Our nightly look ahead to the schedule with a couple of notes and story lines so you can plan out your NBA viewing. All Times Eastern.
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8:00: Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies 
Tonight’s schedule doesn’t exactly demand your attention (as you’ll see from the rundown in a minute). Unlike last night’s Clippers-Thunder game, which provided a ton of excitement, there’s no real marquee matchup. But this Grizz-Nuggs matchup is an intriguing one for NBA fans looking for a fix.
The Grizzlies are desperately trying to stay afloat for when (if?) Zach Randolph comes back. Their seven-game winning streak has been followed by four straight L’s. Can the desperate Grizzlies avoid dipping below .500 by slowing down the league’s top ranked offense (seriously, they’re #1)? Or will Denver race past Memphis to move within 1.5 games of OKC?
Couple of notes:
- Since the Zach Randolph injury, Memphis is scoring more points per game (94.4 vs. 88.5), holding opponents to fewers points per game (90.7 vs. 97.5), hitting a higher percentage of shots (45.3% vs 42.9%) and scoring more points in the paint (45.4 vs 41.0).
- Denver has won five-straight road games, scoring 112.4 ppg and winning two OT games in that stretch.
Other story lines for tonight
Atlanta-Toronto (7:00): The Hawks are looking to win at least four games on a five game road trip for the first time since 1968
Boston-Cleveland (7:00): The Celtics look to avenge a collapse to the Cavs earlier this week after the Celtics blew an 11 point lead with just over four minutes to play.
New Jersey-Indiana (7:00): Can the Pacers avoid a letdown after beating Orlando and before facing Minnesota tomorrow night?
Detroit-New York (7:30): Carmelo Anthony’s potential return. Can he help the Knicks break their three-game skid?
Sacramento-Golden State (10:30): Keith Smart returns to face his former employers
Charlotte-LA Lakers (10:30): Charlotte tries to avoid its ninth loss as the Lakers play their last game at home before a six-game road trip
See what I was saying about the schedule? Blah.
John’s Picks:
Nuggets, Hawks, Celtics, Pacers, Knicks, Warriors, Lakers
Last night: 7-2
Season: 7-2
