LAL @ SAS: Shorthanded and fatigued, the Lakers are in big trouble. It’s never easy to win in San Antonio, and the Spurs will be angry after getting whipped in New Orleans. Tony Parker can give Nash fits, even when the latter isn’t battling back pain. Tim Duncan will be dominant up front and Manu Ginobili is going to have plenty of room against the L.A. reserves. It could be a blowout.
HOU @ NOH: This could be ambush time. In a track meet at home last night, the Rockets scored 125 points. They will face a lot more defensive pressure from the Hornets, who shocked the Spurs on Monday with a tenacious effort. Greivis Vasquez has become an even better player with Eric Gordon spreading the floor, and Anthony Davis can focus on defense. Much-maligned Al-Farouq Aminu has played three good games in a row at SF, and Ryan Anderson adds scoring off the bench. There’s also a revenge motive, as they lost in Houston a week ago — when Gordon was resting his knee in a back-to-back.
MIN @ OKC: That was a nice win at home last night, but there’s no way the Wolves can repeat. AK-47 will get the Kevin Durant assignment, and while big Pek is more talented than Kendrick Perkins, there are mismatches elsewhere. Russell Westbrook can score vs. any Minnesota guard, and Serge Ibaka is too much for either Dante Cunningham or Derrick Williams to handle. Factor in that the Thunder lost (due to overconfidence) in Washington and are 17-3 at home.
ORL @ DEN: For a team mired in a 9-game losing streak, the Magic are pretty good. The last four have been narrow losses to the Heat, Bulls, Knicks and Blazers; it gets no easier tonight. Arron Afflalo returns to Denver averaging a career-high 17.7 points and sophomore center Nikola Vucevic has become a double-double machine. Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick can also light it up. Unfortunately for Orlando, the Nuggets are 10-2 at home and even more talented. Ty Lawson starts at PG, Andre Miller comes off the bench and when George Karl goes ‘small’ they often play together. Andre Iguodala does a little of everything and Danilo Gallinari is the deep threat.
DAL @ LAC: That perfect December is ancient history, as they lost twice on the road last week, but the Clippers are still riding a 13-game streak at home and they have enjoyed four days off to get ready for this. Meanwhile, Dallas is so desperate, they signed Mike James to a 10-day contract. How a shoot-first 37-year-old (who has played 15 NBA games in nearly four years) is going to help, I do not know. Dirk Nowitzki should demand a trade; he’s surrounded by fading veterans. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will have huge nights, unless the whole second half is garbage time. Jamal Crawford (foot) is questionable; Matt Barnes and Eric Bledsoe will lead the second unit.
MEM @ GSW: With trade rumors swirling around Rudy Gay, the Grizzlies have a half-game lead over Golden State in the West and will be cranking up their #1 defense. The Warriors haven’t played since Saturday, when an inspired Clippers team thrashed them soundly. Stephen Curry and David Lee will be much better tonight; I’m not sure that will be enough. No matter who plays with Lee up front, they can’t match the tandem of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol in size or skill. If Memphis succeeds in keeping the score low, they can win.
The Spin is here by 9:00 EST, seven days a week. My DraftStreet Diary appears later each morning. This week there are two great daily fantasy contests exclusively for Sheridan Hoops readers. The Friday Freeroll has no entry fee and $300 in prizes, for the top 15 finishers among 600 or more entries. The winner gets $100 cash. On Saturday, there’s a challenge event, limited to just 40 players ($11 entry fee) with at least $400 in prize money — everyone who beats me will win an extra five bucks. Entries will open for that one on Friday. Follow us on Twitter — @SheridanFantasy — for updates.