Wednesday is a busy 12-game night with an ESPN doubleheader. LeBron James and the Sixers visit Indiana, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces Cooper Flagg in Dallas, and the Lakers and Clippers close the night at Intuit Dome.
🏀 Game of the Day: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
9:30 PM ET | ESPN
The second game of ESPN’s doubleheader pairs the two-time reigning MVP with one of the league’s most exciting young players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads a Thunder team that is still adjusting without Jalen Williams.
Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks host at American Airlines Center. Dallas will try to speed up the game and use its home crowd to test Oklahoma City’s depth.
Prediction: SGA makes the big plays late and the Thunder win on the road.
Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks
7:00 PM ET | Atlanta News First | Local TV
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat visit State Farm Arena in a Southeast Division game against Kingston Flemings and the Hawks.
Prediction: Miami’s frontcourt wins on the road.
Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
7:00 PM ET | DAZN CLE | Monumental
Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley host Washington’s young roster at Rocket Arena.
Prediction: Cleveland wins comfortably.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Detroit Pistons
7:00 PM ET | TV20 Detroit | Local TV
Detroit plays the second night of a back-to-back after visiting the Knicks. Cade Cunningham hosts Brandon Miller and the Hornets at Little Caesars Arena.
Prediction: Detroit grinds out a home win.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers
7:00 PM ET | ESPN
The first game of ESPN’s doubleheader. LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers like to push the pace.
Prediction: Indiana’s speed beats the Sixers’ star power at home.
Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors
7:30 PM ET | Sportsnet | Local TV
The first of two Magic-Raptors games in Toronto this week. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner face Scottie Barnes at Scotiabank Arena.
Prediction: Orlando’s defense wins a low-scoring game.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
8:00 PM ET | GCSEN | Altitude
Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets visit Smoothie King Center to face Trey Murphy III and the Pelicans.
Prediction: Denver wins on the road.
New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls
8:00 PM ET | MSG | Chicago Sports Network
The Knicks play on the second night of a back-to-back after hosting Detroit. Rookie Caleb Wilson and the Bulls host at the United Center.
Prediction: Chicago takes advantage of a tired Knicks team.
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
8:00 PM ET | DAZN MIN | NBC Sports Bay Area
Stephen Curry visits Target Center to face Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball in a high-scoring guard matchup.
Prediction: Minnesota wins a shootout at home.
Houston Rockets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
8:00 PM ET | Bucks+ | Space City Home Network
Kevin Durant and the Rockets visit Fiserv Forum. Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware need to handle Houston’s size inside.
Prediction: Houston wins on the road.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
9:00 PM ET | KJZZ | Jazz+ | DAZN SAS
The Spurs play on the second night of a back-to-back after hosting Sacramento. Victor Wembanyama faces No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson at Delta Center.
Prediction: San Antonio wins despite the tired legs.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. LA Clippers
10:30 PM ET | KTLA | Spectrum SportsNet
The second Battle of Los Angeles in less than a week, this time at Intuit Dome. Luka Dončić and the Lakers are on a back-to-back after hosting Portland, while Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler host.
Prediction: The Clippers win at home against a tired Lakers team.
Game Context Overview
Wednesday has 12 games and several back-to-backs: the Knicks, Pistons, Spurs and Lakers all played on Tuesday. The ESPN doubleheader with Sixers-Pacers and Thunder-Mavericks leads a full night that ends with the Lakers and Clippers.