NBA Previews

Houston Rockets vs Detroit Pistons Game Preview Detroit returns home riding form and depth, but the story is availability. Cade Cunningham is listed questionable, and that can change both tempo and Detroit’s late-shot quality. Houston arrives on the second night of a back-to-back after an overtime loss in Philadelphia. The Rockets still have the defensive spine to travel, but the

Denver Nuggets vs Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview Milwaukee comes home frustrated after getting handled by Oklahoma City, and Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t hide what he thinks is wrong: effort, chemistry, and selfish possessions. That’s a tough backdrop against a Denver team that’s been forced to play connected basketball for weeks because of injuries. Denver is still without Nikola Jokic and Christian

Toronto Raptors vs Portland Trail Blazers Game Preview Portland has been one of the hottest teams in the league lately and enters Friday chasing a fifth straight win. The biggest question coming off Thursday is health, but the expectation is Deni Avdija will be available after back tightness forced an early exit against Miami. Toronto has found offense on this

Wisconsin Badgers vs Penn State Nittany Lions Game Preview Wisconsin heads to University Park on Thursday night for a Big Ten road game against Penn State at the Bryce Jordan Center, with the Badgers trying to keep a recent surge rolling while the Nittany Lions search for their first conference win. Wisconsin has stacked four straight wins behind elite guard

Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic Game Preview Orlando is back home after the Europe set and the focus is simple: start faster. The Magic got buried early in both games against Memphis, and that’s not a script they can afford to repeat in a divisional spot where the opponent is comfortable hanging around. Charlotte arrives after a frustrating offensive night,

Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks Game Preview Golden State is adjusting on the fly with Jimmy Butler done for the season, and that has opened the door for Jonathan Kuminga to re-enter the rotation in a real way. The first look was encouraging — energy, rim pressure, and instant scoring off the bench — and that matters because the

San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz Game Preview Utah is coming off its best “toughness” win of the month, rallying past Minnesota even without Lauri Markkanen. San Antonio is in a different spot. The Spurs are still near the top of the West, but their coach wants more edge after a physical loss in Houston and a rough shooting night

Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves Game Preview Chicago rolls into Minneapolis with real confidence after tying a franchise record with 25 made threes, and Coby White’s rhythm has changed the Bulls’ scoring ceiling over the last week. When White is hunting early and the ball is moving, Chicago can hang in games that look overpriced on paper. Minnesota is in

Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers Game Preview The Clippers get the Lakers again in the building where their turnaround started, and the handicap is built around pace and legs. L.A. has played its best ball lately when the defense is connected and the half-court execution stays clean, but the last game showed what happens when fatigue hits and