One of the key moves for the Dallas Mavericks this year was bringing in defensive-minded center Tyson Chandler. Even though Chandler has been a bust throughout most of his career in the NBA, the center came into his own this season with the Mavs and become a pivotal piece to the championship puzzle in Dallas.

With Chandler’s lockdown defense and presence in the locker room, the Mavs’ center became one of the most popular players in Dallas and many people are hoping he will be back for at least one more season. Now that Chandler is a free agent and available to the highest bidder, there will almost certainly be teams around the league ready to retain his services, but he definitely wants to stay with his current squad.

Even though there will be a few teams interested in signing Tyson Chandler this summer, the Dallas Mavericks will need the passionate back in the paint next season if they intend on repeating as NBA champions. Chandler is the perfect big man for this team as he concentrates on defense and can be a threat on offense, especially when Jason Kidd has the basketball.

So in my opinion, the Dallas Mavericks will make it a priority to re-sign Tyson Chandler before next season, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see another team come in and give him a lucrative offer for one or two years.

Time: 6:00 pm EST

Preview: Two teams hanging on for their postseason lives will get together at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday. The Utah Jazz will take on the Houston Rockets. Bet on the game at Bookmaker.com

Utah and Houston are 9th and 10th in the Western Conference race respectively. The Jazz have won two straight games, while Houston is on a three game winning streak. Utah is 1 game behind Memphis for that final spot, while the Rockets are 1.5 games.

The Jazz are coming off a 15 point win over Minnesota on Wednesday, behind 40 points from D.J. Miles. The Jazz are scoring 100.3 points per game, while they rank second in the league in assists, with 23.8 per game. Utah is in jeopardy of finishing the season with their worst record in the past 10 seasons.

For Houston, their surprise win over Boston propelled them into postseason talk. In the win over the Celtics, Kevin Martin scored 25 points. Martin leads the team in scoring; with around 22.8 points per game. The Rockets are the third highest scoring team in the country with 105.4 points per game. Houston needs to finish 6-6 to tie their win total from a season ago.

Our prediction for this game: Houston wins a big game at home. Rockets win 97-94.

Time: 3:30 pm EST

Preview: The Orlando Magic will take on the Phoenix Suns out in the desert on Sunday. The Magic come in as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference postseason chase. Orlando is 3.5 games ahead of fifth seeded Atlanta; a divisional foe. The Magic are 6-4 in their last 10 overall games. We bet on Phoenix to win this game.

The Magic are 17-14 when playing on the road, while going just 14-13 against the Western Conference. Dwight Howard has been the man this season for the Magic, scoring 22.8 points and grabbing 14 rebounds per game.

The Magic lost in overtime on Friday night at Golden State. For Phoenix, they continue to make a run towards the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Currently they are in a mix with Utah and Houston, all chasing the 8th seeded Memphis.

The Suns are led by Jason Richardson and his 19.3 points per game. The Suns are the 4th best scoring team in the league, scoring 105.3 points per game. On Thursday the Suns lost to Denver to end their winning streak.

Prediction for this game: Orlando goes on the road and plays well, but not enough for a win. Phoenix wins in overtime 111-108.

Time: 6:00 pm EST

Preview: The Milwaukee Bucks have made a run towards the 8th position in the Eastern Conference with their two game winning streak. The Bucks are just a game behind both Charlotte and Indiana. However, we are betting on Celtics to win.

Milwaukee will take on the tough Boston Celtics on Sunday. The Bucks have been horrible on the road this season, winning just 9 of 31 games. Milwaukee, when playing against Eastern Conference foes have won 17 of 35 games. The Bucks are led in scoring by Brandon Jennings and his 16 points per game. Andrew Bogut is the top rebounder for Milwaukee, as he is ripping down more than 11 rebounds per game.

The Bucks went 46-36 last season, so this year has been a disappointment. For Boston, their two game losing streak has them just ½ game ahead of the Chicago Bulls for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics are good at home, winning 27 of 33 games, while also winning 30 of 38 games against Eastern Conference foes. The Celtics are led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. Pierce is scoring 19 points per game, Kevin is grabbing 9.2 rebounds per game, and Rondo is dishing out 12 assists per game. Allen this season became the NBA’s all team leading three point shooter.

Our prediction for this game: Boston will snap their losing streak and come away with a big win. Celtics 95-80.

Time: 10:30 pm EST

Preview: The Orlando Magic will head out west and take on the Golden State Warriors. Orlando has won seven of their last ten games to move 3.5 games ahead of Atlanta for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. If the standings remain this way the Magic would host Atlanta in the first round.

