Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic
The Celtics and Magic face off in Orlando in a busy 11-game slate on NBA Saturday (all times AEST).
Boston had recently dropped three in a row but got things back on track with back-to-back wins over the Lakers and Grizzlies. The C’s are now sitting fourth in the East at 29-14 with Indiana (one game behind) and Philadelphia (1.5 games behind) narrowly trailing them.
Brad Stevens’ side is well below full strength, with Jayson Tatum, Enes Kanter and Jaylen Brown all listed on the injury report. Tatum and Brown are listed as questionable, while Kanter has already been ruled out.
Orlando have quietly built their way into the season but continue to be one of the more up and down sides in the league. They have dropped two of their last three to sit seventh in the East at 21-24.
Jonathon Isaac’s likely season-ending knee injury was a major blow for team, but Markelle Fultz is finally starting to blossom and Nikola Vucevic is set for another All-Star mod.
Tip: Orlando to win @ $1.92
Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans
The Nuggets visit New Orleans in our second look at prized rookie Zion Williamson.
The no. 1 pick made his much-anticipated season debut against the Spurs on Thursday in one of the more thrilling introductions to the league you’ll ever see.
After a quiet first three quarters, Zion lit it up in the fourth, scoring 17-straight points, including four 3-pointers. He finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and four threes in 18 minutes despite his team falling 121-117.
The Pels are finally healthy and starting to look dangerous, currently sitting 4.5 games behind the eighth-seeded Spurs. They 6-4 over their last 10 games.
Denver are banged up and could be in for some rocky times. Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee are all sidelined, while impressive rookie Michael Porter Jr. missed their loss to the Rockets on Thursday with back tightness.
The Nuggets got whacked in Houston 121-105 and face a tough upcoming schedule, including a rematch with Houston and clashes against Utah and Milwaukee. Mike Malone’s team sits fourth in the West at 30-14.
The Pelicans have already beat the Nuggets twice this season.
Tip: New Orleans to win @ $1.64.
LA Clippers at Miami Heat (ESPN)
Miami and the Clippers meet in South Beach in ESPN’s standalone game.
The Heat have won four of their last five to sit second in the East at 31-13. They are one of the best home teams in the league at 20-1, with that one loss coming against the Lakers in mid-December.
They could be without some key pieces in this one, with Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic and Kendrick Nunn all listed on the injury report as day-to-day. Butler has been battling right knee soreness, which is the same knee that gave him problems back in 2018. With Miami travelling so well, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him given the night off.
The Clippers had been in red-hot form, winning six of their last seven, but fell to Atlanta on Thursday despite leading by 21 points. They remain third in the West at 31-14.
Paul George has been out since January 5 with a hamstring injury and is listed out for this one, while Patrick Beverley is doubtful with a groin issue. The Clips are just 12-10 on the road this season.
Tip: Miami to win @ $1.71
