Preview Roundups
April 06, 2018
Dallas at Detroit 7:00 PM ET
The Detroit Pistons were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, and the final four games of the season will give the team a chance to look at some different lineups. The Pistons will begin that evaluation period by hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Charlotte at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets were mathematically eliminated from postseason competition late last week and immediately went into building mode, giving the young players opportunities to showcase their talents. The Orlando Magic, who host the Hornets on Friday, have seemingly been in that mode since December but are still showing some fight down the stretch.
Cleveland at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers have matched their longest winning streak in 28 years and aim to stretch it to 13 games when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. The soaring 76ers have continued to win despite losing All-Star center Joel Embiid (orbital fracture) and the winner of Friday's game will reside in third place in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta at Washington 7:00 PM ET
John Wall is rounding into shape after his recent return from knee surgery but he will likely be held out of the lineup when the Washington Wizards host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Coach Scott Brooks will make the decision at some point on Friday but he wants to be cautious with the five-time All-Star point guard with the playoffs looming.
Chicago at Boston 7:30 PM ET
The injury news for the Boston Celtics just keeps getting worse, and the playoff-bound squad learned Thursday it will be without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving through the postseason. The Celtics, firmly entrenched in the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference, will continue their playoff preparation without Irving when they host the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
Miami at New York 7:30 PM ET
The Miami Heat will begin the playoffs on the road and they have one final road test in the regular season Friday against the New York Knicks. The Heat won four of their last five games and entered Thursday in sixth place in the East, a half-game ahead of both Washington and Milwaukee.
Indiana at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors continue their final homestand of the regular season Friday against the Indiana Pacers with the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs just about sewn up. The Raptors hold a three-game lead over the second-place Boston Celtics with four to play, giving them a chance to clinch homecourt advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
Sacramento at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
The Sacramento Kings are struggling on the offensive end as they turn the team over to the young players and play out the string in another losing campaign. The Memphis Grizzlies, who host the Kings on Friday, are in the same boat and are experimenting with different lineup combinations down the stretch.
New Orleans at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to lock up a spot in the Western Conference playoffs and have the schedule working in their favor. After bludgeoning the lowly Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, the Pelicans will visit the only team lower than the Grizzlies in the West standings when they face the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Minnesota at L.A. Lakers 10:30 PM ET
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a ferocious fight for a Western Conference playoff spot and they will have the services of All-Star guard Jimmy Butler for Friday's road game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Butler (knee) was active for Thursday's 100-96 road loss to the Denver Nuggets but sat out for the 17th consecutive game.