Denver Nuggets at Charlotte Hornets
The Nuggets (17-7) continue their road trip in Charlotte (11-13).
Mike Malone’s team is scorching hot at the moment and getting it done away from the Pepsi Centre, having won four consecutive games on the road and are riding a league-best seven-game win streak.
Denver has transformed into a defensive minded team, ranking third in the league in points allowed (103.4).
They will have to get by without Gary Harris, who suffered a hip strain against the Orlando Magic on Thursday (all times AEST).
Paul Milsap is playing out of his skin right now and showing how much of a significant loss he was for much of Denver’s 2017-18 campaign, claiming Western Conference Player of the Week honours.
The Hornets are on a three-game skid and coming off a road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
Kemba Walker has come back down to earth after looking like superman a few weeks ago, averaging 17.8 points on 36 per cent shooting and 4.4 assists in his last five games.
Walker and Jeremy Lamb have been too heavily relied upon for the Hornets this season and the team’s capacity to turn their season around hinges on their leaders in Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marvin Williams stepping up.
Tip: Denver to win @ $1.89.
Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons (ESPN)
The Pistons (13-9) host the Sixers (17-9) in a battle between two of the Eastern Conference’s top four seeds.
Both teams are coming off road losses on Thursday, with Philly going down to the Raptors and Detroit getting pummelled by Milwaukee.
Detroit were on a five-game win streak prior to losing their last two as Blake Griffin continues to stuff the stat sheet.
The Sixers have also been playing well, with Toronto snapping their four-game win streak, while Jimmy Butler is coming off a season-high 38-point performance and is starting to really gel with this team.
The battle between All-Star centres Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond will be one to watch, who are both coming off a couple of quieter performances. Whichever big man gets on top could propel his team to victory.
Tip: Philadelphia to win @ $1.76.
Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks (ESPN)
A tantalizing battle between two heavyweights of the league caps off the ESPN double-header as Milwaukee visits Golden State.
The Bucks have been in good shape outside of their loss to the Knicks on Sunday, leading the league in scoring (121.1 points per game) and rebounds (50.3) and ranking second in assists (27.3).
Milwaukee got the win last time these teams met in Golden State on November 10, but the Warriors have gotten a handy player back from injury since.
Steph Curry (groin) made his long-awaited return earlier this week, guiding the team to a 2-1 record and proving his importance.
Curry shot the lights out during the team’s road win over the Cavaliers on Thursday, pouring in 42 points and nine triples.
Draymond Green remains inactive as he battles a toe injury but could return early next week, and you feel like Steve Kerr’s team is humming again with their sharpshooter MVP back.
Tip: Golden State to win @ $2.04.
