PG - Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat
His overall streak of triple-doubles may have ended at five, but Westbrook has recorded three straight at home and has two in his last three games versus Miami. The All-Star has averaged 28.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists while shooting 51.7 percent in his last 11 games. While Westbrook has recorded only nine of his NBA-leading 23 triple-doubles at home, five have come in his last nine games there.
He has averaged 18.7 points, 12.7 assists and 10.3 rebounds in his last three matchups with Miami, raising his career marks to 19.2 points, 7.5 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game spanning 17 matchups.
Also consider: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers vs Boston Celtics
While Stephen Curry is set to return to the Golden State Warriors' lineup after a six-game absence with a sprained ankle, Lillard is the safer play as the Trail Blazers face a Celtics team missing guards Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart. Lillard has averaged 31.2 points and 6.0 assists in his last 16 games, knocking down 3.75 3-pointers per game in that span while making 38.7 percent of his long-range attempts.
He also has a strong track record coming off losses, averaging 26.1 points and 7.4 assists in the last eight such contests. Lillard had 44 points and eight assists the last time Portland was coming off a defeat, resulting in a 123-117 victory that triggered their 14-game winning streak. He has averaged 25.7 points and 7.7 assists in his last three games versus the Celtics but has made just six of 23 from beyond the arc in those contests.
Low-cost option: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets
VanVleet showed no ill effects from the bruised hand that sidelined him for two games as he totaled 16 points and five rebounds off the bench Wednesday night versus Cleveland and made four of nine from 3-point range. With the Raptors facing a Brooklyn team playing out the string, there is a chance for VanVleet to get extended minutes and reach double figures for the fifth time in his last six games.
The Raptors reserve guard had 15 points and five assists in 27 minutes in an earlier win this month, and those are the kind of numbers VanVleet could again post if Toronto takes care of business quickly versus Brooklyn.