NBA February 6, 2026

This is a battle between two teams that have fallen far short of preseason expectations, and the numbers tell a bleak story for both sides. The Bucks at 20-29 are a complete disaster without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains out indefinitely with a right calf strain that has sapped whatever remaining playoff hopes Milwaukee harbored. Add in the absences of Gary Harris (hamstring), Bobby Portis (hip), and Taurean Prince (neck), and you're looking at a roster that barely resembles the one that opened the season with title aspirations.

Indiana at 13-38 is dead last in the Eastern Conference and has been in full rebuild mode since trading key pieces. But Pascal Siakam has been quietly putting together a strong individual season at 23.8 points per game on 48.5% shooting, and Andrew Nembhard has stepped into an expanded role beautifully, averaging 17.3 points and 7.5 assists. The Pacers have genuine playmakers even if the overall roster doesn't translate to wins. In their last ten games, Indiana is 4-6, which is actually better than Milwaukee's 3-7 mark over the same stretch.

The near-pickem spread tells the story. The Bucks are home, but they're a shell of themselves. Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. both average 16.8 points per game, but neither carries the defensive gravity or playmaking ability that Giannis provides. Milwaukee has the 2-0 season series edge against Indiana, and the Bucks have been averaging 14.8 made three-pointers per game compared to the 11.4 the Pacers allow, which is a significant gap. But this feels like a true coin-flip game between two teams that are going through the motions of a lost season.

Minnesota's offensive balance has been lethal this season, and they get to showcase it against a Pelicans team that's been one of the worst road clubs in the league. The Timberwolves at 32-20 boast the kind of four-headed scoring monster that keeps opposing coaches up at night: Anthony Edwards leading the charge, Julius Randle pouring in 22.1 points and 5.4 assists per game, Jaden McDaniels shooting a blistering 52.2% from the floor while averaging 15.2 points, and Naz Reid providing 14.6 per game off the bench. That's four players averaging double figures with legitimate scoring gravity, and it makes this offense incredibly difficult to key on defensively.

New Orleans at 13-40 is in freefall, losers of four straight on the road and sporting a ghastly 5-21 away record. Trey Murphy III has been a revelation, dropping 44 points in the Pelicans' overtime loss to Milwaukee on Thursday, and Zion Williamson still possesses the rare physical gifts that make him a matchup nightmare in the paint. But after Murphy and Zion, the production drops off a cliff. The Pelicans simply don't have the depth or defensive cohesion to hang with a team as talented and deep as Minnesota, especially on the road.

The 9.5-point spread is large but justified when you look at the full picture. Minnesota is 119.6 points per game strong offensively, and their home court has been a fortress this season. The 236.5 total is the highest on the board tonight, reflecting both teams' offensive tendencies and the Pelicans' porous defense that allows opponents to score at will. New Orleans will try to push pace and create transition opportunities, but Minnesota's half-court defense has been disciplined enough to prevent easy looks even when opponents try to run. This has blowout potential written all over it.

Portland at 23-28 is on a brutal six-game losing streak, but tonight could mark the turning point their fans have been waiting for. Scoot Henderson, the third-year point guard who tore his left hamstring before the season and has yet to play a single minute this year, is expected to make his long-awaited season debut. Henderson's return injects a jolt of athleticism, speed, and playmaking into a backcourt that desperately needs it. Paired with Deni Avdija, who has been spectacular this season at 25.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, Portland has the kind of young core that can generate offense in bunches when healthy.

Memphis at 20-29 has been gutted. The Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in a massive eight-player deal earlier this week, receiving Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton Jr., and Georges Niang in return. That's a clear signal that Memphis is punting on this season and looking toward the future. Ja Morant remains out with an elbow injury, meaning the two pillars of Memphis' roster for the past four years are both gone from the active lineup. Ty Jerome has been a bright spot, dropping 28 points in the Grizzlies' last game, but one player can't compensate for losing this much talent.

The 8.5-point spread might raise eyebrows given Portland's losing streak, but the talent disparity explains it all. Shaedon Sharpe is averaging 21.8 points per game and has emerged as a legitimate scoring weapon, while the Grizzlies are trotting out a roster that would look more at home in the G League. Both teams average 115.3 points per game, which pushes this toward an up-tempo affair that should produce plenty of scoring. The 232.5 total is the second-highest on the board, and with Memphis lacking the defensive personnel to slow anyone down, points should come easy for Portland. The Henderson debut adds an emotional element that could energize the Moda Center crowd in ways the final score might not fully capture.

The Sacramento Kings' fall from grace has been one of the most stunning collapses in recent NBA history. At 12-40, they're dead last in the Western Conference, losers of ten straight, and a team that looks nothing like the exciting, beam-team squad that captured hearts just a couple of seasons ago. Trading De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs last February gutted the roster's identity, and while Zach LaVine was acquired in that three-team deal, the fit has been atrocious. LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are both talented scorers, but neither is the kind of point-of-attack defender or playmaker who can replace what Fox brought every night. With Keegan Murray out and Domantas Sabonis questionable, the Kings are running on fumes.

The Clippers at 23-27 aren't exactly world-beaters themselves, but Kawhi Leonard has been magnificent when healthy. Leonard is averaging 27.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, playing with the kind of consistent effort and engagement that's been rare in recent seasons. The problem for LA is their own injury report: Bradley Beal, Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and Darius Garland are all out, which strips this roster of significant depth. The Clippers got blown out 124-91 by Cleveland in their last game, so this is hardly a team brimming with confidence right now.

The 3.5-point spread is modest, reflecting the fact that both teams are dealing with serious health issues. When these two met on December 31, the Clippers cruised to a 131-90 demolition, but that game feels like a different era given the injury situations on both sides. The 222.5 total is the joint-lowest on the board, and both teams have been inconsistent offensively this season. Sacramento's home crowd has been understandably restless during this ten-game skid, and the atmosphere at Golden 1 Center hasn't had the energy it once did. If Leonard plays to his standard, the Clippers should handle this, but with so many bodies missing on both sides, this late-night West Coast game has all the makings of a sloppy, unpredictable affair.