The Los Angeles Lakers will head into their big Western Conference showdown with the second-placed Phoenix Suns significantly shorthanded. Already without Anthony Davis, the Lakers have also lost LeBron James indefinitely with an ankle injury.
But on the bright side, there is another massive Western duel on the NBA schedule to be excited about as Damian Lillard and the streaking Portland Trail Blazers look to sweep their two-game series against Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks.
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards will be searching for their third win of the season against the star-studded Brooklyn Nets, and the Houston Rockets will be desperate to avoid a 20th-straight defeat.
Read on below as SBOTOP breaks down all 10 games on a jam-packed schedule.
Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat
After going on an 11-1 hot streak, the Heat have now cooled off with back-to-back defeats, the latest one being a crushing 27-point blowout at the hands of the Pacers the other night.
Malcolm Brogdon led the way with 27 points for the Pacers, who shot a sizzling 58 per cent from the field and hit 20 3-pointers. The Heat, on the other hand, went just 9-of-34 from beyond the arc.
Tyler Herro went just 4-of-15 from the field as he continues to struggle with his shot. The second-year guard is averaging just 11.9 points on 33.7 per cent shooting from the field in March.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets
Houston’s problems continue as they are one loss away from 20 consecutive defeats. Despite Christian Wood playing well since his return to the line-up, the Rockets still suffered their franchise-record 19th straight loss to the lowly Pistons last time out.
However, Houston will have another good shot to end their losing skid as they take on the struggling Thunder. OKC have lost three of their last four games by over 20 points.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Denver Nuggets
Despite the continued strong play of Zion Williamson, the Pelicans suffered back-to-back defeats to the Blazers as they dropped down to 12th in the West standings. Zion and the Pelicans will be looking to get their playoff push back on track when they make trip to Denver.
The Nuggets have been on quite a hot streak, going 8-1 in their last nine games. MVP candidate Nikola Jokic has been leading the charge, averaging 27 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists during that nine-game stretch.
Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics
The struggling Celtics are in desperate need of a win. Even with the return of guard Marcus Smart, they have lost three straight games and are now down to eighth in the East standings.
But they could have their hands full against the Magic, who defied the NBA 2021 betting odds by beating the red-hot Brooklyn Nets. Aaron Gordon, who recently returned from injury, scored a season-high 38 points while Evan Fournier added 31 points for the Magic, who finally snapped their nine-game losing skid.
Betting Tip: Orlando Magic Asian Handicap +8.50 @ 1.95
Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers
The struggling Raptors’ losing skid is now up to seven games after a close loss to the Jazz. On the bright side, though, they are finally back to full strength with forward OG Anunoby’s return from COVID.
The Raps are now set to take on the Cavs, who have dropped five of their last six games. The backcourt duo of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland continues to play well, but they don’t have enough consistent offence beyond those two, especially with Kevin Love still out.
Betting Tip: Cleveland Cavaliers Asian Handicap +7.50 @ 1.95
Chicago Bulls @ Detroit Pistons
The Bulls’ playoff bid took a hit with back-to-back defeats to the Spurs and Nuggets. They gave the Nuggets a good fight in Denver, but they just fell short in overtime. All-Star Zach LaVine had 32 points as he continues his brilliant scoring season.
Chicago will be aiming to bounce back when they take on the East’s bottom team in Detroit. However, the Pistons have been looking better recently. Thanks to the strong play of rookie Saddiq Bey, they recorded back-to-back victories over the Raptors and Rockets.
Betting Tip: Chicago Bulls Asian Handicap -2.50 @ 1.90
Washington Wizards @ Brooklyn Nets
The Wizards produced quite a shock in their most recent game as they beat the NBA-best Jazz to end their five-game losing streak. Bradley Beal led the way with 43 points while Russell Westbrook added 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists.
Washington will be eyeing another big win when they face the Nets, whose six-game win streak was snapped by the Magic.
The Wizards won their first two meetings with the Nets this season, although both were before James Harden arrived in Brooklyn.
Betting Tip: Brooklyn Nets Asian Handicap -8.00 @ 1.86
Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks
The 76ers don’t seem to be missing Joel Embiid all that much. They blew out the Kings by 24 points last night, their third win in four games without their star big man. Tobias Harris has stepped up his game in Embiid’s absence, averaging 25 points in those four games.
Harris had 30 points in a narrow Sixers win over the Knicks, and he will now look to get another big win at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks bounced back from that loss to the Sixers with a close one-point win over the Magic. All-Star Julius Randle was outstanding as he recorded his third triple-double of the season with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 17 assists.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns
The Lakers are in trouble. Not only did they lose their four-game losing streak last night to the Hawks, but they also lost LeBron James, who went down with a high ankle sprain.
The NBA 2021 news out of LA is that the ankle injury will keep The King out indefinitely, which is a blow not only to his hopes of winning another MVP this year but also the Lakers’ chances of claiming a top-two seed with Anthony Davis also still out.
The shorthanded Lakers must now cope as they take on the Suns, who can extend their lead over LA for second place in the West. The Suns bounced back from their shock loss to the Timberwolves and will be eager to get back on track after a couple of disappointing home defeats.
Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers are ready to make a run at a top-four seed in the West. They have won all three games since CJ McCollum’s return from injury. McCollum had 32 points in Portland’s 125-119 win over the Mavericks the other day, while Damian Lillard added 31.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic had 38 points in a losing effort for the Mavs, who are only 2-3 in their last three games. Kristaps Porzingis will be looking to rediscover his shooting touch after back-to-back rough 11-point outings.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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