My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 2.1.21
It’s a new month and we have 10 games to kick it off. I will be giving all my predictions, and predicting a winner for each game.
LA Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks
The Lakers have looked very good overall this season, surviving Boston late in their last win. They are very good on both ends, but they could be better if a few things happen. If AD plays in this game, the Lakers should try and get him more involved, and let Lebron carry a little less load, as he is 8th in total minutes played. I think that AD has sometimes not been involved as much as he should, and he should be getting more involved. I think that Lebron should be playing a little less, in preparation for a deep post-season run.
The Hawks have won 5 of their last 7 games, mainly due to Trae Young finding his mojo again. Trae Young has been aggressive, getting to the free throw line a lot, and it’s greatly benefited the young Hawks. Atlanta is solid on both ends, and they have guys who can matchup well with the Lakers. Capela and Collins down low for AD, and Cam Reddish for Lebron. De’Andre Hunter in unfortunately out for the next week with a knee injury, and that’s a big blow for the Hawks, but one they can overcome.
Final Verdict: I think that the Lakers will win this game. If AD can score against the Hawks frontcourt, it makes it very tough for the Hawks to win. Without De’Andre Hunter the Hawks have less bodies for Lebron James, and I’m sure the Lakers will do their best to get the ball out of Trae Young’s hands. This will be a pretty good game.
Charlotte Hornets vs Miami Heat
The Hornets offense has been finding it’s legs as of late, as they’ve won their last two games. And a lot of that has to do with Lamelo Ball, who played his best game of the year against the Bucks, with 27 points off the bench. If the Hornets can hit their outside shots, they give themselves a good chance to win games, as they have a lot of offensive firepower.
The Heat finally got somewhat healthy, getting their best player in Jimmy Butler back, and he had 30 points in the Heat win against the Kings. Now the Heat are likely still short-handed in this game, with Dragic, Herro, and Avery Bradley all questionable. If they could get a few of those guys playing, it would be huge, but getting Butler back will really help this team going forward.
Final Verdict: This game could go either way depending on the Heat’s health, but I think that the Hornets will win. The Hornets are mostly healthy with Terry Rozier being questionable. The Heat are likely to be missing some key guys, and I think that will end up hurting them.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The T-Wolves got a good win with a 2nd half rally against the Cavs, as they looked pretty solid throughout that game. Defense is still a problem, especially on the interior where Drummond and Allen will be a problem. They need scoring from their 3 guards in Edwards, Russell, and Beasley, as well as some bench scoring to win.
The Cavs offense has been good against bad defenses like the T-Wolves, but their offense struggled in the 2nd half of yesterday’s game. They need to feed Drummond and Allen down low against a poor T-Wolves interior, as also get Garland and Sexton going on the perimeter. If the Cavs offense can continually produce points throughout the game along with their stout defense, they can beat most teams.
Final Verdict: I think that the Cavs will win this game, mainly because of their dominant front-court. Drummond was very good in yesterday’s game, and should have a similar performance in this game. All the Cavs have to do, and I know I’m asking for a lot here, is to just keep scoring against a poor T-Wolves defense, and they can win.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Milwaukee Bucks
The Blazers miraculously won their last game against the Bucks, thanks to another Damian Lillard buzzer-beater. Portland has been depleted by injuries, and their defense and 2nd unit have been problematic at time. Derrick Jones Jr. is out, meaning Portland loses another body to guard Giannis. Covington will have a tough time guarding Giannis, but Portland has one way to win. If Portland can hit some 3’s, they can win as that’s what the Bucks give up.
The Bucks are supposed to be better than 11-8. They are the best offensive team in the league, and their defense is middle of the pack. The problem isn’t personnel, as this is the best Bucks team from the past 3 seasons. The problem is Mike Budenholzer. Budenholzer isn’t a good coach to put it lightly. He missuses Giannis Antetokounmpo on offense, and rarely gives Jrue Holiday isolation plays. His Bucks allow team to get wide open 3-point looks, even though they have Jrue Holiday and Donte DiVincenzo. It’s time for the Bucks to move off Bud.
Final Verdict: I think that this game will be close, but Milwaukee will win. Even with Bud misusing the MVP, Giannis doesn’t have a lot of bodies that can guard him in this game. If Jrue Holiday can slow down Damian Lillard, it’s almost a sure win. But the Bucks better hope Portland doesn’t get hot from 3, otherwise they might be in trouble.
New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls
The Knicks struggle on offense, and that’s where most of their problems are at. They just haven’t been able to score consistently enough to win. A way to maybe help the struggling offense is to start rookie sensation Immanuel Quickley, who is a guy who can score at will. The Knicks need to score more, as they can’t win games averaging 102 points per game.
The Bulls lost in the most heart-breaking way to Portland, one that has to sting. But Chicago is opposite to the Knicks. They have a lot of talent on offense, but defense and turnovers are their problems. Without Wendell Carter Jr. down low, they struggle, and they turn the ball over a lot, which hurts them. But the Bulls can score, and that could help them a lot in a game with the Knicks.
