CLE @ HOU: Somehow, the Cavs — missing their three best players — got inspired on Wednesday and almost shocked Miami. That was in front of a frenzied home crowd that came to cheer/jeer LeBron James. On the road tonight, with no such excitement, they will be no match for the Rockets, for who every game is crucial. Feel free to use Shaun Livingston, Wayne Ellington and/or Tristan Thompson, but load up on Houston players, not just James Harden. In particular I like Omer Asik against rookie Tyler Zeller.
MEM @ NOH: For some teams, there might be a letdown after an emotional overtime win against the Thunder. Focus doesn’t ever seem to be a problem for the consistent, methodical Grizzlies. You can rely on Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley to play well every night, and lately Jerryd Bayless has been productive off the bench. With only pride to play for, the Hornets will be loose. Ryan Anderson and Greivis Vasquez are always dangerous and Anthony Davis should be feeling better.
BOS @ DAL: There’s a slight difference in motivation. The Celtics would like to win, Dallas must win. Shawn Marion (calf) is expected back after missing eight games, and even if the Matrix is rusty, his presence helps Dirk Nowitzki. It’s the first game back for Jason Terry, a Maverick for eight years, so he could be a hunch play, but it’s really up to Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to keep Boston in the game and I think they will come up short.
UTA @ SAS: In addition to his incredible offensive skill and underrated defense, Tony Parker is a fast healer. He’s a possibility tonight after missing just eight games with a severe ankle sprain that was supposed to keep him out at least another week. Even without TP, the Spurs should handle the Jazz, who are 0-for-Texas so far this week and have fallen out of the playoff picture by losing 10 of 13. Tim Duncan is a beast, Tiago Splitter is enjoying a career year and Manu Ginobili remains a very capable playmaker. Gordon Hayward, Utah’s best player recently, might get extra defensive attention tonight from Kawhi Leonard.
MIN @ PHO: The Wolves have lost 17 of 18 on the road and are tired from playing last night. If the Suns can’t beat them, things are even worse than we thought in Phoenix. However, Jermaine O’Neal (calf) is somewhere between questionable and doubtful, so Luis Scola might have to play C, and if Big Pek isn’t too exhausted, he could be tough to stop. Wes Johnson is playing much better of late and Goran Dragic will be pumped against Rubio. Very few people care who wins this game, including many of the participants.
WAS @ LAL: There could be two ‘new’ players in the Lakers’ lineup. Kobe Bryant (ankle) has a remarkable pain threshold and was a participant in practice yesterday, as was Pau Gasol (foot) who has missed the last 20 games. They might not play huge minutes tonight, but Gasol will soon be back in the starting lineup. Dwight Howard has put up eight straight double-doubles and looks much healthier. The Wizards (6-26 on the road) are quite unlikely to win, but John Wall is on fire and Nene is another must-start.