BRK @ DET: There’s no rest for Brooklyn after a lackluster home loss, as they embark on an 8-game road trip. Theoretically, they are the better team, and the Pistons have been slumping, but anything is possible. If Brandon Knight (ankle) returns, that will slow down Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum, but the key players for Detroit are Greg Monroe and Jose Calderon.
IND @ CLE: Because they play tremendous team defense, the Pacers are nearly slump-proof. After two straight losses, they will turn up the intensity against the shorthanded Cavaliers. Roy Hibbert has an advantage in size, experience and skill over Tyler Zeller and David West should handle Tristan Thompson, leaving Paul George plenty of room to do his thing. Exciting rookie Dion Waiters is now the main man for Cleveland.
DAL @ ATL: Both teams played elsewhere on Sunday so fatigue will be a factor. There’s no quit in the Mavs, and the Hawks might be a bit too satisfied by beating the Nets, so this could go either way. Individually, Dallas has a real problem at C and Atlanta has Mr. Horford.
DEN @ CHI: Winners of 11 straight games and remarkably healthy for this stage of the season, the Nuggets face a tough test. You see, the Bulls have been watching video of their 32-point loss in Denver last month and revenge will be on their minds. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer are must-starts, but the visitors have a deep bench; their nine best players are capable of big numbers. It’s just hard to guess which ones on aa given night.
GSW @ NOH: After that surprisingly easy win in the game they really needed, the Warriors can’t let up. New Orleans has nothing to play for, and had a long plane ride last night, so Golden State should get the job done. David Lee was relatively quiet in Houston (10 PTS, 10 REB) while his teammates drained 13 triples and should be more of a factor this evening.
MIA @ BOS: The word “hype” for me has a slightly negative connotation, like a huckster trying to hype a mediocre product. The massive buildup for this game is not hype, it’s legitimate excitement. In a remarkable coincidence, the Celtics have ended a 22-game win streak on March 18 before, when they stopped Houston in 2008. They are always dangerous on the parquet floor and on national TV, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will be at their most intense. If only they had a teammate who could guard LeBron.
MIN @ MEM: While it’s nice that Minnesota got two key injured players back, don’t count on them seeing big minutes for a second consecutive night. The Grizzlies are particularly ferocious at home, are annoyed by losing two straight on the road, and will take care of business. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are must-starts and Mike Conley should rise to the challenge of defending Rubio.
LAL @ PHO: Given that Kobe’s ankle needs time to heal and he’s battling the flu, don’t expect to see him. The other Lakers should have enough left in the tank to win, though they used just seven players yesterday and all saw significant minutes. Goran Dragic vs. Steve Nash will be interesting and the revitalized Jermaine O’Neal may surprise Dwight Howard a little, but Phoenix lacks a go-to scorer, among other things.
NYK @ UTA: On paper, this looks like lambs being led to slaughter. Just maybe, Tyson Chandler (neck, knee) will return to help out against Al Jefferson, and it’s possible that Carmelo Anthony (knee) will make an appearance. But the Jazz are very good at home and just one game out of a playoff berth. Gordon Hayward is back in the starting five and could have a big night.
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