A Kevin Durant return and Kyrie Irving within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love spotlight ESPN doubleheader

Kevin Durant is again.

Or at the least, he is perhaps. After lacking ten video games with a sprained ankle, The Athletic’s Shams Charania is reporting that KD will return to the Suns lineup in opposition to the visiting Timberwolves simply in time for tonight’s ESPN doubleheader. For Phoenix, Durant is a sight for sore eyes. They’ve admirably weathered his absence with a 4-6 file, however with seven video games remaining a homecourt benefit within the first spherical on the road, getting again a former MVP and two-time Finals MVP into the lineup with six contests in opposition to playoff contenders. They’re at present a sport up on the Los Angeles Clippers within the loss column with Sport #82 internet hosting Kawhi Leonard et. al. nonetheless on the schedule.

Nevertheless, tonight’s sport isn’t any warmup within the valley of the solar. Minnesota has gained 4 in a row, together with each video games of Karl-Anthony Cities’ a lot anticipated return as nicely. Two wins in opposition to Kings and Warriors on the highway have catapulted the TWolves out of the play-in event and into competition for the sixth seed. With KAT and Anthony Edwards lastly uniting with Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley, that is lastly the staff that many thought would make noise within the Western Convention.

Earlier than Minny and Phoenix tip off out west, we’ll see two groups battling it out for playoff positioning in Philadelphia. The Mavericks are at present on the skin trying in on the play-in event at 37-39 after two inexplicable losses to the Charlotte Hornets. Luca Doncic and Kyrie Irving are again on the court docket collectively after every has handled nagging accidents. Nevertheless, they’re simply 4-8 in video games they’ve performed collectively. For the 76ers, their dynamic duo is questionable after an 0-3 journey west of the Mississippi. James Harden is coping with Achilles soreness, Joel Embiid missed an MVP-candidate matchup with Nikola Jokic with calf tightness, and the Sixers have just about fallen three video games within the loss column behind the Celtics.

The Mavericks go to the Metropolis of Brotherly Love as 4-point underdogs in opposition to the 76ers regardless of the provision of Philly’s two stars. Within the desert, the red-hot Timberwolves are a stunning +5 in opposition to the Suns.

Even with all of the playoff place jockeying at play, all eyes will probably be on the return of KD. The Suns jumped up in championship odds when their new proprietor, Matt Ishbia, made the deal for Durant; they seem to be a +450 to lift a Larry O’Brien trophy with him within the fold. He is averaged 26.7/7.3/3.7 over three video games for Phoenix and tonight, our buddies at DraftKings have this fast single sport parlay in opposition to Minnesota: if KD scores +25 factors, grabs +5 rebounds, and dishes +5 assists, DK is supplying you with +310.

That’s, after all, if KD can get via warmups tonight (wink, wink).

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