NBA 2018-19 Predictions: Crystal Ball for 24th October

The 2018-19 NBA regular season campaign has already gotten into a midseason groove, with a number of teams bursting right out of the gate in top gear and making their presence felt across the league.

Whatever we've seen from teams so far has put us in position to spin the crystal ball and predict the outcomes of upcoming games, and that is just what we do in today's edition of predictions for games to be played on 23rd October.

#1 Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks, American Airlines Center

Win/Loss column: Hawks 1-2, Mavericks 2-1

Rest: Hawks - 2 days, Mavericks - 1 day

Tip-off: 7 PM ET, 4:30 AM IST (25th October)

Preview:

The Hawks are on an all-out tank job, but rookie Trae Young became the first player from the 2018 draft class to post 30+ points in a single game in their blowout win at the Quicken Loans Arena this Sunday. In only his 3rd game, Young posted a 35 point, 10 assist game - the only rookie other than LeBron and Steph to achieve this feat in the modern NBA.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, will be happy for trading up in the draft and acquiring Luka Doncic from the Hawks in exchange for the former Oklahoma Sooner and a Miami Heat first-round pick.

The reigning Euroleague MVP and #3 pick in the draft has gotten off to a pretty good start himself, posting 26 points in a win for the Mavs over the Timberwolves in only his second game of the season.

Matchup to look out for: Luka Doncic vs Trae Young

Prediction: 20 point win for the Mavericks, with the lead at halftime being possibly even more.

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center

Win/Loss column: Cavaliers 0-3, Nets 1-2

Rest: Cavs - 2 days; Nets - 3 days

Tip-off: 7 PM ET, 4:30 AM IST

Preview:

The Cavs have gotten off to a winless start, even getting blown out by barrel scrapers Atlanta Hawks at the Quicken Loans Arena. Kevin Love is unable to find his range or connect on his shots from the post, and their wing depth is of legitimate concern given their playoff aspirations.

The Nets, on the other hand, look increasingly better as their young players Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, D'Angelo Russell and Jarrett Allen continue to develop. Joe Harris is as good a sharpshooter as any, and the rest of their roster comprises of scrappy players who play out of their skin

Matchup to look out for: Jarrett Allen vs Kevin Love

Prediction: Cavs win a hard-fought game by less than 5 points, with the scores ranging between 120-130.

#3 Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz, Vivint Smart Homes Arena

Win/Loss column: Rockets 1-2, Jazz 1-2

Rest: Rockets - 2 days, Jazz - 2 days

Tip-off: 8 PM ET, 5:30 AM IST

Preview:

Chris Paul will serve out the second game of his suspension from the 'Spitgate', sitting out on this extremely tough road game. Harden was put under immense pressure against the Clippers as none of his teammates were able to get an offensive rhythm going on Sunday.

Melo has had a pretty ordinary start thus far, and needs to step up big time for them to win this game. James Ennis will sit out 3 games on account of an injury he picked up this weekend.

The Jazz are in no mean spirits right now, but backed by one of the best home crowds in the league, they'll undoubtedly be a force to reckon with. Their roster looks about the same as it did last season, enforcing matchup nightmares for the Rockets at the wing positions as the likes of Crowder, Ingles, Rubio and Dante Exum, in addition to Donovan Mitchell, will engage in a shootout with the Rockets' sharpshooters.

Matchup to look out for: James Harden vs Donovan Mitchell

Prediction: The Jazz close out this game with some time to spare, winning by 5-10 points.

#4 Minnesota Timberwolves at Toronto Raptors, Scotiabank Arena

USA Basketball Men's National Team Training Camp

Win/Loss column: Raptors 4-0, Timberwolves 2-2

Rest: Raptors - 1 day, Wolves - 1 day

Tip-off: 7:30 PM ET, 5 AM IST

Preview:

The Jimmy Butler standoff notwithstanding, the Wolves have a couple of bright spots to cheer for this season already - Derrick Rose has shown flashes of the vintage offensive play from his heyday, while Wiggins and Towns look visibly improved and committed to the defensive end of the floor. They will look to tighten things up on the road.

The Raptors, on the other hand, have had the best possible start to the season, staying perfect through the four games including a marquee game at home against the Celtics.

Kawhi is not yet 100% physically ready for playoff action, but even at sub 100% he has still been a legitimate menace on both ends of the floor, while Kyle Lowry has been raining 3-pointers so far. Having one of the deepest benches in the league can only help the Raps' chances.

Matchup to look out for: Jimmy Butler vs Kawhi Leonard

Prediction: Raptors win handily (10-15 points), securing the W by the start of the fourth quarter.

#5 Miami Heat at New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden

Win/Loss column: Heat 1-2, Knicks 1-3

Rest: Heat - 3 days, Knicks - 1 day

Tip-off: 7:30 PM ET, 5 AM IST

Preview:

The Heat are barely starting to get going as a team this season, still waiting for Dion Waiters' return to bring some much-needed wing scoring. Josh Richardson has shown improvements from where he left off last season offensively, but the rest of their squad are pretty much known quantities at this point. Their frontcourt should make hay on offense given the quality of opposition they're facing.

The Knicks are in full-blown tank mode right now, and are expected to be a contender for the #1 pick overall. Their season thus far has panned out almost as predicted, though they took the Celtics right down to the wire in one of the best games of the season so far. The outlook for the near future looks bleak.

Matchup to look out for: Hassan Whiteside vs Enes Kanter

Prediction: The Heat win a hard-fought game by creating separation in the 4th quarter, by a margin of 5-10 points.

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