OKC@ NOH: This looks like a soft spot on the Thunder schedule but they never get to rest their superstars. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant have to play huge minutes every night; Kevin Martin simply isn’t as good as the departed James Harden in the sixth-man role. Serge Ibaka has been great, averaging nearly five blocks per game over his last five and finally getting the minutes he’s deserved the last couple of seasons. He’ll be a tough assignment for rookie Anthony Davis. PG Greivis Vasquez and sixth man Ryan Anderson will need to be stellar to keep their team in this one.
GSW@ MIN: It’s easier to list all the healthy Timberwolves than their injuries. Nikola Pekovic (ankle) wants to play — “it’s only pain,” he says — but don’t count on it. Minnesota signed veteran Josh Howard to provide some depth, but they are relying heavily on Andrei Kirilenko, whose return to the NBA has been a big success. AK-47 has double-doubled in his last three games. Brandon Roy (knee) and J.J. Barea (foot) are also limping, though Barea could play tonight. If the Warriors get another big effort from rookie Harrison Barnes, they can prevail.
NYK@ MEM: Can the Knicks do it again? I don’t think so. Memphis is a great team, with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol playing extremely well up front, Mike Conley flawlessly running the show and Rudy Gay doing a little (sometimes a lot) of everything. Home-court advantage and the Knicks’ fatigue after a tough win in Texas last night may be the difference late in the game.
HOU@ POR: Two weeks ago, the Blazers spoiled the Rockets’ home opener, and Portland is capable of scoring from anywhere. Damian Lillard, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews have the green light from 3-point range, while LaMarcus Aldridge has a variety of moves. Only the lack of bench strength keeps them from being one of the better teams in the West. Houston needs more from Jeremy Lin, averaging just 10.9 PPG on 35% shooting. Harden can’t carry the entire scoring load by himself every night. Omer Asik has improved his FT% and is always a double-double threat without being an offensive option.
ATL @ SAC: We know that DeMarcus Cousins has a temper, and he’s not happy about his two-game suspension for a verbal confrontation with a broadcaster. Will he take that frustration out on the Hawks? We shall see. PG Isaiah Thomas (personal) is expected back, so the Kings are at full strength, such as it is. A flu bug has slowed several Atlanta players lately; Louis Williams and Josh Smith should be back up to speed, but Al Horford and Devin Harris may still not be 100% recovered. Given how the Kings play defense, they will find a way to lose.
PHO @ LAL: On the injury list for the Lakers are new coach Mike D’Antoni (knee replacement) and his alter ego, Steve Nash (leg fracture) so we won’t see Showtime in Seven Seconds or Less just yet. Steve Blake (abdomen) is questionable, which means Darius Morris could get another start at PG and Chris Duhon will be the backup. Kobe Bryant will be impossible to stop, Dwight Howard will do what he does, so it may come down to Pau Gasol, whose scoring and rebounding are down this year, finding ways to contribute. The Suns are not very good on the road and have some defensive issues. Goran Dragic, Marcin Gortat and Luis Scola have been playing well for their fantasy owners.
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