ATLANTA vs PHOENIX
When: 3/30/2021 10:00 PM
Where: Phoenix Suns Arena, Phoenix, AZ

TV: 10:00 PM
LINE: -220
PREDICTION: Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns

Oddsmakers currently have Phoenix listed as 5.5 point favorites versus Atlanta while the game’s total is sitting at 222.5.

The Phoenix Suns return from a successful road trip to open a three-game homestand that begins Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks.

Phoenix went 3-1 on the trip, which concluded Sunday with a 101-97 overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets. The Hawks are 2-3 on their current eight-game road trip after Sunday’s 126-102 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

This will be the first meeting between the two clubs this season, with a return match scheduled for May 5 in Atlanta. They split two games during the 2019-20 season, each winning on their home court.

Phoenix forward Devin Booker scored 35 points against Charlotte, including four 3-pointers that lifted him to No. 3 in franchise history. He has 753 treys, passing Leandro Barbosa (751) and trailing only Steve Nash (1,051) and Dan Majerle (800). Booker leads the team in scoring at 25.1 points.

Booker has a unique connection to one of the Hawks. His father, Melvin Booker, played for Italy’s Olimpia Milano in 2007-08 and was teammates with Atlanta’s Danilo Gallinari. The young Booker, then 12, sometimes played one-on-one against Gallinari.

Deandre Ayton has been hot over the past five games, during which he’s averaged 19.4 points – his season average is 14.8 – with 11.2 rebounds. His streak of making at least two-thirds of his field-goal attempts ended at four games Sunday when made 6 of 11 shots from the floor.

Mikal Bridges had the key defensive stop against the Hornets with 20.4 seconds left in overtime when he successfully contested Devonte’ Graham’s 3-pointer to protect a two-point Phoenix lead.

“A lot of my game is to play defense,” Bridges said. “I just went out and got a stop.”

Suns coach Monty Williams said, “Defensively, his contests are some of the best in the league at his position after a screen. He has a knack for making plays.”

The Hawks were out of sorts against the Nuggets, who were revitalized by the acquisition of three new players at the trade deadline. Atlanta lost its composure a few times early when the team failed to get the benefit of a call.

“Early in the game we got distracted by that and we didn’t make adjustments appropriately and they pretty much controlled the game from start to finish,” Atlanta coach Nate McMillan said.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Atlanta’s Trae Young said. “It’s disappointing losing the way we did.”

The team was thin again Sunday with the absence of De’Andre Hunter, who missed his second straight game with right knee soreness. The team is taking a cautious approach with Hunter since he returned from missing 23 games following surgery on his right knee. He returned to play in two games on the current road trip, but swelling in the knee prompted McMillan to rest him; his availability for Tuesday is uncertain.

“We’re trying to get that (soreness) removed before he gets on the floor again,” McMillan said Sunday. “He hasn’t done anything for the last three days.”

The Hawks will be a bit deeper on Tuesday when veteran guard Lou Williams joins the team. He was acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Rajon Rondo. Williams, who averaged 12.1 points in 42 games for the Clippers this season, grew up in the Atlanta area and played for the Hawks from 2012 to 2014.

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Orlando Magic vs LA Clippers
When: 3/30/2021 10:00 PM
Where: Staples Center

TV: 10:00 PM
LINE: -550
PREDICTION: Orlando Magic, LA Clippers

Oddsmakers currently have LA Clippers listed as 10.5 point favorites versus Orlando Magic while the game’s total is sitting at 218.5.

In stride and feeling good about the road ahead, especially early in a stretch of nine consecutive home games, the Los Angeles Clippers will run into the definition of a trap game Tuesday when they face the Orlando Magic.

The Clippers, coming off an impressive 129-105 home victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, will play Thursday against the Denver Nuggets, who rode them out of last season’s playoffs.

In between, they will square off with the rebuilding Magic, who have lost 13 of their past 15.

Orlando is also 0-2 after Nikola Vucevic was traded to the Chicago Bulls and Evan Fournier was dealt with the Boston Celtics.

With the always-focused Kawhi Leonard leading the way, the chances of a Clippers letdown are slim. Leonard was at the heart of a balanced attack from the starters Monday as the Clippers defeated the Bucks without Serge Ibaka (back), Patrick Beverley (knee), and Paul George (foot).

Even newly acquired point guard Rajon Rondo was out with right adductor soreness while scoring backup guard Lou Williams was shipped off to the Atlanta Hawks.

