a 10-game NBA Saturday card (all times AEST).
The Kings are finally at full strength, with Marvin Bagley returning last week and De’Aaron Fox in their last game. However, they had actually been playing better without the gun duo, rising into the West’s eighth seed after starting the season 0-5.
Richaun Holmes has been a revelation as the starting centre, averaging 13 points on 67% shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks over the past month. Nemanja Bjelica has also impressed and how Luke Walton incorporates Bagley into the frontcourt with those two is going to be interesting.
Sacramento have won four of their last six but are just 6-10 on the road this season.
The Pacers are in good form, winning four in a row to sit sixth in the East at 19-9 overall. They are coming off arguably their biggest win of the season, defeating the Lakers at home on Wednesday 105-102 to snap LA’s seven-game win streak.
Domantas Sabonis came up big in that one, tallying 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists and is building a case for an All-Star appearance.
Indiana’s 103.7 defensive rating ranks sixth in the NBA.
Tip: Indiana to win @ $1.54.
Dallas Mavericks at Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN)
The Mavs are in the in the City of Brotherly Love to face the Sixers in ESPN’s showcase game.
Dallas’ backcourt is banged up at the moment, with Luka Doncic (ankle) out indefinitely and reserves Seth Curry (lower back tightness) and Delon Wright (sprained finger) questionable for this one.
After their stunning upset win over Milwaukee, the Mavs fell to Boston at home 103-103 on Thursday. Kristaps Porzingis played well with 23 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks and must lead this team with Doncic out.
Rick Carlisle’s unit remain fourth in the West at 18-9 overall as one of the big improvers this season.
The Sixers are coming off a 108-104 home loss to Miami on Thursday to slide down to the East’s fifth seed with a 20-9 record.
Joel Embiid hasn’t quite hit his straps this but had a big game in his matchup against Bam Adebayo, recording 22 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks. Ben Simmons had 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The loss to the Heat marked Philly’s first home defeat this season where they are 14-1.
Tip: Philadelphia -3.5 @ $1.45.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
The Wolves are in the Mile High City to meet the Nuggets in a division rival matchup.
After a strong start to the season Minnesota have dropped eight in a row and a trade could be imminent. Their 107-99 home loss the Pelicans on was one of their worst for the season despite Karl-Anthony Towns missing due to a knee injury.
Towns didn’t practice on Friday and it seems unlikely he will suit up against the Nuggets in a major blow for Ryan Saunders’ team.
A recent stretch of home games has helped Denver rediscover their best form, having won their last four games. Jamal Murray stepped up in their win over Orlando on Thursday, pouring in 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.
Nikola Jokic is also back to his best and when the Joker is on, the Nuggets are a serious force. Jokic tallied 18 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists against the Magic and could be in the conversation for Player of the Week honours.
The Nuggets defeated the Wolves in Minnesota 100-98 in their last meeting on November 11.
Tip: Denver to win @ $1.18.
