My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 1.30.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball, and we have 8 games on the schedule today. I will be giving my pre-game predictions for all the games today, and predict a winner.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Chicago Bulls
The Blazers have lost back-to-back tough games, their last one a blown lead against the Rockets. Portland is obviously short-handed, but they definitely could have won their last two games. Derrick Jones Jr. is out, and Robert Covington is questionable. If would be a huge blow to the already poor Blazers defense if those two guys were out. The Bulls also have a poor defense, and they turn the ball over a lot, and that can give Portland a lot of opportunities.
The Bulls lost their last two games to good teams, and they haven’t played in a few days. They are a very young and promising team, but they are without Wendell Carter Jr. down low. They turn the ball over a lot, and their defense is poor. The Bulls have offensive fire-power with likely All-Star Zach Lavine, and a solid supporting cast. Portland also has a poor defense, but if the Bulls turn it over a lot, they are putting themselves in a bad position. They need scoring from Porter Jr. and Temple off the bench, as if they can outplay a relatively weak Portland 2nd unit, they can win.
Final Verdict: Both these teams are poor defensively, with Portland potentially missing 3 of their best defenders. But while their defense is poor, Portland doesn’t turn the ball over, and Damian Lillard has been playing like an All-Star starter. Zach Lavine has been great, but the Bulls turn the ball over on top of their poor defense, which makes it tough for them to win, especially against a very good Blazers offense. This game will be good, but I think that Portland will win.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Charlotte Hornets
The Bucks have started surprisingly slow this season, allowing one of the worst shooting teams in New Orleans torch them, handing them their 7th loss already. The Bucks played 48 games before losing last season, and they have a much better team this season. Maybe it’s getting adjusted to each other, or maybe it’s just the Bucks playoff woes are hitting them in the regular season. We all know they are talented with Giannis, Middleton, and Holiday at the helm, and one of the best supporting casts in the league. The Bucks are very good on both ends, but they haven’t been able to win this season for whatever reason.
The Hornets offense has some weapons, but they have been very inconsistent. But we saw how good they can be after a good win against the Pacers. If they can get out and running, they are dangerous. They have pure scorers like Hayward, Rozier, and Graham, along with exciting young talent like PJ Washington and Lamelo Ball, who was amazing off the bench with energy and hustle. If the Hornets can score, they give themselves a chance.
Final Verdict: I expect the Bucks to come out mad after their recent struggles, especially after getting dominated by the Pelicans. The Bucks really haven’t shown their dominance for long periods of time like they did last season, but this should definitely be a game that they win.
Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans
The Rockets have been playing their best basketball of the year, as they’ve won their last 4 games. Their trio of Wall, Wood, and Oladipo have been excellent while playing together, but the Rockets defense has been the best it’s been in years under Stephen Silas. The Rockets are now a top-10 defensive team, as that’s become their identity. But the Pelicans pose some bad matchups. PJ Tucker on Zion? Victor Oladipo on Ingram? Not the best matchups, but if the Rockets can limit the amount of outside shots the Pelicans make, they can win this game.
The Pelicans torched the Bucks, mainly because Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball hit 14 3’s combined, and they scored 52 points. The Pelicans better hope this type of stuff continues, as they struggle when Bledsoe and Ball struggle. They need to provide as much shooting as possible for their star forwards Ingram and Williamson, as without that shooting, they struggle mightily. I also want to see a little more pace from the Pels, instead of just half-court offense.
Final Verdict: If the Pelicans can shoot the ball proficiently, they are a good team and very dangerous. But I don’t consider them to be very consistent after one good game, and counting on Ball and Bledsoe to score 52 points is a little absurd. The Rockets are solid defensively despite some poor matchups, but I think they will win this game.
Sacramento Kings vs Miami Heat
The Kings have been playing at a faster pace, and it’s been working as they’ve won their last 3 games. This faster pace really suits De’Aaron Fox well, and guys like Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield have been doing really well in this new style. Obviously the defense is still bad, but when they play faster, they can make up for it. This Kings team is very explosive, and one that should be taken pretty seriously.
The Heat have been bad this year, because they haven’t been healthy, not because they’ve fallen off (something people are actually saying). They have been without Jimmy Butler and Avery Bradley for a while, both of whom are questionable for this game. Goran Dragic is out again, and Tyler Herro is questionable. The Heat again are likely to be short-handed.
Final Verdict: The Heat are just missing so many guys, it becomes so hard for them to win. The Kings have found a new style that fits them (one that Dave Joerger have two years ago but they fired him), but they have been a problem, and I think that will continue here with a win.
LA Lakers vs Boston Celtics
The Lakers have lost their last two games, their last one to the dreadful Pistons are their offense was terrible. Lebron James has been shouldering the load as of late with AD once again hindered by injuries, and he needs some help, as he can’t afford to spend this much energy this early in the season. I expect AD to play in this game, but he might not. This is another big test for the Lakers, as Boston is back at full strength.
The Celtics lost a tough game to the Spurs, but their Big 3 is back and healthy. Kemba Walker has looked fresh and spry since returning, and Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have both been playing like All-Stars. This Celtics team will have a problem stopping AD down low if he plays, because they don’t have any sort of interior defense.
Final Verdict: If AD does play, I do think the Lakers win. AD has to be big and dominant down low against a very poor Celtics interior. If AD doesn’t play, the Lakers need their offense to keep getting shots throughout the game, as just Lebron likely won’t be enough against a healthy Celtics Big 3. This will be a good game, but I think that Boston will win.
Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs
The Grizzlies haven’t played since the 18th after getting a positive Covid test. Jonas Valanciunas remains out, and neither will Grayson Allen, leaving the Grizzlies short-handed. Ja Morant has proven he can do a lot with a little, but this will be a tough game. The Grizzlies have not been offensively, as their defense really carries them. They are 2nd in the league in defense, as they need their defense to carry them again in this game.
The Spurs have some really good offensive weapons. The reliable Aldridge and DeRozan have been solid, but their young guys have been great. Dejounte Murray can do it on both ends, and Keldon Johnson effortlessly gets to the hoop. The key for the Spurs is 3-PT shooting, as they shoot 40% from 3 in wins, and just 31% in losses.
Final Verdict: If the Spurs can hit some outside shots, it opens everything up. They have a lot of offensive weapons, and the Grizzlies are short-handed and likely rusty after not playing for a while. I think that the Spurs will win this game.
Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks
The Suns got a much needed win against Golden State, after they had a string of tough losses. Devin Booker remains out, so the Suns will need scoring from Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, who has struggled mightily this season. In wins, the Suns are a very good shooting team, and in losses they struggle. So they’ll need some shooting from guys like Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder to win.
The Mavs were destroyed by the hottest team in the league twice, even after they got most of their guys back. They looked very rusty, as they have got to get back to form. We all know how talented Luka Doncic is, but when his passes to open shooters don’t yield in makes, his play-making is pretty much useless. The Mavs shoot below 30% from 3 this season in losses, as they need to hit their 3’s to win.
Final Verdict: Both these teams need to shoot well to win, and both of them are handicapped to a degree. The Suns are without Devin Booker, and the Mavs are just rusty. This will likely be a close game, but I think Dallas will win.
Detroit Pistons vs Golden State Warriors
The Pistons are just bad. Period. A win against the defending champs doesn’t change much for them. Detroit is bottom-10 in offense and defense, as they just don’t have a very talented roster as of right now. But they refuse to play their young guys like Saddiq Bey, instead opting to play Blake Griffin, who has been terrible this season. They need to play their young guys to develop for the future, as they aren’t going anywhere with this team.
Here’s a stat that proves why the Warriors win and lose. Steph Curry averaged 31.2 points when Golden State wins. He averages 23.8 in losses. That’s all I have to say. Curry is so vital to the Warriors success, but he also needs help around him. Kelly Oubre was been good-awful, and Andrew Wiggins is another guy that plays better when the Warriors win. In wins, Golden State shoots a blazing 41% from 3, and in losses it dips below 30%.
Final Verdict: So the keys for the Warriors are, they need Curry and Wiggins to get going, as they are their most consistent scorers. If the Warriors can hit some 3’s, they are likely to win. The Pistons are a team that struggle on both ends, so it’s a chance for the Warriors to get a free tune-up win.
What Are Your Predictions For The 8 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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