Preview Roundups
November 12, 2016
L.A. Lakers at New Orleans 7:00 PM ET
The New Orleans Pelicans finally secured their first win on Thursday at Milwaukee 112-106 and are looking to make it two in a row when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. The Pelicans are beginning to get production from players other than Anthony Davis and will play four of the next five at home as they try to put up a win in front of friendly fans.
Boston at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
Both the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers have been woeful on defense early in the season, but the Celtics have some momentum in that category heading into a visit to Indianapolis on Saturday night. The teams entered Friday's action ranked 28th and 30th, respectively, in the NBA in defensive scoring, but the Celtics bucked that trend with a dominant showing in a 115-87 rout of the New York Knicks.
New York at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan has taken his game to another level during the early stages of this season and he looks for another strong effort when the Toronto Raptors host the New York Knicks on Saturday. DeRozan has topped 30 points in seven of Toronto's eight games and leads the NBA with a 34.1 scoring average.
Philadelphia at Atlanta 7:30 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks head into Saturday’s home game against the Philadelphia 76ers winners of six of their first eight games, and the play of their bench is a big reason behind the early-season success. The quartet of Thabo Sefolosha, Mike Muscala, Tim Hardaway Jr. and rookie Malcolm Delaney have complimented the Hawks’ starting five, and helped fuel victories this week over Eastern Conference powers Cleveland and Chicago.
Washington at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
Before embarking on a season high-tying six-game road trip, the Chicago Bulls will try to hold down home court when they host the Washington Wizards on Saturday. The Bulls, who begin the sojourn at Portland on Tuesday, won for just the second time in five games when they held on for a 98-95 triumph at Miami the last time out.
San Antonio at Houston 8:00 PM ET
Becoming a point guard has only enhanced James Harden's ability to score and the Houston Rockets star looks to continue his strong play during Saturday's home game against the San Antonio Spurs. Harden has scored 30 or more points five times and reached 15 or more assists five times while averaging 30.6 points and an NBA-best 13 assists through the first eight games.
L.A. Clippers at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Timberwolves hope to build off their first road victory when they begin a four-game homestand against the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Andrew Wiggins averaged 32.5 points over the last two games for Minnesota, including 29 in Wednesday’s 123-107 victory at Orlando, joining Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns for an exciting young offensive trio.
Utah at Miami 8:00 PM ET
The Miami Heat look to get their offense in gear and avoid a fourth consecutive loss when they host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. The Heat are averaging 89 points during the losing streak, have registered fewer than 100 in all five losses this season and could be without second-leading scorer Goran Dragic (ankle) against the improving Jazz - who are 3-1 on their five-game road trip.
Memphis at Milwaukee 8:30 PM ET
It took a last-second shot by Marc Gasol, but the Memphis Grizzlies managed to beat the Denver Nuggets and earn a split of a four-game homestand to turn the momentum heading into a four-game road trip. The Grizzlies, who will play eight of the remaining 11 games this month away from home, kick off the trip by visiting the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
Detroit at Denver 9:00 PM ET
The Detroit Pistons have yet to win on the road this season and look to end that dismal fact when they visit the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Detroit dropped to 0-5 away from home with Saturday's 96-86 loss to the San Antonio Spurs and is trying to salvage the finale of a four-game excursion.
Brooklyn at Phoenix 9:00 PM ET
The Phoenix Suns have a chance to win whenever they play just a little bit of defense, and they are coming off their best defensive performance of the season in terms of opponents scoring. The Suns got the opposition down to 100 last time out and will try to lower that to double digits when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.