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With the season off and running to a blazing start, and several exciting games already played at the fastest average pace, providing the highest points per game average per team since 1969-70, the 2018-19 NBA regular season campaign has already gotten into midseason groove.
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 Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers, Wells Fargo Arena
Win/Loss column: Pistons 2-0, Sixers 2-1
Rest: Pistons - 2 days, 76ers - 2 days
Preview:
The Pistons face the first real test of their regular season campaign, playing at the Wells Fargo Center against the Sixers following wins over the Nets and the Bulls in the first 2 games of their season. While both of their wins were well-deserved, neither the Bulls nor the Nets are expected to be anything better than lottery teams this season.
The Sixers have come back to a +.500 record after an opening day loss to the Celtics, following a 127-108 win over the Bulls and a close shave against the Orlando Magic (116-115). Markelle Fultz is being steadily integrated into their starting lineup, while JJ Redick has had a hot start to the season off the bench.
Matchup to look out for: Embiid vs Drummond - the Cameroonian has had feuds with several big men across the league, and Andre Drummond figures to be one of those who have come back at him with their words and their play. It'll be interesting to see who wins the head-to-head, and this is the matchup that will be the primary indicator of who holds the upper hand in the game.
Prediction: The Sixers take the game by a margin of 7-10 points, sealing the game with about 3 minutes left.
#2 New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Clippers, Staples Center
Win/Loss column: Pelicans 2-0, Clippers 2-1
Rest: Pelicans - 3 days, Clippers - 1 day
Preview:
The Pelicans have gotten off to a torrid start to their 2018-19 campaign, leveraging their frontcourt for the maximum bang for the buck. Nikola Mirotic, in particular, was a standout in games against the Rockets and the Kings, pouring in a total of 69 points in 2 games so far.
The dominance of Anthony Davis was pretty much on expected lines in both games, and another big outing in this game will cement his status as an early bird MVP candidate.
The Clippers, meanwhile, bounced back from a Game 1 loss against the Nuggets to hand Ls to the Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder and the CP3-shorn Houston Rockets. They are still aiming to make the playoffs instead of blowing up their roster, as many have suggested, and they'll be a tough nut to crack.
Matchup to watch out for: Lou Williams vs Jrue Holiday
The Pelicans' wing depth chart is pretty shoddy, but the presence of two-way stud Jrue Holiday makes up for quantity with quality. Holiday himself has been his self to start the season off on both ends of the floor, and he'll be guarding reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams for much of the game.
It will be interesting to see how much his defense will stifle Williams' volume scoring, if at all.
Prediction:
The Pelicans move on to a 3-0 record with a double-digit margin win over the Clippers, securing a blowout win within the first 6 minutes of the 4th quarter.
#3 Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings, Golden 1 Center
Win/Loss column: Nuggets 3-0, Kings 1-2
Rest: Nuggets - 1 day, Kings - 1 day
Preview:
The Nuggets have stamped their authority as a top-4 seed contender in the Western Conference playoff picture with a 3-0 start to the season. This includes a win over the Warriors at the Pepsi Center - the site of the biggest home advantage in North American sports historically, while they also put away the Clippers and the Phoenix Suns in the 2 games before that.
They have Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray all in rude form, and they'll be a force to reckon with for the Kings, who have among the worst defenses in the league.
While De'Aaron Fox has begun the season averaging 20/5/8 in just over 30 minutes a game, he will be confronted with a sturdier-looking Nuggets defense that has yet to concede over 100 points in 3 outings. Rookies Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles are coming off the bench to start the season, though, and they're capable of providing an offensive impetus.
Matchup to look out for: Jamal Murray vs De'Aaron Fox
Fox's jumpshot seems to have improved by leaps and bounds, and his straight line speed will be too much for any player on the Nuggets to stop him for the duration of the game. On the flip side, Murray is one hell of an isolation player, and will keep Fox busy coming off screens sporadically through the night.
Prediction: The Nuggets blow the Kings out by a 20-point margin, with the outcome of the game clear by around halftime.
