Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors (ESPN)
The Sixers and Raptors open the ESPN Thursday card at Scotiabank Arena (all times AEST).
Philly go into this one on a four-game win streak, defeating Brooklyn twice, Chicago and New York over that span. Ben Simmons has been enormous in Joel Embiid’s absence, averaging 23.8 points, nine rebounds, 9.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game over the past week.
The Aussie erupted in the recent win over the Nets, posting an equal career-high 34 points to go with 12 rebounds, 12 assists, five steals and two blocks.
Embiid is still recovering from finger surgery and expected to be re-evaluated in the next few days. The Sixers are now 29-16 on the season to sit fifth in the East, but hold a 9-14 record on the road.
The Raptors are on their own four-game win streak, ousting the Thunder, Wizards, Timberwolves and Hawks during that stretch to sit third in the East at 29-14. This team is finally back to full strength, a luxury they haven’t been afforded nearly all season.
Nick Nurse’s team holds the league’s second-best defensive rating at 104.2, trailing only the Bucks, a number you would only expect to improve with Marc Gasol back manning the paint.
These teams have already met twice this season, both winning at home to split the series 1-1.
Tip: Toronto to win @ $1.40.
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN)
The Spurs and Pelicans lock horns to close out the ESPN double-header.
San Antonio just keep on keeping on and are fighting it out for the eight seed. The Spurs are currently ninth with a 19-23 record but have proven to be one of the most inconsistent teams in the league this season.
Gregg Popovich’s team have won their last two over Miami and Phoenix. With any other team, you’d think a trade might be coming, but San Antonio are notorious for not dealing in season.
Is this finally the game we get to see Williamson’s long-awaited debut? It was reported that the highly-rated no. 1 draft pick would finally take the court here, but he is officially listed as questionable. The Pelicans will be extremely cautious with their prized rookie and won’t take any risks if there is any sort of uncertainty or doubt about his health.
New Orleans have won five of their last seven but there will be growing pains when Zion is incorporated into the rotation.
Tip: San Antonio + 3.5 @ $1.92.
Denver Nuggets at Houston Rockets
The Nuggets visit Houston in a blockbuster Western Conference showdown.
Denver have won six of their last eight to sit second in the West at 30-13 but are dead even with the Jazz and Clippers. They have been much more consistent on the road (13-7) than in previous seasons.
The Nuggets are banged up, missing three starters in Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and Gary Harris. Coach Mike Malone said Harris will return to the court before the other two, but his status for this one is unclear.
Michael Porter Jr. has been a revelation during the Nuggets’ injury woes. Over the last week, the rookie averaging 16.8 points on 52% shooting from the field and 85% from the line, adding 2.3 triples, 10 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
The Rockets have fallen into a slump, dropping four in a row to the Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Lakers and Thunder. James Harden has been quiet by his lofty standards recently and is shooting just 33% from the field over the last fortnight.
Russel Westbrook has been huge over the last week as arguably Houston’s best player, averaging 32.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists during that span. The Rockets’ 109.2 defensive rating ranks 17th in the league, a metric that needs to come up if the they are serious about challenging for the title.
Mike D’Antoni’s team is sixth in the West at 26-16.
These teams have already met twice this season, both winning at home to split the series 1-1.
Tip: Denver + 8.5 @ $1.87.
