My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 2.6.21
It’s another day of NBA basketball and we have an exciting day with 11 games on the schedule. Today I will be giving my pre-game predictions for every single game, and predict a winner.
Portland Trail Blazers vs New York Knicks
The Blazers have been hit hard by injuries, but they somehow beat the 76ers without Damian Lillard, as they still have a winning record. The Blazers desperately need Lillard back on the floor, and that’s what will happen as he and Derrick Jones Jr. are back. Dame is so important to this offense, as with him the Blazers have a chance.
The Knicks scraped out a win against the Bulls, as their offense was somewhat decent. The Knicks defense is pretty good, we all know this. But if their offense cannot score, it’s hard for them to win. They need to take the ball out of Lillard’s hands, and force other Blazers to beat them. They also need their bench guys to score, otherwise they will have to rely solely on their defense.
Final Verdict: Portland is still banged up, but I’m going to pick them to win. Getting Dame back is so huge, as he makes Portland have one of the best offenses in the league. The Knicks offense has struggled, and if they can’t slow down Damian Lillard, they have no chance.
Denver Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings
The Nuggets were dominated in the 2nd half against the Lakers, as their offense was completely shut down. Lucky for them they go from the best defense to the worst defense, as they should have no problem scoring against the Kings. No Gary Harris or PJ Dozier means that De’Aaron Fox will be a problem, as will this Kings fast-paced offense. Denver has to be able to play defense, otherwise things may get a little too close for comfort.
The Kings have been getting better on defense as of late, but it’s still nothing great. But their offense has been very good. De’Aaron Fox has been one of the best closers in the league this season, as he and the Kings have been rolling. Sacramento has a lot of weapons, including the 2nd best rookie, Tyrese Haliburton, the do it all guard off the bench that just wrecks opposing defenses.
Final Verdict: This will be a good game, but I’m going with Denver. Nikola Jokic will be able to pick apart the Kings soft defense, and he just needs a couple more guys to score. The Nuggets defense might be a problem, but if they can just play decent defense, they should win.
Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic
The Bulls defense was awful yesterday against the Magic, as they were torched by Nikola Vucevic. Without Wendell Carter Jr, this will again likely be a problem. The Bulls will need guys like Lavine and White to score more, with Markkanen and Porter Jr. being out for this game. White has been struggling, and sometimes Lavine isn’t as involved as he needs to be. Both of these guys will have to be good for the Bulls to win.
Nikola Vucevic was an absolute mismatch for the Bulls last time, and the same will be true in this game. Vucevic will also need some scoring from guys like Fournier and Terrence Ross. The Magic aren’t great defensively, but they should be able to score against a bottom-5 Bulls defense. All they have to do, is not let Zach Lavine get going.
Final Verdict: This game will be close, but I’m giving the edge to the Magic. The Bulls are missing two of their best scorers, and they lose another body down low. Vucevic will be a problem again, and the Bulls defense just isn’t good enough to even hold down a usually poor Orlando offense.
Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers
The Nets lost, and Kevin Durant had a very weird experience with Covid and the NBA. KD is not traveling with Brooklyn for this game, so it’s just Harden and Irving. I say just, but these guys are capable of leading this team. They just have to be aggressive. I think that knowing KD won’t be playing helps them, as they must have been confused against Toronto with KD coming in and out. If Harden and Irving set the tone, Brooklyn can win. Their defense will be a problem, but I think that their offense can contend with anybody, even without KD.
The 76ers got embarrassed by the Blazers, who were without Damian Lillard. It was a bad loss, and now Philly faces a very good Nets team. Ben Simmons comes back into the lineup after missing the last game, but Joel Embiid is questionable. Seth Curry left the Blazers game with an illness (not Covid), and he too is questionable. Without the Embiid, the 76ers are just 1-4. They struggle, and if they don’t have their MVP, they face a tough task with the Nets.
Final Verdict: Depending on if Joel Embiid plays, I’ll pick either team. If he does play, he will dominate Deandre Jordan down low, and the 76ers will win. But if he doesn’t play, things get much closer, and I think that Brooklyn would win because the 76ers have struggled this season without Embiid.
Toronto Raptors vs Atlanta Hawks
The Raptors offense looked very good against the Nets yesterday, as they dominated that game throughout. But now they face a much better Hawks defense. I think it’s too much to ask for the whole Raptors Big 3 to play well, but they need at least two guys to play well, as the Raptors aren’t incredibly deep this season. The Raptors will likely have to get the ball out of Trae Young’s hands (if he plays), but they will have a problem with Capela and Collins down low. This will be a tough game for the Raptors defensively.
