My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 2.12.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball, and we have 11 games on the schedule today. I will be giving all my pre-game predictions, and choose a winner for each game.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Charlotte Hornets
The T-Wolves haven’t had a lot of things go their way this season, but getting KAT back is big. KAT is a huge part of their offense, as his dynamic scoring prowess helps them a lot. And he can help anchor a poor interior. The T-Wolves are without D’Angelo Russell and Jarrett Culver still, but with Towns back they can remain decent at best.
The Hornets defense was very bad in their latest loss to the Grizzlies, as they’ll have to be better on that end to win. Lamelo Ball has made this offense very dynamic as a starter, as I don’t know how you can’t start him going forward. Devonte Graham is questionable, but it would be a disservice to Ball to not start him no matter if Graham plays. This Hornets team can be dangerous, they just need their defense to show up.
Final Verdict: I’m going with the Hornets in this game. The T-Wolves are a bottom-10 defense, and the Hornets offense has a lot of scorers. There defense will have problems with Towns, but they just have to be solid and nothing special to win.
New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards
The Knicks problem has been their offense, but the addition of Derrick Rose helps them a lot in that department. Rose brings leadership and instant offense off the bench, something that the Knicks desperately need. The Knicks need Randle and Barrett to get going, and I think they should play their game. Pound the ball down low, and only take good looks from 3. Don’t try to be something you’re not and play to your strengths.
I doubt Washington can win this game. Bradley Beal isn’t playing, and with him being their best scorer, this will be a tough game. They will need Russell Westbrook to turn into 2016 Westbrook, and the Wizards will have to play defense, something that is unlikely to happen with Washington being the 29th ranked defense in the league.
Final Verdict: I think the Knicks will win this game. They got an added boost on offense, and the Wizards don’t have their All-Star in Bradley Beal. The Wizards defense is poor, an opportunity for the usually slow Knicks offense to score.
San Antonio Spurs vs Atlanta Hawks
The Spurs have been up and down this season, but they remain a solid team. They have one of the best back-courts in the league, led by DeMar DeRozan who has added a playmaking aspect to his game. Johnson, Murray, White, and Walker are all solid as well. The Spurs will need all those bodies to guard Trae Young. The Spurs might also find problems with the Hawks down low, as the Spurs frontcourt isn’t exactly imposing.
The Hawks had a tough loss against the Mavs, but they played well in that game. The Hawks have to play through Trae Young, as he makes this offense dynamic. Collins and Capela are one of the best front-court duos in the league, and the Hawks have a decent supporting cast. They need Danilo Gallinari to score off the bench, as without Rondo or Hunter they’ll need him.
Final Verdict: I am going with the Hawks here. The Spurs really don’t have an answer for the Hawks frontcourt, as most teams don’t. Trae Young will have to be aggressive at the very least and put pressure on the Spurs defense. The Hawks also better hope this game isn’t another shootout.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks
Even with their last loss to the Bulls, the Pelicans have been playing better. They’d better be sure not to let the Mavs make as many 3’s as the Bulls did, otherwise they will likely lose. The Mavs aren’t a good shooting team, so the Pelicans better make sure to not give them too many open looks. The Pels need Lonzo and Bledsoe to shoot well, as that opens up all that Ingram and Zion do offensively.
The Mavs have been getting things rolling, as they last won a thrilling game against the Hawks. There are a few things I would like to see from Dallas. They have to get Kristaps Porzingis going, and get him touches everywhere. They need other guys like Richardson, Brunson, and Hardaway Jr. to score, and they also need to hit 3’s. If they can get offense from guys outside of Luka, they will be dangerous. The Pelicans forwards duo does pose a problem for the Mavs, so they’d better be ready to score.
Final Verdict: I think that the Mavs will win this game. They’ve been playing well, and they’ve just got to continue to do what they’ve been doing. They have to get scorers from guys other than Luka and they have to shoot better than they have been this season. The Mavs can’t allow the Pelicans to shoot well either, and they will be in good shape to win this game.
LA Clippers vs Chicago Bulls
The Clippers played really well in the 2nd half against the T-Wolves, as they were able to score without Paul George. They will have to get scores from guys other than Leonard. Guys like Kennard, Morris, and Lou Williams will have to score in place of the missing George. Patrick Beverley being back will be a nightmare for the Bulls backcourt, as he wrecks havoc. The Clippers just have to make sure they can score, and they can win.
The Bulls torched the Pelicans from deep, as both Lavine and White hit 8+ 3’s. They’ll likely have to do that again to win. No Williams, Porter, or Markkanen spells trouble, as the Bulls will have to score outside of Lavine. Guys like Coby White and Patrick Williams will have to score if the Bulls want any chance to win this game.
