Expert NBA GAME Previews

The Minnesota Timberwolves head to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night for a 7:00 PM tip against the Philadelphia 76ers in a game with real playoff weight on both sides. Minnesota enters 46-30 and sixth in the West, while Philadelphia is 42-34 and tied for sixth in the East. The Wolves are trying to steady themselves after a loss in

The Pacers head to Spectrum Center on Friday night for a 7:00 p.m. ET tip against the Hornets on FDSI. Indiana is 18-58 and already out of the postseason picture, but the Pacers have at least shown a little life lately with wins over Miami and Chicago. Charlotte is 41-36, sitting eighth in the East, and still has real reason

The Orlando Magic head to the American Airlines Center on Friday night for an 8:30 p.m. ET tip against the Dallas Mavericks, with KFAA carrying the broadcast. Orlando enters at 40-36 and sits ninth in the Eastern Conference, while Dallas is 24-52 and 13th in the West. The Magic are a 6.5-point road favorite with a -268 moneyline, and the

The New Orleans Pelicans head to Golden 1 Center on Friday night for a 10:00 PM matchup with the Sacramento Kings, and this one feels more like a test of depth and late-season focus than a standings game. New Orleans enters at 25-52 after dropping six straight, while Sacramento is 20-57 and coming home after finally snapping a four-game skid

The Bulls head into Madison Square Garden on Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip against the Knicks, with CHSN, MSG, and NBA TV carrying the game. Chicago is 29-47 and already out of the play-in race, while New York is 49-28 and still trying to sharpen its form heading into the postseason from the No. 3 spot in

Atlanta heads to Barclays Center on Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip in a game that matters a lot more to one side than the other. The Hawks come in at 44-33, sitting fifth in the East and playing some of their best basketball of the season, while the Nets are 18-58, 14th in the conference, and already

Boston closes out a four-game road trip Friday night in Milwaukee, with tip set for 8:00 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum. The Celtics come in at 51-25, second in the Eastern Conference and 25-14 on the road, while Milwaukee is 30-46, 11th in the East, 17-21 at home, and already eliminated from postseason contention. Boston has won eight of its

Toronto heads to FedExForum on Friday night for an 8:00 p.m. ET tip against Memphis, and this game matters a lot more to one side than the other. The Raptors are 42-34, tied in record with Philadelphia in the race for sixth in the East, but still chasing the kind of finish that keeps them out of the play-in. Memphis

Utah heads to Toyota Center on Friday night for an 8:00 p.m. ET tip against Houston, with regional coverage listed on SCHN. The Jazz enter at 21-56 and 14th in the Western Conference, while the Rockets are 47-29, fifth in the West, and still trying to improve their playoff positioning. The early market tells the story too, with Houston installed