The NBA returns from the All-Star break with a big battle between two Atlantic Division rivals in the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics want to bounce back after their nine-game winning streak was snapped, but they could be without two key starters against the Nets, who will also be short on star power.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry – fresh off his awesome MVP performance in the All-Star Game – will look to get his struggling Golden State Warriors a much-needed win against the surprisingly hot Portland Trail Blazers.
Read on below as SBOTOP takes a look at all seven games on the schedule in the NBA’s first night back from the All-Star break.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Detroit Pistons
The Cavs will be keen to snap the two-game losing streak they are currently on. New acquisition Caris LeVert has struggled since arriving to Cleveland. He’s averaging only 13.3 points per game and shooting just 40 per cent from the field.
The Cavs should like their chances of getting a much-needed win against the Pistons, who defied the NBA 2022 odds with their shock 112-111 win over the streaking Celtics. Jerami Grant, who was not dealt before the trade deadline, had a strong game with 24 points in just 29 minutes, including the game-winning basket.
Boston Celtics @ Brooklyn Nets
The aforementioned Celtics will be eager to bounce back in Brooklyn after their shock defeat to Detroit. The Celtics were without two starters and defensive lynchpins in Robert Williams and Marcus Smart due to injury in that loss, and the two are still questionable to play in Brooklyn.
As for the Nets, the latest NBA 2022 updates say their new star Ben Simmons is still weeks away from making his Nets debut as he continues to ramp up after sitting out for the entire season. Kyrie Irving will also miss the home game as he is still unvaccinated, while it might be a bit too early for Kevin Durant to return.
Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls
The Hawks have revived their playoff push with back-to-back wins over the Cavs and Magic before the break. Trae Young (27.8 points per game) continues to carry the offence, while Bogdan Bogdanovic has provided a much-needed spark off the bench.
But the Hawks will have their hands full against DeMar DeRozan and the surging Bulls, who have won five in a row to regain a share of the East lead. DeRozan has scored 35 or more points while shooting 50 per cent or better in seven straight games, which is a new NBA record.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Don’t look now, but the Grizzlies are closing in on the Warriors for the No 2 seed in the West. Although, Memphis’ six-game win streak was unexpectedly snapped by the Trail Blazers just before the break. All-Star Ja Morant had 44 points in a losing effort.
Morant will look to lead the Grizzlies to victory against the Timberwolves, who are currently holding down the No 7 spot in the West. Newly crowned 3-point champion Karl-Anthony Towns continues to play consistently well, but Anthony Edwards is struggling. The young forward has scored just 15 total points on 3-of-18 shooting over his last two games.
Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The streaking Suns – winners of seven in a row and 5.25 favourites to win the title – were dealt a huge blow when veteran point guard Chris Paul broke his thumb and will now miss the next 6-8 weeks. The good news for Phoenix is that guards Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet should both be ready to return after their respective injury issues kept them out.
Their opponents, the Oklahoma City Thunder, are also expecting to get star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in the lineup. SGA, the team’s leading scorer at 22.7 points per game, has missed the last few weeks with an ankle injury.
Golden State Warriors @ Portland Trail Blazers
The Warriors had a disappointing run before the All-Star break, dropping four of their last five games as their hold on the No 2 seed has gotten weaker. But Golden State should be encouraged by the strong play of superstar Stephen Curry, who went supernova with his 50-point, 16 3-pointer performance in the All-Star Game.
Curry will be eager to keep that hot streak going against the surprisingly streaking Trail Blazers, who have won four in a row, the last two coming on the road against the Bucks and Grizzlies.
With CJ McCollum gone and Damian Lillard still sidelined, Anfernee Simons has stepped up to lead the team offensively. The 22-year-old is averaging 24.6 points per game in February. Josh Hart, who came over in the McCollum trade, has also been shooting lights out and is averaging 24 points in his last three games.
Denver Nuggets @ Sacramento Kings
The Kings are now 2-2 since trading for All-Star Domantas Sabonis after dropping back-to-back games against the Nets and Bulls. Sabonis had 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists in a losing effort against Chicago, while De’Aaron Fox had a team-high 33 points and 9 assists.
But Sabonis and co. could struggle to keep up with their next opponent, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who has led the Nuggets to three straight wins and five in their last six. Jokic had 35 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 assists in their big win over the Warriors as he continues to put up spectacular, MVP-calibre numbers.
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