My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 3.1.21
It’s the first day of NBA basketball in March and we have 7 games on the schedule today. I will be giving all my pre-game predictions and choose a winner for each game.
Dallas Mavericks vs Orlando Magic
The Mavs have gotten back on track recently as they have won 7 of their last 9 games and back at 0.500. Luka Doncic has been amazing but for this team to be really good he needs help. He needs scoring from Richardson, Hardaway, Brunson, and Porzingis when healthy. The Mavs can be very good, it’s just a matter of them playing well.
Without an offense the Magic struggle. They have some talent but injuries have derailed their season. It’s looking like another abysmal year for the Magic.
Final Verdict: The Mavs should take care of business in this game against a demoralized Magic team.
Indiana Pacers vs Philadelphia 76ers
The Pacers have been struggling on both ends. Just Brogdon and Sabonis isn’t enough on offense as they dearly miss Levert and Warren. The bench is ok at best and they just have lost that spark from the start of the season. Both Lamb and Brogdon are questionable, as the Pacers desperately need to get healthy otherwise they stand no chance against teams like the 76ers.
The 76ers got shocked by the Cavs as their flaws are holding them back from true contention. Their “shooters” have been hot and cold this season. When they’re cold Philly’s offense becomes one-dimensional. The bench has talent but they rarely use it, which means they rely so heavily on the starters. Harris and Embiid are questionable. If Harris doesn’t play it’s not the end of the world, but if MVP candidate Embiid doesn’t play the 76ers will struggle as they are 1-5 without him this year.
Final Verdict: Since both teams could be missing a lot of key guys this game is hard to choose a winner. For now I’ll give the edge to Philly.
Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls
The Nuggets have been very inconsistent this season, but we all know they can be good. In the last 8 games Jamal Murray has been averaging 31.1 points per game as he has made this Nuggets team better. Nikola Jokic is far more impactful to this team as a passer than a scorer. The Nuggets are still short-handed but if Murray and Porter Jr. can get going scoring wise Denver has a chance.
The Bulls had yesterday’s game against the Raptors postponed so they should be well rested for this game. Chicago has been playing very good lately, but against mediocre teams. Zach Lavine has been great and the Bulls have a strong bench. But they have to contain Jamal Murray and make Jokic a scorer. They need Coby White to get going as well if they want to win this game.
Final Verdict: I think Denver should win this game. Denver has to do less to win than the Nuggets do. The key for Denver is to get their two scorers in MPJ and Murray going, both of whom have been playing much better lately. The Bulls have to contain the Nuggets scorers as well as get going themselves. I just don’t see that happening and Denver should win.
Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans
The Jazz have been the best team in the league as they have been playing so well on both sides of the ball. They have so many shooters and weapons, seemingly everybody can shoot on this team. Rudy Gobert is the anchor for this defense as it’s impossible to score when he’s in the vicinity. This Jazz team is very good, and not a lot of teams can beat them.
When I said not a lot of teams can beat the Jazz, the Pelicans aren’t one of those teams. They are good but they aren’t built to beat the Jazz. To beat the Jazz you have to hit some 3’s. The Pelicans don’t do that. To beat the Jazz you have to be good at defending the 3. The Pelicans don’t do that. Zion will have problems with Gobert down low. This will be a tough game for the Pelicans.
Final Verdict: I don’t see the Jazz losing this game. The Pelicans are the perfect matchup for Utah. They aren’t a good shooting team and they don’t defend the 3-PT line well. One of their stars doesn’t shoot jumpers and lives in the paint. Easy win for Utah incoming.
Brooklyn Nets vs San Antonio Spurs
The Nets have struggled when both KD and Kyrie are out of the lineup, but Kyrie is likely to be alongside Harden in this game. With these two the Nets have a chance as they are so dynamic scoring wise. They need some scoring from Joe Harris and the bench and hope for some defense. The Spurs offense has been pretty good and they house a lot of weapons so it’ll be a challenge for the Nets on that end.
End after getting hit hard by Covid the Spurs are still winning. Their roster is so weird but it works as they have some solid guys laced throughout this lineup. Still no Vassell, White, Gay, and Keldon Johnson is questionable but the Spurs have been able to survive with the pieces that they have. The Spurs have to play somewhat ok defense on the Nets role players otherwise it will be a long night.
Final Verdict: This will be a good game but I am taking the Nets. Getting the duo of Irving and Harden is great for offense and they need a little less demand from the role guys. The Spurs are a good team and will make this game tough, but I am giving the slight edge to the Nets.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets
The Cavs have won 3 straight since losing 10 straight games, a good rebound to say the least. This team is solid and can be good on both ends, but they are facing the Rockets. A team who yesterday perhaps played the worst game of basketball ever and they have lost their last 11. A win for the Cavs is likelier than usual.
Yesterday against the Grizzlies the Rockets played one of the worst games of basketball ever, perhaps the worst. The Rockets shot 23/83 from the field (28%) and scored 84 points. They attempted 83 shots and scored 84 points. They were 4/45 from 3 (9%). I think most of us could hit more than 4 3’s in 45 attempts. 34 of their points came from the line, so really they shouldn’t have scored that many points. They had 23 turnovers, which is the same amount of field goals they made for the game. For every bucket there was a turnover. Not doing so well in Houston right now.
Final Verdict: For the Rockets, even if you don’t win there’s nowhere to go but up. For the Cavs, it would be disappointing to lose to this team.
Charlotte Hornets vs Portland Trail Blazers
The Hornets won a thriller yesterday with a come-from-behind win against the Kings. The Hornets have turned into an offensive powerhouse with Lamelo Ball starting. Their defense isn’t great however. Hopefully Zeller or Hayward could come back but it is likely that the Hornets are again short-handed and Portland is a bit better than Sacramento to say the least. Might be a tough night for Charlotte.
The Blazers have been hit so hard by injuries, and it’s somewhat catching up to them as they have lost 4 straight. They don’t have 3 starters and a backup center so it’s been tough. But here’s a chance for a win. The Hornets don’t play defense (neither does Portland) and they are on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. Both teams are short-handed, so this is a game Portland can win to stop the bleeding a bit.
Final Verdict: This will be a repeat of Charlotte’s last game, this time against a more competent team. Both teams are short-handed and play no defense. This will be a shootout and a rested Portland team should have the advantage in this game.
Game Of The Day
Blazers vs Hornets should be very good. Two of the best offenses in the league and two of the worst defenses going head-to-head.
Bulls vs Nuggets and Nets vs Spurs should also be good.
What Are Your Predictions For The 7 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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