It will be an unusually unbusy day of NBA action with just two games on the schedule. First up, the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors will look to snap their ongoing losing skid as they take on promising young rookie Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic, who are currently in last place in the East.
And in the day’s other game, the streaking Oklahoma City Thunder will be gunning for their fifth win in a row when they host reigning two-time NBA MVP and the Denver Nuggets, who have gotten off to a somewhat slow start to their season.
So read on below as SBOTOP delivers in-depth previews on both of these games.
Golden State Warriors @ Orlando Magic
The Golden State Warriors’ NBA 2022 results to begin their title defence have not been too impressive. The reigning NBA champions are now 3-5 and are in the midst of a three-game losing skid after falling to the Hornets, Pistons, and Heat.
Head coach Steve Kerr has admitted that his team is lacking a ‘sense of purpose’ as they pace themselves for another long season.
Stephen Curry is certainly not lacking in purpose, though, as he is off to a sizzling start. The Warriors superstar is averaging 30 points per game and had a triple-double of 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists in a losing effort against the Heat.
But fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson is not playing nearly as well. Thompson is averaging just 13.3 points while shooting an abysmal 35 per cent from the field and under 30 per cent on 3-pointers.
But Thompson will have an ideal matchup to go help him get back on track as he faces the Orlando Magic, who are 1-7 and last in the East.
The Magic are quite short in the backcourt with guards Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, and Gary Harris all out, while Terrence Ross is questionable. That means Jalen Suggs and RJ Hampton will play heavy minutes in this matchup against the legendary Splash Brothers.
And in the frontcourt, prized rookie Paolo Banchero is finally cooling off after his blistering hot start. After his historic run of 20-point games to start his NBA career, the No 1 overall pick has now gone below 20 points in back-to-back games.
Banchero will also have a tough assignment as he goes up against Andrew Wiggins, who has the physicality and athleticism to cause the rookie problems on both ends of the court.
Betting Tip: Golden State Warriors -8.50 @ 1.95
Denver Nuggets @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The Denver Nuggets came into the season with a lot of expectations. With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr returning from injury to add some much-needed support for two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ NBA 2022 odds to be serious contenders in the West were looking good.
But the Nuggets have gone out to a slightly disappointing start. Murray, who missed all of last season after a torn ACL, is still shaking off some rust and is averaging just 16 points on 41.5 per cent shooting. Although, he did score a season-high 21 points in a loss to the previously winless Lakers.
Porter Jr is playing better, averaging 18.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting a sizzling 49 per cent on 3-pointers. But with Murray and Porter’s return, Denver’s defence has been down, while the offence has not been quite good enough to make up.
The Nuggets will be keen to pick up a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, whom they already beat 122-117 a few weeks ago. Michael Porter Jr led Denver with 22 points, while Nikola Jokic had a triple-double with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 13 assists.
However, the Thunder have not lost since that game as they’ve reeled off four wins in a row. They defeated the Clippers twice, and also overcame Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks as well as the Magic.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been great thus far as he’s led the Thunder to their strong start. The talented young guard is averaging 31.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, as well as 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks.
And he has gotten just enough help from his supporting cast in Lu Dort and Tre Mann. Aleksej Pokusevski has also provided a couple of big scoring games off the bench of late.
Betting Tip: Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap +5.50 @ 2.05
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