Monday Previews
DET @ TOR: As well as they played in Chicago, this is a road back-to-back and Detroit may not be as inspired tonight. The Toronto crowd should give Jose Calderon an extended standing ovation for his years of fine work as a Raptor, but he wasn’t impressive at home when these teams met last week, so I’m not predicting a huge night.
ORL @ HOU: Even without James Harden (foot) the Rockets came up huge to beat the Clippers on Saturday, and they have plenty of motivation tonight as they try to wrap up a playoff berth. Greg Smith seems to be the new starting PF and Francisco Garcia helped fill in for Harden last game. Beno Udrih and Tobias Harris are worth starting, and a healthy Nikola Vucevic is the Magic’s best player.
CLE @ ATL: The Cavs are exhausted and will not use Kyrie tonight. Atlanta can plan accordingly, give some much-needed rest to key players and still win the game. Al Horford (illness) might be feeling well enough to return, but reserves like Ivan Johnson and Shelvin Mack are worth considering.
CHA @ MIL: With a chance to climb into seventh place and avoid meeing Miami in the first playoff round, the Bucks have stumbled badly, losing five of six. A visit from Charlotte might be just what they need. Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova are must-starts and both teams have high-scoring guards.
BOS @ MIN: Something tells me the Celtics are punting this game. No KG, probably no Truth and everyone else tired from getting thumped in New York. Ricky Rubio could go crazy, but don’t count on Nikola Pekovic (ankle) — Greg Stiemsma might get the start against his former team.
SAS @ MEM: This would be a great game under different circumstances. It’s possible that the Spurs will rest Parker and/or Duncan, and with an extra day of rest, the Grizzlies look good for a 12th straight win on their home court. Do not expect a shootout.
POR @ UTA: Given that the Jazz won in Portland on Friday and the Blazers have run out of both time and healthy bodies, this could be a laugher. LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle) is out, making rookie Meyers Leonard a good fantasy play. All the Utah regulars and Derrick Favors are worth using.
IND @ LAC: You can completely ignore the Clippers’ last game. It was their fourth (all on the road) in five nights, and they had lost a very tough one the night before to the Spurs. They should bounce back at home, though the Pacers are never easy to play against and are in a dogfight for second seed in the East. Worth staying up late to watch; tough to predict.
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