Preview Roundups
April 13, 2016
Miami at Boston 8:00 PM ET
The Boston Celtics have been a dominant team at TD Garden the last few months and can go a long way toward sealing home-court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs when they host the rival Miami Heat on Wednesday. The Celtics are 18-3 over their last 21 games at home, but must rebound from one of those losses after a damaging 114-100 defeat against Charlotte on Monday.
Toronto at Brooklyn 8:00 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors look to add to their franchise record win totals when they visit the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Raptors, who will start the Eastern Conference playoffs this weekend as the second seed against No. 7 Indiana, have won 55 games overall and 23 on the road – both team records.
Orlando at Charlotte 8:00 PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets look to follow up an inspiring road victory with another strong postseason tune up in their regular-season finale Wednesday against the improving Orlando Magic. The Hornets, who will be either the fifth or sixth seed when the Eastern Conference playoffs begin, won 114-100 at Boston on Monday in what could be a preview of a first-round matchup.
Detroit at Cleveland 8:00 PM ET
The Detroit Pistons visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in a preview of a first-round playoff matchup, but the teams won't look anything like the ones they will put forth in the postseason. With nothing to play for in terms of playoff positioning, both squads will likely rest most of their regulars before they meet again this weekend in Cleveland for the opener of their best-of-seven series.
Atlanta at Washington 8:00 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks have clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs but should have something to play for when they wrap up the regular season at the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The Hawks can do no worse than the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference but they can still finish third, which might allow them to avoid the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, if they get that far.
Philadelphia at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
While the Philadelphia 76ers were hoping to take a step forward this season in their lengthy rebuild, the Chicago Bulls expected to be a contender in the Eastern Conference. Both teams will finish up disappointing seasons that left them far short of those goals when they close the regular season Wednesday in Chicago.
San Antonio at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
The fast-charging Dallas Mavericks have clinched a playoff spot and will
try to improve their seeding Wednesday when they host the San
Antonio Spurs. Dallas has won seven of its last eight games and might avoid a first-round series with San Antonio if it can beat the
Spurs in the season finale.
Sacramento at Houston 8:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets have their playoff fate in their own hands as they get set to host the Sacramento Kings in the regular-season finale on Wednesday. The Rockets are tied with the Utah Jazz for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference but own the tiebreaker due to a better win percentage against conference opponents.
Indiana at Milwaukee 8:00 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers took any suspense out of the final game of the regular season when they knocked off the New York Knicks while the Detroit Pistons were falling on Tuesday. The Pacers will get their final tune up for the postseason when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
New Orleans at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans were each stacked with talented young rosters and high expectations at the start of the season. Those talented rosters remain intact, but both teams will just be finishing out losing seasons when the Timberwolves host the Pelicans in the finale on Wednesday.
Memphis at Golden State 10:30 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors have the opportunity to become known as the
winningest team in NBA history when they seek victory No. 73 in
Wednesday's regular-season finale against the visiting Memphis
Grizzlies. The Warriors have tied the regular-season mark set by the
1995-96 Chicago Bulls (72-10), who were led by Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and
Scottie Pippen.
Utah at L.A. Lakers 10:30 PM ET
Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant plays the final contest of a
brilliant 20-year career when the Lakers close the season against the
visiting Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The 37-year-old Bryant will play as
many minutes as he can during the regular-season finale as Los Angeles
attempts to end a six-game losing streak.
L.A. Clippers at Phoenix 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers are finishing the regular season on a high note
and look to add another victory when they visit the Phoenix Suns on
Wednesday. Los Angeles routed the Memphis Grizzlies 110-84 on Tuesday
for its sixth straight victory and 10th in the past 11 games.
Denver at Portland 10:30 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers are the masters of their own destiny as they reach the final game of the regular season. The Trail Blazers need a win to assure themselves of the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference when they host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.