Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics
The Pacers (45-30) visit Boston (44-31) in a huge Eastern Conference matchup with a top four spot on the line.
Indiana have struggled recently, dropping five of their last six, falling in Oklahoma City 107-99 in their most recent clash.
As impressive as the likes of Bojan Bogdanovic and and Myles Turner have been, the Pacers are not a championship threat with Victor Oladipo (knee) out for the season.
They meet a Boston team that have gone through their own struggles, dropping four of their last five. The Celtics have prioritised health and will look to give their stars some rest days down the stretch and back their talent in during the postseason.
However, this one will mean that little more to Brad Stevens’ team, with the fourth-placed Pacers currently sitting one game ahead of Boston.
Last time these teams met in January, Boston won at home 135-108.
Tip: Boston to win @ $1.37
The Nuggets (50-23) roll into OKC (44-32) as the race to the playoffs heats up in the West.
Denver have won seven of their last eight, earning their 50th victory for the season in their last game after surviving a late rally from Detroit at home. They will be coming off a back-to-back in Houston.
The Nuggets have all but secured a top four berth and could even push Golden State for the number one seed, but do have a tough run home. Nikola Jokic has played at an MVP level this season, averaging 20.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game.
Meanwhile, the Thunder have been in a slump prior to Thursday’s win home win over Indiana (all times AEST). Paul George and Russel Westbrook continue to carry this team, but have not been able to reproduce the astronomical level of play they showed before the All-Star break. Alas, OKC are one of the best home teams in the NBA (24-12).
Last time these teams met in Denver in late February, the Nuggets took it 121-112.
Tip: OKC to win @ $1.48
Charlotte Hornets at LA Lakers (ESPN)
Charlotte (35-39) and the Lakers (33-42) cap of the NBA’s Saturday card in LA as ESPN’s showcase game.
The Hornets remain in the playoff hunt, trailing the eighth-placed Magic by a game and a half. Charlotte have won four in a row and have much more at stake than their Western Conference counterpart.
The Lakers have essentially packed up shop for the season, having dropped six of their last eight. Look for Luke Walton to give the youngsters some extra run, while LeBron James is expected to be handed more rest days down the stretch.
Tip: Charlotte to win @ $1.74
