After another strong 5-2 outing in last night’s predictions, our season record now stands at 242-125, with an accuracy rate of 65.9%. Tonight, due to two games being postponed because of the LA wildfires, we’re left with a 5-game slate to analyze and predict.
The night begins with the Houston Rockets taking on the Atlanta Hawks. Then, the Utah Jazz meet the Phoenix Suns in a Western Conference battle.
In another matchup, the Toronto Raptors face the Detroit Pistons. The Memphis Grizzlies take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in what promises to be a high-energy contest.
Finally, the Miami Heat meet the Portland Trail Blazers in a game where the Heat’s disciplined defense are likely to overpower a Trail Blazers team that has struggled to find consistency this season.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers games have been postponed due to the LA wildfires. The league has announced these games will be rescheduled, with dates to be confirmed later.
Let’s aim to capitalize on tonight’s matchups and continue our strong season.
Houston Rockets At Atlanta Hawks – 3:00 PM EST
Rockets Current Record: 25-12
Hawks Current Record: 19-19
Rockets Injuries: Tari Eason – Out (Leg), Jabari Smith Jr. – Out (Hand)
Hawks Injuries: Bogdan Bogdanovic – Day To Day (Knee), Trae Young – Day To Day (Achilles), Jalen Johnson – Out (Shoulder), Cody Zeller – Out (Personal), Larry Nance Jr. – Out (Hand), Kobe Bufkin – Out (Shoulder)
Last 5 Meetings: Hawks Lead 4-1
The Houston Rockets take on the Atlanta Hawks in a cross-conference showdown at State Farm Arena. The Rockets have been one of the season’s biggest surprises, sitting second in the Western Conference thanks to the stellar play of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun.
Green has averaged 22.9 points per game, while Sengun has emerged as a do-it-all star with his triple-double capabilities. With Fred VanVleet orchestrating the offense, Houston has proven they can adapt and thrive, evidenced by their strong 12-6 road record.
The Hawks, currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, have struggled with consistency. Trae Young leads the team with 22.9 points and 10.4 assists per game, while rookie Zaccharie Risacher has shown promising development. Atlanta’s bench depth, including Bogdan Bogdanovic, provides scoring punch, but the team has lost four of their last five games and will need a cohesive effort to overcome Houston’s well-rounded lineup.
Houston’s balance, defensive resilience, and Sengun’s interior dominance should give them the edge. Expect the Rockets to exploit their offensive rhythm and seal a hard-fought victory.
Prediction: Rockets def. Hawks 118-110
Update: Game postponed due to severe weather and hazardous icy conditions
Utah Jazz At Phoenix Suns – 5:00 PM EST
Jazz Current Record: 9-27
Suns Current Record: 17-19
Jazz Injuries: Johhny Juzang – Day To Day (Hand), Brice Sensabaugh – Day To Day (Illness), John Collins – Out (Hip), Keyonte George – Out (Heel), Jordan Clarkson – Out (Foot), Taylor Hendricks – Out (Ankle)
Suns Injuries: Royce O’Neale – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Suns Lead 5-0
The Utah Jazz travel to face the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center as they aim to avoid a season sweep. The Jazz have been hampered by injuries to key players, including John Collins, Keyonte George, and Jordan Clarkson. Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler will lead the Jazz’s efforts, with Kessler anchoring the defense and Markkanen continuing his offensive output. However, the Jazz’s high turnover rate and lack of scoring depth make this an uphill battle.
The Suns have underperformed this season but are coming off a morale-boosting win over Atlanta. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker remain their primary offensive weapons, with Bradley Beal providing scoring off the bench. Phoenix has struggled with rebounding but compensates with strong three-point shooting and a more balanced scoring approach. Head coach Mike Budenholzer continues to tweak lineups to spark consistency, and this game presents an opportunity for the Suns to build momentum.
The Jazz are shorthanded and prone to turnovers, making it challenging to keep pace with Phoenix. The Suns, led by Durant and Booker, should secure a comfortable victory.
