NOH @ BOS: Although the Hornets have won five of six, this back-to-back is a very tough assignment. Rajon Rondo is in fine form, the Celtics are on a six-game roll and their bench has been a big reason. Rookie PF Jared Sullinger, when not in foul trouble, is outplaying starter Brandon Bass, and Jeff Green is settling into a nice groove, averaging 12.5 points in 24 minutes over his last four.
DEN @ OKC: Less than 24 hours after an OT win is hardly the best time to visit Oklahoma City. Kevin Durant returns home, where the Thunder have an 18-3 record, after scoring 42, 33 and 41 in the last three road wins. Even against the Manimal, he is unstoppable. KD’s sidekick Russell Westbrook is also pretty good. Serge Ibaka might return after missing two games with a chest contusion; Nick Collison has been adequate filling in.
MEM @ SAS: The Spurs will be without Manu Ginobili (hamstring) for a couple of weeks, but no one player will replace him. The slumping Danny Green may get a longer leash, with Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal also in line for extra minutes. We could even see more of Nando De Colo and/or Patty Mills; nobody can read the mind of Gregg Popovich. For Memphis, Rudy Gay should be back from a personal absence; they have lost two straight without him while averaging a mere 78 points.
WAS @ SAC: Although he hasn’t done anything spectacular — yet — just having John Wall in uniform seems to have inspired the Wizards. This will be a ridiculously fast-paced game, with neither team known for defense or discipline. DeMarcus Cousins, when he isn’t being his own worst enemy, is incredibly talented. Tyreke Evans seems healthy again and sixth man Marcus Thornton is heating up. For Washington, still without Jordan Crawford (ankle), look for Bradley Beal to shoot early and often. The fact remains, they are 1-15 on the road and the Kings are above .500 at home.
MIA @ GSW: How good is LeBron James? When he scores point number 20,000 tonight, he will be more than a year younger than Kobe Bryant was at the same plateau. The handful of players who have done it in fewer games than LBJ are inner-circle Hall of Famers. That doesn’t mean Miami will win. Golden State beat them in a month ago in Florida, and the Heat have lost three of four on the current road trip. They also might be looking ahead to the Lakers game tomorrow night. Use Stephen Curry and David Lee with confidence and enjoy what should be an entertaining contest.
CLE @ POR: How much is left in the tank after the Blazers lost an OT heartbreaker at high altitude last night? We’ll find out. The Cavs are on a tough Western road trip, but if Kyrie Irving bounces back from a couple of less-than-stellar performances and Dion Waiters stays hot, this could be a tossup. It depends on how the young Cleveland big men Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller fare against the more experienced Aldridge and Hickson.
The Spin is here by 9:00 EST, seven days a week. My DraftStreet Diary appears later each morning. Follow us on Twitter — @SheridanFantasy — for updates.