NBA 1/2

Kyle Kirms
Jan 2
3 min read

SPURS @ PACERS - 7:10 PM

So obviously, the Pacers have been terrible. Pacers haven't won a game since December 8th. Rick Carlisle has been stuck on 999 career wins for almost 4 weeks now.

Wembanyama and Vassell out. Wemby woulda dominated Jay Huff or Micah Potter. Kornet will still have the advantage down low.

Nesmith and Sheppard both just came back though.

The Spurs went on a hot streak without Wemby.

Relatively unimportant game for the Spurs with 3 Western Conference games on deck.

We've definitely seen a couple competitive games in a row. I guess I'll say Pacers.

NETS @ WIZARDS - 7:10 PM

You might be surprised to hear this... but both these teams have been playing pretty well. The Wizards are no longer the worst defensive team in the NBA. That title goes to the Jazz now.

This is a bit of a different situation. This time, they rested guys on the 1st leg. Demin, Porter and Mann all sat out against Houston.

We should see a slow paced game here. Nets have been very slow paced and the Wizards seem to match their opponent's pace. UNDER 226.5.

HAWKS @ KNICKS - 7:40 PM

Trae Young is questionable.

Knicks have been a fade since the NBA Cup. They were 11-4 in December but it hasn't been pretty.

Without Hart and Robinson, the Knicks bench is really struggling.

The Knicks defense just can't make stops right now. And now Mitchell Robinson's out. He's listed as questionable. "I don't know if we're tired or what" - Mike Brown.

The Knicks have allowed 125+ points in 4 straight games. They're on pace to give up the most points in a Knicks season since 1980.

If Robinson doesn't play... Towns is gonna have to guard Porzingis out on the perimeter. The paint is gonna be wide open for Jalen Johnson to do whatever he wants.

These two teams just played on the 27th... 153 points scored in the game. Knicks won a close one in Atlanta. Hawks covered. Hawks have actually covered 3 in a row. NYK @ OKC MIN.

Knicks returning from a road trip. They've got their rivals the very next day. Hawks immediately go to Toronto themselves but I think they'd rather win at Madison Square Garden.

HAWKS +7.5.

NUGGETS @ CAVALIERS - 7:40 PM

Story of the Nuggets.

Cleveland's been getting themselves together. They've got the Pistons on deck... but I don't see any reason they don't completely smoke Denver.

Cleveland's been starting Dean Wade at the 3 recently. He's 6'9.

Cleveland -13.5.

BLAZERS @ PELICANS - 8:10 PM

It actually looked like the Pelicans had something going there.

Without Herb Jones, the Pelicans defense is in the conversation with Utah for worst defense in the NBA.

Here's the thing... Portland can't score.

Since losing Jerami Grant, this offense has been terrible. They still won a few games cuz they're actually playing pretty well on the other side of the ball.

Portland immediately goes to San Antonio after this. Not sure if that means anything.

I guess New Orleans. You can't trust them without Herb Jones but Portland laying points on the road seems a bit too much.

MAGIC @ BULLS - 8:10 PM

We saw the Bulls play their first game without Josh Giddey and Coby White.. they were actually dominant.

Do we think that's sustainable? Orlando's defense got lit up in a few games recently. NYK, DEN twice, GSW, CHA. Chicago's offense was kinda falling off a cliff before the NOP game.

Orlando has had problems on the interior and all the Bulls do is attack the paint.

Orlando -4.5.

HORNETS @ BUCKS - 8:10 PM

We just saw this matchup. Kon Knueppel didn't play for Charlotte. Bucks are 11-3 in their last 14 against Charlotte.

At first it looked like Milwaukee was all the way back with Giannis back in the rotation. But after losing to the Wizards... looking back at the body of work isn't as impressive.

How this game goes is gonna be depend on whether or not Charlotte's 3's are falling.

THUNDER @ WARRIORS - 10:10 PM

OKC seems to be back. They beat Golden State twice already this season... both by double digits.

GSW has won 5 of their last 6 though. No Hartenstein or Jaylin Williams for OKC. 10 of the next 11 GSW games are at home so this is the perfect opportunity for GSW to shoot themselves up the standings. Just returning from an east coast road trip.