The Magic are 17-13 when playing on the road this season, and when playing teams from the Western Conference, Orlando has won 14 of 26 games. Dwight Howard leads the Magic with 23 points per game, and just shy of 14 rebounds per game. The Magic are sixth in rebounding with 43 boards per game, and also the fifth best defensive team, as they are allowing 94.2 points per game.

The Warriors come into the game eight games below .500. The Warriors would love to get to .500 by the season end. Last season, Golden State won just 26 games, and the year before 29.

Monta Ellis leads the Warriors in scoring with 24.8 points per game, while big man David Lee is grabbing just shy of 10 rebounds per game. The Warriors are scoring just under 103 points per game as a team.

Prediction for this game and best place to bet for Canadians and US bettors: Orlando will have a tough time against the very athletic Golden State team. Look for the Warriors to come away with a win in this one. Golden State 108-99.

Time: 3:30 pm EST

Odds: Best at Bookmaker.com

Preview: The Los Angeles Lakers will head to San Antonio to take on the Spurs. This has the possibility of being the two teams in the Western Conference Finals later in the season. These are also two of the hottest teams in the National Basketball Association going at it.

The Lakers come into the game with a 10.5 game lead on second place Phoenix in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles has won six straight games and are 7-3 in their last ten games. The Lakers are also 22-11 when playing on the road this season, and have won 25 of 36 games against teams from the Western Conference. Kobe Bryant is once again the Lakers leading scorer. Bryant is scoring 25.1 of the Lakers 101.9 per game.

Los Angeles is also getting major production from their big man Pau Gasol. Gasol is ripping down 10.5 rebounds per game. San Antonio comes into the game with the best record in the entire league.

The Spurs are 5.5 games ahead of the Mavericks for the top spot. San Antonio is coming off a blow-out win at home on Friday over the Miami Heat. The Spurs are led in scoring by Manu Ginobili. The shooting guard is scoring 18 points per game, while big man Tim Duncan is ripping down just shy of 10 rebounds per game.

Our prediction for Spurs vs Lakers: Los Angeles continues their winning ways and comes away with one of their biggest road wins of the season. Lakers win 101-99.

1. San Antonio Spurs (46-10) – The Spurs remain at the top of the rankings with their 46-10 record. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili will enjoy the All Star game festivities on Sunday night.

2. Boston Celtics (40-14) – Despite having the best record in the Eastern Conference, no Celtic player was named a starter for the All Star Game. Four of the Celtics players are reserves.

3. Miami Heat (41-15) – Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are starters for the Eastern Conference, while Chris Bosh is a reserve. The Heat are just ½ game behind the Celtics for the top spot in the East.

4. Chicago Bulls (38-16) – Derrick Rose is the lone Chicago player to make the All Star game. It was well deserved that he was announced the starting point guard. Rose has a chance at winning the league MVP.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (38-19) – The Lakers lost their last three before the break, including a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kobe Bryant is making his 13th All Star appearance.

6. Dallas Mavericks (40-16) – Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks are looking to make their name at the top of the Western Conference. Dallas has moved to within six of the Spurs in the division.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder (35-19) – Kevin Durant looks to win his second straight scoring title. The Thunder have emerged as the front runner to win the Northwest Division.

8. Orlando Magic (36-21) – Dwight Howard and the Magic are in a dog fight with the Hawks for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Orlando would host Atlanta in the first round of the postseason if it started today.

9. Atlanta Hawks (34-21) – Joe Johnson and Al Horford made the All Star team from the Eastern Conference. With that, Atlanta has been good both offensively and defensively, as they are seventh in the league in defense.

10. Portland Trailblazers (32-24) – The hottest team in the league coming into the break was the Portland Trailblazers. Portland won their final six games, and moved into second place in the Northwest Division.

11. New Orleans Hornets (33-25) – Chris Paul gets the nod as the starting point guard for the Western Conference. The Hornets lost their final three games, and are in danger of falling out of the postseason race, if they can’t heat it up.

12. Denver Nuggets (32-25) – How long will Carmelo Anthony stay with the Nuggets? The leading scorer will be a free agent at the end of the season, and has been rumored to be shipping to New Jersey or New York. If the Nuggets trade Anthony will they be able to fend off Memphis and Phoenix for the postseason.

13. Utah Jazz (31-26) – The Utah Jazz lost their legendary coach Jerry Sloan to “retirement”. Now Utah is in need of wins to keep their heads afloat for the postseason. Deron Williams and Al Jefferson are a solid 1-2 punch, but need more from the rest of the team.

14. Memphis Grizzlies (31-26) – The Memphis Grizzlies have been playing very well as of late, but will have to go a few weeks after the break without Rudy Gay. The Grizzlies have tied the Jazz for the 8th seed in the Western Conference with their four game winning streak.

15. Phoenix Suns (27-27) – The Suns won seven of their last ten games before the break. Steve Nash has emerged as more than just an assist man, as he now leads the team in scoring.

16. New York Knicks (28-26) – The second leading scorer team in the league have enjoyed the services of Amare Stoudemire. Stoudemire is the starting big man for the Eastern Conference team in the All Star game.

17. Golden State Warriors (26-29) – Golden State has already matched their win total from a season ago. Now the Warriors next goal is to get to .500 and finish above this season. The Warriors are in led in scoring by Monta Ellis.

18. Houston Rockets (26-31) – Houston has been one of the biggest disappointments in the league this season. Part of the reason has been the injury bugs that have plagued the team.

19. Philadelphia 76ers (27-29) – Philadelphia currently sits two games under .500 and the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers will now set their goal on catching New York for sixth in the Eastern Conference and third in the Atlantic Division.

20. Indiana Pacers (24-30) – Danny Granger and the Pacers won seven of their last ten games to keep the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Indiana’s next goal is to climb to .500 on the season.

21. Charlotte Bobcats (24-32) – The Charlotte Bobcats are among the teams trying to chase down Indiana for the final spot in the East. Stephen Jackson has been the leading scorer for Charlotte, but he is looking for some help during the second half.

22. Los Angeles Clippers (21-35) – The Clippers have Blake Griffin, which is giving them a ton of ink in the news. Despite Griffin’s big season, the Clippers appear to be left out of the postseason once again.

23. Milwaukee Bucks (21-34) – Brandon Jennings and the Milwaukee Bucks are going to have to figure out a way to get the offense going in the second half. Milwaukee ranks as the worst offensive team in the NBA. The Bucks are 3.5 games behind Indiana for the 8th seed in the East.

24. Detroit Pistons (21-36) – Detroit, despite their 15 game under .500 record are just 4.5 games behind the 8th seeded Pacers. Rodney Stuckey is the leading scorer for Detroit, but he is scoring under 15 points per game.

25. New Jersey Nets (17-40) – The Nets, during the All Star break are dying to acquire Carmelo Anthony from Denver. After being in the hunt for Anthony and then out, the latest rumor has the Nets and Knicks battling it out for the services of the former Syracuse star.

26. Washington Wizards (15-39) – Washington, despite their struggles have found their point guard – John Wall, and another guard Nick Young. Those two appear to be coming onto their own, which is a good sign for the future.

27. Toronto Raptors (15-41) – The Raptors, in their first season without Chris Bosh have struggled. If Toronto is not careful, they will end up with the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

28. Sacramento Kings (13-40) – Tyreke Evans had to miss the rookie/sophomore game with a foot injury. If Evans doesn’t return for a while, Sacramento will have a very tough time scoring points.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-43) – Minnesota saw Kevin Lowe announced to the All Star team, but are having major troubles as a team. Lowe is averaging double digit rebounds, with the team has just 13 wins.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-46) – The Cavaliers may have the league’s longest losing streak, but they won double digits. Their win over the Lakers guaranteed they would not be held under 10 on the season.

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Time: 8:00 pm EST

Betting odds: Find them at BetUS NBA

NBA Preview: The Charlotte Bobcats will head to the United Center in Chicago to take on the Central Division leading Bulls. Charlotte is 15-23 overall and fourth place in the Southeast Division. The Bobcats are 9.5 games behind third place Atlanta and 13 games behind first place Miami.

Charlotte has lost two straight games, including a Saturday night loss to the Hornets. The Bobcats are led by Stephen Jackson and his 18.4 points per game. Gerald Wallace is also aiding the Bobcats along, with 8 rebounds per game. Charlotte, who finished 44-38 last season are in search of their second straight winning season.

The Chicago Bulls have a comfortable lead in the Central Division. At 27-13, the Bulls are 9.5 games ahead of the Indiana Pacers. Derrick Rose continues to simple dominate his opponents. Rose is averaging 24.5 points per game. The question mark for the Bulls is the health of big man Carlos Boozer. Boozer hurt his ankle in the win over the Heat, and is questionable to return.

Prediction for Chicago Bulls vs Bobcats: This game will not be close. The Bulls will come out with a bit of chip on their shoulder and roll. Chicago wins 100-84.