Preview Roundups
March 26, 2017
Phoenix at Charlotte 1:00 PM ET
If Devin Booker wasn't already the defensive focus of teams that play the Phoenix Suns, he certainly will be now. After setting a franchise record with 70 points in Friday's loss to Boston, Booker will aim for an encore performance Sunday when the Suns visit the Charlotte Hornets.
Brooklyn at Atlanta 1:00 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks have lost six games in a row as they struggle to stay in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race, but own a golden opportunity on Sunday at home when the NBA-worst Brooklyn Nets pay a visit. The Nets are the only team in the East to be eliminated from the postseason race and are 5-30 away from home as they prepare to play two of their next three games on the road.
Sacramento at L.A. Clippers 3:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers took a big step toward seizing homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs and they have a great chance to continue that quest when they host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. A 108-95 win over the visiting Utah on Saturday allowed the Clippers to clinch a playoff berth and to pull within a half-game of the fourth-place Jazz with eight games left, six of which are at home.
Chicago at Milwaukee 3:30 PM ET
The Milwaukee Bucks have their fans chanting "Fear the Deer" as they try for their sixth victory in seven games when they host the struggling Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Milwaukee moved into a tie for fifth place with Atlanta in the Eastern Conference - one game clear of No. 7 Indiana and 3 1/2 ahead of ninth-place Chicago and Detroit - after a 100-97 victory over the Hawks on Friday behind another monster performance from 22-year-old All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Oklahoma City at Houston 3:30 PM ET
Two of the top candidates for league MVP lead their red-hot teams into battle when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Houston Rockets on Sunday in what could be a preview of a first-round playoff matchup. Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook needs six triple-doubles to match Oscar Robertson’s all-time record for a season (47) and Houston’s James Harden is averaging a robust 39.5 points and 12.3 assists the last four games.
Philadelphia at Indiana 6:00 PM ET
With a definite possibility to move north or south in the standings over the final 10 games, the Indiana Pacers continue their three-game homestand Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Indiana sits one game back of two teams tied for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, but only one game up on the eighth spot with the regular season winding down.
Miami at Boston 6:00 PM ET
The Boston Celtics are making the most of a critical late-season homestand and look to stay perfect in the stretch when they host the Miami Heat on Sunday. The Celtics weathered the storm of a 70-point performance by Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker in a 130-120 win Friday night, improving to 3-0 on their season-high six-game homestand.
Memphis at Golden State 8:00 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors are clicking again at the right time and can take another step toward securing the top seed in the Western Conference when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. A six-game winning streak, including Friday's 114-100 win over Sacramento, has given the Warriors a 2 1/2-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the race for first place with 10 games to play - seven of which come at home - entering Saturday.
New Orleans at Denver 8:00 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets continue their quest to end a three-year playoff drought when they host the dangerous New Orleans Pelicans in a critical game on Sunday night. The Nuggets have won two in a row and six of eight to lead Portland by 1 ½ games for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference entering Saturday with five straight road contests looming after the matchup against the Pelicans.
Portland at L.A. Lakers 9:30 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers have a great opportunity to continue their pursuit of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference when they visit the last-place Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The Trail Blazers have won five of their last six after capping a three-game homestand with a 112-100 win over Minnesota on Saturday night.