NBA 1/15

Kyle Kirms
6 hours ago
3 min read

GRIZZLIES @ MAGIC - 2:10 PM

Still no Suggs but Franz Wagner is back for Orlando. Jo Morant is out for Memphis.

Memphis has really struggled to score points since Morant's injury. They played SAS, PHX, OKC, BKN.

Memphis just blew a 21 point lead to OKC. They beat the Nets the other night but were 1-6 in their previous 7.

If you look at the full season... Memphis has been pretty much the same with or without Ja morant in the lineup. Trade rumors.

How quickly does Orlando get back into form here?

Berlin and then London. Wagner in front of his home city. Both Wagners are back. De Silva also from Munich, Germany.

Orlando hasn't lost back to back games since mid December.

I'll say Orlando.

SUNS @ PISTONS - 7:10 PM

Devin Booker is questionable. 2nd game of a long east coast road trip... wouldn't be surprised if they rested him.

We've only seen 3 games... but the Suns have not looked good without Devin Booker.

Pistons in the exact opposite situation. They've had 4 days rest and this is gonna be the healthiest they've been since before the new year.

The Suns have played great but they've played a ton of their recent games at home.

Both teams playing elite defensively.

Don't love how there's 2 more important games after this one.

I really like the way Phoenix is playing right now... they're well-coached. They play great defense. The ball never stops.... but Detroit is fully healthy and rested.

THUNDER @ ROCKETS - 7:40 PM

First matchup since opening night.

Dort questionable.

OKC's been winning... not so much covering.

Houston got Sengun back but still missing Eason.

Since losing Eason, we've seen two terrible defensive games from the Rockets. (SAC & CHI)

But if you look at the full season numbers, it doesn't really add up. They've actually been slightly better defensively without Eason.

OKC's offense has been so inconsistent.

Maybe a buy low on Houston cuz they've played so many games on the road. 11 of their last 15.

The problem with Houston is the SOS. IND, BKN, DAL, PHX, POR, POR, SAC, SAC.

I guess Oklahoma City -3.5.

CELTICS @ HEAT - 7:40 PM

Does one good game erase the previous 6? Tyler Herro's back... so we assumed the Heat offense would come around at some point.

Big pace difference.

Boston's in a big of a skid. Their only recent win was against the slow-paced team.

If you look at Boston's last 5 games, the 4 games against fast-paced teams... they made it a point to slow the game down. Jaylen Brown didn't play in the Indiana game.

Mitchell has started 38 games at PG for the Heat.

Think Boston gets back on track here. BOS -1.5.

BUCKS @ SPURS - 8:10 PM

Still no Vassell.

Spurs offense doesn't look very good at all. They've gone ice cold from 3.

They've played a tough schedule... but they're actually one of the worst offenses in the NBA in the last 10 games.

The Bucks had been playing good defense... but they just got completely lit up by Minnesota with no Edwards and no Gobert.

I think you gotta take Milwaukee here. The Spurs haven't looked very good at all. You're talking about laying 7.5 points with a team that hasn't won a game by double digits since Christmas Day.

HAWKS @ BLAZERS - 10:10 PM

I like this new Hawks team... defense... passing (31.8 APG in their last 10). Jalen Johnson is emerging as a superstar. Daniels & Alexander-Walker defensive backcourt.

but no Porzingis, no Risacher and possibly no Kennard sucks. I still think they handle themselves fine in this one. No Avdija for Portland.