With only five NBA games left, the Lakers and the Sixers are both aiming to get the best NBA 2024 results to ensure their direct qualification to the playoffs.
The Lakers and Sixers are ninth and eighth in their conferences, respectively, and are on a three-game winning streak, but they will be put to the test by the Cavaliers and Grizzlies tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Pistons and the Nets will convene in a battle of two lottery-bound teams, and neither is incentivized to win, although the former has a significant edge over the latter in the NBA 2024 odds.
And last but not least, the Nuggets are set to host the Hawks at the Ball Arena.
Learn more about tomorrow’s lean slate, as SBOTOP is here to preview each one of these four exciting games.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Los Angeles Lakers
The game between the Cavaliers and the Lakers in Los Angeles tomorrow is the first of a back-to-back set, so there’s a chance that several key players won’t be available to play.
As always, LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (knee) were listed as questionable for the Lakers, while Donovan Mitchell has dealt with knee and nose injuries recently.
Davis was particularly spectacular in their victory against the Wizards on Wednesday, leading the Lakers with 35 points, 18 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks while going 10-of-17 from the field and 15-of-15 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, his co-star LeBron James had 25 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and three steals.
If one or two of them sit out against Cleveland, D’Angelo Russell will be tasked with shouldering a bigger load, and he’s fresh from an 18-point night.
Mitchell, on the other hand, has scored 24 points, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in their blowout loss against the Suns.
Detroit Pistons @ Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are officially eliminated from playoff contention after the Pistons lost to the Hawks on Wednesday, so they will be focused on player development in their remaining regular-season matches.
In their win against the Pacers on Wednesday, Cam Thomas and Noah Clowney combined for 49 points, while Mikal Bridges added 17 points.
The Pistons currently have the worst record in the NBA at 13-64 and are on a three-game losing streak. If they keep this up, they’ll likely have a top three pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.
Malachi Flynn came out of nowhere and dropped 50 points against the Hawks, although he was held to only three points against the Grizzlies. If Cade Cunningham will not play for the Pistons tomorrow, then Flynn should get more run.
Philadelphia Sixers @ Memphis Grizzlies
Joel Embiid is finally back, and the Sixers have won games because of it. In his last two appearances for Philadelphia, the reigning league MVP has averaged 26.5 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals per contest.
However, in their victory against the Heat on Wednesday, he was not the only star of the show, as Tyrese Maxey flirted with a triple-double with 37 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, including five three-pointers.
If Embiid sits tomorrow because of knee maintenance, then Maxey will be asked to shoulder the offencive cudgels anew for Philly.
Believe it or not, the Grizzlies are on a three-game winning streak themselves, despite missing most of their key players due to injuries.
In their win against the Pistons, seven players scored in double digits for the Grizzlies, with Trey Jemison and Maozinha Pereira leading the way with 17 points each.
While there’s no confirmation yet that Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane will not play tomorrow, we won’t be surprised if they will be shut down by Memphis for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
Atlanta Hawks @ Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets can reclaim the top spot in the Western Conference if they take care of business against the Hawks at home.
Jamal Murray has missed the last seven games for Denver due to a knee injury and is questionable to play tomorrow.
There’s a huge chance that he’ll sit this one out, as the team aims to have him back in tip-top shape ahead of the playoffs. Nikola Jokic will continue to carry the Nuggets either way.
Meanwhile, the Hawks’ two-game winning streak was ended by the Mavericks, so they’re planning to get back to winning ways to improve their position in the play-in tournament. Because there’s no timetable for Trae Young’s return from injury, Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Jalen Johnson will continue to spearhead the Hawks’ offence.
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