The Knicks (7-15) make the trip to Philadelphia (14-8) in a game with the makings of a whitewash. <\/p>\n
New York have been competitive of late, with recent wins over the Celtics, Pelicans and Grizzlies. <\/p>\n
But the concern is that David Fizdale\u2019s young team are coming off a trip from Detroit, and still lacking an identity. <\/p>\n
Fizdale originally stated that by the 25-game mark he wants to have his rotation set, but is still tinkering with an array of different lineups at game 22. <\/p>\n
Enes Kanter and Tim Haraway Jr. are the only two reliable players on this team, and as such, it is hard to see them mounting a challenge against one of the league\u2019s most elite teams. <\/p>\n
Philly have been running hot since acquiring Jimmy Butler, with no signs of slowing down. Question marks over how the Sixers\u2019 Big Three would mesh together have been abolished. <\/p>\n
Joel Embiid is still playing at an MVP level, Ben Simmons is still getting his but primarily facilitating, and Butler is the defensive leader and go-to scorer down the stretch that Brett Brown has long cried for.<\/p>\n
Tip<\/strong>: Philadelphia -8.5 @ $1.47<\/a><\/p>\n The Wizards (8-12) head to New Orleans (10-11) in a must-win game for both teams. <\/p>\n Washington have recently rediscovered their spark, interestingly after their in-house training blow up. <\/p>\n With recent wins over the Clippers, Pelicans and Rockets, Scott Brooks\u2019 team is playing with more urgency. <\/p>\n Perhaps putting every player on the trade block has had a positive impact on their game? <\/p>\n Meanwhile, New Orleans are on a four-game skid and have developed a nasty habit of falling into bad slumps coming off a win streak. <\/p>\n The Pelicans rank second in the league in scoring (118.2), yet have been abysmal on the other end, sitting 28th in points allowed (117.6).<\/p>\n They will look to steer their season back on track back at home where they have only dropped two games this season, and the Wizards will struggle to find a suitable matchup for Anthony Davis with Dwight Howard sidelined.<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong>: Washington +6.5 @ $1.89<\/a><\/p>\n Orlando (10-11) continue their Western road trip in Portland (12-8). <\/p>\n The Magic are no walkovers anymore, nearly knocking off the Warriors and Raptors recently, arguably the best two teams from each conference. <\/p>\n The Magic were bitterly close to pulling off a major upset in Golden State on Tuesday if not for the brilliance of Kevin Durant in the fourth quarter. <\/p>\n Nikola Vucevic has been in career-best form, averaging 26.4 points on 56 per cent shooting, 1.6 threes, 12 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.1 steals over the past two weeks. <\/p>\n After a brief stint in the West\u2019s number one seed, Portland have been brought back to earth over the past week, having lost thee in a row to the Bucks, Warriors and Clippers. <\/p>\n The Blazers will want to have Jusuf Nurkic back to matchup against Vucevic, who missed the second half against the Clips after hurting his shoulder. <\/p>\n Damian Lillard is due for a big game and has a favourable matchup against DJ Augustin.<\/p>\n Tip: Portland Trail Blazers @ $1.33<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWashington Wizards @ New Orleans Pelicans<\/a><\/h3>\n
Orlando Magic @ Portland Trail Blazers<\/a><\/h3>\n