Thunder Upset Mavericks; Celtics and Raptors Cruise! 12/31/19

It’s New Years Eve in the NBA, and we have 7 games on the schedule tonight.

Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets

Prediction: Boston Celtics

The Celtics go down south of Charlotte to face the Hornets. Jaylen Brown will be out for the Celtics with an illness.

The Celtics cruised to a 109-92 win.

Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 7 rebounds for the Celtics.

PJ Washington had 15 points and 5 rebounds for Charlotte.

The Celtics shot 45% from the field and 37% from 3. The Celtics forced the Hornets in 17 turnovers.

The Celtics are now 23-8 on the year, and the Hornets have fallen to 13-23.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Indiana Pacers

Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers go to Indiana to face the balanced Pacers. They will be without Joel Embiid who has left knee soreness.

The Pacers dominated, winning 115-97.

Domantas Sabonis had 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists for Indiana.

Josh Richardson had 20 points and 5 assists for the 76ers.

The Pacers shot 49% from the field and 44% from 3. The Pacers had 54 points in the paint, and the 76ers had 46.

The Pacers are now 22-12 on the year, and the 76ers have fallen to 23-13.

LA Clippers vs Sacramento Kings

Prediction: LA Clippers

The Clippers go to northern California to battle the Kings. Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley are out for LA.

The Clippers cruised to a 105-87 win.

Kawhi Leonard had 24 points and 7 assists for the Clippers.

Richuan Holmes had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento.

Both teams shot 41% from the field, and LA shot 33% from 3. The Clippers made 21 free throws and the Kings made 13.

The Clippers are now 24-11 on the year, and the Kings have fallen to 12-22.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors

Prediction: Toronto Raptors

The Cavs go north of the border to face the Raptors.

The Raptors cruised to a 117-97 win.

Kyle Lowry had 24 points and 8 assists for Toronto.

Collin Sexton had 22 points for the Cavaliers.

The Raptors shot 48% from the field and 44% from 3. The Raptors outscored the Cavs by 7 at the line, 20-13.

The Raptors are now 23-11 on the year, and the Cavs have fallen to 10-23.

Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets

Prediction: Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets travel south to Texas to take on the Rockets. James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Clint Capela are all back in action for the Rockets.

The Rockets cruised to a 130-104 win.

James Harden had 35 points and 6 assists for the Rockets.

Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 8 rebounds for Denver.

The Rockets shot 53% from the field and 47% from 3. The Rockets made 16 more free throws than the Nuggets, 22-6.

The Rockets are now 23-11 on the year, and the Nuggets have fallen to 23-10.

Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs

The Warriors travel to Texas to face the Spurs.

The Spurs won a close game, 117-113 in OT. At the end of regulation, Glenn Robinson III of Golden State hit the jumpshot with 10.6 seconds left to tie the game. The Spurs held on to win in overtime.

DeMar DeRozan had 24 points and 5 rebounds for San Antonio.

Alec Burks had 28 points for the Warriors.

The Spurs shot 47% from the field and 45% from 3. The two teams combined for just 18 turnovers.

The Spurs are now 14-18 on the year, and the Warriors have fallen to 9-26.

Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks travel to Oklahoma to face the Thunder. Kristaps Porzingis is out for the Mavs with a knee injury.

The Thunder outscored the Mavericks 14-2 in the final 2:45 of the 4th quarter, and they won 106-101.

Dennis Schroder had 20 points and 7 rebounds and Danilo Gallinari had 20 points for the Thunder.

Luka Doncic had 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists for Dallas.

The Thunder shot 43% from the field, and the Mavericks shot 29% from 3. The Thunder outscored the Mavericks by 8 in the paint, 44-36.

The Thunder are now 18-15 on the year, and the Mavericks have fallen to 21-12.

Predictions: 4-3

I hope you enjoyed another day in the NBA, please leave a comment on how your team is doing, and enjoy the rest of the holiday season and have a Happy New Year’s!