PREVIEW: The Denver Nuggets (23-11) travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets (10-22) on Sunday afternoon , bringing their league-leading offensive firepower to Barclays Center. Denver ranks second in three-point shooting and boasts elite passing, while Brooklyn counters with the league's top defensive rebounding and shoots threes at the second-highest frequency. The Nuggets' efficient attack at the rim ranks fifth league-wide, though they struggle with offensive rebounding at just 23.2 percent . However, both teams carry significant baggage into this matchup— Denver has lost Nikola Jokic to a knee injury and Jonas Valanciunas to a calf injury, leaving the Nuggets...

PREVIEW: The Detroit Pistons (25-9) arrive at Rocket Arena on Sunday afternoon to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (20-16), seeking to even their season series after losing the first matchup. Detroit will be without Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, and Caris LeVert, with Duren's absence being particularly impactful given his rim pressure and rebounding presence that anchors their system. The Pistons have built their identity around elite perimeter defense and aggressive rim attacks, ranking 1st in defending shots at the basket while ranking 2nd in attacking frequency. However, Detroit's 3-point volume sits at just 34.8 percent of their shot attempts, which is...

PREVIEW: The Indiana Pacers (6-29) travel to Orlando to face the Magic (19-16) on Sunday at the Kia Center , just days after their previous matchup ended in heartbreak. Paolo Banchero hit a game-winning turnaround jumper with less than 10 seconds remaining to secure a 112-110 victory for the Magic , leaving the Pacers searching for answers. Indiana enters this contest riding an 11-game losing streak and desperately seeking to turn things around. Despite their struggles, the Pacers rank third in limiting three-point attempts allowed on defense and boast strong defensive rebounding that could keep them competitive . Orlando enters as...

PREVIEW: The Memphis Grizzlies (15-19) will look to break a three-game losing stretch when visiting the Los Angeles Lakers (21-11) on January 4, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers opened the series on Friday night with a 128-121 victory, fueled by 30-point performances from both Luka Dončić and LeBron James. For Memphis, this road trip has been a test of depth, as they continue to navigate a litany of injuries to key rotation players. Despite their recent struggles, the Grizzlies rank second in high-frequency post-up shots and maintain solid defensive discipline on the perimeter, setting up an intriguing chess match...

PREVIEW: The Milwaukee Bucks take on the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 9:00 PM. The Bucks, with a 15-20 record, are looking to build on their recent win, while the Kings, holding an 8-27 record, aim to end their four-game losing streak. Milwaukee enters as one of the league's most efficient three-point shooting teams, ranking first in that category, while Sacramento counters with a league-leading reliance on midrange attempts. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks with 29 points per game, supplemented by strong play from Kevin Porter Jr., who contributes 18.2 points and...

PREVIEW: The Minnesota Timberwolves (22-13) face the Washington Wizards (9-24) on January 4, 2026 , with the Wolves entering as heavy favorites in a matchup that carries significant narrative weight. Minnesota plays without rest after visiting Miami on Saturday, and the T-Wolves have struggled lately, dropping three of their previous four contests . However, the Timberwolves have won five of their last eight games overall and will be eager to build momentum after blowing past the Heat in a 125-115 road win. The Timberwolves rank eighth in the NBA in adjusted offensive efficiency and sixth in adjusted defensive efficiency ,...

PREVIEW: The Miami Heat enter Sunday's matchup as the league's premier tempo team while boasting elite perimeter defense that forces opponents into low-quality three-point attempts , presenting a sharp contrast to New Orleans' struggles with rim protection and three-point efficiency. The Pelicans rank dead last in defensive efficiency against rim attacks, a concerning trend as Miami specializes in attacking the paint with frequency. New Orleans also ranks near the bottom in shot creation, relying heavily on isolation plays rather than ball movement , which could prove problematic against Miami's structured defensive schemes. The Pelicans are desperately trying to snap a...

PREVIEW: The Oklahoma City Thunder arrive in Phoenix on Sunday night as the Western Conference's top team with a dominant 30-5 record, while the Suns sit at 20-14 and looking to build momentum at home. OKC's 13-3 away record shows they can win on the road, and their offense is impressive, averaging 122.4 points per game — second in the league. On the defensive end, the Thunder's suffocating approach is defined by allowing low-quality three-point attempts and limiting rim attacks, ranking first in both categories. The statistical backbone of their success shows in their league-best 107.1 points allowed per game...