Four Clippers starters had at least 20 points in Monday’s victory, with Marcus Morris Sr. scoring 25, Leonard 23, Luke Kennard 21, and Reggie Jackson 20. Morris was making just his ninth start of the season while Kennard was starting for the eighth time.

“We need everybody engaged, even guys who are not getting minutes,” Leonard said after Monday’s victory. “They’re watching the game, seeing details of what (they) need to get better at or whoever is on the floor. Just listen to what they’re saying and if I’m seeing the same thing when I’m out there.”

It is a commitment to unity that has helped the Clippers to seven victories in eight games, all without Ibaka on the floor.

“Everything we have been working on and was frustrated about earlier in the season, we’re finally starting to see it come together,” first-year Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said.

The Magic are a long way from executing at a high level. They will be playing their second consecutive game at Los Angeles after falling 96-93 to the Lakers on Sunday.

Orlando will have to improve on the effort it gave against the Clippers on Jan. 29, when the Magic were dominated at home 116-90. Vucevic and Fournier were on the floor in that contest, but the duo scored only a combined 18 points on 7-of-26 shooting.

Now the Magic need to have faith in newcomers such as Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and R.J. Hampton, all three of whom made their team debut off the bench Sunday against the Lakers.

Hampton scored 10 points, Carter had eight points with eight rebounds and Porter had five points.

“Everybody came out and competed, (it’s) just fine-tuning some little things,” Hampton said. “We got a lot of new guys. We are a very young team. Down the stretch, those key plays that we got to make, I think over the course of (the rest of) the season, we will definitely do that.”

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Philadelphia 76ers vs Denver Nuggets
When: 3/30/2021 9:00 PM
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

TV: 9:00 PM
LINE: -175
PREDICTION: Philadephia 76ers, Denver Nuggets

Oddsmakers currently have Denver Nuggets listed as 4 point favorites versus the Philadelphia 76ers while the game’s total is sitting at 221.

After one game with Aaron Gordon in the mix, it looks like the Denver Nuggets made a smart move in acquiring the young forward.

The second test comes Tuesday night when Denver hosts the Philadelphia 76ers in a matchup of teams with title aspirations.

The Nuggets increased their chances when they acquired Gordon from Orlando last week, bolstering their frontcourt and adding another scoring option as well as a versatile defender. Gordon made his Denver debut Sunday night in a win over Atlanta and he came away impressed with his new squad.

“I see no limits for this team. It looks like we have all the pieces for this team, we have depth,” Gordon said after scoring 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting in 21 minutes. “We’re covered in a lot of different spots. As long as we’re working together there’s no stopping us.”

The Nuggets expect there to be some growing pains as Gordon becomes integrated into the system, but they also know there isn’t much time left in the regular season. Denver has only 26 games left, and in the tight Western Conference and a constant shifting of positioning, time is not a luxury.

“Our guys understand with (26) games to go, you look at the standings, it’s going to be a really tight race and every game counts, but It’s not going to happen overnight,” coach Michael Malone said. “Aaron Gordon is not going to fit in seamlessly tonight and be like, ‘yep, we got this,’ it’s going to take a little bit of time and we understand that.”

The Nuggets face a Philadelphia team that sits atop the Eastern Conference but with little margin for error. The Sixers are 10-2 in March but are in a stride-for-stride race with Brooklyn, which was 9-2 in the month heading into Monday night’s game with league-worst Minnesota.

Philadelphia players are well aware of the standings.

“I look at the standings, I know where we are, I know the race,” Tobias Harris said. “I’d be lying to you if I said I don’t look at the standings. I look at the standings every day; it is just something that I do.”

Being locked in such a tight battle with the Nets doesn’t bother Harris.

“I look at the standings and say, ‘We need a win,'” he said. “If it was any different, I would look at it the same exact way.”

The Sixers have stayed atop the Eastern Conference despite not having Joel Embiid for most of the month. Embiid was having an MVP-caliber season before a bone bruise in his left knee has sidelined him for the past eight games. He’s also likely to miss Tuesday’s game, too.

They had a four-game winning streak snapped Saturday night at the Los Angeles Clippers, the fourth of a six-game road trip that has touched down in New York (Knicks), the Bay Area (Warriors), Los Angeles (Lakers and Clippers), Denver and finishes in Cleveland on Thursday night.

Denver, meanwhile, is settling in for plenty of home games. Sunday’s win over the Hawks was the start of having seven of eight at home, with only a one-game trip to Los Angeles to face the Clippers in the next two weeks.