Final Verdict: I think that the Bulls will win. Zach Lavine is an All-Star, and Lauri Markkanen has been excellent this season. The Bulls have a lot of offensive firepower, and unless their defense is that bad to allow a poor Knicks offense to score a lot, and they turn it over a lot, I think that they will win.
Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans
The Kings are all offense no defense. They have been playing a lot faster, which plays to their offensive skillset, but they are still terrible on defense. They need a lot of offensive production from Fox, Hield, Barnes, and Haliburton to win, and even with that their defense is sometimes so bad that they still lose.
This team is so frustrating to watch, because they have two of the best wings in the league, and yet they don’t know how to use them. The Pelicans have no spacing with Bledsoe, Ball, and Adams on the floor, and their offense just looks bad. They refuse to play fast, something that would help them avoid spacing problems. Their defense isn’t crazy good either, as they just haven’t been able to figure things out.
Final Verdict: This game is going to be very interesting, but I think the Kings will win. They know that they need to play fast to win, and the Pelicans struggle defensively. The Pelicans offensive struggles will likely continue, and I think that they will lose again.
Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder
The Rockets have quietly won their last 5 games, as their new defensive identity under Stephen Silas has been working well. Their big 3 of Wood, Wall, and Oladipo have averaged more than 60 points per game this season, as they have been very good. The Rockets are a solid team that plays very hard, as even with limited depth they manage to win games.
The Thunder statistically are a bad team. They are bottom 10 in both offense and defense. And yet they are 8-10, not a bad record. They are led by SGA and have solid guys like Dort, Horford, and Bazley, but it’s almost inexplicable how this OKC team is decent.
Final Verdict: I think this game will be pretty close, but I’m going with the Rockets. Their defense has been a lot better, and their Big 3 of Wood, Wall, and Oladipo have been very good. The Thunder won’t back down to anybody, but I think that Houston should overpower them in this game.
Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks
The Suns have won their last two games without Devin Booker, thanks in large part due to Chris Paul, who has been scoring more. Deandre Ayton was excellent against the Mavs, as they need him to continue to be aggressive. If Booker doesn’t play, they’ll need some solid scoring from guys like Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder. If Booker does play, it’s a big boost for the Suns offense.
The Mavs have lost their last 5 games, mainly due to injuries and rustiness. They looked better against the Suns on Saturday, but they collapsed late in that game. They need to find scoring from other guys outside of Luka. Kristaps Porzingis has been struggling, as they need him to return to what he was pre-bubble. Josh Richardson has been very disappointing, as he hasn’t been able to score this season. They need to score, and not leave Luka having to do everything.
Final Verdict: I think that the Suns will win this game. They know how to win without Booker, and with Booker. The Mavs haven’t been able to provide solid help to Luka in this losing streak, and I think that will continue with another loss here.
Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs
The Grizzlies have won their last 6 games, as their excellent defense has been at the root of that. The Grizzlies defense is the 2nd best in the league, as they are very good on that end. Their offense looked very good against the last time these two teams played, even without Valanciunas and Allen, who remain out of this game. If the Grizzlies can score, they are a very tough team to beat.
The Spurs were dominated by the Grizzlies as their defense was horrendous. The Spurs offense was fine for once in a loss, as it’s usually their offense that slows them down. With Derrick White back, it gives them another young, talented guard in the rotation. They need DeMar DeRozan to score, and not post just 5 points against Dillon Brooks. If the Spurs can hit some 3’s, and play defense, I like their chances.
Final Verdict: Both these teams are solid, but I think the Spurs will win. I don’t anticipate on DeRozan being as bad as he was in the last meeting between these two teams, and getting Derrick White makes their backcourt even better. If the Spurs can just hit 3’s, and play decent defense, they can win and snap the Grizzlies win streak.
Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets
I’ll say this again to the Pistons. Please stop playing Blake Griffin and play the younger guys to develop them, as you are rebuilding. Thanks for listening.
The Nuggets took down the Jazz and their 11 game win-streak, thanks to 47 points from Nikola Jokic. Jokic has been playing like an MVP this season, and he’s been carrying the Nuggets, especially with Jamal Murray not being the same player he was in the bubble. The Nuggets have a solid bench, but defense has been their problem this season. However, I doubt that will matter against a rebuilding Pistons team.
Final Verdict: The Nuggets should win this game handily against the Pistons. Jokic will dominate down low, and if just a few Nuggets provide some scoring help, they will win. The Pistons struggle on both ends, and even the poor Nuggets defense shouldn’t lose them this game.
Game Of The Day
There are a few good games today, but I think that Pelicans and Kings will be good. Both teams have a lot of talent and almost no defense, so it should be a good shoot-out type game.
Bucks vs Blazers and Hawks vs Lakers will also be good.
What Are Your Predictions For The 10 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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