San Antonio Spurs at Toronto Raptors (ESPN)
The Spurs (33-26) visit Toronto (43-16) in a blockbuster ESPN showcase.
It has been an up and down season for Greg Popovich’s team, who dropped four-straight before picking up a win over Memphis heading into the break.
San Antonio are currently seventh in the Western Conference and could yet make a charge towards the top four or tumble out of the eight altogether.
Derrick White (right heel) is probable to line-up in this one.
Meanwhile, the Raptors are humming along nicely, peeling off six-straight wins ahead of the break.
Toronto’s title credentials are as good as any in the league after adding Marc Gasol at the trade deadline. They will be focused on having healthy bodies come playoff time, so expect to see the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry rested down the stretch.
Last time these teams met in early January, San Antonio won 125-107 behind 23 points from LaMarcus Aldridge.
Tip: Toronto -7.0 @ $1.85.
Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks
The Nuggets head to Dallas in an interesting Western Conference matchup.
Denver have struggled through injuries all season, but Garry Harris (groin) is expected to suit up here. With Isaiah Thomas also recently returning, the Nuggets will essentially be at full strength for the first time.
Mike Malone’s team is coming off consecutive wins prior to the break, however, have been an average at best side on the road this season (14-14).
The Mavs are still establishing their new identity following the departures of Dennis Smith Jr and DeAndre Jordan, dropping their last two games. Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from New York shows that this team is not completely focused on winning this season.
In their last meeting in Denver back in December, the Nugs took it 126-118 as Nikola Jokic posted 32 points and 16 rebounds.
Tip: Denver to win @ $1.62.
Utah Jazz at OKC Thunder (ESPN)
The Jazz (32-25) are in OKC (37-20) in the second of ESPN’s double-header and a division rival blockbuster.
Utah have won six of their last nine games and look a much better outfit. You felt like one or two additions before the trade deadline could have seriously bolstered Quin Snyder’s outfit, but they ultimately made no moves.
Meanwhile, OKC are just about the form team of the league, with Paul George playing at an MVP level (averaging 36.2 points, 5.7 triples, 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals over the last month) Russel Westbook on a historic 11-game triple-double streak.
This Thunder team looks like the biggest challenger to Golden State in the West, who charged into the break winning 11 of their last 13.
In their last meeting in late December, the Thunder defeated the Jazz in Utah 107-106 as George poured in 43 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and tallied five steals.
Tip: OKC to win @ $1.60.
