Preview Roundups
December 14, 2016
Toronto at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors are playing at a different level than their Atlantic Division counterparts as they stalk the Cleveland Cavaliers for Eastern Conference supremacy. The Raptors will try to earn their fourth straight win and vanquish another Atlantic rival when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Charlotte at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets were cruising along with wins in three straight games and five of seven before hitting a snag on the road. The Hornets will try to avoid a third straight loss when they continue their five-game trip by visiting the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
L.A. Clippers at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers will try to keep piling up the points when they visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. With Blake Griffin back in the fold after he missed a game due to a knee issue, the Clippers outlasted Portland 121-120 at home last time out.
Indiana at Miami 7:00 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers still can't seem to decide what kind of team they want to be, but at least they're finding ways to win. The Pacers will try to push their winning streak to three in a row when they open a three-game road trip by visiting the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
L.A. Lakers at Brooklyn 7:30 PM ET
The frustration seems to be getting to first-year Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton, who is one loss away from doubling the total he saw as interim coach and assistant with the Golden State Warriors last season. The Lakers have a great chance to snap their seven-game slide when they continue a seven-game road trip by visiting the lowly Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Cleveland at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
It will be a depleted Cleveland team that shows up in Memphis on Wednesday when the Cavaliers and Grizzlies complete a home-and-home set. Cleveland posted a 103-86 victory on its home floor Tuesday for its fifth straight win and Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters afterward that forwards LeBron James and Kevin Love, along with point guard Kyrie Irving, won't travel for the rematch.
Sacramento at Houston 8:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets are the hottest team in the NBA and seek their eighth consecutive victory when they host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Houston hasn't lost in December and is averaging 119.1 points during the winning streak but only narrowly slipped the past the woeful Brooklyn Nets 122-118 on Monday.
Detroit at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Mavericks are showing signs of life after a dreadful start and look for their third victory in the past four games when they host the Detroit Pistons. The Mavericks split their last six contests following a 3-15 start and rolled to a 112-92 home win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
Oklahoma City at Utah 9:00 PM ET
Gordon Hayward has put together the best string of 20-point outings by a Utah player since Karl Malone in 2001 and he looks for another one when the Jazz host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. Hayward has recorded 10 straight 20-point performances and is aiming to help Utah record its ninth victory in the past 11 games.
Boston at San Antonio 9:30 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs seemed to let out some frustration in their most recent game and will try to maintain their edge when they host the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. After drawing the ire of coach Gregg Popovich for a lackluster effort in a loss at Chicago, the Spurs matched their best offensive effort since March 28, 2014 (133 points) with a 130-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.