Prior to this season, not everyone anticipated that the Timberwolves and the Thunder were going to be the top two teams in the Western Conference, but here we are.
And these two NBA teams will square off for the third time this season tomorrow, which will take place at the Target Center, to prove their credentials.
Elsewhere, the Pistons, Hornets, Wizards, Hawks, Knicks, Bulls, and Rockets are slated to host the Bucks, Sixers, Spurs, Cavaliers, Raptors, Grizzlies, and Jazz, respectively.
Today at SBOTOP, we will preview the five marquee matchups to look out for, so continue to read on below.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Detroit Pistons
The Bucks will try to get back on track when they play the Pistons after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was absent for the Bucks due to a shoulder injury, which was a big reason why they were embarrassed. However, he should be back after a one-game absence, according to the NBA 2024 updates.
The Pistons went through a seven-game losing streak after going winless for 28 games, but they defeated the Wizards on Monday. The Timberwolves then beat them again on Wednesday.
After tomorrow, these two teams will face off again on Monday. And there’s a huge possibility that the Pistons’ new losing streak will extend to three consecutive games, as per the NBA 2024 odds.
Philadelphia Sixers @ Charlotte Hornets
Joel Embiid is expected to feast on the Hornets’ thin frontcourt, which already has the likes of Mark Williams and Nick Richards sidelined.
Williams has already missed 18 straight games, and there’s no timeline yet for his return, while Richards didn’t play against the Spurs because he sprained his ankle on Wednesday.
With Williams and Richards out, this leaves the Hornets with only PJ Washington and Nathan Mensah as their only centers, and they’ll have their hands full against the reigning MVP.
After being out for three consecutive matches, Embiid is back at his best, scoring at least 36 points in his last three, including back-to-back 41-point games against the Rockets and the Nuggets.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks
The Cavaliers are suddenly the hottest team in the NBA right now because of their six-game winning streak.
That is impressive considering they’ve been without Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, who are still injured. Donovan Mitchell has been carrying the team lately, averaging 29.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game during their winning run.
The Hawks, meanwhile, are also on a winning run of their own after defeating the Spurs, Magic, and Heat.
Dejounte Murray has hit back-to-back game winners against the Magic and the Heat. If Trae Young (illness) is absent again tomorrow, Murray will be relied upon to shoulder the team’s offencive cudgels.
In the three games without Trae Young this season, Murray has averaged 24.7 points, 10.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per contest.
Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks
The Raptors and the Knicks will get an idea of who got the better end of the deal when they’ll face off anew after their trade last month.
Since joining the Raptors, RJ Barrett’s numbers have improved across the board, averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 55-per cent from the floor. The same can be said for Immanuel Quickley, who has posted norms of 18.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per contest.
And with Pascal Siakam joining the Pacers, both Barrett and Quickley will have higher usage rates due to a lack of scoring options besides Scottie Barnes.
OG Anunoby, on the other hand, is averaging 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game since joining the Knicks. Those numbers may be modest compared to Barrett and Quickley’s, but the important thing is that New York are 8-2 since they acquired him.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Following their tough road loss against the Celtics, the Timberwolves have won four consecutive games to solidify their top berth in the Western Conference standings.
Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns have held it down for the Timberwolves offencively during that stretch, with averages of 24.3 and 20.3 points per game, respectively.
Rudy Gobert has been solid on the defencive end for the Timberwolves because he posted 18.8 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game during their winning run.
As for OKC, they ended their two-game skid after beating the Jazz on Thursday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams were big in the win, having combined for 58 points in the 134-129 victory.
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