DAL @ CHA: Tough road losses for both teams last night but the Mavs’ superior talent should prevail. Byron Mullens took the worst of a skirmish with Anthony Davis in a 5-point outing; he should improve this evening. A sleeper for Dallas could be Jae Crowder, who was quiet against the Knicks.
MIN @ CHI: Gotta like the Bulls at home in this one. The Wolves are shorthanded and may be tired. Luol Deng is coming off a big performance and Kirk Hinrich may be rounding into form.
DET@ HOU: Another matchup of teams who lost on the road Friday evening; the Rockets figure to bounce back at home but I’m not expecting a high-scoring affair. James Harden figures to have a lot more room to operate.
BOS @ MIL: The Celtics lost a tough one on their own floor, while the Bucks won handily in DC. It’s hard to say how much energy both teams will have, but Boston’s superior frontcourt play gives them the edge. As a Brandon Bass owner, I’m rooting against Jared Sullinger. Does that make me a bad person?
PHO@ UTA: Just about every team is finishing a back-to-back tonight. For whatever reason, the Suns don’t travel well, and the Jazz can’t play much worse than they did in Denver. PG is a concern; Jamaal Tinsley will start if Mo Williams (adductor) can’t go, and Randy Foye may have the ball in his hands a lot.
SAS @ POR: Not the easiest assignment for the Spurs. We really like the Blazers’ starting five and they are better rested. LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum are the most reliable, but rookie Damian Lillard is no slouch.
DEN @ GSW: With Andrew Bogut (ankle) shut down for the next few games, Festus Ezeli is getting a baptism by fire as the starting C, so Carl Landry may benefit most. Because Golden State also has a rookie SF in Harrison Barnes, Denver’s experience and depth should prove decisive.