Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Saturday, January 24.
New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers, 7:05PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers signed Elton Brand to a five-year deal in July to help turn around the fortunes of a struggling franchise. But while he's been sidelined the past 16 games with a dislocated right shoulder, they've started to figure things out without their $80 million man.
On Saturday night, though, it appears Philadelphia will have to find a way to fit the Brand back into the rotation as it goes for a ninth straight home win over the New York Knicks.
Philadelphia (20-21) plays its first game since Monday's 95-93 loss to Dallas in which Dirk Nowitzki hit a turnaround over Reggie Evans as time expired, snapping the 76ers' seven-game winning streak.
New York's last win in Philadelphia was 113-107 in overtime on Dec. 17, 2004.
NBA Free Pick: Philadelphia – Best Line: -7.5 Sports Interaction
Sacramento Kings at Milwaukee Bucks, 8:35PM ET
The Sacramento Kings' play against opponents from the Eastern Conference has contributed to their struggles this season. A trip to Milwaukee could possibly change their fortunes.
The Kings look to avoid their fourth consecutive loss overall while trying to continue their recent road success against the Bucks on Saturday night.
Milwaukee (21-25) won 129-122 at Sacramento on Jan. 16 to begin the Kings' losing skid. Their most recent defeat came 110-107 at home to lowly Washington on Wednesday, dropping them to 0-16 against teams from the East in 2008-09.
Sacramento (10-33) has lost 17 in a row against opponents from that conference after a 106-100 victory over Toronto on March 16.
Milwaukee assistant coach Lionel Hollins was not on the bench against Atlanta, and is likely to replace the fired Marc Iavaroni as head coach in Memphis.
NBA Free Pick: Milwaukee – Best Line: -8 Sports Interaction
Cleveland Cavailers at Utah Jazz, 9:05PM ET
While the Cleveland Cavaliers' home winning streak has gotten most of the publicity this season, the Utah Jazz have quietly built a lengthy string of home victories despite a multitude of injuries.
Utah (25-18) seeks its eighth straight win at EnergySolutions Arena on Saturday against the Cavaliers (33-8), who hope to end their four-game Western road trip with three consecutive victories.
Already missing Carlos Boozer to knee surgery, the Jazz, who have a 17-4 home mark, might not have Andrei Kirilenko for Saturday.
Kirilenko left Utah's previous home game, a 112-107 win Tuesday over Minnesota, with a sore right ankle and sat out a 108-99 loss the next night at Houston.
Cleveland has won two straight over Utah and nine of the last 12 meetings.
NBA Free Pick: Cleveland – Best Line: +2.5 Sports Interaction