Miami Heat at New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN)
The Heat and Pelicans open the Saturday ESPN double-header at Smoothie King Centre (all times AEST).
Miami have four in a row, including impressive victories over the Mavericks and Bucks. They currently sit fourth in the East at 40-22 and three games ahead of the fourth-placed Pacers.
Tyler Herro remains out for the Heat’s two-game road trip with an ankle injury.
After looking like making a strong push towards the playoffs, the Pelicans have dropped three in a row. A home loss to the Karl-Anthony Townes-less Timberwolves on Wednesday hurts, before narrowly going down to the Mavs 127-123 on the road on Friday.
Zion Williamson continues to light it up, averaging 24 points, 6.8 rebounds on 58% shooting to tighten up the Rookie of the Year race with Memphis’ Ja Morant.
Miami won this matchup at home 108-94 back in November.
Tip: Miami +2.0 @ $1.91.
The Jazz head to Boston in a massive inter conference clash.
Utah’s seesaw season has continued, following three straight losses with three straight wins. However, those wins came over the Wizards, Cavs and Knicks. They are still capable of getting it together and pushing four home court in the playoffs, only trailing the fourth-placed Rockets by half a game.
The Jazz are just 18-13 on the road this season and come up against a tough Celtics outfit.
Boston had been on a roll behind the scorching hot Jayson Tatum, who has averaged 31.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks on 50% shooting over the last month.
However, the Celtics have dropped two of their last three, with Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward all banged up. Brown (hamstring) and Hayward (knee) will both miss this one.
Boston remain third in the East at 42-19 and boast a 23-7 home record.
The C’s won this matchup at home just last week behind Tatum’s 33 points and 11 boards.
Tip: Boston to win @ $1.82
Milwaukee Bucks at LA Lakers (ESPN)
The Bucks and Lakers cap off the ESPN double-header in a blockbuster battle between the two chief championship contenders.
Milwaukee were defeated on the road by Miami earlier in the week before making a big statement 119-100 win over the Pacers at home. Giannis Antetokounmpo did Giannis things in that one, racking up 29 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 28 minutes.
The Bucks sit first in the East with a league-best 53-9 record, but have twice as many losses on the road (six) than at home (three.).
The Lakers have won nine of their last 10, including impressive victories over the Nuggets, Grizzlies, Celtics, Pelicans and 76ers. It has been reported that LA have signed former Heat guard Dion Waiters as a free agent but you wouldn’t expect him to be available in this one.
The Lake Show sit first in the West at 47-12 and are 22-7 at home this season. Anthony Davis is listed as probable here with a knee issue.
The Bucks won this matchup at home 111-104 in December.
Tip: LA to win @ $1.94.
