Nine games are on Friday’s schedule, and Prime Video has the national doubleheader. LeBron James and the Sixers visit James Harden’s Cavaliers in Cleveland, and the Lakers host Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers in the late game.
🏀 Game of the Day: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 PM ET | Prime Video
Two of the East’s strongest teams meet at Rocket Arena. LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey have Philadelphia near the top of the conference early in the season.
Cleveland answers with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, plus young wing Jaylon Tyson. The Cavs will try to use their size inside to slow down Embiid and control the boards.
Prediction: Cleveland’s guards make the late plays and the Cavs win at home.
Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets
7:00 PM ET | NBC Sports Boston | Local TV
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics visit Spectrum Center, where Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller lead the Hornets.
Prediction: Boston wins on the road.
Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks
7:00 PM ET | Atlanta News First | Monumental
Dyson Daniels and the Hawks host the Wizards and young wing Will Riley at State Farm Arena.
Prediction: Atlanta wins at home.
Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks
8:00 PM ET | KFAA | MavsTV | KJZZ
Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks host Keyonte George and the young Jazz at American Airlines Center.
Prediction: Dallas wins behind Flagg.
Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
8:00 PM ET | Bucks+ | Sportsnet
RJ Barrett and the Raptors visit Fiserv Forum to face Kevin Porter Jr. and the Bucks.
Prediction: Toronto wins a close road game.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans
8:00 PM ET | GCSEN | DAZN MIN
Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves visit Smoothie King Center, where Saddiq Bey and the Pelicans try to pull off a home upset.
Prediction: Minnesota wins on the road.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
8:00 PM ET | DAZN MEM | Thunder+
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder visit FedExForum to face Cameron Boozer and the young Grizzlies.
Prediction: SGA leads Oklahoma City to a road win.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings
10:00 PM ET | NBC Sports California | DAZN SAS
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs start a West Coast trip at Golden 1 Center against Maxime Raynaud and the Kings.
Prediction: Wembanyama dominates the paint and San Antonio wins.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
10:00 PM ET | Prime Video
The second game of Prime Video’s doubleheader. Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija lead Portland into Crypto.com Arena for the second meeting between the teams this season.
Prediction: The Lakers win a close game at home.
Game Context Overview
Friday has a nine-game slate from 7:00 PM to past midnight ET. Sixers-Cavaliers is the headline game on Prime Video, and Wembanyama in Sacramento and Blazers-Lakers close the night on the West Coast.