Tonight's NBA Games

The 76ers' nightmare season continues. Philly is 12-17 and dealing with the same injury issues that have plagued them for years. Joel Embiid has barely played, Tyrese Maxey is carrying an unfair burden, and the supporting cast isn't built to compete without their stars healthy. They just got torched by Toronto 129-104, and the body language was brutal. Something is seriously wrong in Philadelphia.

Memphis is in a similar boat at 15-17, but they've at least got their young star healthy. Ja Morant is back and looking explosive, averaging 23.5 points and 8.3 assists. The Grizzlies have been inconsistent - they beat the Timberwolves 116-110 before the break but have dropped too many games they should win. Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to anchor the defense when engaged, but the team's identity is still a work in progress.

I'll The home are worth watching team laying the points here. The Grizzlies are 9-5 at FedExForum, and Ja thrives in front of that raucous crowd. Philly's defense has been atrocious on the road, allowing 117 points per game away from home. Memphis should control the tempo, attack in transition, and pull away in the second half. The 6.5 points is reasonable - The Grizzlies could cover.

Boston's quest to repeat as champions continues on the road in Salt Lake City. The Celtics are 19-12 and playing solid if unspectacular basketball. The Jayson Tatum Achilles injury was devastating, but Jaylen Brown has stepped up magnificently, averaging 28.4 points since Tatum went down. Derrick White and Marcus Smart continue to be elite defenders, and the system still works - Boston just lacks the firepower they had last year.

Utah is in full tank mode at 8-20, and honestly, that's the right approach for this roster. Lauri Markkanen has been the lone bright spot, putting up 24.3 points with elite efficiency. But there's no defense, no depth, and no reason to believe they can compete with contenders. The Jazz are 3-12 at home - Delta Center has been far from hostile territory this season.

Look, Boston should cruise here. The Celtics are too disciplined, too well-coached, and too talented for a rebuilding Jazz team. The 11.5-point spread feels about right - Boston has covered in 6 of their last 8 road games against bad teams. Utah will get their points through Markkanen, but they won't have an answer for Brown's scoring or Boston's half-court execution. The Celtics could expect a comfortable win.

This might be the most fascinating game of the night. The Detroit Pistons are 24-7 - let me say that again, the DETROIT PISTONS are 24-7. After setting the record for futility with a 28-game losing streak two years ago, this team has completely transformed. Cade Cunningham has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate, averaging 24.1 points and 9.2 assists. The defense is elite, ranking 4th in the league. This isn't a fluke - Detroit is for real.

The Lakers are having a solid season at 19-10, but they're still figuring things out. LeBron James continues to defy Father Time at 40 years old, and Anthony Davis has been dominant when healthy. But the supporting cast is inconsistent, and the defense has been vulnerable against elite offenses. JJ Redick's first year as coach has been a learning experience - the Lakers are good but not great.

This is a statement game for both teams, but I'm leaning Detroit. The Pistons are the better team right now by the numbers - better net rating, better defense, better roster depth. Cade Cunningham is playing at an All-NBA level, and Jaden Ivey has become a legitimate second option. The Lakers will have the home crowd, but Detroit has been elite on the road at 12-3. The Pistons are worth watching - they're legit, and they know it.

A battle of California teams closes out the night at the Intuit Dome. The Kings have been frustrating to watch - they're 14-18 despite having one of the most talented backcourts in the league. De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are both putting up numbers, but the defense has been a disaster. Sacramento ranks 28th in defensive rating, and that's simply not sustainable. They've lost 5 of their last 8 and look lost.

The Clippers are hovering at .500 without their star. Kawhi Leonard remains sidelined indefinitely, and the Kawhi-less Clippers are fighting for their playoff lives. James Harden has been solid (19.4 points, 8.6 assists), and the role players have stepped up admirably. Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac have been excellent, and the team defense has kept them competitive. But there's only so much you can do without your best player.

This is a coinflip game, and I'll The Kings are worth watching laying the points. Sacramento has more firepower, and Fox has been on a tear lately with 28 points per game over his last 10. The Clippers' depth is being tested, and they're simply outmanned in the backcourt. Take Sacramento to win by a possession or two - Fox will be the best player on the floor, and that usually matters in close games.