My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 1.25.21
It’s a Monday and we have a very busy day of NBA basketball. We have a full slate of 10 games on the schedule, and I will be giving all my predictions for each game.
Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic
The Hornets mounted a 4th quarter comeback against the Magic last time these two teams met, with Gordon Hayward hitting the game winner. The Hornets offense has to be better for all 4 quarters, instead of just one quarter to win. Their defense, which has been pretty good thus far this season, has struggled as of late. They can’t let a bottom-5 Magic offense get going.
The Magic blew their chances at a win against the Hornets yesterday, after blowing a double-digit lead in the 4th. The Hornets offense finally found some rhythm, but they still remain a bottom-5 offense in the league. Aaron Gordon missed last game, and the same is true for this game. The Magic need their offense to get going, or it will be very difficult for them to win this game.
Final Verdict: The Hornets beat the Magic despite playing ok for most of the game. The Hornets and the Magic don’t have the most explosive offenses in the league, however the Hornets have more weapons and the Magic just can’t seem to win. I think that Charlotte will win this game.
Toronto Raptors vs Indiana Pacers
The Raptors were missing two All-Stars in Siakam and Lowry, yet they were still able to win the game yesterday against Indiana because of their smothering defense. They held Brogdon and Sabonis in check, something they have to do again if they want to win. If Siakam and Lowry are unavailable, they need scoring from VanVleet, Boucher, Anunoby, and Powell.
The Pacers struggled mightily on offense thanks to the Raptors smothering defense. They need Brogdon and Sabonis to be more assertive, or maybe use them in different ways to try and throw off the Pacers. I think that Toronto will try and take out Brogdon and Sabonis again, so guys like Turner, McDermott, and the Holiday brothers will have to score more to help their All-Star duo.
Final Verdict: This game will be very good, and the winner depends on which team can execute better. Can Toronto continue to smother the Pacers All-Star duo, and get enough out of their offense? Can Brogdon and Sabonis spring free to lead the offense? This will be another very good game, but I think that the Pacers will win.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Detroit Pistons
The 76ers have won their last 3 games, as they’ve been able to get healthy and have their full offense together. They struggled to beat the Pistons last time out, but I doubt that will be the case. Joel Embiid is questionable, but if he plays they need to continue to feed him. When he has things going, it opens things up for guys like Curry and Harris on the perimeter. Ben Simmons has to be aggressive on offense in addition to the passing and defense, the 76ers need some scoring from the bench.
The Pistons somehow managed to lose by 4 to the Pistons, even with Jerami Grant getting clamped by Ben Simmons. Derrick Rose is out again, but Blake Griffin is back, and I don’t like it. The Pistons suck, and they have a lot of young talent to develop. Guys like Saddiq Bey, Sekou Doumbouya, Saben Lee, and Isaiah Stewart. You’re 3-12, don’t pretend like you’re going to the playoffs.
Final Verdict: If Embiid plays, this should be a blowout against the terrible Pistons. If he doesn’t play, it might be close, but I want to see Simmons and Harris be much more aggressive in the event that he doesn’t play. But again, if he does play, just feed the ball to him in the post and let the MVP front-runner go to work.
Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets
The Heat dominated the paint last time against the Nets, but they were just too short-handed to beat the Big 3 Nets. They are still without Butler, Bradley, and Herro, so they need another big night from Adebayo, Dragic, Nunn, and Robinson. I still expect the Heat to fight and give the Nets everything they have, but this is a very uphill battle with the stacked Nets.
We all know defense is a problem, as Bam Adebayo will once again be a problem down low. But on offense, I want James Harden to be more aggressive. When the 2nd unit comes on, don’t force a pass to Reggie Perry, who wouldn’t get minutes on any team. You have to be aggressive, get to the rim, step-back, and set up teammates if they are open. Don’t predetermine pass to a 2nd round pick. I also want to see Joe Harris get open shots, as it opens everything up, as Miami couldn’t leave him open last game. KD and Kyrie have been excellent, but a few guys I want to see get the ball more/be more aggressive are Harden and Harris.
Final Verdict: The Heat are short-handed, but they never give up and they continually fight. Look for a lot of Bam Adebayo down low. I need James Harden to be more aggressive, especially with the 2nd unit. I also need Joe Harris to get shots, as he can really stretch out a defense.
LA Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The Lakers have been far and away the best team in the league this season, as they’ve won 7 of their last 8 games. AD had been struggling to score, but erupted for 37 points against his hometown Bulls. They did AD to be that aggressive, as not many people can stop him when he gets going. The Cavs have one the worst offenses in the league, so LA’s defense should make it very tough for them.
The Cavs two-game offensive peak vs the Nets seems to be an outlier is the larger picture, as they were crushed by the Celtics, only scoring 103 points. Their offense has to be better, but I won’t give them much of a chance vs the title favorite LA Lakers. This will likely get ugly.
Final Verdict: What more do I have to say? Should be an easy win for Lebron and company.
Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks
The Nuggets won two tough OT games against the Suns, but they looked very good, as they were able to win two tough games. Nikola Jokic has been incredible, but his help has been so-so. Jamal Murray has been a little bit banged up, but I just want to see him to be aggressive like he was in the bubble. Having MPJ off the bench is such a luxury, as he is just a natural scorer. Guys like Monte Morris and JaMychal Green have been excellent role guys, as the Nuggets have been getting more complete.
The Mavericks have been very short-handed, and that’s been their main cause for losing games. They still miss their 4 best defenders, and after missing one game, Kristaps Porzingis is back. Luka Doncic has proved that he can make not a lot work, but he needs Hardaway and Brunson to score in order for the Mavs to compete.
Final Verdict: The Nuggets have been finding their way on both ends, but I think they have been finding a way to win. They need Jamal Murray to be aggressive, and the Nuggets should have their way against a depleted Mavs team. Now they can’t completely underestimate Luka and the Mavs, but if they play well they should win.
Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls
The Celtics finally get Jayson Tatum back, as the Celtics are now back at full strength. The combo of Tatum and Brown were both playing like All-Stars, and now they are getting a fully healthy Kemba Walker, forming a formidable trio. Now Kemba is sitting out today’s game for rest, but the Celtics are back, kind of. Interior defense is still a problem, but the Celtics now have 3 guys who can average 20+ points, and they have their two best players on the floor again.
The Bulls got smacked by the Lakers as most teams do, and they face another good Boston team. Wendell Carter Jr. remains out, so the paint is still exposed. The Bulls do have talent with Lavine, White, and Markkanen along with a solid bench, but the Bulls turn it over too much, and you can’t give good teams like the Celtics too many points.
Final Verdict: The Celtics have their two excellent wings back, as they have been great when they play together. The Celtics defense isn’t great, and the same goes for the Bulls, who also turn the ball over a lot. This game could be close, but I do think that Boston will win.
San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans
The Spurs got things done against the short-handed Wizards, thanks to a very balanced scoring night. The Spurs offense can be very good, but they need to hit some 3’s, which opens things up for guys who don’t shoot as much like DeRozan and Keldon Johnson. The Spurs have a solid defense, they just need their offense to play well.
Play fast. That’s all I have to say. The Pelicans play one of the slowest paces in the league, and it’s not working. Defenses don’t respect guys like Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball nearly enough, and with Steven Adams down low, it makes for terrible spacing. Some personnel has to chance, weather it be trading Ball or Bledsoe, or picking up the pace, which has worked. The Pelicans play fast, and they score a lot more. The problem is they play fast for a quarter, and then go back to what doesn’t work, which is just bad coaching by Stan Van Gundy.
Final Verdict: The Pelicans need to play fast, and then I can consider them a playoff team. They are terrible in the half-court with no spacing, and they just need to play fast. The Spurs need to take advantage when the Pelicans aren’t playing fast, and also hit their 3’s to space things out. This will likely be a good game, but I think the Spurs will win.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors
The Timberwolves somehow managed to win without Karl Anthony Towns, something that won’t happen often. The T-Wolves struggle on both ends, as they don’t have a lot of consistent scores outside of Beasley and Russell. Their defense is poor, and they continue their rebuild.
The Warriors were torched by the Jazz, as they were out of it from the start. Their defense has to be better, and they face a very bad T-Wolves offense. Outside of Curry, guys like Oubre, Wiggins, and Paschall have to be reliable scoring options, otherwise it becomes very difficult for the Warriors to win.
Final Verdict: The T-Wolves kind of struggle at the whole basketball thing without KAT, so I expect Golden State to take advantage on both ends.
OKC Thunder vs Portland Trail Blazers
The Thunder haven’t been great on either end this season, but they’ve beaten some decent teams. Against the better teams in the league, it’s a different story. Their roster isn’t great, and they just can’t contend with most teams. They do face a poor Portland defense, and they are also short-handed. But if they can’t stop Damian Lillard, they can’t really win.
Portland looked solid in a win against the Knicks, a game they led for most of the way. Dame was excellent, but they got some scoring help from Simons off the bench. They need more from Carmelo and Rodney Hood, and Robert Covington needs to hit a couple of 3’s. I’m not asking for too much. Portland’s defense hasn’t been great, but SGA is their only guy who can really play-make. Lu Dort will try and hound Dame, and Portland can use that to their advantage. If the others step up, I like Portland’s chances.
Final Verdict: The Thunder aren’t very good, but they have a chance because of the short-handed Blazers. Lu Dort has to try and stop Damian Lillard, or OKC has to try and make a concerted effort to get the ball out of his hands. Portland’s defense can’t allow the worst offense in the league to get going, and they need scoring from places outside of Damian Lillard. This game will likely be competitive, but I am giving the edge to the Blazers.
Game Of The Day
There are some good games today, but I do think that Raptors vs Pacers will be very good. These two teams are competitive, they get after it, and they are both well-coached.
Another game I predict to be good is Heat vs Nets, although it will be similar to the first matchup. Blazers vs Thunder could also be good.
What Are Your Predictions For The 10 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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