Decimated By Injuries Injuries have already decimated the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, are about to find out if they can overcome the loss of Kevin Martin. The injury-riddled Clippers look to avoid matching their longest losing streak in nearly two years Friday night when they visit a Kings team that will be without its top scorer for at least four weeks.
Author: Anthony Rome
Frustrating Homecoming When the season started, the Hornets were excited about playing all of their home games in New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina forced them to relocate to Oklahoma City for most of the last two seasons. So far, however, it’s been a frustrating homecoming. The Hornets look to end their struggles in New Orleans when they host the Southwest Division rival Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
Feeling Pretty Good Fresh off a 4-1 western road swing, the Orlando Magic are feeling pretty good about themselves as they head into a game with the Indiana Pacers. They felt similarly one year ago – right before their fast start hit a major skid. Orlando (16-4) looks for its seventh win in eight games as it returns home to face the Pacers on Friday night in a matchup of the top scoring clubs in the Eastern Conference.
Opposite Directions Before this season began, the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls were both expected to contend for the Central Division crown and Eastern Conference supremacy. Only one of them is making it happen. The Central-leading Pistons look to extend their season-high winning steak to six games and avenge an earlier loss to the last-place Bulls when they meet Friday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Ducks Head to Chicago Just hearing Scott Niedermayer would be returning provided a lift for the Anaheim Ducks. The reigning Stanley Cup champions begin a three-game road trip Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks knowing that when they return home, Niedermayer will be there waiting for them.
Wings Streaking Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk tied a season high with two goals in his last game. He has only two total goals in 18 career contests against the Minnesota Wild. With the league-leading Red Wings riding a four-game winning streak, Datsyuk looks to match the longest goal-scoring run of his career when Detroit and Minnesota face each other for the first time this season Friday night.
In Control of The South The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a big lift from their backup quarterback last week to take control of the NFC South. This week, Bucs coach Jon Gruden hopes his starting quarterback can help Tampa Bay clinch it. The surging Bucs look to win their fifth straight game and secure their second NFC South title in three years when they visit the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Heat Skidding The Miami Heat hoped Dwyane Wade’s return would mark the 2006 NBA champions’ return to glory. So far, it hasn’t gotten them very far. Wade and the Heat look to snap a three-game losing streak on Thursday when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers.
Starting to Show Life The Atlanta Hawks have been in rebuilding mode for nine years, but they’re finally starting to show some life. It seems the Minnesota Timberwolves might have a long wait ahead of them, as well. In the midst of a three-game homestand, the Hawks look to win their fourth straight against the lowly Timberwolves when the teams conclude their season series Thursday night.
Slim Hopes After climbing to the top of the AFC West just three weeks ago, the Denver Broncos are teetering on the brink of playoff elimination. The Broncos look to keep their slim division title hopes alive and continue their home dominance over the slumping Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Invesco Field.