Preview Roundups
October 21, 2017
Philadelphia at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Raptors will try to maintain their recent dominance of the Philadelphia 76ers when the Atlantic Division foes meet Saturday night in Canada. The Raptors have won 15 of the last 16 meetings and nine in a row at home, and they enter this one on a good note after a cakewalk in their opener.
Orlando at Cleveland 8:00 PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers are seeking to defeat the visiting Orlando Magic for the 18th consecutive time when the teams square off Saturday. Cleveland's streak is the longest current run of success in any NBA head-to-head series with Orlando's last victory over the Cavaliers occurring Nov. 23, 2012.
Indiana at Miami 8:00 PM ET
The Miami Heat are expected to be without center Hassan Whiteside, who led the league in rebounding last season, when they open a six-game homestand Saturday night against the revamped Indiana Pacers. Whiteside registered 26 points and 22 boards in the season-opening 116-109 loss at Orlando, but suffered a bruised left knee during a collision with Magic center Nikola Vucevic.
Detroit at New York 8:00 PM ET
Despite splitting their first two games of the season, the Detroit Pistons are showing some signs they might be poised to improve upon last year's 37-45 campaign. The Pistons continue a stretch of three games in four days Saturday when they visit Madison Square Garden to meet the New York Knicks to wrap up a two-game road trip.
San Antonio at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
LaMarcus Aldridge and Gregg Popovich cleared the air before the star forward signed a contract extension with the team, with Popovich vowing to make Aldridge more comfortable within the offense. Aldridge certainly looked comfortable in the season opener and will try to make it two straight strong performances when the Spurs visit the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
Dallas at Houston 8:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets opened the season with an impressive 2-0 road trip, but they return home on a bit of a negative note. Star point guard Chris Paul is expected to miss up to four weeks with a bruised left knee, which will leave him out of the home opener Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks.
Golden State at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
The defending champion Golden State Warriors continue their three-game road trip against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday armed with their first victory of the season. After the Houston Rockets spoiled its banner-raising party 122-121 on Tuesday, Golden State regrouped with a 128-120 win over New Orleans on Friday behind 31 points from Klay Thompson and 28 from Stephen Curry.
Portland at Milwaukee 8:30 PM ET
Damian Lillard has his backcourt mate back in the lineup and the high-scoring duo of Lillard and CJ McCollum look to elevate Portland to a 3-0 start when the Trail Blazers visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. McCollum scored 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting in his season debut Friday as Portland notched a solid 114-96 road victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Sacramento at Denver 9:00 PM ET
The Denver Nuggets made significant strides last season in large part because they could score with just about anyone. After a lackluster offensive effort in their opener, the Nuggets look to get their rhythm going when they host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday in their first home game of the season.
Oklahoma City at Utah 9:00 PM ET
Paul George and Carmelo Anthony needed only one regular-season game playing with reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook to understand how special their time could be together. The star-studded trio attempts to power Oklahoma City to its third 2-0 start in as many years when the Thunder visit the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
Phoenix at L.A. Clippers 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers are experiencing a bit of a transition in the wake of Chris Paul's departure but saw why his replacement is one of the most feisty players in the NBA in their season-opening win. New point guard Patrick Beverley is a tenacious defense-first player and looks to again make an impact when the Clippers host the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.