My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Game – 2.4.21
It’s a Thursday of NBA basketball, and we have 5 games on the schedule today. I will be giving all my pre-game predictions for all the games, and choose a winner.
Utah Jazz vs Atlanta Hawks
The Jazz are one of the best teams in the league, fueled by their excellent shooting, which they live and die by. The Jazz are talented on both ends, but living and dying by the 3 is a dangerous path, just ask the 2018 Rockets. But during the past few weeks, guys like Conley, Mitchell, and Clarkson just can’t seem to miss. And they’ve been playing this well even without a prime Bojan Bogdanovic, which is scary. This Jazz team is a handful for anybody, as they are looking like contenders this season.
The Hawks lost a tough game to the Mavs, as they just haven’t been very good when Trae Young isn’t on the floor. I know they got better, but they still struggle when he’s not on the floor. Still no De’Andre Hunter which is a big blow for their defense. They need Trae Young to be aggressive and get to the line, and they have to hope that their front-court of Collins and Capela can score down low on Gobert.
Final Verdict: I think that the Jazz will win this game. They are one of the hottest teams in the league, and although they depend heavily on their 3-point shot, they have been making it. The Hawks need to score, and for that to happen Trae Young can’t play like he did the last time these two teams played. The Hawks need better play from their bench when Young isn’t on the floor, but I just don’t see that happening and Utah should win.
Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks
The Warriors are without Wiseman and Looney, leaving them without a center, which will be a problem. They won’t be able to defend the paint as well, and they will likely get killed on the boards. The plus is that they can play faster with a smaller lineup, which does benefit all their shooters. If they can get Curry going and also give him help, they can win. They need guys like Oubre and Paschall to score, otherwise the Warriors don’t have much of a chance in this game.
The Mavs got a much needed win against the Hawks, and now they have a favorable matchup against the small Warriors. Kristaps Porzingis just has to take his time, and he can just shoot over the top of Golden State. If the Mavs can get some 2nd chance points as well, they are in a great position to win this game.
Final Verdict: The Mavs should win this game because of their size advantage, as they should get some easy shots at the rim as well as some 2nd chance points. The Warriors have to play faster with a smaller lineup, and hope that others can provide scoring alongside Curry. However, I don’t see that happening, and Dallas should win.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Philadelphia 76ers
Portland got a great win against Washington while being short-handed, but this game will be tough. Not only do they not have bodies to take on MVP candidate Joel Embiid, they are brutally injured again. No Nassir Little, and Dame and Derrick Jones Jr. are questionable. Portland is already short-handed, and it’s possible they are without Damian Lillard, which will make this game very hard.
The 76ers had a good win against the Hornets, as they continue to just feed Joel Embiid in the post, a strategy that should work against a poor Blazers interior defense. Tobias Harris has turned into a reliable 2nd option and Ben Simmons does a little bit of everything. If they can get Seth Curry going again, they are true contenders in my eyes.
Final Verdict: Portland is already short-handed with a poor defense coming into this game, and they might be even more short-handed. Should be an easy win for the 76ers.
Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies
The Rockets played very poorly against OKC, as their 6 game win-streak was snapped. They will be without Victor Oladipo and John Wall missed yesterday’s game, meaning the Rockets might be missing some guys. They still have talent, but they have to be healthy to be really dangerous on offense.
The Grizzlies got smoked by Indiana, as their usually solid defense looked like Swiss Cheese. But now against a short-handed Rockets team, they look to get back on track. They have a talented roster from top to bottom, but they need Ja Morant to be special, whether or not that’s with him scoring or passing. No Valanciunas will be a problem against Christian Wood down low, but if the Grizzlies can limit outside shots, they can win.
Final Verdict: The Rockets and Grizzlies are both a little short-handed, however Houston could be missing their two best guards. The Grizzlies should come out better than they did against the Pacers, and I expect Ja Morant to have a bounce-back game. I think that Memphis will win this game.
Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers
Denver hasn’t played since the 31st, their win against Utah as their last game was postponed. It gives them more time to prepare for LA. Nikola Jokic has been a monster, a nightmare for everybody. But the Nuggets will need the others to score in this game, especially with Gary Harris out. Jamal Murray has been mediocre, MPJ is lightning in a bottle. They need those two to score, as well as guys like Monte Morris and JaMychal Green off the bench. If they can’t score along with their below-average defense, they won’t win.
Lebron was heckled in Atlanta, but the Lakers still pulled away late to win. The Lakers have been very good this season, led by Lebron James who just can’t seem to slow down. The Lakers are very good on both ends, but they would be better if AD got some more touches down low. With the Nuggets not having the best defense, I want AD to be aggressive, maybe take some of the load off Lebron James. The Lakers have to try and shut down Jokic in this game, or at the very least limit his help.
Final Verdict: This is a good game, but I’m going with the Lakers. They are very good on both ends, and are playoff-AD away from being clearly the best team in the league. They need AD to be aggressive and control the game down low. The Nuggets need a lot more to go right for them to win, and I think LA wins this rematch of the Western Conference rematch.
What Are Your Predictions For The 5 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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