Final Verdict: I think that the Clippers will win this game. The Bulls are missing a lot of scoring, and I doubt they can repeat their shooting efforts from their last game against the Pelicans. LA should be able to win this game.
Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics
The Pistons haven’t been great this season, but they’re good against good teams. My only wish for them is to play their young guys like how they’ve been playing them.
The Celtics offense looked good yesterday against the Raptors when other guys were scoring. I like it when Boston becomes less JT-JB reliant, as it makes them better. Boston has to get Kemba Walker going, and they should look to get other guys involved to lessen the load on Brown and Tatum.
Final Verdict: Boston has lost to the Pistons before, but I think that the Celtics will win. They are the better team, and if they can repeat what they did on both ends yesterday, they are a tough team to beat.
OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets
The Thunder played the Lakers tough in their last two games, losing both in OT. But they played very hard, and they challenged the best team in the league. No SGA again is a big blow, as they are going to miss his scoring against the high-flying Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic has been carrying Denver, but he needs help. Jamal Murray has been mediocre this season, as we haven’t seen much of Bubble Murray this season. The Nuggets have to get scoring from their bench, and they also have to play good defense. Now in this game that shouldn’t be too hard against the short-handed Lakers.
Final Verdict: Denver should win this game. Should.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Utah Jazz
The Bucks didn’t play their best 2nd half against the Suns, as they cam up just short despite Giannis going off. The Bucks now face the hottest team in the league in the Jazz. The Bucks allow a lot of 3’s, and the Jazz make them. Not a recipe for success. The Bucks have to shoot well, and with no Jrue Holiday, they really need guys to step up. Giannis has a challenger in Rudy Gobert, a matchup the Bucks desperately need him to win.
The Jazz just can’t seem to slow down. They are making 3’s at a ridiculous pace, as they just can’t stop. No Mike Conley again, but the Jazz have scorers. Clarkson and Bogdanovic have been good lately, and Mitchell leads the way. Rudy Gobert has been so good defensively this season, as he now tries to stop Giannis. This will be a big test for the Jazz.
Final Verdict: I am going with the Jazz in this game. The Bucks allow teams to shoot 3’s, and that’s an invitation Utah doesn’t need to take. Giannis will have a tough time with Rudy Gobert down low. This will be a good game, but one that the Jazz will win.
Memphis Grizzlies vs LA Lakers
The Grizzlies offense was on fire against the Hornets, but they still haven’t been the same team since their big win-streak. Their defense in the last 5 games has been poor, allowing nearly 122 points per game in their last 5 games. Their defense hasn’t been great, and they’ll need it to be very good against the Lakers. If the Grizzlies can’t play solid defense, it’s almost impossible for them to beat the Lakers.
The Lakers have been in OT games the last 3 games, as they haven’t been able to put away poor teams. The Lakers are good, but they just have coasted. AD has been dealing with an achilles injury, but even if he doesn’t play LA is a good team. Let’s see if LA can put a team away in the first 48 minutes.
Final Verdict: The Lakers should win this game. Even without AD, they are the better team. The Grizzlies have been very poor on defense recently, making this a good matchup for the Lakers.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Portland Trail Blazers
The Cavs offense has been a problem. But that’s not the case against poor defenses like the Blazers. The Cavs win most games they have against poor defenses, and they have a chance to win in this game. Their frontcourt has to dominate, and they have to contain Damian Lillard in order to win.
The Blazers won a thriller yesterday against the 76ers, and their defense finally came through late. But they face a solid Cavs team today. The Blazers defense hasn’t been consistently good, and the Cavs can score against this defense. Portland’s weak interior will face Allen and Drummond, a formidable duo. Portland has to score, and hope that they’re defense doesn’t outgain them.
Final Verdict: I think Portland will win this game. Portland has the better offense, they just need to shoot well. Portland’s defense has to be average, and not allow the worst offense in the league to get going. The Blazers also hope that the Cavs frontcourt doesn’t dominate (they likely will).
Orlando Magic vs Sacramento Kings
Offense. That’d be nice to have.
The Kings have been playing better as of late. They fought hard with a very good 76ers defense, something they won’t be facing in this game. The Kings fast paced offense should roll through the Magic. They have the clear advantage in this game.
Final Verdict: The Kings being clearly better than someone else? That’s a first.
Game Of The Day
There are some good games today, but I’m going with Bucks vs Jazz. Two of the best teams in the league, this should be a very good game.
Other good games could be Blazers vs Cavs, Pels vs Mavs, and Hawks vs Spurs.
What Are Your Predictions For The 11 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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