It's been absolute chaos in the NBA in recent days, with the trade period reaching its climax.
The stunning news that Tobias Harris left LA for Philly means that the Clippers have to find an extra gear when they take on the Pacers.
Both the Timberwolves and Magic are looking to bounce back for a much needed win when they face off in Florida.
And then the match that is riddled with storylines, as the Celtics welcome an embarrassed Lakers side to chilly Boston.
Los Angeles Clippers @ Indiana Pacers
NBA Odds: Clippers $2.79 (+5.0) / Pacers $1.47 (-5.0)
Clippers fans must be in disarray.
Currently in eighth spot on the Western Conference table, the LA side produced a clutch 2-point win against the Hornets last time out.
Tobias Harris was immense, finishing with 34 points, 7 boards and 5 assists.
The Clippers' star man also made the match-winning basket with less than five seconds on the clock.
In a shock move, this proved to be Harris's last basket for the Clippers, as he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers not long after the game.
While the LA franchise did receive several draft picks in return, they won't help the Clippers' chances of holding onto a playoffs spot this campaign.
This will be their first game without Harris, and it's going to be a tough ask.
Especially as an injury cloud hangs over the Clippers' second top scorer after Harris, Danilo Gallinari.
However, it's not all bad news for Clippers fans. Their team have won 4 of their previous 5 road games.
Another strong performance on the road and they'll be asking "Tobias who?"
The Pacers have personnel problems of their own, with their star player Victor Oladipo out for the season with a serious knee injury.
After that injury the team from Indiana went on a four-game slide.
But since then, the Pacers are back on track, having won three on the bounce.
This was capped of last time by a mammoth 42-point win over the Lakers.
Indiana's younger generation stood up in this game.
Not only did the Pacers have five players score 17 points or more, but four of them were aged 23 or younger.
This young, confident group will be looking to add to the Clippers' woes here.
Key NBA Stat
The Pacers have won 4 of their previous 5 NBA home matches: Indiana to win @ $1.47
Free NBA Pick: Indiana to cover the -5.0 point line @ $1.92
Reasoning: As we saw when the Pacers lost Oladipo, it will take a few games before the Clippers can adjust to playing without Harris.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Orlando Magic
NBA Odds: T-Wolves $2.10 (+2.0) / Magic $1.77 (-2.0)
This interesting fixture pits two teams desperately needing the win up against each other.
Both the Magic and the Timberwolves sit in similar spots on their respective ladders, a few wins outside the top eight.
While there are still plenty of NBA regular season fixtures remaining, this is the type of game that both teams need to win if they have any hope of making the playoffs.
Another interesting aspect to this fixture is the match-up of skilled big men.
Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota and Nikola Vucevic from Orlando are among the most talented centres in the league.
However, there have been rumours circulating of the Magic wanting to trade Vucevic before the deadline on Thursday afternoon U.S. time.
While it would be a surprise if Vucevic is traded, make sure that if you want to place bet on the Magic, that he's playing.
That's because even though Orlando have plenty of other talented players including Aaron Gordon, Minnesota are too strong all over the court for a team without Vucevic.
One player who will need to have a good game for the visitors is Andrew Wiggins.
Wiggins, a former number 1 draft pick, continues to be one of the most frustrating players in the NBA.
His game is built on confidence, and when he's lacking that, his shooting falls to pieces.
In his previous three games, Wiggins is shooting from the floor at a horrendous 30%.
This is a big drop from his season average which is around 40%.
The T-Wolves tasted defeat in two of these three matches by a margin of 2 points or less. If Wiggins made just a few more of his shots, then there's no doubt that Minnesota would've won.
Unless he starts out well, expect Wiggins to continue firing blanks.
Key NBA Stat
The past 4 match-ups between these sides has been won by the home team: Orlando to win @ $1.77
Free NBA Pick: Orlando to win @ $1.77
Reasoning: If Vucevic plays, he will contain Towns and possibly even outscore him.
With Wiggins misfiring, and Minnesota's Jeff Teague still out with injury, the home team should have just enough in them to get over the line.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics
NBA Odds: Lakers $3.48 (+7.0) / Celtics $1.33 (-7.0)
This game comes with a massive "watch this space."
Not only will it be fascinating on the court, but by the time this game tips off, there will be big news off the court.
That's because New Orleans' Anthony Davis, one of the contenders for this season's MVP, and without doubt the league's most talented power forward, has stated that he wants out of the Pelicans.
The Lakers and Celtics are the only two teams expected to have enough bargaining power to land Davis before the trade deadline.
Therefore, one of these two teams could be lining up with a radically different team, if a last-minute deal does go through.
However, for the purposes of this preview, it will be assumed that both teams will line up as they have done all season.
The good news for the Lakers is that LeBron James will start.
James had a solid game last time out with 18 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.
His teammates didn't follow suit though, with the Lakers getting absolutely hammered by the Pacers, in an embarrassing 42-point loss.
The Celtics are formidable opponents at the best of times. If LA dish up another performance like that, it could even be a 50-point loss.
But with LeBron in the side, you wouldn't bank on it.
The greatest player of his generation is sure to respond after that crushing defeat. The question is whether he can get his fellow Lakers to come with him.
Boston have won five on the bounce as they start to gain momentum in the run-in to playoffs.
Kyrie Irving's form has picked up, but a hip niggle kept him out of Boston's most recent win.
He is another player you will need to keep your eye on, as there is no guarantee he will start here.
All things being equal, the Celtics should win handsomely.
Key NBA Stat
The Celtics have won 13 of their previous 14 home matches: Boston to win @ $1.33
Free NBA Pick: No bet.
Reasoning: There are too many question marks over the potential line-ups.
If you did have to pick someone, you'd stick with the Celtics and their phenomenal home record.
Feb 07, 2019 07:01 PM
AAP
Key NBA Stat
Free NBA Pick: Indiana to cover the -5.0 point line @ $1.92 