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Charlotte Hornets (23-22) vs Washington Wizards (16-28)
When: 3/30/2021 7:00 PM
Where: Capital One Area

TV: Fox Sports Southeast, FOX Sports GO App and WFNZ 610 AM or 102.5 FM
LINE: -140
PREDICTION: Hornets, Wizards

Oddsmakers currently have Hornets listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the Wizards while the game’s total is sitting at 231.5.

The Charlotte Hornets are identifying different answers to compensate for the loss of their rookie standout.

The Washington Wizards keep going to Russell Westbrook when they need something big to happen, particularly without their top scorer.

The Hornets and Wizards match up Tuesday night in Washington.

Westbrook is coming off a historic triple-double on Monday night – 35 points, 21 assists, and 14 rebounds — as the Wizards knocked off the Indiana Pacers 132-124 for their second win in a row. It was the first triple-double in league history to include at least 35 points and 20 assists.

“Consistency definitely has been big for us. That’s accountability,” Wizards forward Robin Lopez said.

The Hornets, meanwhile, had a three-game winning streak snapped with Sunday’s 101-97 overtime loss to visiting Phoenix.

Without guard LaMelo Ball, the Hornets are turning to various potential options. Their style looks a bit different.

“We knew the pace would slow down,” guard Devonte’ Graham said.

For Washington, Jerome Robinson started in place of guard Bradley Beal, who was out with a hip injury. Beal averages a league-best 31.3 points per game.

The Wizards have received a boost with the addition of Daniel Gafford to the roster. His defense provides Washington with a rim protector.

“It might change the rhythm of this team right now,” Washington’s Rui Hachimura said, referring to Chandler Hutchison as well as Gafford. “It’s going to be fun to play with them.”

Hutchison made his Wizards debut Monday night, providing 18 points off the bench.

The Hornets held Phoenix to 14 points in the fourth quarter in making a comeback that erased a 16-point hole.

“I think our defense is getting better,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said. “I like where our defense is. It has got to carry us every night.”

Roster adjustments continue to be an issue for the Hornets. Guard Malik Monk sat out Sunday’s game with a foot injury two nights after a 32-point outing against the Miami Heat.

Graham hit seven 3-point shots on his way to a season-high 30 points to help pick up the slack. However, PJ. Washington didn’t score while logging more than 44 minutes. There was also the Hornets’ debut for guard Brad Wanamaker, who didn’t attempt a shot during a brief stint.

“We’re saying we’ve been here before. Keep fighting, keep getting stops,” Graham said. “Offensively, just believing in our shot and taking it with confidence.”

A key factor for the Hornets tends to be forward Miles Bridges, who provided 18 points and 12 rebounds in the matchup with Phoenix. His intangibles tend to be a boost for Charlotte.

“He brings us an edge, a spirit more than anything,” Borrego said.

The Wizards, who have won only four of their past 14 games, are going for a sweep of a three-game homestand after topping Detroit and Indiana. They’ve won consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 25 and 27.

Washington’s last three-game win streak ended Feb. 22, when a string of five straight games was halted.

Charlotte heads on a six-game road trip as it tries to maintain the top spot in the Southeast Division.

“Right back on the road again,” Graham said. “We’ve been in these close games, beat some good teams.”

The Hornets won 119-97 on Feb. 7 at home in the only previous meeting with Washington this season.

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MIAMI vs NEW YORK
When: 3/29/2021 9:30 PM
Where: Madison Square Garden

TV: 9:30 PM
LINE: -200
PREDICTION: Miami Heat, New York Knicks

Oddsmakers currently have Miami listed as 4.5 point favorites versus the New York while the game’s total is sitting at 204.5.

The task of trying to replace Mitchell Robinson begins in earnest Monday night for the New York Knicks — even if his eventual successor might not yet be on the roster by the opening tip.

The Miami Heat, on the other hand, is almost certain to have a high-profile reinforcement in uniform.

A pair of teams beginning playoff pushes in different fashions are scheduled to meet Monday night, when the Knicks will attempt to overcome their latest key injury and extend their winning streak when they host the Heat in a battle of longtime rivals.

Mitchell Robinson’s injury overshadowed the Knicks’ third straight win Saturday when the third-year center suffered a broken right foot in the first quarter of a 102-96 victory over the host Milwaukee Bucks. The visiting Heat suffered a sixth straight loss Friday when Miami fell to the Charlotte Hornets, 110-105.

Robinson was playing in just his fourth game since returning from a 15-game absence due to a broken right hand. The 7-footer was injured after he crashed to the floor while battling for a rebound with the Bucks’ Brook Lopez. Robinson immediately grabbed his foot in pain and needed help getting off the floor.

