Expert NBA GAME Previews

Minnesota heads to Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night for a 7:00 p.m. ET tip in a game that matters for both sides, even this late in the schedule. The Timberwolves are 46-29 and still trying to lock down their playoff position in the West, while Detroit is 55-21, already sitting on the Central Division title and pushing to finish

Portland gets this one at home on Thursday night, with tip set for 10:00 p.m. ET at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers come in at 39-38 and still have real play-in positioning to chase in the West, while New Orleans is 25-51, eliminated, and trying to snap a five-game losing streak. It is on KUNP, BlazerVision, Gulf Coast Sports, Pelicans.com

Phoenix heads to Spectrum Center on Thursday night for a 7:00 p.m. ET tip against Charlotte in a game that matters on both sides of the bracket. The Suns are 42-34 and still trying to protect their position in the West play-in picture, while the Hornets are 40-36 and fighting for a better seed in the East. This one will

The Los Angeles Lakers head to Paycom Center on Thursday night for a 9:30 p.m. ET tip against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and this is easily one of the strongest games on the NBA board. Prime Video and Spectrum SportsNet carry the broadcast. Los Angeles enters at 50-26, third in the West and 24-14 on the road, after beating Cleveland

Sacramento closes this road trip at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. ET on NBCS-CA and TSN. The Kings come in at 19-57 and dead last in the Western Conference, while Toronto sits at 42-33 and sixth in the East. Sacramento has dropped four straight, including losses to Orlando, Atlanta and Brooklyn, while the Raptors

The Milwaukee Bucks head to Toyota Center on Wednesday night for an 8:00 PM ET tip against the Houston Rockets, and this number tells you a lot before the ball even goes up. Milwaukee is 30-45 and sitting 11th in the East, while Houston is 46-29 and holding the No. 6 spot in the West. The Bucks did stop a

New York heads to FedExForum on Wednesday night for an 8:00 PM ET tip in a game that looks straightforward on paper, but the number is big enough to make bettors think twice. The Knicks are 48-28 and still trying to hold position near the top of the Eastern Conference, while Memphis is 25-50 and sitting near the bottom of

The Boston Celtics head to Kaseya Center on Wednesday night for a 7:30 p.m. ET matchup with the Miami Heat, and this one still matters on both sides of the bracket. Boston enters at 50-25, sitting second in the Eastern Conference and trying to protect its cushion over New York after Monday’s loss in Atlanta. Miami is 40-36, ninth in

Philadelphia heads to Capital One Arena on Wednesday night for a 7:00 PM ET tip against Washington, with the Sixers sitting at 41-34 and seventh in the East while the Wizards come in at 17-58 and 14th. This is a meaningful spot for Philly after a late-season stumble, while Washington is playing out the string with development and lottery position