My Pre-Game Picks For Today’s Games
It’s another day of NBA action, and we have 3 games on the schedule today. I will be giving my pre-game thoughts on every game, previewing each one.
LA Lakers vs Milwaukee Bucks
The Lakers have been the best team in the NBA this season, but they blew a 19-point lead vs the Warriors. Their defense faltered down the stretch, and their offense was horrendous. I expect them to tighten things up against the Milwaukee Bucks. This will be a tough game for LA, as they did production from Lebron and AD. Their bench and role guys will have to step up and match what the Bucks are doing, as the Bucks have a very good bench. We all know how good the Lakers can be on both ends, they just have to lock in on both ends and compete.
The Bucks played very well against the Nets, the only problem is they couldn’t hit their open shots, which doesn’t happen often. Their Big 3 has been very good, although will likely see a lot of AD and Lebron in his way in this game. So that means that Middleton and Holiday will have to hit their outside shots. Both of them have been very good this season, and I need for all 3 of them to get 15+ shots. The Bucks bench has been good, led by Bobby Portis who has been averaging 11 points on 55% shooting. They need DJ Augustin to be better, as he’s been shooting 33% from the field. If the Bucks can get production from their 2nd unit, and hit their open shots, they pose a tough matchup for the Lakers.
Final Verdict: This game is very good, but I’m giving the edge to the Lakers. Lebron should be focused like the rest of this team from that loss to the Warriors. The Lakers have easily been the best team in the league when they’ve been firing on all cylinders, and they have the personnel to slow down the Greek Freak. But this should be a very good game between two teams.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Utah Jazz
The Pelicans shooting has been their problem, as they give Ingram and Zion limited space to work. Eric Bledsoe hasn’t been shooting bad from 3, but Lonzo has. Nickeil Alexander Walker is a better shooter, and they either need to start him or give him more minutes, because they need all the spacing they can get, especially with Rudy Gobert down low. The Pelicans defense hasn’t been great, but if their offense can get easy shots, they have a chance.
The Jazz’s offense has been excellent as of late, as they have won their last 6 games because of their incredible shooting. They have so many weapons, and even with Bojan Bogdanovic struggled, they are very good. Jordan Clarkson has been a 6th man of the year candidate thus far, averaging 18 points off the bench. Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley have been solid, and Rudy Gobert anchors the paint. The gameplan is simple. Shoot 3’s, and make them. That’s how the Jazz win, and it’s very simple. They crushed the Pelicans last time out, and they could do it again.
Final Verdict: The Jazz have been red-hot, and the Pelicans have struggled on offense. I trust that the Jazz can shoot the ball better than the Pelicans can, and repeat what they did on Tuesday, beating the Pelicans soundly.
New York Knicks vs Golden State Warriors
The Knicks offense has been good and bad, but their defense has been excellent, with the ability to shut down teams. They need production from Barrett and Randle, along with guys like Reggie Bullock and Austin Rivers. A big positive for the Knicks is that they get Alec Burks back. Burks has been out for a while with an ankle injury, but he was averaging 21 points on 67% 3-PT. He will be a big boost off the Knick bench. If the Knicks offense gets going, I like their chances. If not, not so much.
The Warriors have been getting less and less reliant on Steph Curry, which is a very good thing. Andrew Wiggins has been very good, and he was quietly been their 2nd most reliable scorer. James Wiseman is very raw, but he just had his best game against the Spurs, but he will have a tough time against Mitchell Robinson. Kelly Oubre has been shooting less and attacking more, which is a good thing since he shot 4% from 3 at one point this season. Draymond Green directs everything on defense, and he makes the Warriors run. Eric Paschall is good off the bench, providing a spark. This Warriors team is balanced and hard to stop. If they give Curry some reliable scoring, they are a dangerous team.
Final Verdict: This game could go a lot of ways, but I doubt that the Knicks offense can keep up with the Warriors offense. I know that the Knicks have a very good defense, but Steph Curry draws so much attention, and the other Warriors have been getting better. This is going to be a tough game for the Knicks, and that’s why the Warriors will win.
Game Of The Day Prediction
My game of the day prediction is kind of obvious. It’s Bucks vs Lakers. The Lakers are the best team in the league, and the Bucks are currently the best team in the Eastern Conference (Nets defense sucks). This will be a good game between two good teams, and this will be a very good game.
What Are Your Predictions For The 3 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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