Prediction: Suns def. Jazz 118-105
Toronto Raptors At Detroit Pistons – 7:00 PM EST
Raptors Current Record: 8-30
Pistons Current Record: 19-19
Raptors Injuries: Ochai Agbaji – Day To Day (Hip)
Pistons Injuries: Tim Hardaway Jr. – Day To Day (Back), Jaden Ivey – Out (Leg)
Last 5 Meetings: Pistons Lead 4-1
The Toronto Raptors will face the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena, with Detroit aiming for a season series sweep. The Pistons have been in solid form, boasting a .500 record and showing significant improvement from last season. Cade Cunningham has been the centerpiece of their offense, averaging 24.3 points and 9.3 assists per game. Supported by Jaden Ivey and Malik Beasley, the Pistons’ balanced attack has helped them secure victories against competitive teams.
On the other hand, the Raptors continue to struggle, losing 14 of their last 15 games. Despite strong individual performances from RJ Barrett (23.1 PPG) and Scottie Barnes (20.4 PPG), Toronto has been plagued by defensive lapses and inefficiencies on offense. Their 1-17 road record highlights their inability to compete effectively away from home.
The Pistons’ cohesive team play and home-court advantage should give them the edge against the slumping Raptors. Toronto will need breakout performances from its young core to keep this contest competitive, but Detroit’s superior form and depth make them the likely victors.
Prediction: Pistons def. Raptors 115-106
Memphis Grizzlies At Minnesota Timberwolves – 8:00 PM EST
Grizzlies Current Record: 24-14
Wolves Current Record: 20-17
Grizzlies Injuries: Cam Spencer – Out (Thumb), Marcus Smart – Out (Finger), GG Jackson II – Out (Knee), Vince Williams Jr. – Out (Ankle)
Wolves Injuries: Rob Dillingham – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Wolves Lead 4-1
The Memphis Grizzlies visit the Minnesota Timberwolves in a highly anticipated Western Conference clash at the Target Center. The Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., boast one of the league’s most potent offenses, averaging 122.9 points per game. However, recent inconsistencies have seen Memphis stumble, and they’ll face a tough challenge against a surging Timberwolves squad.
Minnesota, riding a three-game winning streak, has leaned on the dynamic duo of Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Edwards leads the team with 25.7 points per game, while Randle adds versatility as a scorer and playmaker. The Timberwolves have also relied on their strong defense, ranking fourth in points allowed at 107.2 per game, with Rudy Gobert anchoring the paint.
This game features contrasting strengths: Memphis’s high-scoring offense versus Minnesota’s disciplined defense. The Grizzlies will look to exploit their depth and efficient scoring, while the Timberwolves aim to use their defensive prowess and home-court advantage to stifle Memphis.
In a close contest, the Timberwolves’ defense and Anthony Edwards’ leadership edged out the Grizzlies at home.
Prediction: Wolves def. Grizzlies 116-112
Miami Heat At Portland Trail Blazers – 10:00 PM EST
Heat Current Record: 19-17
Blazers Current Record: 13-24
Heat Injuries: Josh Richardson – Day To Day (Heel), Dru Smith – Out (Achilles)
Blazers Injuries: Deandre Ayton – Day To Day (Calf), Matisse Thybulle – Out (Ankle), Jerami Grant – Out (Face)
Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead 4-1
The Miami Heat face the Portland Trail Blazers in a cross-conference clash at the Moda Center. Miami is coming off a 97-92 win against the Utah Jazz, securing back-to-back victories. Without Jimmy Butler, the Heat have relied on Tyler Herro and emerging talents like Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware, who provide offensive spark and defensive depth.
The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, continue to rebuild with a roster led by Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Deandre Ayton. Despite their 13th-place standing in the Western Conference, Portland has displayed resilience, often closing deficits with quick scoring runs. Their interior presence, bolstered by Ayton and Donovan Clingan, will be key against the Heat’s defense-oriented approach.
This matchup will likely hinge on Miami’s ability to contain Portland’s versatile offense while capitalizing on their defensive identity. The Blazers will need big performances from their scorers to challenge Miami’s discipline and slow pace.
Miami’s recent form and defensive consistency should give them the edge. Expect the Heat to secure a close win.
Prediction: Heat def. Blazers 110-105
