MIN @ IND: They aren’t going to catch Miami, but Indiana wants that #2 seed and they will have little trouble with the tired, injury-ravaged Wolves. Kevin Love (hand) and Chase Budinger (knee) are getting closer to returning but for tonight it’s mostly up to Senor Rubio against George Hill, and the other Pacers should run wild. Roy Hibbert has been improving, David West has been great all year and Paul George will bounce back from that 2-for-11 game against the Heat.
TOR @ BOS: Official pronouncements are often a waste of time, as teams are all secretive, some more than others. Andrea Bargnani (elbow) is supposedly day-to-day but didn’t even make the trip. Rudy Gay (back) is at least in Boston, listed as questionable. The other Raptors will put up a fight — Kyle Lowry and Amir Johnson are worth using — but the Celtics will bounce back from that nightmare in Charlotte and with that day of rest, Paul Pierce is a must-start.
PHO @ HOU: Kicking off a 7-game homestand against a weak opponent, the Rockets should soar. They are limping a little bit, with Omer Asik (groin) and James Harden (foot) less than 100%, but the Suns are terrible on the road. There’s a very good fantasy angle on Jermaine O’Neal, who has been away for a week while his 13-year-old daughter had heart surgery. JO immediately becomes the starting center; apparently he didn’t even know Marcin Gortat (foot) was hurt. Former Rocket Luis Scola will probably return to PF, sending Markieff Morris to the bench.
UTA @ OKC: Never a great road team, the Jazz could be in trouble tonight. Oklahoma City will be inspired to atone for a loss against the Spurs on Monday, and Russell Westbrook should have a field day against Mo Williams. Utah has nobody who can cover Kevin Durant, and if Paul Millsap (knee) misses another game, that mismatch is even worse.
CHI @ SAC: One way or another, DeMarcus Cousins is unlikely to play. He deserves at least a one-game suspension for his latest attack on an opponent, and he has a thigh bruise. Jason Thompson and Patrick Patterson would start up front against Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer; that’s a huge advantage (literally) for the visitors. However, the Bulls have several injuries to their guards, so Isaiah Thomas and Tyreke Evans could produce.
DET @ GSW: A severe ankle sprain to Brandon Knight will put Rodney Stuckey back into the starting five and weaken the Pistons’ bench, though Will Bynum owners might benefit. The Warriors are coming off a 29-point win over the Knicks and should easily make it two in a row. David Lee and Stephen Curry are always must-starts, and Klay Thompson is averaging 21.3 points with 3.7 triples so far in March.
NYK @ DEN: Another superstar returns to his former arena. Carmelo Anthony hasn’t played in Denver since he was traded two years ago. He’ll be the focal point, but his knee isn’t 100% and the Nuggets, 27-3 at home, are playing extremely well. Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari will be up for this one, Kenneth Faried and Andre Iguodala apply the defensive pressure, then the deep, talented second unit pours it on. Former Knickerbocker Wilson Chandler is a hunch play.
MEM @ LAC: These teams played a memorable 7-game playoff series last spring and are currently separated in the standings by .002 as they battle for third and fourth seed. The edge goes to the Clippers at home tonight after a romp on Sunday and three rest days. Memphis had to play in Portland, then travel, but their only loss in 14 games was a close one in Miami. Caron Butler (elbow) won’t play, so Matt Barnes will start, and Jamal Crawford (ankle) is listed as probable.