Five games are on Saturday, and several teams are on the second night of a back-to-back after Friday’s NBA Cup action. NBA TV carries the only national game: Cade Cunningham’s Pistons at the Heat in Miami.
🏀 Game of the Day: Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat
8:00 PM ET | NBA TV | WPLG Local 10 | TV20 Detroit
The best combined record on the slate is at Kaseya Center. Detroit is one of the hottest teams in the East, and Cade Cunningham is coming off a 52-point night in a double-overtime win at Washington.
Miami plays the second night of a back-to-back after its Cup game against Cleveland. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Klay Thompson will try to slow down Cunningham with tired legs.
Prediction: Detroit takes advantage of the back-to-back and wins on the road.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
7:00 PM ET | Altitude | GCSEN
Nikola Jokić and the 6-4 Nuggets visit the 4-9 Pelicans and young center Derik Queen at Smoothie King Center. New Orleans is on the second night of a back-to-back.
Prediction: Denver wins comfortably.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 PM ET | KFAA | MavsTV | DAZN CLE
Cooper Flagg and the 7-5 Mavericks visit Evan Mobley and the 6-7 Cavaliers, who are back home after Friday’s Cup game in Miami.
Prediction: Dallas wins against a tired Cleveland team.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
8:00 PM ET | DAZN MEM | YES Network
Egor Demin and the Nets visit Jaylen Wells and the Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Prediction: Memphis wins at home.
Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
8:00 PM ET | DAZN MIN | Chicago Sports Network
Josh Giddey and the Bulls visit Target Center to face a Timberwolves team that has been rolling at home.
Prediction: Minnesota wins easily.
Game Context Overview
Saturday has a short five-game slate, with Pistons-Heat on NBA TV as the headliner. Back-to-backs are the theme: Miami, Cleveland, New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago all played on Friday.