Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks (ESPN)
The Celtics (37-21) travel to Milwaukee (43-14) in an Eastern Conference heavyweight battle.
Boston were coming off consecutive wins prior to the break and will still have an eye on the Bucks’ number one seed, who they currently trail by 6.5 games.
The Celtics have not been a good road team this season where they are 14-13, and come up against one of best home sides in the league.
Milwaukee have won eight of their last nine games and Nikola Mirotic will likely play his first game for the franchise after being acquired from New Orleans prior to the trade deadline.
Last time these teams met in Boston on December 22, the Bucks won 120-107 behind 30 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Tip: Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 @ $1.94.
Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors
The Kings (30-27) are in Golden State (41-16) as Dave Joerger’s team looks to make a playoff push.
Sacramento were recently sitting eighth, however, a loss in Denver leading into the break saw the Clippers take their position.
Prior to that defeat in the Mile High City, the Kings had won five of their last six games and the addition of Harrison Barnes shows they are serious about featuring in the postseason.
The Warriors are coming off their own loss in Portland, although you can’t blame the Dubs if they had one eye on the break. Golden State’s sole purpose for the remainder of the rest of the season will be to ensure they’re stars all are all healthy and firing for the playoffs.
The Warriors defeated the Kings 127-123 in their last meeting in Sacramento in January as Steph Curry poured in 42 points and 10 triples.
Tip: Golden State to win @ $1.07.
Houston Rockets at LA Lakers (ESPN)
The Rockets (33-24) head to LA (28-29) to cap off the NBA’s Friday card.
James Harden will look to extend his historic 30-point scoring streak to 32 games and lead his team towards a top four seed.
Clint Capela (thumb) is expected to return from a 15-game absence after getting through practice on Monday, which will serve as a major boost for Mike D’Antoni’s squad.
Houston lost their last game in Minnesota but should fare much better in the second half of the season with a healthy line-up.
The Lakers are all the way down at 10th and will be desperate to pick up some momentum down the home stretch. If anyone can lift this team, it’s LeBron James.
However, the Lakers did drop four of their last five games going into the All-Star break, three of those with the four-time MVP on the court.
Houston defeated the Lakers at home in their last matchup in late January as Harden netted 48 points and eight treys.
Tip: Houston to win @ $1.85.
