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The 2018-19 NBA regular season campaign has already gotten into a midseason groove. A number of teams have race right out of the gate in top gear and made their quality 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 26th October.
#1 Chicago Bulls vs Charlotte Hornets
Win/Loss column: Chicago 1-3, Charlotte 2-3
Rest: 1 day each
Tip-off: 7 PM ET, 4:30 AM IST
Preview:
The teams faced off against each other yesterday, with Zach LaVine coming up clutch to secure the Bulls' first win of the season. With Lauri Markkanen still ruled out for a couple more weeks, they will have to lean heavily on LaVine, Parker and Bobby Portis for the lion's share of scoring.
Kemba is likely to be in irresistible form, as he's been so far this season. He was practically the lone hand in 2 of the Hornets' 3 losses, and at one point, led the league in total 3-pointers made. Kris Dunn will have a job on his hands trying to stop the 2-time All Star.
Matchup to look out for: Zach LaVine vs Nicolas Batum
Prediction: The Hornets avenge their loss with a decisive, double-digit win at home.
#2 Golden State Warriors vs New York Knicks
Win/Loss column: Warriors 4-1, Knicks 1-4
Rest: 1 day each
Tip-off: 7:30 PM ET, 5 AM IST
Preview:
Curry was at his unanimous MVP best in the Warriors rout of the Wizards at the Oracle Arena yesterday, pouring in 51 points in 3 quarters while connecting on 11 of his 16 3-pointers. It was the most entertaining offensive performance of the seasons so far, so much so that Kevin Durant's ultra-efficient 30 point, 8 rebound, 7 assist game has gone under the radar.
The Knicks, on the other hand, have a bleak outlook for the season. Promising rookie Kevin Knox has been ruled out for a couple of weeks with an ankle injury, while Kristaps Porzingis is out until February 2019 at least.
Matchup to look out for: Frank Ntilikina vs Kevin Durant
Prediction: 30-point victory for the Warriors at the Madison Square Garden
#3 Dallas Mavericks vs Toronto Raptors
Win/Loss column: Raptors 5-0, Mavericks 2-2
Rest: 1 day each
Tip-off: 7:30 PM ET, 5 AM IST
Preview:
The Kawhi era Raptors have gotten off to the best possible start to the season, maintaining a perfect record through a spell that has included games against Conference Finalists Boston and the Minnesota Timberwolves, among others. Kawhi is not 100% yet, but he's there and thereabouts as he starts off another MVP-caliber season.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, are still a middling Western Conference team who lost to the worst team in the Association by 7 points in their previous game. Luka Doncic has looked Rookie of the Year worthy, but the Mavs are giving too much of a free rein to Dennis Smith Jr and Wesley Matthews with all 3 of them on court, and that will be their undoing tomorrow.
Matchup to look out for: Dennis Smith Jr vs Kyle Lowry
Prediction: The Raptors secure a blowout win by the end of the 3rd quarter.
#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs Houston Rockets
Win/Loss column: Rockets 2-3, Clippers 2-2
Rest: Rockets - 1 day, Clippers - 2 days
Tip-off: 8 PM ET, 5:30 AM IST
Preview:
Chris Paul will return to the Rockets's starting lineup after serving out a 2-game suspension for his role in the Spitgate, which disrupted proceedings in the Rockets' match against the Lakers last week. The Rockets have gotten off to a rocky start, and are looking decidedly weaker on the defensive side of things after the departures of Ariza and Mbah a Moute, who will be suiting up for the Clippers today. Missing James Ennis will not help for this game either. Missing James Harden will, however, be the biggest blow to their chances this night.
The Clippers will ramp it up on the offensive end, but whether their defense holds up against the Rockets' offense is a whole other story.
Matchup to look out for: Patrick Beverley vs James Harden
Prediction: The Clippers win a closely fought game by 5 or fewer points.
#5 Milwaukee Bucks vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Win/Loss column: Bucks 4-0, Wolves 2-3
Rest: 1 day each
Tip-off: 8 PM ET, 5:30 AM IST
Preview:
The Wolves have lost each one of their 3 road games while winning both of their home games. Facing the rejuvenated Bucks now coached by Mike Budenholzer, the Wolves will be put in plenty of bothersome spots through the course of the night. Karl-Anthony Towns has been markedly better on the defensive end so far, but Thibs' offense continues to marginalize him in a manner unfitting for the best scoring center in the league.
The Jimmy Butler-Wiggins-Towns standoff doesn't seem to have affected the Wolves play so far, but there's only so much they can expect to get out of a team with a fractured chemistry. Wiggins is probably still unavailable through injury, and that might be a decisive change.
Matchup to look out for: Jimmy Butler vs Giannis Antetokounmpo
Prediction: The Bucks beat the Wolves handily (10-15 points)
#6 Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans
Win/Loss column: Nets 2-2, Pelicans 3-0
Rest: Pelicans - 2 days, Nets - 1 day
Tip-off: 8 PM ET, 5:30 AM IST
Preview:
Anthony Davis is currently putting up MVP-like numbers, and the eye test backs up the excellence of his box scores. Nikola Mirotic has gotten off to a red-hot start to the season himself, while Julius Randle is playing himself into Sixth Man of the year consideration with his excellent play off the bench as a small ball center.
The Nets have been a much-improved side this season, thanks to clear progressions by youngsters D'Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen. The rest of their squad looks solid, but it's clear as daylight that Allen, Ed Davis and the rest of their frontcourt motley crew can't hold a candle to the Pelicans' big men.
Matchup to look out for: Jrue Holiday vs D'Angelo Russell
Prediction: 15-point victory for the Pelicans.
#7 Washington Wizards vs Sacramento Kings
Win/Loss column: Wizards 1-3, Kings 2-3
Rest: Wizards - 1 day, Kings - 1 day
Tip-off: 10 PM ET, 7:30 AM IST
Preview:
The Wizards got daddy-dicked by Steph and KD in the first game of their road trip, but then, every single NBA team would've been in the same position as them when the duo gets as hot as they were yesterday. That result will leave John Wall and co licking their wounds and looking for a way to avenge that loss with a resounding win of their own, and the Kings present them an opportunity to do exactly that.
The Kings have young'ns Bojan Bogdanovic, Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox progressing pretty well, while rookie Marvin Bagley has looked pretty great offensively off the bench. Their lack of defense, however, will bite them on numerous occasions this season - including this one.
Matchup to look out for: John Wall vs De'Aaron Fox
Prediction: Wizards romp home to a 10-15 point victory.
