The Rockets head to Houston in an inter conference battle at the Amway Centre on NBA Saturday (all times AEST).<\/p>\n
Houston\u2019s form has been patchy, as is the case with a team that goes out there every night and simply tries to outscore their opponent and not do much on the defensive end. \u00a0The Rockets are starting to turn a corner, winning three of their last four to move into the West\u2019s fourth seed.<\/p>\n
They were seriously challenged in their last outing, narrowly getting past the Cavs on the road 116-110 behind a huge outing from James Harden, tallying 55 points, 10 triples, eight assists, two steals and two blocks.<\/p>\n
The Magic started the season slow but are starting to get it together. They recently tied together four-straight wins, but have since dropped their last two, albeit to the Bucks and Lakers.<\/p>\n
It has been tough goings with Nikola Vucevic sidelined with an ankle injury, but the likes of Evan Fournier and Jonathan Isaac have really picked up the slack. Fournier is averaging a career-high 19.9 points per game on 48% from the field with 2.8 threes, while Isaac has been a defensive juggernaut, averaging 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and a league-high 2.8 blocks.<\/p>\n
Tip: <\/strong>Houston to win @ $1.39<\/a><\/p>\n The Lakers are in South Beach to face Miami in a massive contest between two of the league\u2019s heavyweight teams.<\/p>\n The Lakers can do no wrong, winning 15 of their last 16 games to sit first in the West at 22-3 overall. LA\u2019s 103.1 defensive rating ranks fourth in the league and their offence is humming with LeBron James running the point.<\/p>\n The four-time MVP is coming off a big performance in his team\u2019s 96-97 win over the Magic on Thursday, racking up 25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Anthony Davis had a poor shooting night for his 16 points, but added 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.<\/p>\n Davis will match up against one of the league\u2019s best centres in Miami\u2019s Bam Adebayo, who is having an All-Star calibre season. Adebayo is coming off a massive triple-double in the Heat\u2019s win over Atlanta on Thursday, recording 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.<\/p>\n Jimmy Butler tallied his own triple-double against the Hawks (20 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists), while Duncan Robinson poured in a career-high 34 points with 10 triples and Kendrick Nunn scored career-high 36 points.<\/p>\n Miami have won six of their last seven, including three in a row, to sit second in the East at 18-6. Their 104.5 defensive rating ranks 10th in the league and they are undefeated at home at 11-0.<\/p>\n The Lakers defeated Miami 95-80 at Staples Centre earlier in the season.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>LA to win @ $1.70<\/a><\/p>\n The Timberwolves journey to Staples Centre to take on the Clippers in a Western Conference showdown.<\/p>\n The Clippers have won five of their last six, including three in a row, to improve into the West\u2019s second seed at 19-7 overall. Their last two wins came on the road in Indiana and Toronto.<\/p>\n The Clippers\u2019 112-92 win over the Raptors on Thursday was one of their most impressive for the season as Kawhi Leonard received his championship ring and a standing ovation from the fans at Scotiabank Arena. Leonard finished with 23 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals against his old side.<\/p>\n After a strong start to the season, the Timberwolves have really trailed off, having lost their last six games. There is only so much Karl-Anthony Towns can do for this team, with the big man averaging 25.9 points, 3.5 triples, 11.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, one steal and 1.3 blocks.\u00a0 Andrew Wiggins has been a revelation and is finally starting to live up to his potential, putting up a career-high 24.6 points to go with 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.<\/p>\n The Wolves have strangely been better on the road (7-6) than at home (3-8) this season.<\/p>\nLA Lakers at Miami Heat (ESPN)<\/a><\/h3>\n
LA Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN)<\/a><\/h3>\n