“It sucks, man,” said Knicks guard Derrick Rose, who returned Saturday after missing the previous 10 games while battling the coronavirus. “But for someone like him, seeing how hard he worked to get back, for this to happen, it just sucks.”

The injury to Robinson will likely have short- and long-term impacts upon the Knicks’ already short-handed rotation. With All-Star power forward Julius Randle (thigh) out Saturday, Robinson was slated for a bigger role before he went down. Nerlens Noel replaced Robinson and pulled down 11 rebounds while playing 31:28, the most he’s played off the bench this season.

Even before Robinson got hurt, the Knicks were linked to four-time NBA rebounding champion Andre Drummond, who was bought out Friday by the Cleveland Cavaliers. But Drummond is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Other potential veteran options for New York include the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Al Horford.

Whoever replaces Robinson will be tasked with trying to help the Knicks complete a surprising surge into the playoffs. New York (24-22), which hasn’t made the postseason since the spring of 2013, has already won three more games than it did last season and will enter Monday as one of the Eastern Conference’s top six seeds.

The Heat will likely have some help Monday as Miami — which won 11 of 12 before beginning its current skid — tries to snap the losing streak that has left it on the outside looking in on a guaranteed playoff spot.

Guard Victor Oladipo, who was acquired from the Houston Rockets Thursday, is expected to step into the lineup for the Heat, who will enter Monday in eighth place in the East. The seventh- through 10th-place teams in each conference will participate in a play-in tournament to determine the final two playoff berths.

But with Oladipo joining a core that includes All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, the Heat feel well-positioned to make another playoff run. Miami reached the NBA Finals as the fifth seed in the East last summer.

“I’d watch out for us,” Heat president Pat Riley said Thursday night.

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New Orleans vs Boston
When: Monday, March 29, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Where: TD Garden

TV:
LINE: -140 Boston
PREDICTION:

Oddsmakers currently have the Boston listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the New orleans, while the game’s total is sitting at .229.5

Zion Williamson is routinely accomplishing feats that link him to NBA legends.

He has scored more than 20 points in 23 consecutive games, making him the only player younger than 21 to do that.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle described the second-year forward as “a Shaquille O’Neal-type force of nature with a point guard skill set” after Williamson had 38 points in a win over the Mavericks on Saturday.

“It’s an honor to hear my name in those categories, but I am who I am: Zion,” Williamson said. “I’m trying to be the first and only Zion. That’s all there is to it.”

Williamson and the Pelicans’ next game is against the Celtics on Monday night in Boston.

His point total against Dallas was one less than the career-high he had in a loss to Denver on Friday.

“Honestly, I was just making reads,” Williamson said. “If the driving lane was there, I was going to go, but I also used that to my advantage when it came to passing, because I’ve got great shooters around me who are very confident, so I made the pass and they executed off of it.”

Nickeil Alexander-Walker was one of the players who executed off Williamson’s efforts, scoring 20 points on Saturday. Williamson scored or assisted on the Pelicans’ final 14 points.

“Every read, he’s just making the reads and of course he’s doing Zion things,” Alexander-Walker said. “At this point in time, I’m not surprised. He’s a great player and very unselfish, and he made winning plays.”

Williamson had 28 points and 10 rebounds to support Brandon Ingram’s 33 points in a 120-115 overtime victory over the visiting Celtics on Feb. 21. New Orleans overcame a 24-point deficit for the largest comeback win in franchise history.

Boston had a winning comeback of its own in a 111-94 victory at Oklahoma City on Saturday.

The Thunder led 80-76 after three quarters, but the Celtics went on a 19-0 run early the fourth quarter and finished with a 35-14 edge in the period. Boston made 56 percent of its shots and Oklahoma City made 5-of-17 shots in the final period.

“We feel good,” Celtics guard Marcus Smart said. “We don’t feel great. We don’t feel like — we’re not complacent. We’re not done. We’re not satisfied. This is just a start for us.”

The victory followed another in Milwaukee on Friday as Boston concluded a four-game trip on a winning note after losing five of six.

“This was one where we had to find a way because we can’t keep going back and forth,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “We’ve got to establish some momentum here.”

Jayson Tatum scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half and Jaylen Brown added 25 points.

“We’ve got a lot of talent out here individually, but that’s not going to beat anybody,” Smart said. “That’s not going to beat teams. Teams are getting better, teams are good, teams are doing their homework.”

