Preview Roundups
April 05, 2019
Toronto at Charlotte 7:00 PM ET
The Charlotte Hornets are on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention after a disappointing road trip and need to win out and get a lot of help over the last four games. The Hornets will try to do their part in that scenario by earning a win when they host the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Atlanta at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Orlando Magic sit on the verge of their first playoff berth in seven seasons, but the margin for error is thin entering the final three games, starting with Friday’s home contest against the Atlanta Hawks. In Steve Clifford’s first season as head coach, the Magic have won eight in a row at home after Wednesday’s 114-100 win over New York, jumping into a tie with Brooklyn for seventh in the Eastern Conference and one-half game ahead of ninth-place Miami.
San Antonio at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs are sitting in the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference and are scuffling a bit of late as they slog through the remainder of the regular season. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will try to stick around for at least a full quarter and lead his team to a win when they visit the Washington Wizards on Friday.
Boston at Indiana 8:00 PM ET
The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers are likely headed toward a first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but where that series starts will depend plenty on the result of Friday night's matchup between the two teams in Indianapolis. Both squads were victorious in their respective games Wednesday night, leaving them tied for fourth place in the East, 2 1/2 games behind third-place Philadelphia.
New York at Houston 8:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets are streaking at the right time and have a golden opportunity to continue their pursuit of a higher seed in the Western Conference. The Rockets open a two-game homestand -- their last of the regular season -- that features the worst team in each conference, beginning with a visit from the New York Knicks on Friday.
Miami at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Miami Heat cannot afford to lose as they attempt to jump back into the top eight in the Eastern Conference and lock up a spot in the postseason. The Heat will try to bounce back from consecutive losses when they open a two-game trip by visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Detroit at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM ET
The Oklahoma City Thunder are fighting for position in the Western Conference and star point guard Russell Westbrook is helping his team along by making some history. Westbrook will try to follow up the first 20-20-20 game since 1968 when the Thunder host the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
Memphis at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
While the Memphis Grizzlies are essentially playing out the string, the Dallas Mavericks -- who host the Grizzlies on Friday -- are reluctantly counting down the days with superstar forward Dirk Nowitzki in the lineup. Nowitzki is expected to retire after completing his 21st season and Friday's tilt is the second-to-last chance for the home fans to express their adoration for the future Hall of Famer.
Sacramento at Utah 9:00 PM ET
The streaking Utah Jazz look to post their seventh consecutive victory when they host the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Utah has won 11 of its past 12 contests and resides in fifth place in the Western Conference with slim hopes of moving up to land homecourt advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
New Orleans at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
Phoenix star guard Devin Booker will be out of the lineup when the Suns host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Booker sprained his left ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Utah Jazz and will likely miss the rest of the season.
Portland at Denver 10:30 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers could make a late run for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference by sweeping a home-and-home set with the Denver Nuggets. The first of the two contests is Friday in Denver and the Nuggets currently lead the Houston Rockets by 1 1/2 games and the Trail Blazers by two.
Cleveland at Golden State 10:30 PM ET
Cleveland's annual regular-season visit to play Golden State isn't so highly anticipated in the post-LeBron James era. The Cavaliers have clinched the fifth 60-loss campaign in franchise history as they arrive for Friday's contest against the Warriors, who are closing in on the top seed in the Western Conference.
L.A. Lakers at L.A. Clippers 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers have one soft spot remaining on their schedule and it comes Friday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Clippers find themselves on an island in the Western Conference, sitting in sixth place - 1 1/2 games behind Utah and 1 1/2 ahead of Oklahoma City - with a first-round playoff matchup against Houston or Portland looming.