PREVIEW: Brooklyn enters this matchup with the league's worst offensive efficiency while ranking 28th in three-point shooting and committing turnovers at the worst rate in basketball , creating a mountain to climb against one of the league's elite squads. The Nets do boast the best defensive rebounding in the league and launch three-pointers at the second-highest frequency , giving them a couple of bright spots to build around offensively. Brooklyn's road struggles have been particularly concerning, posting a 7-20 record away from home , and the team suffered a demoralizing 112-84 loss to Cleveland on their latest trip. With the...

PREVIEW: The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on fire as they've won 11 of their last 12 games overall and they will be eager to build on their current six-game win streak as they prepare for a Friday night showdown in Charlotte. The Charlotte Hornets have been on a tear lately as they've won 10 of their last 12 games overall , riding an offensive surge that relies heavily on pace and precision shooting. The Cavaliers rank 3rd in efficient attacking at the rim and 7th in three-point shooting efficiency , giving them multiple avenues to put points on the board....

PREVIEW: The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at the Target Center , setting up a matchup between two teams heading in decidedly different directions as the postseason approaches. Dallas has lost nine consecutive games and sits 12th in the Western Conference with a 19-35 record , while Minnesota occupies sixth place at 34-22. The Timberwolves rank fourth in quick tempo play and fourth in efficient attacking at the rim, hallmarks of their third-ranked offense , while the Mavericks struggle defensively, ranking 26th in limiting shots attacking the rim. Minnesota already leads the season series after victories of...

PREVIEW: Denver enters as the more efficient three-point shooting team, ranking second in that category, while also boasting the third-best free throw rate and a low turnover rate that ranks third. Portland counters with the second-best offensive rebounding percentage at 31.0%, though they struggle with inefficient three-point shooting that ranks 30th and turnover issues placing them dead last. Jamal Murray is putting up 25.6 points and 7.6 assists for Denver, while Nikola Jokic averaged 19.3 points and 10.8 rebounds over the last ten games. For Portland, Deni Avdija leads the way with 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists, while...

PREVIEW: The Washington Wizards open their post-All-Star campaign against the Indiana Pacers in the first of a back-to-back set , with both teams fighting for positioning at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Pacers hold a 15-40 record while the Wizards sit at 14-39 , making this matchup a critical moment in their respective seasons. Indiana arrives with momentum after consecutive victories over the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, while Washington has dropped three straight contests . The injury landscape heavily favors Indiana, as the Wizards remain without Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and Alex Sarr , significantly impacting...

PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Lakers enter this matchup with elite efficiency at the free throw line, ranking first with an 83.2% clip, while also leading the league in post-up shot frequency and maintaining a top-five free throw rate. Coming off a hard-fought 106-103 victory against their city rivals just days ago, the Lakers have compiled 17 wins from their last 21 games since mid-January, showcasing resilience despite dealing with a couple of injury concerns. Star duo Luka Doncic and LeBron James accounted for 55% of the team's scoring in that recent contest, with Doncic recording 31 points on his first...

PREVIEW: The Miami Heat arrive in Atlanta ranked first in quick tempo on offense, showcasing an aggressive pace that has defined their system this season. Meanwhile, the Hawks rank second in quick tempo and lead the league in high spacing on offense, creating a fascinating matchup of two teams that thrive in transition and movement-heavy basketball. The Heat's elite defensive rebounding and strong rim protection stand out as key advantages, though they allow opponents quality three-point looks. Atlanta's defensive vulnerabilities are more pronounced, ranking last in rim defense and middle-of-the-pack against perimeter shooting, which could create opportunities for Miami's secondary...

PREVIEW: The Milwaukee Bucks will bid for their sixth win in seven games on Friday when they return from the All-Star break to face the host New Orleans Pelicans. Milwaukee enters this matchup averaging 111.8 points per game while allowing 115.2, positioned as the away team against a Pelicans squad sitting 14th in the Western Conference. The Bucks bring elite three-point efficiency to this contest, ranking first in the league in that category, though they've struggled defensively by allowing opponents to launch shots from deep at alarming rates. In their previous meeting this season, Ryan Rollins erupted for 27 points...

PREVIEW: The Utah Jazz bring a quick-tempo attack and solid ball movement to Memphis, though their offensive spacing remains problematic and their perimeter shooting ranks among the league's worst at 26th. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies lean heavily on post-up opportunities and operate at the eighth-fastest pace, but their rim defense has proven vulnerable. Keyonte George continues to carry Utah's offensive load, averaging nearly 24 points and over six assists per game , and his playmaking will be crucial given Memphis' tendency to allow opponents to attempt over 43 percent of shots from beyond the arc. The Grizzlies counter with a preference...