The Houston Rockets will look to stay sharp following their big win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday as they host the Miami Heat on Monday night.
The Rockets (32-12) have won two straight at home, and come into their game against the Heat (27-19) as a 10-point favorite. But while Miami can present plenty of challenges to any opponent, the biggest obstacle for Houston may be avoiding a hangover after their second win over the Warriors this season.
Houston’s victory on Saturday gave them a 2-1 season series win over the Warriors, which would give them a tiebreaker over Golden State should the two teams end the season with the same record. At the moment, the Warriors hold a 3.5 game lead over the Rockets for the top seed in the Western Conference.
The Rockets will also be bolstered heading into the game by the return of forward Trevor Ariza and guard Gerald Green, both of whom served two game suspensions after they “aggressively” entered the Los Angeles Clippers’ locker room following their game last Monday.
As for the Heat, they will be coming into Houston on the heels of a 106-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. Miami has now won nine of their last 11 games, and have not lost consecutive games since early December.
According to Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, the win over the Hornets was a reflection of his team’s character.
“Our defensive intensity in the fourth quarter was the best part, the most consistent part during the game,” Spoelstra said. “That’s the identity we want to stay true to regardless of what happens there at the end.”
LA Clippers (+2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
In another matchup of teams currently holding down Western Conference playoff positions, the Los Angeles Clippers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Clippers (23-22) will hope to rebound off of their Saturday game in Utah, where their defense was exposed in a 125-113 loss to the Jazz.
The Timberwolves (30-18), by contrast, are coming off a win vs. the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night. Minnesota is currently tied for third in the Western Conference standings, and comes into Los Angeles as a slight favorite over the hosts.
The Clippers have been dealing with a rash of injuries over the past month, some of which will still be impacting them against Minnesota. DeAndre Jordan will be missing his fifth straight game with a sprained left ankle, while Danilo Gallinari and Austin Rivers will also be sitting this one out. Los Angeles has won four consecutive home games heading into Monday night’s contest.
Denver Nuggets (+3) vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Denver Nuggets (23-23), who trail the Clippers by just a half-game for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, will also be playing a critical game on Monday, as they host the Portland Trail Blazers (25-21).
The Nuggets have lost six of their past eight games and will be hoping that playing at home, where they are 16-6 this season, will provide a boost to their fortunes.
“I have to make some changes,” Denver coach Michael Malone said after a 108-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday. “Right now, I do not like our basketball team one bit.”