The Los Angeles Lakers made short work of the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of last year’s playoffs as they went on to win the NBA title. But Damian Lillard and co. will now get another shot at the reigning champion Lakers, who could potentially be without one or both of their superstars.
Elsewhere, the still-shorthanded Rockets pay a visit to the struggling Nuggets, while the red-hot Hawks look to keep their perfect start intact against the winless Pistons.
Read on below as SBOTOP previews all five NBA games on the schedule for Dec. 29.
Detroit Pistons @ Atlanta Hawks
The Pistons have gotten off to a rough 0-2 start this season. Despite the additions of Delon Wright and Jerami Grant in the offseason, their perimeter defence has been quite poor, particularly in their most recent loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Detroit’s defence could be in for another tough night as they take on the red-hot Atlanta Hawks, who are 2-0 after double-digit road wins over the Bulls and Grizzlies. All-Star point guard Trae Young has started the season on fire averaging 36.5 points per game, while the team is putting up 123 points a night.
Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari remains questionable to play due to a left foot injury. But even without the Italian, the Hawks have more than enough offensive weapons to hand the Pistons a third consecutive defeat.
Young should also be able to make a few more NBA 2020 highlights with Pistons rookie Killian Hayes and veteran Derrick Rose unlikely to slow him down.
Betting Tip: Atlanta Hawks Asian Handicap -9.00 @ 1.90
Memphis Grizzlies @ Brooklyn Nets
Despite the best efforts of last year’s Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, who is averaging 36 points and 8 assists through two games, the Grizzlies have gotten off to an 0-2 start. The absence of big man Jaren Jackson Jr. and guard De’Anthony Melton have taken their toll on their overall depth.
Meanwhile, Memphis’ defence has struggled significantly, allowing 126.5 points over their first two games.
The Grizzlies must now find a way to slow down the Brooklyn Nets, who suffered their first loss of the season last night, 106-104, away to the Charlotte Hornets.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both played well for the third straight game as they combined for 54 points, but sixth man Caris LeVert had an off-night. Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie left the game in the third quarter due to a sprained knee and is unlikely to face the Grizzlies.
Durant and/or Irving are also likely to sit out and rest since this is the second night of a back-to-back. The absence of one or both of those stars should see the Grizzlies’ NBA 2020 betting odds improve markedly.
Utah Jazz @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The Jazz are still not quite firing on all cylinders. Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic, who missed the bubble due to injury, have both struggled shooting the ball through the first two games of the season.
Luckily, Mike Conley has had a much better start to his season than he did last year, while Jordan Clarkson has continued his impressive scoring production off the bench. And All-Star big man Rudy Gobert is making good on his $205 million extension, averaging 19 points and 17 rebounds.
Gobert will be eager to put up another dominant display against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After their season opener against the Houston Rockets was postponed due to COVID, OKC won their first game of the season over the Charlotte Hornets, 109-107.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a strong game with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists as he takes on a more central role on the team with Chris Paul now gone. Veteran guard George Hill also added 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting, although that type of hot shooting will be tough to replicate.
Betting Tip: Utah Jazz Asian Handicap -7.50 @ 1.93
Houston Rockets @ Denver Nuggets
Despite his infamous partying during the offseason, James Harden showed he can still deliver when the real games begin. Harden made more history when he dropped 44 points and 17 assists in the Rockets’ season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Unfortunately, with new point guard John Wall, Eric Gordon, and DeMarcus Cousins all out due to COVID safety protocols, the Rockets fell just short in overtime, 128-126.
Wall, Gordon, and Cousins are still not expected to return for Houston’s visit to Denver, which means the onus will once again be on Harden and newcomer Christian Wood to carry the Rockets’ offence. Wood had a strong Rockets debut as he finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds.
Harden and Wood will look to inflict more headaches on the Nuggets, who have started 0-2 after losses to the Kings and Clippers.
All-Star big man Nikola Jokic is averaging a triple-double through two games (26.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 12.0 APG). But Denver’s defence has let them down as they’ve allowed over 120 points in back-to-back games.
Betting Tip: Houston Rockets +8.00 @ 1.85
Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Despite having no Anthony Davis, the Lakers had no problem trouncing the Timberwolves last night, 127-91. After their big win on Christmas Day against the Mavs, the Lakers once again impressed as they showed off their much-improved depth. Kyle Kuzma led six Lakers in double-digits with 20 points and also played a team-high 29 minutes.
Meanwhile, LeBron James only needed to play 26 minutes. With Davis banged up, James may be forced to play the second night of a back-to-back against the Blazers. But if he does sit out, expect Kuzma, Dennis Schroder, and Montrezl Harrell to take on much bigger roles in the offence.
As for the Blazers, they have not had an impressive start to the season after getting blown out by the Jazz and just beating the significantly shorthanded Rockets at home.
CJ McCollum had 44 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer, against the Rockets. But backcourt mate Damian Lillard is still struggling with his shot. He’s gone 15-of-40 from the field and 6-of-20 on 3-pointers.
The defensive improvements after the acquisitions of Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. also have yet to materialise as they’ve given up 120 or more points in back-to-back games.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
