NBA Daily Picks: De’Aaron Fox Against Trae Young, Thunder Face Nuggets On The Road

It was another brilliant night for us with our daily picks, as we went 7-1 on Thursday, which brings our overall record to 34-17. With 10 more games on the slate for Friday, there is plenty of room to build on that record. In the Eastern Conference, the Knicks and Magic meet in a showdown of two contenders. In the West, the NBA’s brightest young squad, the Oklahoma City Thunder, hit the road to take on the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

Let’s see what’s in store on an exciting night of NBA hoops on Friday, December 29.

New York Knicks at Orlando Magic – 7 PM EST

Knicks Last 10 Games: 5-5

Magic Last 10 Games: 4-6

Knicks Injuries: Jericho Sims – Out (Ankle), Mitchell Robinson – Out (Ankle)

Magic Injuries: Gary Harris – Day To Day (Calf), Jonathan Isaac – Day To Day (Hamstring), Joe Ingles – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Knicks Lead 3-2

In a matchup of two teams in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, the New York Knicks travel to Orlando to take on the Magic. The Magic find themselves one game ahead of the Knicks in the East playoff picture, sitting at 18-12 on the season while the Knicks sit at 17-13. Both teams have been up and down as of late with the Knicks going 5-5 in their last 10 games and the Magic going 4-6.

The matchup to watch in this one is going to be second-year star Paolo Banchero going up against veteran Julius Randle and the Knicks’ depleted interior defense. In his last 10 games, Banchero is averaging 24.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 43.3% shooting. The Knicks have to slow him down if they want to emerge victorious this evening.

Prediction: Magic def. Knicks 112-108

Brooklyn Nets at Washington Wizards – 7 PM EST

Nets Last 10 Games: 3-7

Wizards Last 10 Games: 2-8

Nets Injuries: Dorian Finney-Smith – Day To Day (Knee), