On a night filled with remarkable offensive performances, Fadeaway World went 5-3 on their picks to bring our overall record to 134-71 with a success rate of 65.4% now on the season. This latest slate of games comes on a night when Joel Embiid broke a franchise record with the 76ers with 70 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns did the same for the Minnesota Timberwolves with 62 of his own.Â
A look ahead at Tuesday’s games reveals a five-game slate headlined by the Battle Of L.A. between the Lakers and Clippers as well as the defending champion Nuggets hitting the road to take on the Pacers. Let’s have a look at the five games sure to keep us locked into our screens this evening.
Denver Nuggets At Indiana Pacers – 7 PM EST
Nuggets Last 10 Games: 7-3
Pacers Last 10 Games: 5-5
Nuggets Injuries: Aaron Gordon – Day To Day (Shoulder), Michael Porter Jr. – Day To Day (Illness), Julian Strawther – Out (Knee)
Pacers Injuries: Tyrese Haliburton – Day To Day (Hamstring), Andrew Nembhard – Day To Day (Spine)
Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 5-0
The Denver Nuggets (30-14) come into Tuesday’s matchup with the Indiana Pacers (24-19) on the road on a hot streak. They became the only team to defeat the Celtics at home this past weekend and Center Nikola Jokic has been doing most of the heavy lifting. In his last 10 games, Jokic has been on a tear with 26.0 points per game on a scorching 71.4% shooting from the floor which includes 50.0% from three. Not even the defensive duo of Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam will be able to slow him down.
On the Pacers’ side of things, fans are hoping to see point guard Tyrese Haliburton back in the lineup this evening as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The Pacers are chomping at the bit to see Haliburton and newly acquired forward Pascal Siakam share the court for the first time since the trade was completed last week.
The Nuggets certainly have the upper hand in this matchup even if Haliburton is on the floor. Look for Jamal Murray to have a big night if Haliburton is absent as well but the game will run through Jokic as it always does.
Predictions: Nuggets def. Pacers 123-117
New York Knicks At Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM EST
Knicks Last 10 Games: 8-2
Nets Last 10 Games: 2-8
Knicks Injuries: Isaiah Hartenstein – Day To Day (Ankle)
Nets Injuries: Ben Simmons – Out (Back), Day’Ron Sharpe – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Knicks Lead 3-2
Before the Battle of L.A. takes place on the West Coast this evening, the East Coast version of that rivalry tips off at 7:30 EST between the New York Knicks (26-17) and Brooklyn Nets (17-25). These two teams are currently heading in two different directions this season with the Knicks surging up the Eastern Conference standings and the Nets tumbling down and out of the playoff picture.
The Knicks come in 9-2 with their new lineup featuring OG Anunoby, whom they acquired from the Raptors a few weeks ago. During this run, Anunoby has often been the spark that ignites the Knicks on the defensive side of the ball, prompting us to circle the matchup ahead with Nets star Mikal Bridges tonight.
Jalen Brunson has been on a tear recently as well with 30.5 points and 7.8 assists per game in his last 10. Brooklyn will have zero answers for him tonight.
Prediction: Knicks def. Nets 118-105
Utah Jazz At New Orleans Pelicans – 8 PM EST
Jazz Last 10 Games: 7-3
Pelicans Last 10 Games: 6-4
Jazz Injuries: N/A
Pelicans Injuries: Matt Ryan – Out (Calf)
Last 5 Meetings: Jazz Lead 4-1
Before dropping their previous two matchups, the Utah Jazz (22-22) headed into this week surging with seven wins in their last 10 games. In tonight’s matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans (25-18), the Jazz have their work cut out for them with a Pelicans team also finding their stride at the midway point of the season.
The matchup between Lauri Markkanen and Brandon Ingram this evening is one I have circled as the two lengthy forwards have been on hot streaks of their own as of late. Markkanen is averaging 25.9 points per game on 51.9% shooting overall and 44.3% from three in his last 10 games while Ingram is averaging 16.3 points on 44.4% shooting in the same stretch. Whoever gains the advantage between these two is sure to lead their team to victory in this one.
Prediction: Jazz def. Pelicans 120-117
Portland Trail Blazers At Oklahoma City Thunder – 8 PM EST
Trail Blazers Last 10 Games: 3-7
Thunder Last 10 Games: 6-4
Trail Blazers Injuries: Moses Brown – Out (Wrist), Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Abdomen)
Thunder Injuries: Olivier Sarr – Out (Hip)
Last 5 Meetings: Thunder Lead 5-0
Heading into their matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers (12-30) tonight, the Oklahoma City Thunder (29-13) have a chance to do something they haven’t done since the days of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and that is share a lead of first place in the Western Conference with a win. After the Timberwolves fell to the Hornets yesterday, the Thunder can move into a tie with them atop the Western Conference standings with a victory over the Trail Blazers.
The Thunder come into tonight’s action, having won two games in a row and six of their last 10. Leading the way is MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who is averaging 30.2 points per game on 54.9% shooting in his last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers look like they may become sellers at the trade deadline this year, sporting a miserable 12-30 record with seven losses in their last 10 games.
While the Thunder may end up ending this one early tonight, any chance to watch Gilgeous-Alexander and Portland star Anfernee Simons go head-to-head on the hardwood is one I am going to take 1000% of the time.
Prediction: Thunder def. Trail Blazers 117-102
Los Angeles Lakers At Los Angeles Clippers – 10 PM EST
Lakers Last 10 Games: 5-5
Clippers Last 10 Games: 8-2
Lakers Injuries: Taurean Prince – Day To Day (Knee), LeBron James – Out (Ankle), Gabe Vincent – Out (Knee)
Clippers Injuries: Ivica Zubac – Out (Calf)
Last 5 Meetings: Clippers Lead 3-2
The Battle of Los Angeles between the Lakers (22-22) and Clippers (27-14) gets a new chapter written tonight as the two teams are set to do battle in a late-night showdown. The Lakers will be without LeBron James who is nursing an ankle injury, leaving the task of earning a much-needed win in the hands of Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves for the purple and gold.
They will have their hands full thanks to the Clippers’ new death lineup featuring James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers have won eight of their last 10 games but must take advantage early over a LeBron-less Lakers squad. The matchup to watch here is George and Reaves. Lately, Reaves’ shortcomings on defense for the Lakers have been a serious issue, and taking on George, who is averaging 25.9 points per game on 50.6% shooting in his last 10, could mean disaster for the Lakers.
As this game always is, it will be a gritty and physical matchup. Without James, the Lakers just lack enough firepower to keep pace with a complete Clippers squad.
Prediction: Clippers def. Lakers 110-103
