PREVIEW: The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, with the home team desperately seeking to snap a 12-game losing streak. Without Donovan Mitchell in the lineup, Cleveland's offensive firepower takes a significant hit, setting up what figures to be a lower-scoring contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Cavaliers rank third in efficient rim attacking while launching three-pointers at the fourth-highest rate in the league at 46.7 percent, but their defense struggles mightily against quality three-point shooting. Mitchell's absence removes Cleveland's primary late-game scorer and rim pressure threat, which forces the team into more empty possessions and reduces trips...

PREVIEW: The Sacramento Kings will host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 11 p.m. ET , with both teams battling in the Western Conference basement. The Kings have dropped five consecutive games and haven't secured a victory since defeating the Mavericks at home 113-107 on December 27 , while Anthony Davis returns to the lineup for the Mavericks after missing their previous matchup, bringing 20.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Dallas excels defensively with the second-ranked 3-point shooting defense and allows opponents low-quality looks from beyond the arc , a critical advantage against a struggling Sacramento...

PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Lakers arrive at the Smoothie King Center boasting elite rim efficiency and a league-leading free throw rate, positioning them as one of the NBA's most potent offensive forces. The Lakers have been particularly sharp on the road this season with a 12-5 record, and they're looking to extend that success against a New Orleans team currently spiraling. The Pelicans are stuck in a seven-game losing streak and rank among the league's worst defensive units, struggling especially against teams that attack the rim effectively. Los Angeles remains undefeated in clutch situations at 12-0, a remarkable stat that...

PREVIEW: The Miami Heat will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 8:00 PM at Target Center and broadcast on NBC. Miami holds a 20-16 record while Minnesota sits at 23-13 , setting up a rematch after the Timberwolves knocked off the Heat in Miami earlier this month, winning by 10 points. Miami's offense runs at a quick tempo and ranks first in pace, while they excel at forcing turnovers on the defensive end at seventh . However, the Heat's average frequency of three-point attempts allowed sits at 43.3 percent, ranking 23rd defensively , which could...

PREVIEW: The Orlando Magic arrive in Washington as a team that excels at limiting three-point attempts on defense, ranking first in that category while also boasting a high free throw rate and strong rim attack frequency. Coming off a dominant 135-127 victory over Indiana, the Magic were led by Desmond Bane's 31 points and Paolo Banchero's 28 points with 12 rebounds. Orlando has won each of their last 11 games against the Wizards, establishing clear dominance in this matchup. However, the Magic will play without guard Jalen Suggs, who sustained a Grade 1 MCL contusion in his right knee during...

PREVIEW: The San Antonio Spurs travel to Memphis on Tuesday to face the Grizzlies at FedExForum , continuing a season-long rivalry where San Antonio has already won both previous matchups. The Spurs (25-10) hold the second seed despite a recent loss, while the Grizzlies (15-20) have slipped to tenth in the standings. San Antonio's impressive 12-5 road record contrasts sharply with Memphis's struggling 7-9 home mark . Defensively, the Spurs rank second in limiting shots attacking the rim while boasting third-best defensive rebounding , giving them clear structural advantages against a Grizzlies team that ranks 25th in allowing three-point attempts...