After a challenging night of 9 games, our record ended at 4-5, bringing our overall standing at Fadeaway World to 73-37. Tonight’s NBA action features six exciting matchups, and we are geared up to provide predictions and insights for these games.
First, the Chicago Bulls take on the Charlotte Hornets, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder heading to the capital to face the Washington Wizards. Next up is a rematch between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers, and then the Houston Rockets take on the Miami Heat.
Following that, the Utah Jazz square off against the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Phoenix Suns clash with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Chicago Bulls At Charlotte Hornets – 7 PM EST
Bulls Last 10 Games: 6-4
Hornets Last 10 Games: 1-9
Bulls Injuries: Nikola Vucevic – Day To Day (Groin), Zach LaVine – Day To Day (Foot), Patrick Williams – Day To Day (Ankle), Alex Caruso – Day To Day (Neck), Lonzo Ball – Out (Knee), Torey Craig – Out (Heel)
Hornets Injuries: N/A
Last 5 Meetings: Bulls Lead 4-1
The Charlotte Hornets (8-25) are eager to break a four-game home losing streak as they face the Chicago Bulls (16-21) on Monday, January 8, 2024, at Spectrum Center, with the game airing at 7:00 PM ET.
In their recent matchup, the Hornets suffered a 104-91 defeat against the Bulls, with Miles Bridges leading the Hornets with 28 points, while Coby White contributed 22 points to secure the victory for the Bulls. As they aim to reverse their home woes, the Hornets will look for a stronger performance to turn the tide against the Bulls in this upcoming clash.
Prediction: Bulls def. Hornets 118-107
Boston Celtics At Indiana Pacers – 7 PM EST
Celtics Last 10 Games: 8-2
Pacers Last 10 Games: 7-3
Celtics Injuries: Sam Hauser – Day To Day (Shoulder), Jayson Tatum – Day To Day (Ankle), Kristaps Porzingis – Day To Day (Eye)
Pacers Injuries: Isaiah Jackson – Day To Day (Finger), Bruce Brown – Day To Day (Knee), Andrew Nembhard- Out (Back)
Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 4-1
The Boston Celtics demonstrated their dominance over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, securing a convincing 118-101 victory and snapping the Pacers’ six-game winning streak. Despite missing starting center Kristaps Porzingis due to an early exit with an eye injury, the Celtics showcased their suffocating defense, holding the Pacers to season-lows in both field goal percentage and points.
All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were instrumental, combining for an impressive 69 points. With this triumph, the Celtics extended their winning streak to two games and maintained their position atop the Eastern Conference standings with a remarkable record of 28-7. The stage is set for a rematch on Monday night at Indiana, as the Celtics aim to once again showcase their prowess against the Pacers.
Prediction: Pacers def. Celtics 129-125
Oklahoma City Thunder At Washington Wizards – 7:30 PM EST
Thunder Last 10 Games: 7-3
Wizards Last 10 Games: 2-8
Thunder Injuries: N/A
Wizards Injuries: Delon Wright: Day To Day (Quad), Landry Shamet- Day To Day (Hamstring)
Last 5 Meetings: Wizards Lead 3-2
The struggling Washington Wizards, sporting a 6-29 record, will attempt to halt a four-game losing streak as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder (23-11) at Capital One Arena. In their recent outing against the New York Knicks, the Wizards suffered a 121-105 home loss, with Kyle Kuzma contributing 27 points and Deni Avdija adding 23. The Wizards, amidst a rebuilding phase, have endured a challenging season, and their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder provides an opportunity to reverse their recent struggles.
Oklahoma City, despite a recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets, remains a formidable opponent, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s outstanding performance earning him Western Conference Player of the Month. With a 10-3 record in December, the Thunder enters the game with momentum and the intention to capitalize on the Wizards’ difficulties.
Prediction: Thunder def. Wizards 120-105
Houston Rockets At Miami Heat – 7:30 PM EST
Rockets Last 10 Games: 5-5
Heat Last 10 Games: 6-4
Rockets Injuries: Nate Hinton – Day To Day, Tari Eason – Out (Leg), Dillon Brooks – Out (Oblique), Victor Oladipo – Out (Knee)
Heat Injuries: Caleb Martin – Out (Ankle), Jimmy Butler – Out (Foot), Dru Smith – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Head Lead 5-0
Monday night brings a captivating non-conference clash between the Houston Rockets (18-16) and the Miami Heat (20-15) in the ongoing NBA action. The Rockets, currently residing in the 9th spot in the Western Conference, recently secured a home win against Milwaukee with a 112-108 victory, showcasing their prowess against formidable opponents.
Facing them are the Miami Heat, holding a 20-15 record and occupying the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite the Rockets’ inspiring run, the Heat remain focused on their goal beyond merely entering the playoffs. With aspirations to win one game at a time, the Heat have proven their ability to overcome opponents with superior talent, as demonstrated in the 2020 Bubble and the last season. Although missing Jimmy Butler, the Heat boast a lineup of sharpshooters ready to challenge the Rockets.
Prediction: Heat def. Rockets 118-114
Utah Jazz At Milwaukee Bucks – 8 PM EST
Jazz Last 10 Games: 7-3
Bucks Last 10 Games: 6-4
Jazz Injuries: N/A
Bucks Injuries: Damian Lillard – Out (Personal), Cameron Payne – Out (Concussion), Jae Crowder – Out (Adductor)
Last 5 Meetings: Bucks Lead 3-2
On Monday, January 8, 2024, the Utah Jazz will face the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 PM ET. The Milwaukee Bucks, currently positioned second in the Eastern Conference, hold a notable record of 25-11, while the Utah Jazz are placed 12th in the competitive Western Conference with a record of 17-20.
The Bucks aim to rebound from their recent loss to the Houston Rockets, striving to utilize their potent offense, averaging the second-highest points per game at 124.3. Despite their offensive prowess, Milwaukee faces challenges in rebounding, ranking 26th in offensive rebounds this season. On the defensive end, the Bucks exhibit strengths in three-point defense but grapple with overall points allowed, averaging 119.5 points per game.
Prediction: Bucks def. Jazz 124-118
Phoenix Suns At Los Angeles Clippers – 10:30 PM EST
Suns Last 10 Games: 5-5
Clippers Last 10 Games: 7-3
Suns Injuries: Eric Gordon – Out (Knee), Nassir Little – Out (Knee), Bol Bol – Out (Knee), Damion Lee – Out (Knee)
Clippers Injuries: Moussa Diabate – Out (Hand)
Last 5 Meetings: Clippers Lead 3-2
On Monday, January 8, 2024, the Phoenix Suns will face the Los Angeles Clippers in a Pacific Division showdown at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, with tip-off scheduled for 10:30 PM ET. Both teams enter this clash on the second night of a back-to-back, adding an extra layer of challenge to the encounter. The Clippers, sitting at 22-12, are seeking their fourth consecutive victory over the Suns, having won their previous meeting last Wednesday with a 131-122 scoreline.
In a second consecutive night of action, both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers are aiming for redemption after facing defeats. The Clippers had a surprising setback, falling short to the Lakers with a narrow 106-103 scoreline. Simultaneously, the Suns encountered a setback in their recent outing, losing 121-115 to the Grizzlies.
Prediction: Suns def. Clippers 124-117
