Preview Roundups
April 14, 2014
Boston at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Celtics seek their first three-game winning streak in over two months when they finish their road schedule at Philadelphia on Monday. Boston received 25 points from Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk to pick up a 111-99 victory at Cleveland on Saturday, snapping a 13-game road losing streak. Jeff Green and Brandon Bass added 19 points apiece and rookie guard Phil Pressey handed out a career high-tying 13 assists.
Milwaukee at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
Clinching their second Atlantic Division title in franchise history was a great accomplishment but the Toronto Raptors believe they have more mountains to climb before the postseason arrives. The Raptors can set a franchise record for victories and take a big step toward securing the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a victory Monday against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks. Moving to No. 3 became more of a reality when the Chicago Bulls lost to the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Miami at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Miami Heat will need two victories and a little help if they hope to lay claim to the top seed in the Eastern Conference and homecourt advantage throughout the first three rounds of the NBA playoffs. They'll look to handle their end of the process beginning Monday as they visit the Washington Wizards, who also have something left to play for. The Wizards can claim fifth in the East with two wins and a pair of losses by the Brooklyn Nets.
Charlotte at Atlanta 7:30 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks have wrapped up an Eastern Conference playoff spot and look to continue their strong finish when they attempt to defeat the visiting Charlotte Bobcats for the 12th straight time on Monday. After a slide in which they lost 21 of 28 games, the Hawks are thriving with five wins in their last six games and clinched the No. 8 seed with Saturday’s victory over the Miami Heat. Charlotte is also playoff bound and a victory would clinch a winning campaign.
Orlando at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Bulls had their season-high seven-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday but are still competing for the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls will try to keep pace with the Toronto Raptors in that race when they host the Orlando Magic on Monday. Chicago and Toronto are tied for that third spot but the Raptors, who won the Atlantic Division crown, own the tiebreaker should the teams finish with the same record.
San Antonio at Houston 8:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets wrap up what has been a phenomenal home performance when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. Houston, which entered Sunday a game up on Portland in the battle for the fourth seed and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, is 32-8 at home and can tie the 2008-09 edition for the most wins at the Toyota Center with a victory in the finale. The Rockets rallied for a 111-104 triumph over New Orleans on Saturday to remain ahead of the Trail Blazers.
Oklahoma City at New Orleans 8:00 PM ET
The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to lock up the No. 2 seed for the Western Conference playoffs when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. The Thunder came up short Sunday at the Indiana Pacers and may be shorthanded against the Pelicans after backup point guard Reggie Jackson had precautionary X-rays on his neck after bouncing off a screen against the Pacers. Jackson has been doing a superb job as a backup and spot-starter for Russell Westbrook on back-to-backs.
L.A. Lakers at Utah 9:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Lakers only have two games left in the worst season in franchise history and face the only Western Conference team with a worse record when they visit the Utah Jazz on Monday. Los Angeles fell 102-90 to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday for its seventh straight defeat as well as increasing the franchise-record loss count to 55. Utah is also limping to the finish with 20 losses over its last 23 games.
Memphis at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies have their sights on clinching a Western Conference playoff spot when they visit the Phoenix Suns in Monday’s showdown. The Grizzlies have a one-game lead over the Suns for the final postseason berth in the West and can claim it by eliminating Phoenix. The Suns suffered a road loss to Dallas on Saturday that leaves them in a must-win situation over the last two regular-season games as Memphis already owns the tiebreaker.
Minnesota at Golden State 10:30 PM ET
Stephen Curry is capable of putting up some incredible individual performances but is having some trouble pulling out wins by himself of late. Curry and the Warriors will try to maintain their grip on the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference when they host the depleted Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The All-Star guard put on two of his best late-game efforts in the last three contests only to watch Golden State fall just short.