Miami Heat at Orlando Magic
The Heat visit the Magic in a huge division rival clash in Florida.
Miami had won five in a row prior to going down to a depleted Washington outfit on the road on Tuesday.
The Heat remain third in the East at 24-9 behind the league’s 12th best defensive rating (106.8) and two likely All Stars in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Eric Spoelstra’s side will be coming off a back-to-back trip from home against Toronto on Friday (all times AEST).
Orlando’s form has been patchy at best, winning three of their last eight, yet still hold down the East’s eighth seed at 15-19 overall.
They have been much better at home (10-7) than on the road (5-12) this season.
However, Steve Clifford’s team has been dealt a major blow with defensive stud Jonathan Isaac set to miss at least the next two months with a knee injury.
Tip: Miami to win @ $1.82
Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets (ESPN)
The Sixers are in Houston in a blockbuster inter conference battle.
Philadelphia are in a slump, dropping six of their last nine, including three in a row, to slide down to the East’s sixth seed at 23-13 overall.
The Sixers have particularly struggled on the road where they are just 7-11. Star big man Joel Embiid recently challenged his teammates to “shoot the ball more” and “get out of our comfort zone” in what may have been a subtle dig at Ben Simmons.
Philly’s 105.0 defensive rating ranks eighth in the NBA.
The Rockets have split their last four games 2-2 but did get a big 130-104 win over the Nuggets at home on Wednesday.
James Harden, Russel Westbrook and Clint Capela returned against Denver to give this team a major boost, now sitting fourth in the West at 24-11.
Tip: Houston to win @ $1.52
New Orleans Pelicans at LA Lakers (ESPN)
The Pelicans are in LA to close out the ESPN double-header.
It simply hasn’t been New Orleans’ season, but their form has picked up recently, winning four in a row. Those victories have come over Portland, Denver, Indiana and Houston.
Zion Williamson participated in his first full practice this week and is hoping to return to the court in January but expect the Pels to be super careful with how they manage the rookie’s workload.
The Lake Show continues to roll on, winning three in a row to maintain their handle on the first seed in the West at 27-7.
They had lost four in a row leading through Christmas but have got things back on track and are undefeated in the new year.
The Lakers’ 104.8 defensive rating ranks eighth in the NBA and the LeBron James-Anthony Davis tandem has proven to be the strongest in the league.
LA won this matchup 114-110 in New Orleans in late November.
Tip: LA – 6.5 @ $1.47
