The second half of the 2014-2015 NBA season is well underway and the league has lined up a packed 13-game schedule for basketball fans to savor later tonight. Two of those games deserve all your attention namely the Toronto vs. Atlanta clash and the Cleveland vs. Washington showdown.
Read on below for a brief breakdown of these two crucial Eastern Conference matchups and while you’re at it you can check out our preview of the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors here.
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Toronto Raptors vs. Atlanta Hawks (7:30 PM ET)
Line: Toronto Raptors (+5) at Atlanta Hawks (-5); total: 204.5 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]Toronto headed into the All-Star break with its three-game winning streak intact after edging past the Washington Wizards, 95-93, on February 11. DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points, including the crucial game-winning basket with 12 seconds left to send the Raptors into second place in the Eastern Conference standings with an impressive 36-19 slate.
They will look to sustain their momentum later tonight when they square off with the red-hot Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks are flying high in the East right at this moment, carrying a conference-best 43-11 record. The Hawks will fancy their chances against the Raptors as they are 25-3 at home thus far this season.
The Hawks are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with the Raptors at home.
You can check out a complete preview of the game here.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (-3) at Washington Wizards (+3); total: 198.0 – view all NBA lines
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the All-Star break on a sour note after suffering a humiliating 113-98 loss to the Chicago Bulls on February 12. LeBron James had 31 points to lead all scorers but his efforts were not enough to stop a streaking Bulls side.
They will look to return to winning ways later tonight when they take on the Washington Wizards. The Wizards are one of the surprise teams in the Eastern Conference this season, posting a 33-21 slate. Key to their rise this season is their improved play on the defensive end. They are ninth in the NBA in points allowed this season, conceding 97.3 points per game.
The Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings with the Wizards at Verizon Center.
You can read our in-depth preview of the game here.
