OKC Thunder at Toronto Raptors
The Thunder (42-30) are in Toronto (51-21) in a rematch from Thursday’s overtime thriller in Oklahoma City (all times AEST).
The Raptors took that one on 123-114 behind Pascal Siakam’s 33 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block, while Kawhi Leonard added 22 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Nick Nurse’s team have now won two in a row to trail the first-placed Milwaukee by a couple of games in the race to the playoffs. They could be without Kyle Lowry (ankle) for a handful of games, however, Fred Vanvleet is a more than competent replacement.
Things are falling apart in OKC, having dropped four straight to slide all the way down to the eighth seed. While they are a virtual lock to make a playoffs, home court is looking more unlikely with each passing game. If the post-season started tomorrow, they’d be making the dreaded trip to Oracle Arena.
However, to put things into perspective, the Thunder are only two and a half games behind the fourth-placed Blazers with more than enough time to regain some momentum.
Tip: Toronto to win @ $1.71
San Antonio at Houston Rockets (ESPN)
It’s a battle of the Texans at the Spurs (42-30) visit Houston (45-27).
San Antonio could well be the form team in the league, sitting 9-1 over their last 10 games. They did drop their most recent clash to the Heat, but have hardly stepped a foot wrong over the last month.
Behind Greg Popovich’s coaching and the lead of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, you can never count out the Spurs, who could make a deep playoff run. They currently sit in the sixth seed but could make a serious charge towards the top four over the final 10 games.
The Rockets have been in their own impressive form, winning eight of their last 10. They dropped their most recent game in a one-point OT heartbreaker in Memphis, despite James Harden’s 57 points, nine threes, seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks.
Last time these teams met in late December in Houston, the Rockets won 108-101.
Tip: Houston to win @ $1.41
Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks
The Heat (35-36) are in Milwaukee (53-19) in an exciting clash between two of the Eastern Conference playoff teams.
Miami are 8-2 in their last 10 and charging home down the stretch. With Dwyane Wade’s retirement tour in full force, this team could cause some problems.
They meet a Milwaukee team who are going through injury dramas, with Malcolm Brogdon ruled out for six to eight weeks with a plantar fascia tear and Nkola Mirotic set to miss around a month with a broken thumb.
It means Giannis Antetokounmpo will have to do more heavy lifting than ever, while more be asked from Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. You would back this team in to get through this little slump, but it has come at a less than ideal time, dropping two of their last three with playoffs just around the corner.
Last time these teams met a week ago, Milwaukee won on the road 113-98.
Tip: Milwaukee -5.5 $1.70
