Sunday Previews
ORL @ MIL: Go with the green team on St. Patrick’s Day, though the Bucks have lost three straight, and any chance they had of finishing higher than eighth in the East is fading fast. Monta Ellis was quiet in the loss to Miami; he should bounce back and Ersan Ilyasova figures to stay hot. Orlando, with nothing to play for, is developing its youngsters like Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic, while veterans Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo continue to play well.
MIA @ TOR: Looking ahead can be dangerous. Everyone but the Raptors is waiting for tomorrow night, when the Heat play in Boston. Rudy Gay looked pretty spry on Friday, Amir Johnson has never been better and Kyle Lowry might surprise. The better Toronto plays, the more minutes for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. I’m always amused when my fellow Canadians boo Chris Bosh, instead of the overrated GM who got absolutely nothing for an all-star. CB3, as we used to call him, scored 28 points in his last visit to the Air Canada Centre.
NYK @ LAC: It’s the worst possible time for the Knicks to face a really good team. Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler are both doubtful with knee injuries, so Blake Griffin could have a field day against Kenyon Martin and/or Chris Copeland. Garbage time is a very real possibility, which might deflate the numbers of Griffin and Chris Paul while the Clippers’ reserves mop up.
GSW @ HOU: This will be fun to watch, as there’s plenty at stake. James Harden will be trading buckets with Stephen Curry, and there will be plenty of shots for David Lee — start everyone you own on both rosters, including bench guys like Carlos Delfino and Jarrett Jack. There’s only a half-game between these teams in the standings, and the Rockets can take over sixth seed with a win. A loss for the Warriors would drop them perilously close to being overtaken by the Lakers and Jazz.
NOH @ MIN: You can’t blame the Timberwolves for taking out their frustrations against the Spurs’ B team on Tuesday. Off that surprisingly easy win, they will be ready to make it two straight vs. a Hornets team that can’t wait for this road trip to end. Ricky Rubio is great in both real life and fantasy, and Derrick Williams has made the most of his starting PF role. Kevin Love (hand) is getting dropped in some leagues after suggesting he might not return this season; he’s still a good stash for the Head-to-Head semis and finals if you can spare the roster spot.
OKC @ DAL: The Mavs can’t afford any more losses, but the schedule isn’t doing them any favors. With the #1 seed still up for grabs, the Thunder will be motivated too. There’s a good possibility of a high score, as neither team is playing great defense recently. The last time they met in Dallas, it finished 117-114, with Kevin Durant scoring 52 points and Russell Westbrook adding 31 as OKC prevailed in overtime.
ATL @ BRK: On their home court, the Nets can take a big step toward securing home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Deron Williams and Brook Lopez are must starts; Joe Johnson would love to play well against his former team but is slowed by a sore heel. Al Horford and Josh Smith should rise to the occasion for the Hawks, but Jeff Teague’s ankle may still not be 100%, so Devin Harris must play well. Kyle Korver has been heating up again if you need threes.
SAC @ LAL: Don’t expect much from Kobe Bryant (ankle) but the Lakers can ride Dwight Howard to another win. DeMarcus Cousins (quad bruise) will be limited if he plays, and Jason Thompson would be overmatched at center. Patrick Patterson will also get extra minutes if DMC can’t go. The way the Kings play defense, this could be another high-scoring affair even without Kobe. I like Antawn Jamison and Metta World Peace at DraftStreet.