Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics (ESPN)
The Magic and Celtics open the ESPN Thursday double-header at the TD Garden (all times AEST).
Orlando have been one of the most up and down teams in the league this season and have fallen into a recent slump. Steve Clifford’s team had lost five in a row but got things back on track with a 112-100 win over Charlotte on Tuesday.
Despite their poor track record of late, the Magic are still four games clear in the eighth seed with a 22-28 record.
Conversely, the Celtics are in some of their best form of the season. They have won seven of their last eight, including four in a row, to sit third in the East at 34-15.
Boston have battled a recent run of injuries and Marcus Smart (quad) and Gordon Hayward (calf) are both game-time decisions for this one, while Daniel Theis (ankle) has already been ruled out.
The C’s won this matchup in Orlando 109-98 two weeks ago.
Tip: Boston to win @ $1.43
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
The Nugs are in Utah in a battle between two of the Western Conference heavyweights.
Denver continue to steer their way through an injury crisis and are in desperate need of the All-Star break. They did get Garry Harris back in Monday’s loss to Detroit, but will be without Paul Millsap (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) and potentially Jeremi Grant (back) for this one.
In positive news, Jamal Murray (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable having missed the last 10 games.
The Nuggets have won four of their last six, including a huge win in Milwaukee on Saturday. They sit third in the West at 34-16 but will be coming off a home clash against Portland on Wednesday.
The Jazz had recently turned a corner, going on a streak where they won 19 of 21 games. But they have since lost four in a row in the midst of a road trip and will be keen to get back home.
Quin Snyder’s team sit fourth in the West at 32-17.
These teams faced off in Denver last Friday, with the Nuggets winning 106-100.
Tip: Utah to win @ $1.20
Miami Heat at LA Clippers (ESPN)
The Heat and Clippers clash in LA to close out the ESPN double-header.
Miami have gone 3-2 over their last five games but are coming off a big 137-106 win against Philadelphia on Tuesday. Jimmy Butler lit it up against his old side, tallying a season-high 38 points on 14-of-20 shooting from the field and 8-of-8 from the line.
The Heat aren’t nearly as good on the road (12-12) than what they are at home (22-3) and also don’t fare as well against Western Conference opponents (11-8). They are currently fourth in the East at 34-15.
The Clippers have won four of their last five and picked up an impressive clutch victory over the Spurs on Tuesday. Doc Rivers’ side is finally at full strength and will look to consolidate a top four seed in the next few weeks so that they can rest their stars down the stretch of the season.
LA sit second in the West at 35-15 and are 21-5 at home this season.
These teams faced off in Miami two weeks ago with the Clippers winning 122-117.
Tip: Clippers to win @ $1.38.
