Preview Roundups
March 08, 2020
Chicago at Brooklyn 3:00 PM ET
The Brooklyn Nets are in position to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference for the second straight season despite missing superstar Kevin Durant all season and getting 20 games out of All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, but something wasn't right with the team. The Nets will be playing under the guidance of interim coach Jacque Vaughn when they host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday after mutually agreeing to part ways with coach Kenny Atkinson on Saturday.
New Orleans at Minnesota 3:30 PM ET
The New Orleans Pelicans snapped a three-game slide on Friday and need to put together a long winning streak to have any hope of jumping over the pack and earning a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Pelicans will try to make it back-to-back wins when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday in the opener of a four-game road trip.
L.A. Lakers at L.A. Clippers 3:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Lakers are sitting clear of the pack atop the Western Conference and flexed their muscle while knocking off the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, but their arena mates are just beginning to hit their stride. The Lakers will try to prove they are still the best in the West when they serve as the visiting team against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Oklahoma City at Boston 6:00 PM ET
One of the top teams in the league at home for much of the season, the banged-up Boston Celtics are suddenly struggling to put together complete efforts at TD Garden. They'll try to snap a three-game home losing streak before beginning a road-heavy portion of the schedule when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
Milwaukee at Phoenix 6:00 PM ET
The Milwaukee Bucks remain comfortably atop the Eastern Conference and own the best record in the NBA, but losses in two of the last three games are concerning. The Bucks will try to bounce back from a 113-103 setback at the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday when they continue the three-game trip by visiting the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Miami at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Miami Heat, who have lost just four times in 31 games at home this season, hope to begin changing their fortunes on the road when they visit the Washington Wizards on Sunday night. The Heat are fourth in the Eastern Conference despite losing seven of their last eight contests away from home after falling behind by 14 points at halftime en route to a 110-104 setback at New Orleans on Friday.
Indiana at Dallas 7:00 PM ET
Despite a rash of injuries the Indiana Pacers are staying afloat during their five-game road trip, which wraps up Sunday with a visit to the Dallas Mavericks. Playing without two of their top three scorers and with former All-Star Victor Oladipo on a minutes restriction, the Pacers survived a visit to Chicago on Friday to improve to 3-1 on the trip.
Orlando at Houston 7:00 PM ET
Head coach Steve Clifford is expected to be back on the sidelines as his Orlando Magic try to string a pair of wins together on the road when they visit the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Clifford left the bench during the third quarter of Friday’s 132-118 victory at Minnesota and was hospitalized for dizziness and dehydration, but released later on and is cleared for all coaching duties.
San Antonio at Cleveland 7:30 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs are struggling to keep the pace in the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They'll try to finish a three-game road trip on a good note when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.
Detroit at New York 7:30 PM ET
Two teams fighting to avoid finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings meet up Sunday night when the reeling Detroit Pistons visit Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks. The Pistons have lost three straight and 10 of 11 after falling 111-105 at home against Utah on Saturday while the Knicks have dropped eight of 10 contests following a 126-103 setback to Oklahoma City on Friday.
Toronto at Sacramento 9:00 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors have clinched a playoff berth and can sew up a winning road trip with a victory Sunday at the Sacramento Kings. After dropping the opener of the five-game swing, the Raptors knocked off Phoenix and Golden State to ensure a seventh consecutive postseason appearance, overcoming the much-hyped return of Warriors superstar Steph Curry on Thursday night.