SAC @ WAS: Confidence doesn’t show up in box scores. Not directly, anyway. The Wizards knew they were overmatched at PG while going 4-28 to start the season. Now that John Wall is back, they believe (somewhat optimistically) that they are as good as anyone. You never know what to expect with the Kings; DeMarcus Cousins had 21 & 16 to beat Washington 12 days ago in Sacramento but has been progressively worse in each of their last three losses. Emeka Okafor has about half Boogie’s talent and twice his desire; let’s call it a draw. I like Bradley Beal to bounce back tonight from a poor shooting game against the Bulls, because Keith Smart’s team can’t even spell D.
GSW @ TOR: There’s no question that any playoff contender from the West should beat a lottery team from the East. The Warriors have dropped two straight on this trip, so they will not be overconfident. Stephen Curry is way too good for Jose Calderon to deal with, and Kyle Lowry is less than 100% as he deals with back pain. David Lee has a big edge over Ed Davis and Amir Johnson, who will take turns trying to stop him. Toronto often hangs tough in these games against superior opponents, they just can’t finish the fourth quarter.
ORL @ BRK: The Nets are the better team, they’re at home and ticked off about losing two straight. Orlando lost their fifth in a row last night and must now begin a 5-game road trip. You do the math. Deron Williams will be pumped, Joe Johnson is a must-start and Brook Lopez is a great fantasy C, though his real-life defense is hardly an asset. Brooklyn has trounced the Magic three times already this season and that trend should continue.
CHA @ CHI: Fresh off a rare win, the Bobcats might be loose, but they simply aren’t good enough to win twice in Chicago. The Bulls will remember that New Year’s Eve debacle and take their revenge this evening. Luol Deng is a game-time decision, after sitting out the last five with a tender hamstring, but Jimmy Butler has been a pleasant surprise in his absence. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer will be a nightmare for the young, mediocre Charlotte big men. Kemba Walker has earned must-start status with an excellent sophomore season; I’ll pass on his teammates tonight.
IND @ DEN: This road trip is not going well for the Pacers, whose outstanding defense has conceded 100 points or more in consecutive defeats. Now they take on the speedy Nuggets at high altitude. Paul George and David West are putting up big numbers, and George Hill is an underrated PG, but they can’t match Denver’s firepower, especially off the bench. Last month in Indiana, Corey Brewer and JaVale McGee scored 20 points apiece.
HOU @ UTA: Although the Rockets seemed to have turned things around in back-to-back wins on Friday and Saturday, they aren’t quite as high-powered on the road and the Jazz are 15-4 at home. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap were dominant in their latest win, and Gordon Hayward is consistently good off the bench. While unlikely to stop James Harden, Utah can win enough of the other battles to deserve the nod.
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