Welcome back hoopers!!
It’s been less than a week but the NBA season is already in full effect.
We’re going to break down some of the best games for the upcoming week and give you the tips you need.
Portland @ LA LAKERS
DECEMBER 29TH 2:00PM
The 2-1 Los Angeles Lakers come up against the 1-1 Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers have strung together two consecutive victories after a season-opener defeat to cross-town rivals the Los Angeles Clippers while the Trail Blazers bounced back into winning ways with a nail-biting 128-126 overtime victory against the Houston Rockets.
LeBron James has started this season nowhere near his career best form and it’s understandable too, given the Lakers had such a short postseason rest, after the championship winning season.
James, the reigning NBA finals MVP, turns 36 on the 30th of this month and lets just hope it’s not a sign of his age beginning to show through.
He’s only been able to notch up 20 points per game through the first three games of the season which is well below his career scoring average.
Thankfully the reliance on him performing at his peak is not a prerequisite for the Lakers to notch up wins.
The likes of Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder have stepped up to carry the load.
While the addition of Spaniard ex Raptor Marc Gasol at Centre came to the fore in the 127-91 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the 28th of December.
Davis, who was pivotal with 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the win against Dallas Mavericks on Boxing Day, missed the clash against the Timberwolves with a sore calf and Gasol stepped up with 12 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
The depth of the Lakers is a massive factor in its ability to back-up with strong form into back-to-back games as well as games within two or three days of each other.
From a Trail Blazer perspective it will be reliant on the scoring power of veteran point guard Damian Lillard and shooting guard CJ McCollum who is off to a hot start.
The pair combined for 76 points in the victory against the Rockets on the 27th of December.
If these two can replicate that offensive output it might be able to steal a win but Los Angeles looks to have found its early season momentum after a slow start.
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers win
Suggested bet: Back the same-game multi
– Los Angeles to win at the $1.42
– Total points scored over 229.5 $1.87
PHILADELPHIA @ NEW YORK
DECEMBER 27TH 11:30AM
The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks started their seasons off in completely opposing fashion with the 76ers notching up a win and the Knicks stumbling to a loss.
The 76ers, led by Joel Embiid (29 points, 14 rebounds) and Australian Ben Simmons (16 points, seven assists, nine rebounds), surged away in the final quarter against the Washington Wizards to record a 113-107 victory.
While the Knicks failed to keep up the pace with Indiana Pacers in the second-half to eventually succumb 121-107.
An argument can be made this season that the Pacers are a much stronger team than the Wizards which would suggest the form-line the Knicks bring into this one will be superior to that of the 76ers.
However, the 76ers have a lot of match-winning talent as well as the experienced heads at its disposal which it can rely upon to make it two wins from two games to start the season.
Dwight Howard left the LA Lakers after a championship winning season to join the 76ers who look to have a realistic chance of playing deep into the playoffs.
Philadelphia has a clear advantage in the centre position with Embiid coming up against an in-experienced opponent Mitchell Robinson who only played 21 minutes for minimal impact against the Pacers.
The Knicks may look towards forward Julius Randle to help out Robinson.
Randle notched up 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in the loss to the Pacers and if he continues this form he might be able to balance out the influence of the powerful Embiid.
The worrying sign for the Knicks is the second-half fade out against the Pacers.
The 76ers finished off its season-opener against the Wizards very strongly to record a 40-24 last quarter on the way to the win.
With the scoring power on show late in the game and a defence that conceded the sixth least points per game in the 2019/20 NBA season as well as the 8th ranked defence in the league it’s enough to side with the 76ers.
Prediction: 76ers win in a very close game.
Suggested bet: New York Knicks to cover the line +8.5 at $1.90.
