Boston can build a lead with White and George moving the ball, but Milwaukee has separate scorers to answer a run. Memphis can use Jerome, Boozer and Spencer to test Indiana's thin guard rotation, while the Pacers have returning creation in Nembhard and Siakam. Houston's inside passing meets a Minnesota group that has found a second carrier and a stronger rebounding anchor. Each game turns on whether the first defensive stop is completed and followed by another usable shot.
Tatum is out for Boston after playing its last game, and Pritchard is questionable after playing it. George and White still give the Celtics strong creation, while Herro and Jaquez have shown Milwaukee can answer from the perimeter and the paint. Boston's late field-goal drought against Houston and Milwaukee's separate scoring routes make me side with the Bucks to stay in range.
Indiana should regain Nembhard and Siakam after they missed Atlanta, but their last shared game against Brooklyn produced few transition points. Zubac remains questionable after missing five games, and the Pacers still lack Haliburton and McConnell. Jerome can start Memphis's attack, with Boozer and Spencer extending it when Indiana checks the first action. Memphis has already shown a late Jerome answer after a rally, so I'm siding with the Grizzlies.
Houston can feed Şengün and find Durant or Smith beyond him, but its Boston margin also came from turnovers and a cold opposing perimeter. Gobert returned for Minnesota's last game, where Ball and Dosunmu created separately and kept the ball secure. Edwards and DiVincenzo missed that game and remain out; Houston's reserve centers Adams and Capela also missed its last game and remain out. Minnesota can secure more rebounds and send a second creator into the next possession, so I'm siding with the Timberwolves to stay in range.
