Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors
The Pacers (20-10) head to Toronto (23-9) in an Eastern Conference blockbuster matchup.
The Pacers have won seven in a row to climb into the East’s third seed. Myles Turner and Thad Young are finding their groove after starting slowly this season.
With Victor Oladipo back in the fold Indiana are surging, but will be coming off a back-to-back.
Meanwhile, the Raptors are a little banged up. with Jonas Valanciunas (thumb) on the shelf for a month and Kyle Lowry (thigh) is listed as questionable. However, in positive news, Pascal Siakam (back) is probable to return, who has emerged as a key member of this team.
Toronto are coming off a pair of road losses to the Blazers and Nuggets, but will benefit from a few days rest and being back at home in a long, gruelling NBA season.
Tip: Toronto to win @ $1.34
Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz (ESPN)
The Warriors (21-10) visit Utah (14-17) in ESPN’s showcase game.
Steve Kerr’s team is starting to roll again now that they are finally healthy, winning six of their last seven games. Health is a priority for the Warriors and perhaps the only thing that stands between them and the championship.
Despite not setting the world on fire this season, the Dubs still lead the league in assists (27.9 per game) and rank third in points (115.9). Once they sharpen up defensively and get DeMarcus Cousins back, look out.
Conversely, the Jazz are in a funk, having dropped four of their last five contests. Donovan Mitchell is struggling to back up his sensational rookie campaign ad Joe Ingles is not shooting the ball as well as last season, particularly from the foul line (43 per cent FG, 64 per cent FT.
Quin Snyder’s team is capable of getting hot quickly as we saw last year, but they will need to act soon in a crowded Western Conference.
Tip: Golden State -3.0 @ $1.92.
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
The Grizzlies (16-14) fly to Portland (17-13) in an intriguing Western Conference battle.
Memphis have dropped the ball after occupying the West’s number one seed not long ago, having lost five of their last six, including three-straight.
Marc Gasol looks tired, Jaren Jackson Jr. has taken a step backwards following
JaMychal Green’s return to the court and the addition of Joakim Noah in the frontcourt. Heck, a handful of players thought they were being traded to Phoenix over the weekend. Which Brooks was it again?
Portland have been a little hot and cold this season, but are 11-4 at home and haven’t lost at the Moda Centre since a one-point defeat to the Nuggets three weeks ago.
The Grizzlies won this battle in Memphis last week in a low-scoring affair, so the Blazers will be keen to get one back on them.
Tip: Portland to win @ $1.42.
