New Orleans Pelicans at New York Knicks (ESPN)
The Knicks host the Pelicans in the first half of ESPN’s Saturday double-header (all times AEST).
It’s been nothing short of a disastrous season in New York, with a team that lacks any sort of identity with an awkward blend of veterans and youngsters. Coach David Fizdale was fired after a 4-18 start, and the Knicks have since gone 6-10 under Mike Miller to sit 14th in the East.
New York actually went on a three-game winning streak over the new year but have since dropped four in a row. However, three of those four losses have come on the road to the Clippers, Lakers and Utah.
The Knicks have actually split their last four home games 2-2.
The Pels aren’t going much better, sitting 14th in the West at 13-25. Alvin Gentry’s side has turned things around recently though, winning six of their last eight.
Derrick Favours has been a welcome return into the rotation but injuries continue to hurt this team. Brandon Ingram sprained his finger in his team’s win over Chicago on Thursday but is not listed on the injury report, while Zion Williamson (knee) and Jrue Holiday (arm) will not be available.
Tip: New Orleans to win @ $1.52
LA Lakers at Dallas Mavericks (ESPN)
The Lakers visit Dallas in a blockbuster Western Conference showdown to close out the ESPN double-header.
The Lake Show continues to roll along nicely, sitting first in the West at 30-7 on the back of six-straight wins.
Most recently they defeated the Knicks at home on Wednesday 117-87 in a game where Anthony Davis went down with a bruised tailbone. The star big man is “still very sore” according to coach Frank Vogel but has not yet been ruled out of this one.
The Lakers are on the front end of a back-to-back and you would expect Davis to miss at least one of the two games.
The Mavs are coming off a narrow 107-106 home loss to the Nuggets on Thursday, marking their fourth loss in their last six games.
Dallas have struggled without star big man Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed the last five games with a knee injury. He recently had a PRP injection his sore right knee and has no timetable on a return.
Rick Carlisle’s team has slid down to the sixth seed in the West but rank third in the NBA in scoring (116.4 points per game).
These sides have already met three times this season, with the Lakers winning two of those meetings.
Tip: LA to win @ $2.25
Milwaukee Bucks at Sacramento Kings
The Bucks visit Sacramento in an inter conference battle.
Milwaukee remain first in the East with the league’s best record (33-6). After getting blown out by San Antonio earlier in the week 126-104, the Bucks got things back on track with a win in Golden State on Thursday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo did Giannis Antetokounmpo things against the Dubs, recording 30 points and 13 rebounds, while Khris Middleton chipped in 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Kings simply can’t stay healthy this season, with starting centre Richaun Holmes the latest to go down with injury. Holmes hurt his shoulder earlier in the week and could miss a few more games in a major blow for the team given he has arguably been their best player this season.
Holmes joins Marvin Bagley and Bogdan Bogdanovic on the sidelines, wile Nemanja Bjelica is also questionable with an ankle injury.
If the Kings’ injury woes continue it’s hard to see them making the playoffs, currently sitting 11th in the West at 15-23.
Tip: Milwaukee to win @ $1.23
