Thank God it’s Friday once again! Hoops fans are in for a huge treat as the NBA has provided us with two fantastic matchups that will surely whet the appetites of sports junkies all over. First off, a fascinating Western Conference showdown is in the cards as the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers lock horns at the Staples Center.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors will look to bounce back from their gut-wrenching overtime defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers when they take on the streaking Golden State Warriors.
Read on below for our analysis of these two intriguing showdowns and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the AFC Wild Card playoff game on Saturday between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens here.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors (10:30 PM ET)
Line: Toronto Raptors (+5.5) at Golden State Warriors (-5.5); total: 213.0 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Golden State Warriors will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they square off with the Toronto Raptors in a battle of the league’s top teams. The Warriors are coming off a resounding 126-86 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers that helped them improve their record to a league-best 25-5 slate.
They will be put to the test, though, later tonight against the Raptors who are tops in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 24-8 record. The Raptors are desperate for a pick-me-up win after their disappointing 102-97 loss to the Blazers Tuesday which saw them blow a huge 13-point lead in the third quarter.
The Warriors are 3-2 in their last five meetings with the Raptors.
You can read a complete preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction
The Warriors edge past the Raptors, 113-108.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 PM ET)
Line: Memphis Grizzlies (-4.5) at Los Angeles Lakers (+4.5); total: 200.5 – view all NBA lines
The Grizzlies’ good run of form continued on Tuesday night as they survived a gritty San Antonio Spurs side, 95-87, to grab their second win in a row. Mike Conley led the way for Memphis, scoring 30 points and dishing out six assists.
The Grizzlies will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they travel to Staples Center to face the Lakers later tonight. The Grizzlies will fancy their chances of doing just that as they are 2-0 against the Lakers in their two meetings this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Grizzlies continue their dominance of the Lakers with a commanding 112-98 win. Create a betting account now and cash in on these mouth-watering NBA games.
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