Preview Roundups
December 23, 2018
Atlanta at Detroit 4:00 PM ET
Coming off a wildly inconsistent two-game road trip, the Detroit Pistons will try to find some middle ground when they begin a two-game homestand Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks. After opening the trip with a wild 129-123 overtime victory at Minnesota, the Pistons fell 98-86 at Charlotte on Friday, following up their second-highest scoring output of the season with their second-lowest.
Washington at Indiana 5:00 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers found their form and avoided a third straight loss by fending off the Brooklyn Nets 114-106 on Friday behind All-Star guard Victor Oladipo. The Pacers will try to win for the ninth time in 11 games when they host the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Charlotte at Boston 6:00 PM ET
Perhaps a closed-door meeting that kept the media waiting Friday night will help the Boston Celtics figure out how to get out of their latest funk. The Celtics will try to translate their discussion in the locker room to success on the court when they continue a four-game homestand against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Phoenix at Brooklyn 6:00 PM ET
The improving Brooklyn Nets aren't quite ready to join the NBA's elite as they prepare to host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Brooklyn had its seven-game winning streak snapped Friday with a 114-106 loss to Indiana and despite owning victories over Toronto, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Lakers during that stretch, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson isn't ready to talk playoffs.
Chicago at Cleveland 6:00 PM ET
The two teams that entered the weekend tied for the worst record in the NBA meet Sunday in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers host the Chicago Bulls. The squads sport identical 8-25 records, although the Bulls enter with some momentum after a 90-80 win over Orlando at home Friday night.
Miami at Orlando 6:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic failed to build off two solid wins in Mexico City last week and look to avoid a three-game losing streak when they host the surging Miami Heat on Sunday. The Magic knocked off Chicago 97-91 and Utah 96-89 in contests South of the Border, but they were routed at home by San Antonio on Wednesday and shot 32.6 percent in a 90-80 setback at Chicago two nights later.
New Orleans at Sacramento 6:00 PM ET
The last time the New Orleans Pelicans met the Sacramento Kings they were in the midst of a 4-0 start and putting up points at a record pace. A very different Pelicans team struggling through a 5-11 stretch enters Sacramento for a rematch with the up-and-coming Kings.
Minnesota at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM ET
The Oklahoma City Thunder carry a four-game winning streak into Sunday's meeting with the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, a run that has taken them to the top of the Western Conference. Oklahoma City shares the lead with Denver and Golden State after posting a 107-106 victory at Utah on Saturday that was powered by Paul George's second straight 43-point performance.
L.A. Clippers at Golden State 8:30 PM ET
The last time the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Los Angeles Clippers, regulation ended with All-Stars Kevin Durant and Draymond Green screaming at each other and being separated by teammates and coaches. The Warriors, who went on to lose that game in overtime, are getting along at the moment and will try to exact some revenge when they host the Clippers on Sunday.
Dallas at Portland 9:00 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers have come crashing back to reality after a three-game winning streak and were blown out at home 120-90 by Utah on Friday. The Trail Blazers will try to brush that one off and get back to the form they showed earlier in the week when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
Memphis at L.A. Lakers 9:30 PM ET
Going back home was all the Los Angeles Lakers needed to break out of a funk and put together a solid all-around effort in a 112-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers will try to sweep the two-game homestand when they host the slumping Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.