International Cup of Champions

The Grizzlies are 3-20 against sides with winning records, a run which continued with their 118-111 loss to the Magic in Berlin on Thursday. Memphis have covered the spread in only five of 14 games in which they’ve been the underdog away from home, while the Grizzlies injury issues and off-court drama should work against them.

The Rockets look to be back in their scoring groove, which has them slated as heavy favourites against the Pelicans. The Pels have dropped three of their last four games, but they’ve scored at least 116 points in their last five outings. The Pelicans recorded a 133-128 win over the Rockets last month, and they’ve seen the over land at the sixth-highest rate of any NBA team this season.

Charlotte continue their West Coast trip, and they’re now 4-9 for the season against the opposing conference. The Nuggets are thriving despite losing MVP Nikola Jokic. Denver are 7-3 since Jokic got injured, winning each of their last four games. Charlotte are 8-15 on the road and 6-16 against teams with winning records, so back the Nuggets to continue to impress.

The Kings have made the most of their homestand, winning four straight games. However, the Trail Blazers have won seven of their previous nine, including a 16-point victory over the Lakers on Saturday. Portland have one of the league’s best records in the second-night of back-to-backs, winning five of seven games. The Kings are 5-6 this season with a rest advantage, so the visitors are well-placed to snap the Kings winning streak.

The Lakers injury issues look set to ease ahead of this matchup, while the Raptors are set to be without three starters and some key bench players as they start a West Coast swing. Luka Doncic is expected to return after sitting on Saturday, and the Lakers won 123-120 in Toronto without their star guard earlier this season. The Raptors are 3-6 against the West so far, while the Lakers have a winning record against the East.

Charlotte continue their West Coast trip, and they’re now 4-9 for the season against the opposing conference. The Nuggets are thriving despite losing MVP Nikola Jokic. Denver are 7-3 since Jokic got injured, winning each of their last four games. Charlotte are 8-15 on the road and 6-16 against teams with winning records, so back the Nuggets to continue to impress.

The Lakers injury issues look set to ease ahead of this matchup, while the Raptors are set to be without three starters and some key bench players as they start a West Coast swing. Luka Doncic is expected to return after sitting on Saturday, and the Lakers won 123-120 in Toronto without their star guard earlier this season. The Raptors are 3-6 against the West so far, while the Lakers have a winning record against the East.