Neither the Golden State Warriors nor the Milwaukee Bucks will head into their marquee NBA showdown in the best of form. Both teams are in the midst of a slump and are desperate to get back to winning ways, but they must do so without their key defensive players.
Meanwhile, the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies are eager to extend their league-leading winning streak even further as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Read on below for SBOTOP’s complete preview of the NBA’s upcoming five-game slate.
Golden State Warriors @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Warriors are eager to bounce back after losing to the red-hot Grizzlies last time out. It was Golden State’s third defeat in their last four games.
Stephen Curry had a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but his shooting struggles continued as he went just 8-of-21 from the field and 2-of-9 on 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson had 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting in his second game back.
The Warriors will once again be without All-Star forward Draymond Green due to a calf injury, which will be a major blow to their defence as they take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champion Bucks.
Anetokounmpo and co. will also be keen to return to winning ways after losing four of their last five games, including back-to-back road defeats to the Hornets.
The Bucks are set to be without their own defensive superstar in Jrue Holiday due an ankle injury, which likely means another start for Jordan Nwora. Nwora had 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the second game against the Hornets.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies’ amazing win streak is now up to double-digits as they grabbed their 10th in a row against the Warriors. Ja Morant led the way with 29 points, while fellow guards Ziaire Williams and Tyus Jones both added 17 points apiece.
The Grizzlies were without head coach Taylor Jenkins and starting centre Steven Adams, who are both in the Covid protocols, as well as injured guard Dillon Brooks. But as has been the case for the entire season, different players just continue to step up for the Grizzlies, who are now 29-14 and are challenging the Utah Jazz for the No 3 seed in the West.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in the thick of the tight battle for the 6th to 9th seeds in the conference. The Wolves lost a close game to the Pelicans, 128-125, last time out, which snapped their four-game win streak.
Anthony Edwards had 28 points in a losing effort for the Wolves, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 26. Towns has been on a tear of late, averaging 25.5 points on 56 per cent shooting with 10.3 assists and 5.0 assists over his last four games since returning from Covid protocols.
Betting Tip: Memphis Grizzlies Asian Handicap -4.50 @ 1.87
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Brooklyn Nets
The Nets reminded everyone that they are still the team to beat in the East as they blew out the No. 1 seed Bulls, 138-112.
The just-returned Kyrie Irving had a quiet night in his third game back as he finished with only 9 points. But Kevin Durant and James Harden picked up the slack as they combined for 52 points and 25 assists. Rookie centre Day’Ron Sharpe also came up big with 20 points and 7 rebounds in his first career start.
The unvaccinated Irving will once again have to sit out as the Nets return home to Brooklyn to host the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have lost five games in a row after falling to the Wizards last time out.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 32 points and 8 assists in a losing effort, while rookie Josh Giddey added 18 points and 8 assists of his own.
Los Angeles Clippers @ New Orleans Pelicans
After a recent slump, the Clippers are suddenly surging again. They defied the NBA 2022 odds by coming back from 25 points down to beat the Nuggets, their second win in a row.
Second-year guard Amir Coffey has been terrific in the two wins, averaging 19.5 points per game. With Paul George, Luke Kennard, and Justise Winslow still out of the lineup, Coffey figures to get more playing time for the shorthanded Clippers.
Coffey will look to continue his impressive run against the Pelicans, who are coming off two big home wins over the Warriors and Timberwolves. Brandon Ingram has finally broken out of his recent slump and dropped over 30 points in both wins, including the game-winning 3-pointer against the Wolves.
Betting Tip: LA Clippers Asian Handicap +3.50 @ 1.87
Portland Trail Blazers @ Denver Nuggets
The Trail Blazers are suddenly on a roll after back-to-back home wins over the Kings and Nets. However, they have been rocked by the NBA 2022 news that Damian Lillard is set to undergo surgery for his lingering abdominal issue, which will likely keep him out for 6-8 weeks.
With Lillard and CJ McCollum out, young Anfernee Simons has stepped up for Portland. Simons is averaging nearly 28 points and 7.6 assists over his last five games. But unfortunately, he will also miss the Nuggets match due to personal reasons, which will leave the Blazers significantly shorthanded in the backcourt.
Denver will be keen to take advantage of the banged-up Blazers. The Nuggets had their two-game win streak snapped as they squandered a huge second-half lead against the Clippers.
Reigning NBA MVP is still playing at a high level for the Nuggets, averaging 25.7 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. And second-leading scorer Will Barton (15 PPG) looks set to return to the lineup from the Covid protocols, which should be a huge boost for the Nuggets’ offence.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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