Monday’s game, which starts a seven-game homestand, is the first Celtics home game this season in which a limited number of spectators will be allowed.

“We have our fans coming in,” Smart said. “It’s time for us to go out there and play Celtics basketball and make this run.”

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ORLANDO vs LA LAKERS
When: 3/28/2021 10:00 PM
Where: Staples Center

TV: 10:00 PM
LINE: -270
PREDICTION: LA Lakers, Orlando Magic

Oddsmakers currently have the LA Lakers listed as 6.5 point favorites versus the Orlando Magic, while the game’s total is sitting at 207.5.

The short-handed Los Angeles Lakers will try to squeeze out another win against a rebuilding franchise when they host the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.

Playing their fourth straight game without stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers ended a four-game losing streak with a 100-86 win against the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Like the Cavaliers, who bought out two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond on Friday, the Magic traded their three best players on Thursday in a major rebuilding move.

Nikola Vucevic, another two-time All Star center, was traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter and two future first-round picks.

Orlando also sent Evan Fournier to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jeff Teague, and Aaron Gordon went to the Denver Nuggets for Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton and a future first-round pick. The Magic waived Teague on Saturday.

Vucevic, Fournier and Gordon were the top three scorers for the Magic, combining for nearly 59 points a game.

“We are going to be younger,” Orlando coach Steve Clifford said. “I think guys like Otto Porter, Gary Harris, they can do for the younger guys a lot of the things (Vucevic) did for them. You definitely need that, and I think it’s wise to understand that there could be some tough stretches in games when you have all younger guys on the floor.”

The new lineup for the Magic won’t need to prepare for James or Davis, however.

James has missed the past four games with a high-ankle sprain, and Davis has been sidelined since mid-February with a calf injury.

Both will be unavailable against Orlando.

James was injured in a 99-94 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on March 20, and the Lakers proceeded to lose their next three as well, matching their longest losing streak of the season.

Los Angeles regrouped against the Cavaliers on Friday night, getting 24 points and 10 rebounds off the bench from Montrezl Harrell.

“We have to play next man up,” Harrell. said. “We can’t look forward to two, three weeks or whenever (James and Davis) come back. We’re not just looking to hold on or keep our head above water. We’re looking to get wins.”

The Lakers have dropped to fourth in the Western Conference standings and entered Saturday just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers for fifth and sixth.

They face additional challenging games next week against the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers, both third in their respective conferences.

Lakers guard Wesley Matthews told reporters after the win against the Cavaliers that Los Angeles has the pieces to hold it together until James and Davis return.

“Everybody has a voice out there, everybody has knowledge,” he said. “When you lose two superstars … it’s always already a team game, it becomes more of a team game.”

The Magic didn’t have their former players or new additions in a 112-105 loss to the Trail Blazers on Friday night, forcing Clifford to keep some players on the floor longer than he preferred.

Clifford is hoping his team can begin to find chemistry on Sunday and take shape of what they may look like in the future.

“To have a chance to play better on Sunday, the (new) guys have to get acclimated,” Clifford said.

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TORONTO vs BOSTON
When: 2/11/2021 7:30 PM
Where: TD Garden, Boston

TV: 7:30 PM
LINE: -4.5 Boston
PREDICTION: BOSTON , TORONTO

Oddsmakers currently have the Boston Celtics listed as -4.5 point favorites versus the Toronto Raptors, while the game’s total is sitting at 222.5.

The Celtics have gone 9-6 against Eastern Conference teams. Boston has a 12-6 record when scoring more than 100 points.

The Raptors are 9-6 in Eastern Conference play. Toronto is third in the Eastern Conference shooting 39.1% from downtown. Norman Powell leads the Raptors shooting 43.8% from 3-point range.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Celtics won 126-114 in the last matchup on Jan. 4. Tatum led Boston with 40 points, and Fred VanVleet led Toronto with 35 points.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Tatum is averaging 26.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Celtics. Kemba Walker is averaging 12.2 points and 3.3 assists over the last 10 games for Boston.

VanVleet leads the Raptors averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers while scoring 20.4 points per game and shooting 38% from beyond the arc. Chris Boucher is averaging 7.6 rebounds and 12.6 points per game over the last 10 games for Toronto.

LAST 10 GAMES:

Celtics: 4-6, averaging 111.1 points, 41.8 rebounds, 21.8 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.4 points on 48.2% shooting.

Raptors: 6-4, averaging 120 points, 41.5 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 10 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.9 points on 46.9% shooting.

