Boston Celtics at New York Knicks (ESPN)
The Knicks (10-40) face the Boston Celtics (32-19) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (all times AEST).
The Celtics who are currently ranked fifth in the East (11-13 on the road) will present a big challenge for the struggling Knicks who are sitting at the bottom of the conference on an 11-game losing streak
Kyrie Irving is expected to return from a hip injury to give the C’s a major boost, who have only dropped one of their last five games in a four-point defeat to Golden State.
In their most recent win against the Hornets, Jason Tatum (20 points, five rebounds), Terry Rozier (17, five rebounds, 10 assists) and Jaylen Brown (24, 10 and 2) all stood up in Irving’s absence to secure a 32-point victory.
With Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) sidelined (averaging 18.6 points 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his last five) it is unlikely they will be able to snap their losing streak against the Celtics. The young point guard has been New York’s most consistent performers this season.
The Knicks dealt away Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr, Trey Burke and Courtney Lee for DeAndre Jordan, Dennis Smith Jr, Wesley Matthews and draft picks. However, none of their new guys are expected to suit up against the Celtics, making David Fizdale’s team thinner and more prone to being blown out
Tip: Boston -13.5 - $1.92.
Houston Rockets v Denver Nuggets
Denver will look to win their fifth-straight game when they host the Houston Rockets.
The Nuggets sit second in the West with an impressive 22-4 home record this season and are coming off a two-win road trip against the Grizzlies and Pelicans.
Nikola Jokic has been exceptional for the Nuggets and could consider himself unlucky to not be starting in the All-Star game after averaging 20.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists this season.
The Joker is in the midst of a monster January, putting up 25.1 points, 11.8 boards, and 8.2 assists per contest, including six triple-doubles.
Rockets powerhouse James Harden has been averaging 36.3 points 6.7 rebounds and 8.1 assists for the season, but the team has lost thee of their last five on the road.
With the addition Kenneth Faried, who has been very handy in his first five games with Houston (averaging 15.2 points 9.8 rebounds) and the return of Chris Paul this week, the Rockets will look to lift off. However, Houston are coming off a horror home loss to a depleted Pelicans outfit and will be keen to bounce bac.
The absence of centre Clint Capella could prove detrimental as they have no obvious matchup for Jokic.
Tip: Denver to Win @ $1.52.
The Hawks travel to Utah to take on the Jazz (AEST).
Atlanta are coming off a road 113-135 loss to the Sacramento Kings, but have gotten good production from Trae Young in recent times.
The rookie has been on a heater, averaging 21 points, 2.0 triples and 8.4 assists while shooting 52 per cent from the field in his last five games.
Despite the strong performances from Young the team still hold an 8-20 record on the road, winning only four of their last ten games.
The Jazz held a three-game win-streak prior to getting blown out by the Blazers on Thursday 105-132.
Donovan Mitchell has been on a roll lately, averaging 29.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists in his last five games.
Tip: Utah -11.5 @ $1.90
