Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers (ESPN)
The Bucks and Pacers open the ESPN Saturday double-header at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in a division rival battle (all times AEST).
Milwaukee are sitting pretty in the East’s first seed with a league best 46-7 record, having won five in a row. This is a team that is just as formidable on the road (21-14) than they are at home (25-3). The Bucks are also 11-0 against division opponents.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (personal) sat out his team’s win over Sacramento on Tuesday and has already been ruled out of this one, giving the Pacers a much greater chance of pinching a win at home.
However, Indiana have fallen into a slump, currently riding a six-game losing streak. They have fallen to the Knicks and Pelicans during that stretch, but two of those losses were decided by a single point. They sit sixth in the East at 31-23.
Victor Oladipo is still shaking off the rust as gets back into the swing of things, currently averaging just 10.8 points per gamer on 29% shooting in 24.3 minutes.
The Bucks have won both of the meetings between these team this season, both at home and on the road.
Tip: Milwaukee to win @ $1.82.
Miami Heat at Utah Jazz
The Heat head to Utah in an inter conference blockbuster at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Miami have dropped three of their last four to sit fourth in the East at 35-18. They are still working out how to best incorporate the newly acquired Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala at the trade deadline.
Tylo Herro (ankle) has missed the last four games and will sit this one out too. He will likely return after the All-Star break.
After going through a slump where they dropped five in a row, the Jazz have since won their last three, ousting the Blazers, Rockets and Mavericks. Bojan Bogdanovic was the hero against Houston, hitting the buzzer-beating deep triple to seal the win.
Quin Snyder’s team sits fourth in the West at 35-18.
The Jazz have really struggled with how to best utilise three ball handlers in their offence – Mike Conley, Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell. It is something they must improve on in the second half of the season if they are to go deep into the playoffs.
The Heat won their last meeting in Miami in December 107-104.
Tip: Utah to win @ $1.53.
LA Lakers at Denver Nuggets (ESPN)
The Lakers and Nuggets close out the ESPN double-header in a Western Conference blockbuster between the one and two seeds.
The Lake Show continues to roll along nicely, sitting three games clear at the top of the Western standings. They have won four of their last five. Most recently, Frank Vogel’s side knocked off the Suns at home 125-100 on Tuesday.
Denver have won four in a row and are finally getting healthy again, with Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap both returning over the last week to provide the depth that makes this team so good. Michael Porter Jr. and Mason Plumlee remain sidelined, while Will Barton (knee) won’t suit up in this one.
The Nuggets are 21-6 at Pepsi Centre this season.
Nikola Jokic has been on a tear lately, averaging 23.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals and one block over the last month, while shooting 53% from the field and 83% from the line. He earned Western Conference Player of the Week honours last week.
These teams are 1-1 in their two previous meetings this season, each winning on the road.
Tip: Denver to win @ $2.29
