The Brow is back. Superstar Anthony Davis is finally expected to return to action for the Los Angeles Lakers as they play the first of two straight games against the Dallas Mavericks.
The reigning NBA champions have fared surprisingly well without both Davis and LeBron James, and they will look to mark Davis’ first game back with a win against the struggling Mavs.
Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns travel to Boston to face the improving Celtics, while Joel Embiid leads his shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers into Milwaukee to battle Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
Read on below as SBOTOP provides all the key information you need about each of the six games on the NBA schedule.
Phoenix Suns @ Boston Celtics
The Suns remain hot on the Jazz’s heels atop the West after back-to-back close wins to start their East road trip. After edging out the Bucks 128-127 in overtime, they eked out a 116-113 win over the shorthanded 76ers last night.
Chris Paul has had a strong start to their recent road trip, scoring over 20 points in back-to-back games for the first time since late January.
The Suns now face another tough test in the Celtics, who had won six games in a row before losing to the Bulls last time out. Jayson Tatum had his first career triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, but he shot just 3-of-17 from the field.
Starting guards Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker missed the Bulls game due to non-Covid-related illness, but both are probable to return against Phoenix.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Orlando Magic
After a three-game winning streak — led by ‘Point Zion’ Williamson — boosted the Pelicans’ playoff chances, they have proceeded to lose their last four games in a row to drop back down the standings.
Williamson has continued his fine play with back-to-back 30-point games and is still averaging close to 30 PPG this month. But the team’s poor defence and failure to execute in late-game situations continue to cost them dearly.
However, the Pelicans’ NBA 2021 odds of snapping their losing streak are quite high as they play Orlando. The Magic have lost nine of their last 10 games and are tied with the Pistons for the worst record in the East.
Orlando did beat the Pelicans in New Orleans in their first meeting this season, but the Pelicans were without stars Williamson and Brandon Ingram in that game.
Betting Tip: New Orleans Pelicans Money Line @ 1.30
Philadelphia 76ers @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Sixers are in the midst of a rare losing streak after dropping back-to-back games at home against the Warriors and Suns. MVP candidate Joel Embiid was excellent in both games, but the continued absence of Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons has been too much to overcome. Seth Curry also missed last night’s game against the Suns with a hip injury and is doubtful to play.
That is all good news for the Bucks, who are eager to snap their own losing streak after falling to the Grizzlies and Suns at home. Despite reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to the line-up after a recent injury, the Bucks defence allowed 128 points in both those defeats.
Detroit Pistons @ San Antonio Spurs
The Pistons — tied for last in the East along with the Magic — picked up another loss last night against the Mavericks. Detroit’s search for a win against a good team continues; they have not beaten a team with a winning record since mid-February.
They are now set to face a Spurs team that dropped back down below .500 after a 20-point defeat to the Heat. The Spurs won the first meeting between the two in Detroit, 109-99. Dejounte Murray led six San Antonio players in double figures with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
Charlotte Hornets @ Chicago Bulls
The Charlotte Hornets are getting closer to having LaMelo Ball back. The prized rookie has been cleared to resume basketball activities after suffering a broken wrist. The Hornets have struggled without Ball, as well as injured star Gordon Hayward, and have lost five of their last six games.
LaMelo will still be out for their next game in Chicago. But the Bulls will also be without All-Star Zach LaVine, who is still in the league’s health and safety protocols.
The Bulls will look to bounce back after getting smashed 121-105 by the lowly Cavs last time out. Big trade deadline acquisition Nikola Vucevic had just nine points, the first time he’d scored in single digits this season.
Betting Tip: Chicago Bills Asian Handicap -2.50 @ 1.84
Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks
The big NBA 2021 news for the Lakers is that All-Star big man Anthony Davis expects to play for the first time since suffering a calf injury back on Valentine’s Day.
The Lakers have held up surprisingly well without both Davis and LeBron James in the line-up, going 6-6 in their last 12 games. Talen Horton-Tucker has stepped up in a big way, averaging 14.3 points this month, including a career-high 24 points in his last game against the league-leading Jazz.
Davis will look to get a win on his return as he takes on the Dallas Mavericks, who picked up a win over the Pistons last night. Luka Doncic had 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points and seven rebounds as the Mavs snapped a four-game losing streak at home.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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