LA Clippers at Houston Rockets (ESPN)
The Clippers hit the road to face the Rockets in a blockbuster Western Conference showdown to open the Thursday card (all times AEST).
Doc Rivers’ side has won four of its last five, including two straight, to sit 7-3 on the season and fourth in the highly competitive West standings.
The Clippers’ 103.7 defensive rating ranks 11th in the NBA and is the backbone of what they’re doing, led by Kawhi Leonard (averaging 26.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.3 steals per game).
And they’re about to get a major boost on both ends of the floor, with Paul George set to return this week and is listed as questionable in this one. The star forward is more likely to return in Friday’s clash against New Orleans.
The Rockets are also 7-3 on the season and coming off four-straight wins, including three on the road. Houston are 3-1 at home this season.
Mike D’Antoni’s offence has been in full swing, with the Rockets averaging 120.3 points per game (1st in the league) but with a 109.7 defensive rating (21st in the league).
Houston will be without Eric Gordon for the next six weeks after he surgery to clean up a debris in his knee.
Tip: Houston to win @ $1.73
Toronto Raptors at Portland Trail Blazers
The Raptors make the trip to the Moda Centre to take on the Trail Blazers.
The reigning champs have started the season in good shape, sitting third in the East with a 7-3 record. They are in the midst of a five-game West trip where they have currently gone 2-1.
Toronto’s recent win over the Lakers was arguably their most impressive of the season, snapping LA’s seven-game win streak.
Pascal Siakam has exceeded all expectations this season, averaging 26.3 points on 48 per cent shooting and 9.5 rebounds. Nick Nurse’s team will be without Kyle Lowry (thumb), Serge Ibaka (ankle) and OG Anunoby (eye) in this one.
Is this the season Portland finally slide in the standings? Damian Lillard couldn’t be doing much more for this team right now, averaging 33 points on 49 per cent shooting with four triples, all of which are career highs, to go with 5.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists.
And yet the Blazers sit 10th in the West at 4-6. CJ McCollum needs to sort out his shooting woes (39.1 per cent for the season) or don’t be surprised if is on another roster at some stage this season. Hassan Whiteside has proven to be a good pick up, putting up 14.9 points, 13.1 rebounds and two blocks a game with a career-high 73.7 per cent free-throw clip.
Portland will be coming off a back-to-back trip from Sacramento.
Tip: Portland to win @ $1.66
Golden State Warriors at LA Lakers (ESPN)
The Warriors face the Lakers at Staples Centre to cap off ESPN’s double-header.
The Dubs are in much better shape than they were last week, with D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green both back from injury. Russell is set to take on a massive offensive load (averaging 38.3 points, 5.3 triples, 6.6 assists in last three games) with Steph Curry (hand) sidelined.
Steve Kerr’s team remains dead last in the West standings and have dropped four straight. Golden State’s 116.8 defensive rating ranks last in the league.
The Lakers will be looking to bounce back from Monday’s home loss to the Raptors where LeBron James shot an uncharacteristic 5-of-15 from the field in what could be considered a down game for the four-time MVP despite tallying a triple-double. Danny Green was also quiet, going scoreless on a 0-of-5 shooting effort.
Frank Vogel’s team still sits on the top of the West standings at 7-2, with the Raptors loss their first at Staples Centre this season. The Lakers still hold the best defensive rating in the league (98.1) and this team should only improve as they build chemistry.
Anthony Davis is right up there in the MVP discussion, averaging 26.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 3.1 blocks per contest despite carrying a shoulder problem.
The Lakers will be coming off a back-to-back trip from Phoenix.
Tip: LA to win @ $1.29
