OKC Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks (ESPN)
The Thunder make the trip to Milwaukee to face the Bucks to open the ESPN Saturday double-header (all times AEST).
OKC just keep getting better as the season goes on and have won 13 of their last 16, including four in a row. They have ousted the Rockets, Celtics, Pelicans and Nuggets over that span.
Billy Donovan’s team is sitting fifth in the West with a 36-22 record, trailing the fourth-placed Rockets by two games. No one had this team making the playoffs in the West – let alone in striking distance of a top four seed! They will be on the second half of a back-to-back trip from home.
The Bucks continue to go about their dominant ways, winning nine of their last 10 to sit first in the East with a league best 50-8 record.
Their recent road win in Toronto was one of their more impressive victories this season – trailing for most of the first half, Milwaukee dominated the third quarter 34-19 to cruise to a 108-97 triumph.
As good as the Thunder have been, only three teams have beaten the Bucks in their building this season.
Tip: Milwaukee -3.5 @ $1.29.
Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat
The Mavericks and Heat clash at AmericanAirlinees Arena in an exciting inter conference battle.
Dallas have won four of their last five, most recently defeating the Spurs on the road 109-103. Luka Doncic was massive in that one with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, while Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 28 points and 12 boards and blocked two shots.
Doncic is questionable to face the Heat after spraining his thumb against San Antonio. If the star guard doesn’t get up, the Mavs are going to be really up against it. Rick Carlise’s team sits seventh in the West at 36-23.
Miami have been one of the best home teams in the league this season where they boast a 23-4 record. They currently sit fourth in the East at 36-23 overall.
The Heat have lost four of their last five, including two in a row. Jimmy Butler (personal) returned from a two-game absence in their recent loss to the Timberwolves on Thursday.
Miami defeated the Mavs in Dallas 122-118 in overtime in their only meeting this season back in December.
Tip: Miami to win @ $1.76
Denver Nuggets at LA Clippers (ESPN)
The Nuggets and Clippers close out the ESPN double-header in a blockbuster Western Conference showdown at Staples Centre.
The Nuggets have won their last two games but haven’t beaten a top eight team since their 98-95 road win in Utah on February 6. They tore the Pistons apart 115-98 at home on Thursday behind Jeremi Grant’s career-high 29 points.
Denver sit second in the West at 40-18 but are just 17-11 on the road this season.
The Clips trail the Nuggets by just one game, sitting in the third seed at 39-19. They had lost three in a row but have since gotten things back on track with wins over Memphis and Phoenix.
Paul George has been in and out of the team with a hamstring issue, but when he and Kawhi Leonard play together, this team is significantly stronger. The Clips are 23-6 at home this season.
The Nuggets won this matchup in Denver 114-104 in January.
Tip: LA -0.5 @ $1.45
