Houston were awful on Thursday in a 93-114 defeat to Boston. In one of their worst games of the season, Houston looked completely lost on both ends of the floor, as they failed to recover from a 21-36 third quarter. The visitors ended up leading by as many as 29 points in the fourth quarter, highlighting just how bad things got for Ime Udoka’s side. They recorded a poor 48.2% eFG% and, perhaps more notably, had just a 25.0% OREB%. Owning a league-best 39.2% OREB% on the season, one of Houston’s main weapons was completely neutralised on Thursday. Kevin Durant was off his game, with just 15 points and five rebounds, and Amen Thompson had just 11 points and four assists on the night. Alperen Şengün also struggled, with just 13 points on 5/12 shooting, and Jabari Smith Jr shot identical figures from the floor in what was a night to forget for the hosts.
Charlotte did just enough to beat New Orleans on Tuesday, picking up a 102-95 win to make it seven successive victories. It’s been an impressive rise in form from Charles Lee’s team, but they were made to work hard against New Orleans after trailing by 22 points late in the second quarter. Charlotte then took the lead early in the fourth, eventually getting out to a 94-85 lead which was enough to steer them home. LaMelo Ball had another sub-par offensive night but he was crucial on the offensive end, with 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Brandon Miller also had a poor shooting night, with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Kon Knueppel shot just 4/13 for 17 points and nine rebounds. That barely mattered, though, as Charlotte recorded another dominant defensive night, with a defensive rating of 100.0, as Knueppel, Miles Bridges and Ryan Kalkbrenner gave a good defensive impact.
Charlotte have been the best team in the league across the past month of play and while they are in for a real test on the road in Houston, they have the rest advantage and that will prove to be a big factor here. Their offence has looked unstoppable of late and they will be able to keep Houston off the offensive glass, which will keep them in the game and makes them the bet as underdogs. Houston are just 8-14 ATS at home this season.
Phoenix got back to winning ways on Wednesday, with a 130-125 victory in Portland. They had to scramble after an ugly first quarter saw them trail by as many as 19 points, before taking the lead in the third and holding on for the win. It was the fourth-best offensive game of the season for Phoenix, as they shot 61.9% eFG% and pulled down 18 offensive rebounds for 21 second chance points. Collin Gillespie was outstanding, with 30 points, 10 assists and three steals and Mark Williams shot 11/14 for 24 points and 11 rebounds. Jordan Goodwin did a bit of everything with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and five steals and Grayson Allen had 24 points and four assists in a great offensive night.
Golden State are now 2-5 in their last seven games, with a 94-113 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday coming as their latest blow. It was a disastrous second half from GS, scoring just 39 points to get blown out at home in what was a miserable display on both ends of the floor. Without the injured Steph Curry, their offence was lifeless, with just a 105.8 offensive rating, with 20 turnovers really hurting their efficiency. Gui Santos did a bit of everything with 13 points, three assists, two steals and two blocks, while Pat Spencer had 13 points, three assists and one steal. It was also a rough defensive night for GS, with a 131.4 defensive rating thanks to giving up a whopping 25 offensive rebounds as Al Horford and Draymond Green looked slow on that end of the floor.
Curry is out again on Friday and that essentially makes this game another write-off for Golden State. They have a miserable 107.0 offensive rating with both Curry and Jimmy Butler off the floor this season and they won’t threaten this good Phoenix defence.
The Lakers bounced back for a routine 125-109 thumping of Brooklyn on Wednesday. By the 4:00 mark in the second quarter, Los Angeles had a 68-30 lead, underscoring just how much of a blowout this game was. It was LA’s best defensive game in over two weeks, with a 101.1 defensive rating, as they looked particularly energised on the wings, pressuring Brooklyn into 20 turnovers. On the other end of the floor, LeBron James dominated with 25 points, seven rebounds and three steals, while Jake LaRavia recorded an efficient 18 points and five rebounds. Luka Dončić had a mediocre shooting night on his way to 24 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Austin Reaves looked a little shaky in his return from injury, with 15 points and two steals.
Philadelphia picked up their fifth win on the trot on Wednesday, thumping Golden State 113-94. Without Steph Curry, the hosts looked hopeless, and Philadelphia were sure to pounce, with a suffocating defensive effort and an equally-good offensive night. VJ Edgecombe starred in this contest, recording 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Trendon Watford made the most of his minutes with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Tyrese Maxey shot poorly from the floor but went 7/7 from the free throw line for 14 points, three assists and two steals, and a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double from Andre Drummond helped Philly in Joel Embiid’s absence.
Embiid is set to suit up in Friday’s clash, setting up a blockbuster in Los Angeles, and I expect the visitors to come out on top here. They have too many offensive tools to throw at LA and I can’t see how the Lakers will slow down either Maxey or Embiid. Philadelphia are 16-5-1 ATS on the road this season and I like them again in this spot.