PHI @ IND: Be careful with Jrue Holiday tonight. He has a sprained left foot and is officially a game-time decision. Even if he does play, George Hill and the stingy Pacers defense might keep him in check. If Holiday can’t answer the bell, Evan Turner would be the point-forward. For Indiana, David West and Paul George do the majority of the scoring. Roy Hibbert is having a truly awful season; perhaps he’ll regain his lost confidence and ability to make shots against Lavoy Allen. SG Lance Stephenson (ankle) is out, so Gerald Green and Sam Young will get extra minutes.
DET @ BRK: It’s hard to believe that the Nets have lost four straight at home. They did get back in the W column against the injury-ravaged Raptors on Wednesday, but it was an ugly game. A visit from the Pistons could be just what they need, and the anticipated return of Brook Lopez (foot) will be helpful. They lost five out of seven without him, though Andray Blatche filled in quite well and should be prominent off the bench. My hunch is that Kris Humphries will get his starting PF job back, as he and Lopez play well together. Coach Avery Johnson likes to pair Reggie Evans with Blatche. For Detroit, Brandon Knight has been much improved as a sophomore, but Deron Williams is a tough matchup.
MIL @ CLE: In his first game back after missing 11 with a broken finger, Kyrie Irving was sensational. The following night, not so much. With a day of rest and back at home, expect another strong outing, though he’ll have his hands full with Brandon Jennings. Assuming Dion Waiters (ankle) can’t go, red-hot C.J. Miles will start again at SG, against high-scoring Monta Ellis. The battle could be won up front, where Anderson Varejao averages a double-double (14.3 PTS and a league-leading 14.8 REB) and Milwaukee has a revolving door, depending on Scott Skiles’ mood. Larry Sanders (illness) should return and Ersan Ilyasova has finally begun to put a few good games together after a horrendous November.
BOS @ HOU: When you come to Houston, bring your running shoes. The Rockets are the third-highest scoring team in the NBA, and they allow the most points. That’s fantasy gold right there. James Harden is a must-start, Chandler Parsons has taken a big step forward in his second season and Omer Asik does most of the rebounding. It’s hard to recommend Jeremy Lin against Rajon Rondo, of course. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will also be significant factors. Start everyone you own on both teams and hope for overtime.