Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers head to Dallas to take on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavs on Friday, and then the 76ers have a big showdown against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. The banged-up Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of a six-game skid and are looking to end their losing streak tonight against the Utah Jazz. The Greek Freak and the defending-champion Milwaukee Bucks head to Hollywood on Sunday for a game against the never-say-die LA Clippers.
The NBA named the reserves from the All-Star team and several players were snubbed, so expect them to unleash big games this weekend while they work out their frustration on the court.
The race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference is up for grabs with five teams clustered together with 1.5 games separating the #1 seed and #5 seed. Keep an eye on Sunday’s matchup between the top-seeded Chicago Bulls and the #3 Philadelphia 76ers.
NBA Friday: Nets/Jazz, Embiid vs Doncic
Cleveland Cavs (31-21) at Charlotte Hornets (28-24)… The Cavs won seven out of their last 10 games, moving within 1.5 games of the #1 seed. The Cavs are also 39-19-3 ATS for the third-best betting team in the NBA. LaMelo Ball is pissed he was snubbed from the All-Star Game, so expect him to have a big game tonight for the Hornets.
Atlanta Hawks (25-26) at Toronto Raptors (27-23)… The Raptors have won four games in row, while the Hawks are fresh off a huge upset over the Phoenix Suns thanks to 43 points from Trae Young. Both Young and John Collins are nicked up from last night’s win, so don’t expect them to be fresh in a back-to-back spot.
Brooklyn Nets (29-22) at Utah Jazz (31-21)… Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz is finally back in the lineup after he missed a couple of weeks with a concussion and the Jazz began to crumble. James Harden has a sore hand and Kevin Durant is still out, but at least the Nets have Kyrie Irving playing in this road game for a chance to end a six-game losing streak. The Jazz and Nets are in the top four worst-betting teams in the NBA. The Nets are a league-worst 19-31-1 ATS, and the Jazz are 21-30-1 ATS.
Philadelphia 76ers (31-20) at Dallas Mavericks (29-23)… Philly’s Joel Embiid is on fire and installed as the new betting favorite for MVP, and now he squares off against Slovenian wunderkind Luka Doncic. The 76ers could seize the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference by the end of this weekend. Doncic posted two triple-doubles in his last four games. He recently lit up the Thunder for 40 points. The Mavs have the best under betting record in the NBA at 32-18-2.
NBA Saturday: bum fight in Cow Town
Miami Heat (33-20) at Charlotte Hornets (28-24)… Jimmy Butler and the Heat head to Buzz City. The Heat are finally at full strength and are eyeing the #1 seed in the East. The Heat are the top over team in the NBA at 33-20. The Hornets are 1-8 in the second game of back-to-back situations this season, including 3-6 ATS.
Phoenix Suns (41-10) at Washington Wizards (24-27)… The Suns had an 11-game winning streak thwarted last night in Atlanta. Chris Paul and Devin Booker look to get back on track against the Wizards, who won’t have Bradley Beal (wrist) in the lineup. The Wizards are the second-worst betting team in the NBA with a 20-30-1 ATS record.
Oklahoma City Thunder (16-34) at Sacramento Kings (19-35)… Welcome to Saturday Night Bum Fights in the NBA. Two of the three worst teams in the Western Conference square off in Cow Town. The Kings have been in a spiral amidst trade rumors, which happen every time at this point of the season with the trade deadline looming next week.
NBA Sunday: Greek Freak goes to Hollywood
Philadelphia 76ers (31-20) at Chicago Bulls (32-19)… The Bulls and 76ers will get to test each other with two elite teams from the East Conference battling in a Sunday matinee. Embiid will have his hands full against DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. The Bulls boast one of the best home records in the East at 19-6, while the 76ers are one of the best road teams in the league at 17-9.
Milwaukee Bucks (32-21) at LA Clippers (27-27)… The Greek Freak and the Bucks face a back-to-back situation after flying in from Portland the previous night. The Bucks are 2-7 ATS in the second game of back-to-backs this season. The Greek Freak unleashed a triple-double the other night with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Wizards. The Clippers keep fighting to stay above .500, but they’re clustered in the back half of the Western Conference playoff seeding.