Boston Celtics (35-21) vs Philadelphia 76ers (36-20)
Where to Watch
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 13
Time: 6:30 AM IST
TV: Sony ESPN
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Game Preview
Unless the Celtics drop a game to a legitimate championship contender, there seems to be a lot of unrest in Boston after every team loss.
Over the past four days, the C's have dropped a game to each of the visting LA franchises.
While the Lakers needed a game-winner by former Celtic Rajon Rondo, the Clippers registered the win after a completing a franchise-record comeback of 28 points to end up winning by 11.
Prior to these losses, the Celtics had ripped of 10 wins in 11 games.
Unfortunately, it doesn't get easier for them to get out of this funk as they take on the new-look super squad of the 76ers.
The Philadelphia franchise has registered two dominant wins over two very capable franchises in the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers since their new acquisitions joined the team.
After 56 games, the 76ers joined the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and the Toronto Raptors as the only teams to feature in the top 10 in both - offensive (111.7 - 10th) and defensive ratings (108.3 - 10th).
This 76ers are at the end of a monster stretch of their schedule which could go on to define their season.
So far, they have already played the Pacers, the Thunder, the Rockets, the Nuggets (2), the Lakers (2), the Kings, the Warriors and the Spurs going 7-4.in these past 11 games.
Game Notes
- The Philadelphia 76ers have among the best home records in the league - 23-6
- The Boston Celtics only have a .500 record on the road - 13-13.
- The new-look Sixers could miss three players in this clash - Zhaire Smith (Foot), Justin Patton (Foot), and Shake Milton (Finger).
- Meanwhile, the Celtics, are expected to miss Kyrie Irving (Knee) and Aron Baynes (Foot).
Last Time They Played
Date: Dec. 26, 2018
Score: 76ers 114-121 Boston Celtics
76ers: Joel Embiid - 34 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks on 10-of-17 shooting.
Celtics: Kyrie Irving - 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists on 17-of-33 shooting.
Utah Jazz (32-24) vs Golden State Warriors (40-15)
Where to Watch
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 13
Time: 9:00 AM IST
TV: Sony ESPN
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
Game Preview
Other than a loss to the Sixers in Philadelphia last Friday, the Golden State Warriors have been red-hot over the past 5-6 weeks.
They have won 15 of their last 16 games and have strengthened their hold on the West's top seed, leading the Denver Nuggets by 2.5 games.
Despite their rough stretch early in the season (a 4-game losing streak and 5-8 in mid-November), the two-time defending champions have dominated the league's offensive stats - offensive rating (115.7 - 1st), points per game (119.1 - 1st), FG% (49.3% - 1st), 3P% (38.6% - 3rd), FT% (81.4% - tied 3rd), and assists per game (29.5 - 1st).
Since his return from injury, DeMarcus Cousins has seemed a great fit in the Warriors' system. Through six games, the former All-Star has averaged 14.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on 45.5% shooting in 22.9 minutes per game.
On the other hand, for the Jazz, things seemed to gone up a gear since the New Year.
In the 19 games, the Jazz have gone 14-5, tied for the fourth-best record during this span. They have leapfrogged from 11th in the West before the new year tipped-off to currently being the sixth seeded squad in the West, just a game behind the fourth seeded Portland Trail Blazers.
While their defense is ranked 4th in the league with a rating of 105.3 but their offense could use some work as their offensive rating of 108.4 is currently ranked 19th in the league.
This game at Oracle Arena is the team's final game before the All-Star Game.
Game Notes
- The Warriors have a home record of 21-7 at the Oracle Arena.
- The Jazz have a road record of 14-14 in 28 previous away games.
- Golden State will certainly miss Damian Jones (Pectoral). Meanwhile, the trio of Andre Iguodala (Hamstring), Jacob Evans (Thigh), and Damion Lee (Ankle).
- The visiting Jazz are reported to miss the duo of Tony Bradley (Knee) and Dante Exum (Ankle).
Last Time They Played
Date: Dec. 20, 2018
Score: Warriors 103-108 Jazz
Warriors: Stephen Curry - 32 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals on 12-of-21 shooting.
Jazz: Donovan Mitchell - 17 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals.