My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 2.27.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball and we have 7 games on the schedule today. I will be giving all my pre-game predictions and choose a winner for each game.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Philadelphia 76ers
Despite the fact the Cavs have won their last two games they aren’t very good on either end. They still don’t have Love or Nance back and healthy and they struggle to score and defend. This will be a very tough game for them.
The 76ers are very good at beating poor Eastern Conference teams. The Cavs are one of those. Tobias Harris is out with a knee injury but it really shouldn’t matter. Simmons and Embiid should be enough in this game and all the 76ers have to do is not suck.
Final Verdict: 76ers should easily win this game.
Minnesota T-Wolves vs Washington Wizards
The T-Wolves are already without D’Angelo Russell and now Malik Beasley will be out for the next 12 games for some offseason troubles. The T-Wolves now heavily rely on Towns and Anthony Edwards who has been struggling shooting the ball. This won’t end well, especially with a new coach and system.
The Wizards have won 6 of their last 7 games as their offense has been rolling. Their backcourt of Westbrook and Beal has been great lately but they’ve been getting help. Hachimura, Lopez, and Raul Neto have all playing really well. The T-Wolves are a mess and while the Wizards aren’t great they are certainly a step above Minnesota.
Final Verdict: Minnesota doesn’t have their best perimeter scorer and they still are learning a new system against a surging Wizards team. Good luck Minnesota.
New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs
The Pelicans just need to shoot some 3’s and they are fine. Zion and Ingram have just been so good this season, arguably the best wing duo in the league as they just tear teams up. My one wish for the Pelicans is keep Zion involved. In their last game against the Bucks he shot the ball a lot in the first half but then not so much in the 2nd half. Make sure you give him the ball. If guys like Bledsoe, Hart, and Redick can hit some 3’s and stretch the defense the Pelicans will be fine.
The Spurs got hit hard by Covid and missed a lot of guys in their last loss to OKC. Still no Derrick White, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, or Rudy Gay. DeMar DeRozan is questionable and LaMarcus Aldridge is also questionable. The Spurs are very short-handed and without a lot of wings against New Orleans. This will be a tough game.
Final Verdict: The Pelicans should be winning this game. The Spurs will make it competitive but they are missing so many key guys and I just don’t think they can overcome that.
Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks
The Indiana Pacers play well, but they just can’t win. Sometimes their defense struggles against guards and their bench is weak at times. They are really missing shot creators like Warren and Levert and sometimes they just struggle to score. It will be tough for them to score in this game against the Knicks defense but they have to make sure their defense is ok and not led the Knicks burn them.
The Knicks are a consistent offense away from a sure-fire playoff team. Their defense is good and has been consistently good this season. They have a talented offense but only seem to thrive against struggling defense, something which Indiana does not have. They have to score if they want to win.
Final Verdict: Indiana should be able to win this game. The Knick offense is far from explosive and the Pacers just have to play something resembling defense. They also have to score a bit and be more consistent with their bench unit.
Utah Jazz vs Orlando Magic
The Jazz lost yesterday to Miami in a tough game despite playing well. Their defense got torched but that’s something they don’t really have to worry about. Rudy Gobert should handle Nikola Vucevic down low and force him to take jumpshots. The Magic only have two other scorers and I doubt Utah will shoot as poorly as they did from 3 yesterday again today.
The Magic almost stand no chance in this game. Their offense is flat and in almost no reality will they be able to contend with the Jazz’s high flying offense. This will be a struggle.
Final Verdict: Utah should win this game handily.
Denver Nuggets vs OKC Thunder
The Nuggets have been up and down this season, but their last loss was due to lack of game awareness. But lets not go down that road again. For Denver to be successful they need Jamal Murray to continue to do what he’s been doing. Being aggressive and being the #1 scorer. Nikola Jokic scoring 40+ points doesn’t impact Denver as much when he’s a passer. Still no Harris, Green, or Millsap but PJ Dozier might be back soon which is good. Denver just has to get Jamal Murray going and they can win.
I doubt the Thunder can use another jersey sabotage to throw people off. But this team somehow remains competitive despite having one of the weirdest groups in the league. Logic would say this game wouldn’t be close but OKC will likely make it close.
Final Verdict: Denver should win this game. Just remember to go for a layup every now and then.
Dallas Mavericks vs Brooklyn Nets
The Mavericks are in luck because the Nets don’t have an imposing big guy, but Dallas is very weak down low. I know it won’t show much in this game and they will be able to score against an ok Brooklyn defense. KP might play and offer size, but the Mavs need bench production and scoring alongside Luka. Hardaway, Richardson, and Brunson have to step up if Dallas wants any chance in this game.
The Nets will be without KD for the foreseeable future, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Nets have won their last 8 games, 7 of those without KD. Their offense led by Harden (sleeper MVP candidate) and Irving has been very good. Shooters like TLC, Harris, and Shamet have been getting more shots and making them. Bruce Brown is a center, kind of. This team is so unique, but it’s working. The Mavs aren’t a very big team and don’t have imposing bigs. Their perimeter defense shouldn’t be able to hold down Brooklyn, so if they can just play ok defense they can win.
Final Verdict: The Nets should win this game. Their defense has been solid throughout this win-streak and their offense is very good even without KD on the floor. The Mavs have been struggling and their defense really can’t handle a team like Brooklyn.
Game Of The Day
Mavs vs Nets should be good. Some of the best guards in the league and a couple of highly explosive offenses.
What Are Your Predictions For The 7 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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