Preview Roundups
April 02, 2017
Boston at New York 1:00 PM ET
The Boston Celtics will try to avoid looking too far ahead when they carry a slim lead in the Eastern Conference into a Sunday afternoon matchup at the New York Knicks. After a 5-1 homestand capped by Friday's one-point win over the Orlando Magic, the Celtics clung to a half-game lead over Cleveland in the race for the top spot in the conference.
Charlotte at Oklahoma City 3:00 PM ET
Coming off a rare subpar shooting outing, Russell Westbrook aims to get back on track Sunday when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Charlotte Hornets. Westbrook remains one of the leading candidates for NBA MVP for the Thunder, who also are hoping to inch toward clinching the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Memphis at L.A. Lakers 3:30 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies have clinched a playoff berth for the seventh straight time but they still have some work to do and could use a win Sunday at the Los Angeles Lakers. A 99-90 victory over Dallas on Friday secured the postseason berth for the Grizzlies, who also inched to within 1 1/2 games of sixth-place Oklahoma City in the Western Conference.
Dallas at Milwaukee 3:30 PM ET
The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the NBA's youngest teams, but they are learning to win close games - and that will come in handy this postseason. The Bucks look for their seventh win in eight games Sunday when they host the Dallas Mavericks, who are still seeking a win on their five-game road trip.
Utah at San Antonio 3:30 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs' chances of catching the Golden State Warriors for the top seed in the Western Conference race are slipping away as they enter Sunday's home contest against the Utah Jazz. San Antonio trails the first-place Warriors by 3 1/2 games with just six to play and is comfortably settling into the second seed.
Chicago at New Orleans 6:00 PM ET
The Chicago Bulls are surging at the right time and begin a critical four-game road trip at the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. A dysfunctional group at times this season, the Bulls have suddenly righted the ship with three straight wins and four in their last five games to get even with Miami and Indiana in a tight battle for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia at Toronto 6:00 PM ET
DeMar DeRozan is heating up just as the season is winding down. The Raptors' star aims for another strong performance Sunday against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, who will try to post a rare win north of the border.
Atlanta at Brooklyn 6:00 PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks are limping toward the end of the regular season, losing eight of their last 11 games entering Sunday’s contest against the host Brooklyn Nets, but hope Paul Millsap is close to returning from a knee injury. An All-Star who is averaging 18.1 points, Millsap has been sidelined with synovitis in his left knee for eight games but participated in most of Friday’s practice.
Denver at Miami 6:00 PM ET
A pair of teams fighting tooth and nail for their playoff lives will meet Sunday in Miami as the Heat look to bounce back from a bad loss against the struggling Denver Nuggets. Playing against a depleted New York Knicks squad, the Heat were unable to defend home court in a 98-94 loss on Friday, their fourth defeat in seven games following a 23-5 surge.
Indiana at Cleveland 6:00 PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers experienced a dreadful March and are trying to regroup during a new month as they host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. The Cavaliers posted a lackluster 7-10 record last month and find themselves trailing the first-place Boston Celtics by a half-game in the battle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference with just seven contests remaining.
Washington at Golden State 8:00 PM ET
The Golden State Warriors are on another tear and are coming off three straight wins against the best the West has to offer. The Warriors seek their 11th straight win Sunday when they tip off against the Washington Wizards, who are aiming to finish above .500 on their five-game road trip.
Houston at Phoenix 9:00 PM ET
The road-weary Houston Rockets look to snap a three-game slide Sunday, when they visit the struggling Phoenix Suns for their fourth contest in six days. The Rockets dropped the first two contests of their three-game road trip, including a 107-98 setback against league-best Golden State on Friday in which they scored just 13 points in the fourth quarter.