Toronto Raptors at Houston Rockets (ESPN)
The Raptors (36-14) make the trip to Houston (27-20) in ESPN’s showcase game.
Nick Nurse’s team are coming off a 106-110 loss in Indiana on Thursday (all times AEST) but were playing without Kawhi Leonard (rest), who is expected to return in this one.
There is still no word on when Jonas Valanciuanas (hand) will be back, however, Serge Ibaka has been a perfect stretch five in the Lithuanian big man’s absence.
Prior to Thursday’s loss, Toronto had won eight of their last nine, with the only defeat coming in Boston against a revitalised Celtics outfit.
The Rockets take up and down form this one and the only thing you can bank on with this injury-savaged team is James Harden going berserk.
The Beard is averaging a ridiculous 44.5 points, 6.2 triples, 8.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks over the last month and yet Houston are 5-5 in their 10 contests.
Chris Paul (hamstring) has been updated to questionable after missing the last 16 games, while Clint Capela (thumb) is expected to be out until after the All-Star break.
The Rockets are coming off a 114-110 win in New York on Thursday where Harden erupted for a career-high 61 points, adding 15 rebounds and five steals.
Kenneth Fared looks like a shrewd addition for Mike D'Antoni’s team, who put up 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three bocks against the Knicks. Look for the Manimal to keep improving as his minutes get ramped up.
This is the first meeting between these teams this season.
Tip: Toronto to win - $1.78.
Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks
The Hornets (23-24) travel to Milwaukee (34-12) in an Eastern Conference showdown.
Charlotte have won four of their last five games, including two on the road to now sit seventh in the East.
Kemba Walker will be feeling good about himself after being named a starter in the All-Star game following his phenomenal season, averaging 25.0 points, 3.2 treys, 4.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists this season.
Nicholas Batum is also rising after a sluggish start to the season, averaging 10.6 points, 1.7 threes, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals over the last two weeks.
Jeremy Lamb’s emergence continues to be a major boost, while the makeshift centre rotation of Bismack Biyombo and Willy Hernangomez have struggled in Cody Zeller’s absence.
James Borrego’s team are coming off a 107-118 loss in Memphis on Thursday.
The Bucks will be fresh after only playing once this week, beating the Dallas Mavericks at home 116-106 on Tuesday for their fifth-straight win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo stuffed the stat sheet in that one with 31 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.
The East-leading Bucks’ good run of health has been a big helping hand to their success this season and with no players listed on the injury report, will look to improve on their 21-4 record at home.
In their last meeting on November 27, Charlotte won at home 110-107 behind 21 points each from Walker and Lamb.
Tip: Milwaukee -11.0 @ $1.91.
Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets
The Suns (11-38) visit Denver (31-15) in a Western Conference face off.
Phoenix have been much more competitive since acquiring Kelly Oubre Jr. and getting Devin Booker back from injury, but have dropped their last five games.
In fact, their last win came against the Nuggets. The Suns are coming off a 91-118 home loss to the Wolves on Wednesday, but were without DeAndre Ayton and Richaun Holmes to line up thin in the front court, also losing TJ Warren (ankle) during the game. Warren is expected to miss two to three weeks.
Ayton and Holmes will miss Phoenix’s matchup with Portland on Friday and could be considered questionable to face the Nuggets. The back-to-back trip to Denver makes this a tough ask for the Suns.
Mike Malone’s team went down in Utah on Thursday 114-108 and are 3-3 over their last six games. Will Barton had his best game yet against the Jazz since returning from a 38-game absence. The Thrill posted 22 points, four 3-pointers nine rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal in 30 minutes.
The second-placed Nuggets are 20-4 at home this season and will be keen to avenge their loss last time these teams met in Phoenix two weeks ago. Oubre poured in 26 points off the bench and Ayton tallied 22 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.
Tip: Denver -15.5 @ $1.90
