Last night’s 11-game match card to celebrate MLK Day had some terrific action on the court in an unpredictable night of basketball. Fadeaway World had a mixed bag of picks last night, going 6-5 on our predictions and bringing our season tally to 108-51. Let’s see if today’s three-game slate can add three wins to our overall record for the season.
After an action-packed day of basketball that went on from afternoon to evening, the NBA will only have six teams in action in three games tonight. A rivalry matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers tips off the action followed by a Western Conference thriller between the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns. The night ends with a top-of-the-table clash between the OKC Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers.
With three big games on a compact slate, the league will be hoping the action on the court is sublime.
Denver Nuggets At Philadelphia 76ers – 7:30 PM EST
Nuggets Last 10 Games: 7-3
Sixers Last 10 Games: 5-5
Nuggets Injuries: Nikola Jokic – Day To Day (Hip), Jamal Murray – Day To Day (Tibia), Aaron Gordon – Day To Day (Heel), Michael Porter Jr. – Day To Day (Knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Day To Day (Neck/Back), Julian Strawther – Out (Knee), Vlatko Cancar – Out (Knee)
Sixers Injuries: Mo Bamba – Day To Day (Knee), Kennth Lofton Jr. – Day To Day (Shoulder), Jaden Springer – Day To Day (Ankle), Robert Covington – Out (Knee), De’Anthony Melton – Out (Spine)
Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 3-2
This could be the defining game of the night given the two star players representing each team. The last three MVP races have come down to Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, with Jokic winning two while Embiid won last season’s. While Jokic has added to his legacy with a Finals MVP last summer, Embiid looks to be on MVP pace again and looking to finally make a splash in the playoffs.
Embiid has been out of the lineup recently including last night’s game against the Rockets. Jokic has been listed with a day-to-day injury, along with the entire Nuggets starting five. Everyone will hope that Jokic plays in the game given Embiid is currently not listed on the injury report. Embiid dropped 47 points and 18 rebounds the last time the Nuggets faced the 76ers.
Even with a back-to-back, a fresh Embiid, and possibly a few Nuggets starters out of the mix, the 76ers can’t afford to let this one slip.
Prediction: 76ers def. Nuggets 118-111
Sacramento Kings At Phoenix Suns – 9 PM EST
Kings Last 10 Games: 6-4
Suns Last 10 Games: 7-3
Kings Injuries: Keegan Murray – Day To Day (Foot)
Suns Injuries: Bol Bol – Out (Foot), Damion Lee – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Kings Lead 4-1
The Kings have been a team of highs and lows this season, as they can take the competition to the league’s best while also suddenly losing to teams that aren’t as well-regarded as them. The Suns are a very tricky opponent. At their best, they’re likely a title contender but the team has had its stutters with their big three healthy. They’re in a good run of form right now and will be looking to attack the Kings’ iffy defense.
Since their embarrassing Christmas Day loss to the Mavericks, the Suns have found good form. Outside of two losses to the Clippers and a loss to the Grizzlies, the Suns have looked like a playoff-caliber team. The offense is coming together with Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker all averaging over 20 points over the last nine games.
Domantas Sabonis will be a very hard cover for Jusuf Nurkic, while De’Aaron Fox will easily penetrate through the Suns’ porous perimeter defense. If Keegan Murray ends up playing, this matchup may be too much for the Suns’ depth to overcome.
Prediction: Kings def. Suns 127-120
Oklahoma City Thunder At Los Angeles Clippers – 10 PM EST
Thunder Last 10 Games: 7-3
Clippers Last 10 Games: 8-2
Thunder Injuries: N/A
Clippers Injuries: Ivica Zubac – Out (Calf), Moussa Diabate – Out (Hand)
Last 5 Meetings: Thunder Lead 4-1
The Thunder are coming into this game off a loss to the Lakers last night in a close game, so going into this back-to-back against a strong Clippers team will be a challenge. The Clippers are 17-4 over their last 21 games and easily the most in-form team in the NBA. The offensive harmony with James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard has been a treat to watch while the Clippers have continued defending at a high level.
Even with the Clippers’ hot streak recently, they have hurdles to overcome in this game. The Thunder match up well against the Clippers, who will be without Ivica Zubac as a big loss. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard’s consistency will be tested by perimeter defenders such as Lu Dort and Jalen Williams, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also being an excellent matchup for Harden. A young squad on a back-to-back can often use their good rhythm to catch teams coming off rest by surprise, so OKC will be willing to come out swinging.
This is a toss-up and a very hard matchup to predict. But the Clippers form right now and swings of consistency from the Thunder make us lean towards LAC despite the Thunder matching up as well as they do.
Prediction: Clippers def. Thunder 116-112
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