Preview Roundups
November 17, 2017
Detroit at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy knew that a portion of the schedule filled with road games would provide a real test for his fast-starting squad. The Pistons failed the first section of that test and will try to rebound when they continue a three-game road trip at the Indiana Pacers on Friday.
Miami at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Wizards won the battle of backcourts on the road against the Miami Heat on Wednesday and will try to make it two in a row over their Southeast Division foes when they host the back half of the home-and-home set on Friday. John Wall and Bradley Beal combined for 53 points in Wednesday's 102-93 triumph at Miami.
Utah at Brooklyn 7:30 PM ET
The only team the Utah Jazz were able to solve over the last two weeks was the Brooklyn Nets, who seek a measure of revenge when they host the Jazz on Friday night. Utah is 1-6 since its 5-3 start, with the lone win coming in a 114-106 decision over the Nets at home on Saturday to snap a four-game losing streak.
L.A. Clippers at Cleveland 7:30 PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers are enjoying their first three-game winning streak of the season and are finally feeling good about the way they're playing. The Cavaliers will try to keep the good feelings coming and earn a fourth consecutive win when they make a brief stop at home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
New York at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors are soaring on the offensive end and will try to stay hot when they host the New York Knicks on Friday in the opener of a quick two-game homestand. The Raptors scored at least 119 points in each of their wins during a 4-1 stretch, with the lone loss a one-point setback against the dominant Boston Celtics on the road.
Charlotte at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets fell apart in the second half of a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday and suffered their fifth consecutive loss. The Hornets won’t face a team with quite as much offensive firepower as the Cavaliers on Friday, when they visit the lowly Chicago Bulls.
Oklahoma City at San Antonio 8:00 PM ET
A favorable portion of the schedule allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to get back to .500, but the level of difficulty is about to go up. The Thunder commence the challenging stretch Friday night when they put a three-game winning streak on the line with a visit to the San Antonio Spurs.
Minnesota at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Minnesota Timberwolves are finally beginning to play some defense, which raises their ceiling considerably. The Timberwolves will try to hold a third straight opponent under 100 points when they visit the NBA-worst Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Portland at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers look to take advantage of a struggling team when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday night for the opener of a home-and-home, two-day set. The Trail Blazers have won four of their last six contests after outlasting Orlando 99-94 on Wednesday and holding an opponent under 95 points for the second straight game.
New Orleans at Denver 10:30 PM ET
Two teams coming off disappointing efforts try to get back to what they were doing when the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Both improving squads were rolling along with five wins in six contests before New Orleans struggled to defend in a 125-116 loss to Toronto on Wednesday and the Nuggets could not score in Monday’s 99-82 setback against Portland.
Phoenix at L.A. Lakers 10:30 PM ET
Lonzo Ball's highest-scoring output of his 15 NBA games came against the Phoenix Suns and that might be why he will still be in the starting lineup Friday. Ball is averaging 4.5 points on 4-of-19 shooting over the past two games but Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton said he isn't moving the No. 2 overall pick to the bench for the home tilt against Phoenix.