The Lakers aim to clinch a Top 4 spot in the Western Conference to get homecourt advantage in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. The JJ Redick-mentored squad is the fourth seed at 44-28, level with the fifth-seeded Grizzlies, and they can improve their win total when they visit the Bulls tomorrow.
The Bulls humiliated the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena last week despite having LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the lineup, so the Purple and Gold are seeking retribution at the United Center to avoid an embarrassing season sweep.
Elsewhere, the Cavaliers, Magic, Wizards, Heat, Thunder, Jazz, and Kings will host the Spurs, Mavericks, Pacers, Hawks, Grizzlies, Rockets, and Blazers.
We’re back to regular programming with eight matches on the menu. Continue reading below, as SBOTOP chooses and previews the top three games from tomorrow’s schedule.
San Antonio Spurs @ Cleveland Cavaliers
After enduring a four-game slide, the Cavaliers have built a new winning streak to improve to a 58-14 record – good for the Eastern Conference’s top seed. They are undefeated in two straight games after a 122-111 victory over Portland last Tuesday.
Darius Garland led Cleveland with 27 points, five rebounds, and eight assists on 11-for-19 shooting from the field. Ty Jerome, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, and De’Andre Hunter added 25, 21, 14, 14, and 11 points.
Donovan Mitchell didn’t play due to a groin injury. However, he is expected to play against San Antonio, as he was removed from the team’s official injury report. Moreover, the Cavaliers plan to give Evan Mobley the night off.
The Spurs are coming off a 122-96 loss against the Pistons last Tuesday. Before this, they were on a three-game winning streak. As a result, they’ve fallen to 13th in the Western Conference with a 31-40 record. According to the NBA 2025 odds, San Antonio will likely miss the playoffs again.
Devin Vassell was the bright spot in the defeat with 26 points, six rebounds, and six three-pointers on 10-for-21 shooting from the field. Stephon Castle, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Keldon Johnson added 19, 11, and 10 points.
Betting tip – Cleveland Cavaliers Asian Handicap -14.00 @ 1.98
Dallas Mavericks @ Orlando Magic
The Mavericks are making a run for a play-in spot in the Western Conference, and they will face a tricky test from the Magic, who are on a three-game winning streak. Dallas have a 35-38 record – good for 11th in the West.
Dallas’ two-game unbeaten run was snapped by New York last night, as they didn’t have Anthony Davis (groin), who returned from an 18-game absence against the Nets. The Brow has been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s match, per the NBA 2025 updates.
Naji Marshall went off against the Knicks in the losing effort, dropping 38 points and seven rebounds on 17-for-25 shooting from the field. Brandon Williams, Jaden Hardy, and Spencer Dinwiddie added 22, 15, and 13 points.
The Magic have the same record as the Mavericks but are eighth in the Eastern Conference. They are fresh from a 111-104 victory over the Hornets last Tuesday.
Paolo Banchero led all scorers with 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists on 13-for-24 shooting from the field. He has scored at least 30 points in six of his past seven appearances. Franz Wagner, Anthony Black, and Caleb Houstan added 26, 20, and 12 points.
Orlando lost their first meeting against Dallas last November, but the circumstances were different back then. The Magic didn’t have Paolo Banchero due to an oblique injury, while Luka Doncic was still with the Mavericks.
Betting tip – Orlando Magic Asian Handicap -7.00 @ 2.00
Los Angeles Lakers @ Chicago Bulls
The Bulls won 146-115 against the Lakers in their first meeting this season last Saturday. Chicago followed it up with a 129-119 win over Denver last Monday. White had 37 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and five three-pointers on 11-for-22 shooting from the field and 10-for-11 from the free throw line. Josh Giddey, Julian Phillips, Jalen Smith, Nikola Vucevic, and Matas Buzelis added 26, 14, 14, 13, and 10 points.
After the Bulls defeat, the Lakers lost to the Magic but eventually bounced back against the Pacers a while ago, as LeBron James scored the winning tip-in at the final buzzer.
Luka Doncic had 34 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and six three-pointers on 11-for-21 shooting from the field. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes, and Dorian Finney-Smith added 24, 14, 13, 13, and 11 points.
Betting tip – Los Angeles Lakers Asian Handicap -3.50 @ 1.83
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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