Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN)
The Celtics (43-28) and Sixers (43-25) do battle in a division rival matchup.
Philadelphia are starting to roll again with Joel Embiid back in the fold, currently riding a four-game win streak. The Sixers latest win in Milwaukee was arguably their most impressive of the season, overcoming a career-high 52 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Embiid poured in 40 points and pulled down 15 rebounds himself.
Brett Brown’s team will be coming off a trip from Charlotte on Wednesday (all times AEST), but are one of the best home teams in the NBA (28-9).
Boston have been one of the major disappointments all season and continue dropping winnable games. Most recently, they fell to the Nuggets at home to trail the fourth-placed Pacers by one game.
Last time these teams met in Boston in mid-February, the Celtics took it 112-109 and are 3-0 in their series matchup against Philly this season.
Tip: Philadelphia to win @ $1.66
Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs
The Heat (34-36) journey to San Antonio (42-29) in a clash between two of the league’s form teams.
Miami have won seven of their last 10, ousting the Thunder in Oklahoma in their most recent clash. Erik Spoelstra has finally cut down his rotation and has promoted both Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo into his starting lineup, while Goran Dragic has been most effectively utilised in a sixth man role.
The Spurs have won an impressive league-best nine in a row, including victories over OKC, Denver, Milwaukee, Portland and Golden State over that span. Greg Popovich’s struggled with injuries earlier in the season, but are finally healthy and making noise with Derrick White running the point.
Last time these teams met back in November, the Heat prevailed at home 95-88.
Tip: San Antonio -4.5 @ $1.68.
Toronto Raptors at Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN)
Toronto (51-21) and OKC (42-29) clash at Chesapeake Energy Arena with as both teams will be keen to finish their campaigns strongly with the playoffs nearing.
The Raptors have likely secured a top-two berth in the East and will spend the remainder of the season ensuring all their stars are healthy for the postseason. Kyle Lowry suffered an ankle injury in his team’s win over New York on Tuesday and is a game-time decision for this one.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are still battling it out for a top four seed in the West but have dropped three in a row to slide down to sixth. OKC remain a game and a half behind the fourth-placed Blazers, but are also just a half game ahead of the seventh-placed Jazz. Simply put, Billy Donovan’s team must keep winning games or are facing an away series in the playoffs.
This is the first meeting between these teams this season.
Tip: OKC to win - $1.47