The Hawks have dearly missed De’Andre Hunter lately, and with him being out again, they lose their best wing defender. If Trae Young remains out, the Hawks don’t have much of a chance as their offense is much worse with Rondo on the floor. If Young plays, he will have to be aggressive, but the Hawks should pound the ball down low against a very weak Raptors interior.
Final Verdict: If Trae Young plays, I would likely favor the Hawks because their massive advantage down low. If he doesn’t play, this should be a win for the Raptors.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The Bucks finally were able to get rid of the Cavs in the 4th quarter, after the game was close throughout the first 3 quarters. The Bucks should be able to win this game, as the Cavs don’t have anything resembling an offense.
The Cavs somehow managed to make this game close yesterday, but their offense is just not simply capable of keeping pace with the Bucks.
Final Verdict: Bucks>Cavs
San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets
The Spurs had a come-from-behind win against the T-Wolves, but over the past few games they haven’t been playing great. The Spurs have to hit outside shots to win, it’s as simple as that. They have been trying to re-incorporate Derrick White, which could be the root of the problem. But with no Aldridge, Lonnie Walker, and Dejounte Murray being questionable, they need their back-court to score in order to win.
Christian Wood will be out a while, so the Rockets back-court will have to score to try and keep this team afloat. Wall is questionable, but Oladipo is back. The Rockets kind of need Wall, otherwise they are without two of their best scorers, leaving them thin against a pretty deep Spurs team.
Final Verdict: I think the Spurs will win this game. Christian Wood is out, and John Wall is questionable. If he’s out, the Rockets are missing nearly 40 points of scoring, and while the Spurs are missing some guys, they still have more scorers than the Rockets do, and they should win this game.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs OKC Thunder
The T-Wolves nearly blew another 4th quarter lead, but they managed to win, and they looked ok at best against a short-handed OKC team. The T-Wolves aren’t great at either end, but they are relatively healthier than the Thunder. They need D’Angelo Russell and Edwards to shoot well, otherwise they might lose to the Thunder.
The Thunder have been missing all their best guards lately, and yet they still nearly beat the T-Wolves yesterday. But with no George Hill and SGA and Lu Dort being questionable, OKC will likely be short-handed again.
Final Verdict: I wouldn’t put it past the T-Wolves to lose this game, however they should be winning this game.
Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks
The Warriors dominated the Mavs last time out without even having a center, as a Kelly Oubre explosion fueled them to the win. They are still without Looney or Wiseman, and Eric Paschall is questionable. But even if they are small, if they can force Porzingis to shoot perimeter shots and they can play fast and hot 3’s, they are dangerous. They need Kelly Oubre to score and hit his perimeter shots, but also be a slasher if his shots aren’t falling.
The Mavs have been one of the most disappointing teams this season, mainly because their roster has been failing Luka. Their shooters can’t shoot, and Luka is being forced to do so much. I definitely think a move needs to come, but the Mavs still should beat this small Warriors team. I don’t know why KP is out 30-feet from the basket instead of being on the block. This Mavs team is a mess, and not the same team from last season.
Final Verdict:
Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans
The Grizzlies have seemed to lost their toughness as of late, as their defense has been getting torched lately. Jonas Valanciunas and Grayson Allen should be coming back, a big add for Memphis. Brandon Clarke is out, but the Grizzlies are getting back two key guys in their rotation.
Lonzo Ball has been shooting the ball better, and the Pels have been winning. Zion and Ingram have been scoring at will this season, but with Ball shooting better in the starting unit, the Pels have playing a lot better offense. If New Orleans can hit their 3’s watch out.
Final Verdict: As the top two picks from the 2019 Draft battle it out, I’ll take the Pelicans. They have a lot of scoring talent, and they have been playing a lot better as of late.
Detroit Pistons vs LA Lakers
Play the young guys, you suck (to put it lightly).
The Lakers should win this game easily. No explanation needed
Final Verdict: LA>Detroit
Game Of The Day
I think that Nets vs 76ers will be good, although could be lopsided if Embiid plays for the 76ers.
Knicks vs Blazers and Kings vs Nuggets will also be good.
What Are Your Predictions For The 11 Games Today? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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