NBA Previews

Washington Wizards vs Charlotte Hornets Game Preview Washington heads to Charlotte in a tough spot, still searching for a reset as the losing streak keeps growing. This one also comes with a weird rhythm: tip-off was moved up to 12:00 PM ET, and both teams are on one day of rest. Charlotte is trying to stack wins, something it hasn’t

Phoenix Suns vs Atlanta Hawks Game Preview Phoenix closes its East Coast trip looking for a fourth straight win, and the timing is important because Jalen Green is back in the rotation. Even with his minutes being managed, the Suns’ scoring depth looks different when he’s available to take pressure off Devin Booker and keep the pace from dying when

Sacramento Kings vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game Preview Cleveland is trending the right way into this matchup, climbing into the East’s top five while winning games even when the offense isn’t pretty. Sacramento arrives with one of the league’s worst records and one of the worst road profiles, and now they have to open a long trip against a defense-first team

Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game Preview The Thunder welcome the Pacers back to Paycom Center for the first time since last season’s title-clinching Game 7, but the teams arrive in very different places. Oklahoma City owns the league’s best record and has been rolling again, even with key rotation pieces banged up. Indiana has been living through the

Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets Game Preview Boston heads to Barclays Center holding the Atlantic lead and staying near the top of the East despite missing Jayson Tatum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET in Brooklyn, and the matchup is about stability versus spiral. The Celtics have been consistent in half-court defense and late-game execution, while the Nets are

New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies Game Prediction New Orleans heads to FedExForum to face Memphis on Friday night, and the headline is availability: Ja Morant is out (UCL sprain), forcing the Grizzlies to win with half-court execution and defense instead of pure pace. The Pelicans are trying to stop the bleeding after a brutal stretch, but their slow starts

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