My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 1.26.21
It’s a Tuesday night of NBA hoops, and we have just 3 games on the schedule today. I will be giving my predictions for this game, and predicting a winner.
LA Clippers vs Atlanta Hawks
The Clippers are very short-handed entering this game. Kawhi and PG are out, and will likely be out a few games due to health and safety protocols. Patrick Beverley remains out with a knee injury, as LA starts their 6-game road trip very short-handed. They will need a lot of guys to step up in order for them to win.
The Hawks have also been short-handed lately, but they might get some guys back. Danilo Gallinari has finally been able to play, and Cam Reddish is playing in this game. Now Trae Young and Clint Capela are questionable. If even one of these guys plays, I give the Hawks a good shot at winning.
Final Verdict: This game would be better if both teams were at full strength, but LA is missing their two All-NBA wings, and their best perimeter defender. The Hawks might be missing guys, but if Young plays he won’t have to deal with Beverley. I think that the Hawks will win this game.
Washington Wizards vs Houston Rockets
The Wizards haven’t been playing a lot since getting the worst Covid hit in the NBA. They are still missing so many guys like Bertans, Avdija, and Hachimura. Bradley Beal is having to do so much, with Russell Westbrook struggling and on a minutes restriction.
The Rockets have won their last two games, their last win coming after DeMarcus Cousins turned back the clock for a vintage game. Christian Wood remains out, but they have scorers like Eric Gordon and John Wall. Victor Oladipo has been solid since being acquired in the Harden deal, and they need him to continue to score. The Rockets don’t have a deep bench, but that likely won’t hurt them in this game.
Final Verdict: Both these teams are short-handed, but the Rockets have more guys. Russell Westbrook hasn’t been the same this season, and it’ll take a monster performance from Beal and a rare sighting of Washington defense for them to win.
New York Knicks vs Utah Jazz
The Knicks have one of the best defenses in the league, as Tom Thibodeau has transformed this team. But the Knicks offenses remains poor. They only have 4 guys who can consistently score, those 4 being Randle, Barrett, Quickley, and Alec Burks. The Knicks need all 4 of these guys to score, especially when they are facing the hottest team in the league, the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz have been playing out of their minds lately. They have a top-10 offense and top-3 defense. They make nearly 17 3’s per game, which easily leads the league. They shot 40%+ from 3, and have won 8 straight games. Donovan Mitchell has been playing incredible, as he has really pushed this Jazz team. Conley and Clarkson have been very good from 3 as well, and Bojan Bogdanovic hasn’t even been playing his best basketball. This Jazz team is highly explosive and dangerous.
Final Verdict: The Knicks have to limit the 3’s the Jazz take. They have been taking and making a lot of 3’s. The Jazz have a lot of weapons, and they need to try and some of them away. But the Knicks also need their offense to get going, which is a tough ask against a very good Jazz defense. I think that the Jazz will win this game.
Game Of The Day Prediction
None of these are great, but one that could be good is Rockets vs Wizards. Not because the teams are incredible, but because they are pretty evenly matched. The other two games I see as mismatches.
What Are Your Predictions For The 3 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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