Preview Roundups
January 13, 2017
Charlotte at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers passed their win total from last season when they came from behind in the fourth quarter to down the New York Knicks on Wednesday to clinch their 11th victory, and they are ready to take bigger steps forward. The 76ers will try to earn their first three-game winning streak of the season when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Brooklyn at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
DeMar DeRozan is on a roll and looks to score at least 36 points for the fourth consecutive game when the Toronto Raptors host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. DeRozan poured in a season-best 41 points in Tuesday's victory over Boston and is averaging 37.7 and nine rebounds over his last three contests.
Miami at Milwaukee 8:00 PM ET
Two teams trending in opposite directions will square off when the Miami Heat visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. Only the Brooklyn Nets are keeping the Heat off the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings while an exciting young Bucks team is pushing for a top-eight spot in the conference and is coming off an impressive win.
Memphis at Houston 8:00 PM ET
Only fatigue seems to slow James Harden and the Houston Rockets, who had a nine-game winning streak come to an end on the second night of a back-to-back at Minnesota on Wednesday. The Rockets will get a day off to get their legs back under them before returning home to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
Oklahoma City at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
Russell Westbrook gets tired of discussing triple-doubles but there is no mistaking that the feat typically is a prime factor in an Oklahoma City victory. Westbrook takes aim at his 19th triple-double of the season and the Thunder's fourth straight victory when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Boston at Atlanta 8:00 PM ET
The hot-and-cold Atlanta Hawks are soaring yet again, bringing a seven-game winning streak into Friday’s home contest against the Boston Celtics. A 117-97 victory Tuesday at Brooklyn surpassed an earlier six-game win streak for longest of the season for a Hawks team that is 12-6 since a seven-game slide.
Orlando at Portland 10:00 PM ET
Large improvements on the defensive end are getting the Portland Trail Blazers headed back in the right direction, and a big win on Wednesday could be a stepping stone going forward. The Trail Blazers will try to keep up the intensity on the defensive end and earn a third straight win when they host the Orlando Magic on Friday.
Cleveland at Sacramento 10:30 PM ET
Speculation is heating up that the Sacramento Kings and star center DeMarcus Cousins are close to agreement on a mammoth contract extension through the 2022-23 season. But the more immediate business for Sacramento is notching a breakthrough victory when the powerful Cleveland Cavaliers invade town on Friday.
Detroit at Utah 10:30 PM ET
The Utah Jazz are fresh off a mammoth victory that signals their rising status in the Western Conference and look to follow up the win when they host the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Utah outplayed and outworked the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers while recording a 100-92 victory Tuesday and can move to a season-best nine games over .500 with a win over Detroit.