Lavine and KAT Dazzle! Luka and Jokic with triple doubles! 10/25/19

NBA Opening Week Continues with some possible playoff matchups from both the Western and Eastern Conferences, and some very young and talented teams facing off.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Charlotte Hornets

Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves

Both of these teams are 1-0 because they won their opening games by 1 point. But, Karl Anthony Towns continued to dominate as the Timberwolves rolled over the Hornets, winning 121-99. KAT had 37 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. Devonte’ Graham had 24 points for the Hornets. The Timberwolves scored 45 points in the 3rd quarter. They also shot 47% from the field. The Timberwolves made 23 free throws to the Hornets 10. The Timberwolves are now 2-0, while the Hornets drop to 1-1.

Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics

Prediction: Toronto Raptors

The defending champs won their season opener over the New Orleans Pelicans in OT. The Celtics got pushed around in Philly. But, the Celtics were able to bounce back and win 112-106. Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum both had 25 points for the Celtics. Pascal Siakam had 33 points and 8 rebounds. The Raptors shot 47% from the field and 50% from 3. They shot that well and were still not able to win the game. The Celtics did outscore the Raptors by 16 in the paint, 52-36. Both of these Eastern Conference rivals are now 1-1.

New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets

Prediction: Brooklyn Nets

Ah. The Knicks. This must be torture. They could have Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, but, they both went 20 minutes and across the Hudson to Brooklyn. Both of these teams lost close season openers. The Nets almost lost, but were able to win 113-109. Kyrie Irving had 26 points, and Allonzo Trier had 22 for the Knicks. Both teams shot well, with the Nets shooting 47% and the Knicks also shooting 46%. The Knicks shot a scorching 68% from 3. The Nets get their first win and stay at 0.500 with a 1-1 record, while the Knicks drop to 0-2.

Washington Wizards vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Prediction: Washington Wizards

The Wizards and the Thunder both lost close games, and are both 0-1. Now, both teams look to get on the win column. The Wizards came on the road and beat the Thunder 97-85, their first ever win in Oklahoma City. Thomas Bryant had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 28 points and 7 rebounds for OKC. Both teams shot below 41% from the field and from 3, but the Wizards did have 7 more assists than the Thunder, 21-14. The Wizards now improve to 1-1 while the Thunder fall to 0-2.

Chicago Bulls vs Memphis Grizzlies

Prediction: Chicago Bulls

The Bulls and the Grizzlies both lost their openers, and now they look to win their first game. The Bulls win their first game of the year against the Grizzlies 110-102. Zach Lavine had 37 points and 6 rebounds, and Jaren Jackson Jr, had 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls shot 43% from the field, but the Grizzlies shot 35% from 3. Both teams had 52+ points in the paint. The young Bulls win their first game and are now 1-1 while the Grizzlies fall to 0-2.

Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

It’s a battle of 2 young teams fro New Orleans. The Dallas Mavericks won their 2nd straight game in a row in a high scoring game, winning 123-116. Luka Doncic got his 1st triple double of the year, with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Kristaps Porzingis had 24 points. Brandon Ingram had 25 points and 7 rebounds. The Mavericks shot 48% from the field, and they made 19 free throws to the Pelicans 11. The Mavericks are now 2-0 behind Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, while the Pelicans drop to 0-2 without Zion Williamson.

Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets

Prediction: Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns both won their season openers as they both try to go 2-0. The Nuggets won this game in OT, winning 108-107. Jamal Murray had 27 points and Nikola Jokic had a 23 point, 14 rebound and 12 assist triple double. Kelly Oubre Jr had 23 points and 8 rebounds. The Nuggets should have won this game in regulation. I’m not just saying this because the Nuggets are better, but because they should have won this game. The Nuggets were up 93-89 with 10.5 seconds left. Devin Booker hit a 3, and then Jamal Murray knocked down some free throws. With 1.8 seconds left, Malik Beasley fouled Ricky Rubio while he was shooting a 3. He hit all 3 free throws and the game went to overtime. Pretty sloppy execution. Both teams shot 39% from the field, and both teams shot less than 30% from 3. The Nuggets now improve to 2-0 and the Suns fall to 1-1 as they look to bounce back against the Clippers on Saturday.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Sacramento Kings

Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers

Both of these teams lost their season openers as they look to get back to 0.500. The Blazers managed to win 122-112 against Sacramento. Damian Lillard had 35 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. De’Aaron Fox had 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. The Blazers shot 54% from the field, while the Kings shot 40% from 3. The Blazers outscored the Kings 50-36 in the paint. The Blazers find themselves at 1-1 as they go Dallas on Sunday, while the Kings go to 0-2 and face the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

Utah Jazz vs LA Lakers

Prediction: Utah Jazz

The Lakers lost their season opener while the Jazz barely won theirs. The Jazz will be without Bojan Bogdanovic today. The Lakers were able to win the game because of their aggressive defense. Lebron James had 32 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Both teams shot less than 42% from the field and 33% from the field. The Lakers forced 22 turnovers on the Jazz. The Lakers get their first win of the year and are now 1-1. The Jazz get their first loss of the year as they also fall to 1-1.

Predictions: 7-2

I hope you enjoyed this edition of NBA Opening Week, please leave a comment how your team is doing and who had the best performance today.