MEM @ CLE: Be very nervous if you own Kyrie Irving. He’s dealing with some lingering knee pain, isn’t certain to play tonight and there’s the risk that he’ll be shut down early this season. Dion Waiters (flu) should return after missing two games, sending Wayne Ellington back to the bench against his former team. Marreese Speights might also be inspired against the Grizzlies, who traded him for nothing. Zach Randolph (knee) is questionable but Marc Gasol and Mike Conley can lead Memphis to a low-scoring win.
DAL @ DET: Never give up. The Mavericks, 4.5 games out of the playoffs with three teams to pass in the final 22 games, are not going to quit. Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion were the heroes last game, with Vince Carter and O.J. Mayo also chipping in. Detroit is slumping, has nothing to play for and Greg Monroe (ankle) is questionable. Jose Calderon and Brandon Knight are the safest fantasy starts.
WAS @ BRK: A visit to Charlotte helped the Nets get out of a slump, and a healthy Joe Johnson never hurts. Along with Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, JJ gives them enough firepower to beat Washington, especially if Bradley Beal (ankle) misses another game. The Wizards are a poor road team (5-23) playing only for pride, while Brooklyn is in a heated battle for playoff seedings and should find a way to win.
PHI @ MIA: The 16-game win streak seems in no jeopardy tonight for the Heat, as the Sixers have lost ten of their last 11 and a once-promising season is reduced to rubble. Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young are getting tired, there’s one gaping hole at SG and another at C, where Spencer Hawes is inconsistent. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will do whatever it takes and Chris Bosh gets a favorable matchup, but I’m not expecting anyone to put up video game numbers in what could be a dull contest.
UTA @ CHI: Injuries are the storyline here. Al Jefferson (ankle) is a game-time call for the Jazz; Derrick Favors will start at C if Big Al can’t, but I don’t recommend either against Joakim Noah. Chicago has been missing Kirk Hinrich (foot), Richard Hamilton (back) and Taj Gibson (knee) in addition to Derrick Rose (knee) being out all year, his timetable still a mystery. Mo Williams is back for Utah and can be added in many formats.
ATL @ BOS: The Hawks had lost three straight on the road before a home win over the slumping 76ers on Wednesday. They are led by Al Horford, with Josh Smith and Jeff Teague also must-starts, but the Celtics have an indomitable will to win and are 21-9 at home. Paul Pierce has become a point-forward since the season-ending injury to Rajon Rondo and you can always count on Kevin Garnett for effort and leadership. Jeff Green and Jason Terry are the main bench threats.
PHO @ SAC: The easy way out here is a two-word blurb — who cares? In the real world, that’s accurate enough, but in fantasy hoops, every stat counts. Marcin Gortat (sprained foot) is out for several weeks, quite possibly the season. Jermaine O’Neal is with his daughter, who is recovering from heart surgery. That makes Luis Scola the center and Markieff Morris (#11) will start at PF, but I like Marcus Morris (#15) better off the bench because he hits 3-pointers. DeMarcus Cousins wasn’t trying, was given only 20 minutes last game, and is now pouting. Don’t bet on his toxic attitude improving.
TOR @ LAL: One team is on a long road trip in the wrong time zone, the other is battling for its playoff life. The Lakers should prevail, but it may not be easy. Toronto played one of its better games in Phoenix and if Rudy Gay is over his back spasms, he’s capable of trading buckets with Kobe Bryant. The big edge is Dwight Howard against rookie Jonas Valanciunas and/or Amir Johnson.
POR @ SAS: There’s a decent possibility of a high-scoring battle here as the Blazers are definitely not giving up on the playoffs. Use all the Portland starters, along with Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan. Guessing who else might get hot is an inexact science; Eric Maynor is becoming a useful sixth man and Patrick Mills can score in bunches.
HOU @ GSW: The game of the night for fantasy purposes. Houston never stops running, and the Warriors are happy to play that style too. Both teams are looking at the rear-view mirror and trying to hold their playoff positions; Golden State can settle more comfortably into sixth with a win, but a loss would leave them just one game up on the Rockets. Must-starts include Stephen Curry, David Lee and Klay Thompson for the home team, James Harden and Chandler Parsons for the visitors.