INJURIES:

Celtics: Romeo Langford: out (right wrist), Marcus Smart: out (calf).

Raptors: Yuta Watanabe: out (ankle), Patrick McCaw: out (knee), OG Anunoby: out (calf).

BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics host the Toronto Raptors. Tatum is ninth in the NBA averaging 26.8 points per game.

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TORONTO vs WASHINGTON
When: 2/10/2021 7:00 PM
Where: Washington

TV: 7:00 PM
LINE:
PREDICTION: WASHINGTON , TORONTO

Oddsmakers currently have the Toronto listed as 5.5 point favorites versus the TORONTO, while the game’s total is sitting at 229.5.

The Wizards have gone 4-11 against Eastern Conference teams. Washington has a 6-15 record when allowing over 100 points.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a stretch like this where, great win — two- or three-point win, last seconds of the game — tough loss, great win, same thing,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. “Three-and-three in the last six. What we’ve gone through, I’m not usually fired up about 3-3, but we’ve gone through a lot, and our guys battled back.”

The Raptors are 8-6 against Eastern Conference opponents. Toronto averages 14 turnovers per game and is 4-1 when turning the ball over more than opponents.

“We all challenged each other to play harder and be more into it, and that didn’t just include the five guys that were on the floor,” said Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who scored 32 points. “That was also the guys on the bench. We definitely went out there and earned it after giving up 70 (points) in the first half.

“A 27-point third and a 16-point fourth. You can live with that. You can survive that way. So, hopefully, we’ll build on that moving forward.”

The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Davis Bertans leads the Wizards averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers, and is scoring 10.3 points per game while shooting 33.1% from beyond the arc. Russell Westbrook is averaging 13.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists over the last 10 games for Washington.

Fred VanVleet is averaging 20.7 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Raptors. Norman Powell is averaging 18.3 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 40.4% over the last 10 games for Toronto.

LAST 10 GAMES:

Wizards: 3-7, averaging 106.5 points, 44.7 rebounds, 22.4 assists, 6.8 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.8 points on 47.0% shooting.

Raptors: 6-4, averaging 116.4 points, 41.4 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 10.6 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.5 points on 46.7% shooting.

INJURIES:

Wizards: Thomas Bryant: out for season (left knee).

Raptors: Patrick McCaw: out (knee), Kyle Lowry: day to day (back), OG Anunoby: out (calf).

BOTTOM LINE: Bradley Beal leads Washington into a matchup against Toronto. He leads the league scoring 33.3 points per game.

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INDIANA vs BROOKLYN
When: 2/10/2021 8:00 PM
Where: Brooklyn

TV: 8:00 PM
LINE:
PREDICTION: BROOKLYN , INDIANA

Oddsmakers currently have Brooklyn listed as 2.5 point favorites versus Indiana, while the game’s total is sitting at 234.5.

The Nets are 9-9 in Eastern Conference games. Brooklyn is 6-2 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 15.4 turnovers per game.

“It’s up to the team to decide what type of team they want to be, what they want to get out of this experience,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “I think our team needs to challenge themselves and figure out who they want to represent together.”

The Pacers are 7-6 in Eastern Conference play. Indiana is seventh in the Eastern Conference scoring 113.1 points per game and is shooting 47.6%.

“We’re obviously a little frustrated with the last four or five games,” Indiana’s Doug McDermott said. “It hasn’t gone the way we wanted them to go, but we also know what we’re capable of, how we started this year. We know we have enough in that locker room to win games.”

The teams meet Wednesday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS:

James Harden is shooting 49.2% and averaging 23.7 points. Kyrie Irving is averaging 24 points and four rebounds while shooting 48.8% over the last 10 games for Brooklyn.

T.J. McConnell leads the Pacers averaging 6.7 assists while scoring 4.7 points per game. Malcolm Brogdon is averaging 20.5 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 42.7% over the last 10 games for Indiana.

LAST 10 GAMES:

Nets: 5-5, averaging 122.4 points, 40.8 rebounds, 28.1 assists, 5.6 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 50.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.5 points on 48.5% shooting.

Pacers: 4-6, averaging 113.4 points, 43.3 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 7.1 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.5 points on 45.6% shooting.

INJURIES:

Nets: Iman Shumpert: out (left hamstring), Spencer Dinwiddie: out for season (acl), Kevin Durant: out (health and safety protocols).

Pacers: Caris LeVert: out (kidney), TJ Warren: out (foot).

BOTTOM LINE: The Brooklyn Nets and the Indiana Pacers meet in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

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