Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls (ESPN)
Philadelphia (40-23) make the trip to the Windy City to face Chicago (18-46) with both teams coming off games on Wednesday (all times AEST).
The Sixers have gotten by okay without star centre Joel Embiid, who has not played since the All-Star break with a knee complaint. Philly has gone 3-2 over that stretch, while it has not helped that back-up centre Boban Marjanovic’s has been absent with his own knee injury.
Ben Simmons has been on a heater, claiming Eastern Conference Player of the Week honours with averages of 16.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.0 steals in that time while leading Philly to a 2-1 record.
The Bulls are coming off a home loss to Atlanta, but prior to that, had won five of their previous six. Lauri Markkannen and Zach LaVine continue to lead this team, who are lacking experience and star power and appear to be in full-blown tank mode.
Last time these teams met in the season opener, the Sixers won 127-108 at home.
Tip: Philadelphia to win @ $1.48.
Boston Celtics at Sacramento Kings
The Celtics (38-26) visit Sacramento (32-31) with plenty at stake for both teams.
The Kings are pushing towards the playoffs but still sit three games behind the eighth-placed Spurs. Prior to beating the Knicks at home on Tuesday, Dave Joerger’s team lost three-straight.
One of those defeats came against the Clippers, who are also in the hunt for a top eight spot out West. With the season winding down, every game is now critical for the Kings.
Things are growing just as murky for the Celtics, who had genuine championship aspirations going into the season. Boston currently sit two and a half games out of the top four, having dropped five of their last six.
Brad Stevens’ team will be desperate for a win here, but have been a disappointing 14-16 on the road over their 2018-19 campaign and on the second part of a back-to-back.
This is the first meeting between these teams this season.
Tip: Sacramento to win @ $1.87.
Denver Nuggets at LA Lakers (ESPN)
The Nuggets venture out to LA in the back end of ESPN’s double-header.
A month ago, this would have been a blockbuster clash, but now is more about Denver’s playoff seeding with the Lakers seemingly out of the postseason race.
The Nuggets are on a three-game skid despite having a chance to grab the number seed from Golden State in the first of those losses. Mike Malone’s team is coming off an unfortunate one-point loss to the Spurs on Tuesday. With several strong teams around them, Denver will need to string some wins together soon to book home court in the playoffs.
There are rumours that the Lakers could go into tank-mode down the stretch of the season to secure a better draft pick and potentially rest LeBron James. LA sit five and a half games out of the eighth seed and Luke Walton’s job is reportedly under threat following their recent struggles.
The Nuggets won their last meeting in November 117-85 at the Pepsi Centre.
Tip: Denver to win.
