“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”
Most say that the real NBA season begins on the 25th of December. the first quarter of the season has passed and we have a small idea of who these NBA teams really are.
We should be in for a treat Friday.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (9-19) VS MIAMI HEAT- The Pelicans have been decimated with injuries in the beginning of the season to some key players. Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday are now healthy and should give some much needed help All-NBA teammate Anthony Davis. They’re sitting second to last in a always tough Western Conference, but are just 3.5 games out of the 8th spot. So they can use every win they can get.
The Heat are also in the area of taking any win they can get at the moment. Once the New Year hit, the Heat may have the most brutal stretch of games in recent franchise history with 12 road games (only 5 home games) against likes of GSW, LAC, OKC, DEN, TOR, CHI, DAL, HOU 2x’s and more.
The matchup we’re looking forward to witnessing is the two best shot blocking centers in the league this season, Anthony Davis (2.7 BPG) and Hassan Whiteside (4.0 BPG).
PREDICTION- MIAMI WINS 99-91.
CHICAGO BULLS (15-11) VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNER (20-9)- The Thunder are 9-2 during the month of December and are playing their best basketball thus far. They still have some noticeable holes in their offense, but it’s slowly coming together. Kevin Durant looks back to form, averaging 26.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG & 4.3 APG. Teammate Russell Westbrook is proving last year’s production wasn’t a fluke. He’s averaging 25.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG & 9.3 APG.
On the other side, the Bulls are still struggling to find their identity. From losing winnable games, to star Jimmy Butler calling out his teammates for poor play, to of course… injuries; the Bulls title hopes slip more and more with each loss. It’s really hard to imagine that the Bulls went 6-2 during a stretch of home games this month and won 4 straight games. This recent 3 game losing streak has definitely overshadowed that.
You don’t want a blood thirsty duo of Westbrook and Durant sensing that. But that’s too late.
PREDICTION- OKLAHOMA CITY WINS 107-94
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (19-7) VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (27-1)- The 2015 NBA finals re-match will be the game to watch. Both teams come into the Christmas Day game healthy (Warriors forward Harrison Barnes MAY play) and redemption on the mind for both teams.
Cleveland is looking to avenge their loss in another Finals appearance. Guard Kyrie Irving hurt his knee during Game 1 and missed the remainder of the Finals. Even with LeBron James magical play, it wasn’t enough to stop the Warriors.
Now with the motto “Unfinished Business”, expect the Cavs to give the Warriors a taste of what they should’ve given last summer.
It’s odd to think the Warriors, reigning NBA champions could be out for redemption. Many predicted the Cavaliers would defeat the Warriors with or without the injured Irving. That’s all the motivation they needed to accomplish the best start in league history at the start of this season, and haven’t looked back.
There’s many matchups across the board in this game that’s intriguing. So let’s just enjoy this holiday treat.
PREDICTION- GOLDEN STATE WINS 110-107
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (25-5) VS HOUSTON ROCKETS (15-15)- The Spurs have flown under the radar during the 1st quarter of the season and hold the 2nd best record in the league. Kawhi Leonard MUST be taken as an MVP candidate this season. Leonard is leads the Spurs in scoring with 21.0 PPG, to go along with 7.4 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG & shooting 51% FG. He’s taking on more of the leadership role and it’s wonderful to see his growth.
As well as Leonard has played this season, the Spurs as a whole is destroying the league. They’re holding their opponents to 88 PPG. During their current 7 game win streak, their averaging 110 PPG and have a point differential of 21.4 points.
The Rockets on the other hand, are still trying to find their way but have improved slowly. After firing their former head coach Kevin McHale, the rumored rift between Dwight Howard and James Harden and the inconsistencies of newcomer Ty Lawson; the Rockets will have a huge test trying to slow down the red hot Spurs.
Especially if Leonard can make life a living hell for James Harden. Which I’m sure will happen.
PREDICTION- SAN ANTONIO WINS 112-95
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (16-13) VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS (5-24)- The Battle of LA has become rather boring the past couple of seasons, with the Clippers pretty much dominating each meeting and the Lakers getting more worse to watch.
The Clippers, much like the Chicago Bulls, are suffering a 3 game losing streak with the Clippers being unable to close out games.
Sounds familiar?
On the flip side, Kobe Bryant is averaging over 21 PPG, 5 RPG & 5 APG in his last 4 games. The Lakers are still horrendous to watch, but it’s ok because this season is all about Bryant’s farewell tour, right?
PREDICTION- LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS WINS 118-87