My Pre-Game Predictions For Today’s Games – 3.4.21
It’s the final day of NBA action before the All-Star break as we have 9 games on the schedule today. I will be giving all my pre-game predictions and choose a winner for each game.
Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics
The Raptors were missing lots of guys yesterday and their coaching staff remains out. It’s likely that 3 starters; Siakam, VanVleet, and Anunoby along with HC Nick Nurse remain out. The Raptors defense was very bad in their last game and if they want any chance to win this game they’ll have to play better defense.
With Kemba Walker playing better Boston has won their last 3 games and back over 0.500. Kemba has been aggressive and taking good shots. I wish the same could be said about Jayson Tatum who has been struggling. Tatum sometimes settles too much and I wish he would just attack the rim more. But with the Raptors being short-handed the Celtics should be able to score in this game.
Final Verdict: This is a win on a silver-platter, and Boston just has to take it. It would be very big to get a 4th straight win heading in the All-Star Break. The Raptors have hit roadblocks due to Covid and this should be a win for the Celtics.
LA Clippers vs Washington Wizards
The Clippers 4th quarter shooting struggles have caused them to lose two winnable games against playoff teams. Marcus Morris is likely to be out for this game and Kawhi is questionable. Getting Kawhi back would likely ensure a win in this game bit without him LA might struggle. The key for LA is not fall in love with the jumpshot no matter who is on the floor. Continue to attack the basket and not settle.
The Wizards have slowed down a bit with their last two losses but a win here to end the first half of the year would be big. The Wizards need production from Beal and Westbrook as LA has one of the best offenses in the league. The Wizards just have to play with some energy and pace and they can win this game.
Final Verdict: If the Clippers get Kawhi back I am confident that they can win this game but if he doesn’t play I’m less confident. The Wizards have to win if Kawhi isn’t playing and try to avoid losing 3 straight heading into the break at all costs.
Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks
The Pistons are headed for the lottery again so this game doesn’t matter much for them.
The Knicks need to score in order to win otherwise they struggle. Without Derrick Rose they struggled to keep up with the Spurs. Just a defense isn’t enough in today’s NBA, you have to be able to score. Elfrid Payton is likely out again and Rose is questionable. The Knicks can win this game without Rose however having him would help a lot.
Final Verdict: The Knicks should win this game. D-Rose playing would help their offense but if he’s not there they have to get scoring from IQ and Burks off the bench and rely on Randle and Barrett. This is an important game for New York.
Denver Nuggets vs Indiana Pacers
The Nuggets have been hitting their stride while dealing with injuries as they have won 4 of their last 5 games. Their offense led by Nikola Jokic who has been historically good has been heating up thanks to Murray and Porter finally showing up. With lots of key guys out the Nuggets have remained afloat. They need scoring from Murray and Porter to have a chance to win.
The Pacers have been running on fumes lately and they nearly lost to the Cavs but they squeaked out a win yesterday. It’s clear they desperately need Warren and Levert healthy although it seems like it’ll be a bit longer before that happens. The Pacers have to try and shut down Porter and Murray to have a chance, as making Jokic a pure-scorer is their best option for winning.
Final Verdict: I am taking Denver in this game. Despite missing lots of guys they have been good and their scorers have been… scoring. The Pacers have been unimpressive lately and I don’t know if they can slow down the Nuggets offense.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Memphis Grizzlies
#firecoachbud
The Grizzlies have fallen out of the Western Conference playoff picture but their offense has been playing better. In order to win this game the Grizzlies have to make a decent amount of 3’s. They don’t usually do that. If they don’t want to make 3’s they’ll have to let Giannis take all the dunks he wants and make sure that the Bucks shooters don’t get open. Those are the Grizzlies two options.
Final Verdict: I am rooting for the Grizzlies, but unfortunately it is likely the Bucks win this game.
Miami Heat vs New Orleans Pelicans
The Heat have won 6 of their last 7 games as they are right back in the Eastern Conference playoff mix. Butler and Adebayo are both questionable, which could spell trouble for the Heat. The Heat need both of those guys on the floor to be competitive. When they’re not on the floor things are a different story.
The Pelicans are so frustrating because they are a lot better than their record suggests. I thought Stan Van Gundy would be a decent hire at best but he has been bad. The defense struggles with intensity as they only play defense when they’re down big. This team plays better when Zion gets touches and shots and there’s always portions of a game where they don’t give him the ball. No give him the ball. Especially with the possibility of there being no Bam Adebayo down low.
Final Verdict: If the Heat don’t have Bam or Jimmy they won’t win this game.
OKC Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs
The Thunder looked very bad yesterday on offense as none of their shots were falling. They’ll have to play a lot better offensively if they want to contend with the Spurs.
When you search up the definition of the world balanced this Spurs team pops up. They have so many talented guys. DeMar DeRozan is now a playmaker, Dejounte Murray is breaking out, Mills is a sharp-shooter, and Keldon Johnson is a slasher. Oh, those are just the guards. Poeltl, Eubanks, and Samanic are all solid. The bench has been great even without 3 key guys and Aldridge falling off. This team is so deep and so hard to stop.
Final Verdict: The Spurs should win this game. Even with some key guys missing they are deep and they have enough talent to win this game.
Sacramento Kings vs Portland Trail Blazers
The Kings are all offense no defense. Luke Walton is wasting all the talent on this team as the Kings are a lot better than their 14-21 record suggests. They just don’t play defense. With no Tyrese Haliburton they don’t have a bench at all as they just are mediocre when they could be better.
The Blazers have won their last two and look for a 3rd straight win heading into the break. The Blazers have beaten the Kings twice this year and should have no problem scoring in this game. The only thing for Portland is their defense. They have to defend the 3-PT line and make the Kings make contested shots. If Portland can do that they can win this game.
Final Verdict: This will be a shootout but I am going with the Blazers. Both teams are poor defensively although Portland is slightly better while the Kings are so bad. Both teams should score a lot but I am estimating that Portland will score more.
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns
The Warriors need to give Steph help. Without Oubre the help was sparse and the Warriors struggled to beat Portland because of it. It would be big if Oubre plays in this game although I doubt he plays. Wiggins, Bazemore, Lee, and Paschall have to step up. Wiseman has to stay out of foul trouble and Draymond Green needs to learn to shoot a floater (sorry Warriors fan, that was a low blow).
The Suns are one of the best teams in the league as they are so balanced. They don’t need CP-3 to score and beat the defending champs without Devin Booker for most of the 2nd half. They have a good bench, a good defense and they are just solid. They have to try and get the ball out of Curry’s hands and they will likely win.
Final Verdict: The Suns should win this one pretty easily. They are the better team and if they get the ball out of Curry’s hands they should win.
Game Of The Day
Kings vs Blazers should be very good. No defense all offense, should be very interesting.
Nuggets vs Pacers and Heat vs Pelicans should also be good.
What Are Your Predictions For Today’s Games? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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