An eight-game slate makes up the NBA's schedule for Friday night.
One of the evening's best battles is set to occur in Miami where two playoff teams in the Eastern Conference will go head-to-head when the Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks. Entering the matchup, the Bucks have control of the top seed in the conference, while the Heat sit in the eight spot. Thus, if things hold, the two teams would be facing off against each other in a 1 vs. 8 first-round matchup. The teams have split their two meetings on the season so far.
Elsewhere, the Clippers will host the lottery-bound Chicago Bulls at the Staples Center. The game doesn't have much significance for the Bulls, who are well outside of the playoff picture in the East, but for the Clippers it is extremely important, as they look to hold onto the final playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Also, the Lakers visit Detroit to take on the Pistons. Since it's the second night of a back-to-back for L.A., LeBron James will be held out due to "load management."
NBA schedule for Friday, March 15
*All times Eastern
Blake tricks Lakers with handle
The Lakers thought this was a pass ... and well, it wasn't. Blake Griffin managed to trick the Lakers defenders with his handle before nailing the 3-point attempt.
Embiid with no regard for human life
Joel Embiid talks a lot of trash, but he does back it up from time to time. He did so on this dunk highlight over the Kings' Bogdan Bogdanovic.
AD out versus Blazers
It appears the Pelicans will rest Anthony Davis yet again. As the Pelicans prepare for a home matchup versus the Blazers, the All-Star big man will sit out tonight's game. The last time Davis sat out a game was versus the Toronto Raptors last Friday night.
New Orleans star Anthony Davis will rest tonight against Portland.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 15, 2019
LeBron James won't play vs. Pistons
Fans in Detroit who were hoping to see Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James play in person on Friday night will be disappointed, as James has been ruled out of the contest for "load management." James has seen his playing time decrease since the Lakers fell well outside of the playoff picture in the West, and as the Lakers played in Toronto last night, the team decided to give James the night off on Friday.
