Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
Memphis and Portland meet at 6am (all times AEST) in a huge Western Conference showdown between two teams fighting it out for a playoffs spot.
The eighth-seeded Grizzlies were one of the big surprise packages of the regular season. A team that many predicted would be in lottery contention currently boast a 3.5 game lead from the ninth-placed Blazers.
However, they will need to improve their lead to over four games to lock down a playoff spot. If their lead is four games or fewer than the ninth seed, they will battle it out for the final spot in a play-in tournament.
Ja Morant (averaging 17.6 points and 6.9 assists per game) has been a game changer for Taylor Jenkins’ team and the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. Jaren Jackson Jr (16.9 points, 1.6 blocks) and Jonas Valanciunas (14.9 points, 11.2 rebounds) have also been huge.
It has been largely a disappointing season in Portland for a team that always normally finds a way. Injuries to key big men Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins have not helped, with the pair both now fit and back in action for the restart.
For the Blazers to make the playoffs they’ll need something special from Damian Lillard (28.9 points, 3.9 threes, 7.8 assists), who always ignites when they need it most.
The Griz beat the Blazers in their lone earlier meeting this season.
Tip: Portland +2.5 @ $1.61.
Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks (ESPN)
The Celtics and Bucks open the ESPM double-header at 8.30am in a blockbuster clash.
After underwhelming over the last few seasons with one of the deepest rosters in the league, everything started clicking for Boston in 2020. Jayson Tatum (23.6 points, 2.8 triples, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals) became the All-Star talent he was destined to and Kemba Walker 21.2 points, 3.3 threes, 4.9 assists) proved to be the perfect motor to drive this team.
The Cs currently sit third in a suddenly competitive Eastern Conference, leading Miami by 2.5 games.
The Bucks were the best team in the East this season and it wasn’t close, and may even be the league’s premier side. Despite dropping three games in a row heading into the shutdown, the Bucks hold a commanding 6.5 game lead in the East’s one seed with a 53-12 record.
They will go as far as MVP frontrunner Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.6 points,13.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists) takes them and will be eyeing their first NBA championship since 1971.
The Bucks were unbeatable at home (28-3) this season, so the impact of the neutral Orlando bubble could be one to watch.
These teams are 1-1 against each other this season.
Tip: Milwaukee to win @ $1.48.
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks (ESPN)
The Rockets and Mavericks close out the ESPN double-header at 11am in a huge battle of the Texas powerhouses.
Houston have been a little off the pace this season as they introduced Russell Westbrook into their line-up. But like previous seasons, they got going halfway through the campaign as Westbrook found his groove and James Harden did James Harden things.
The Rockets pulled off a shock trade on deadline day, acquiring Robert Covington for Clint Capela to now bring a whole new meaning to small ball, with PJ Tucker their starting five. It remains to be seen how successful this radical strategy will be.
They currently sit sixth in the West at 40-24, leading the Mavs by 1.5 games.
Dallas were one of the big improvers this season behind the rise of Luka Doncic (28.7 points, 2.9 threes, 9.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists) to a genuine MVP contender. Kristaps Porzingis (19.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks) has proven to be an extremely valuable addition to this team – as deadly behind the arc as he is on the defensive end.
The Mavs can’t drop any lower than the seventh seed, meaning they are locked into the playoffs.
These teams are 1-1 against each other this season.
Tip: Houston +1.5 @ $1.91.
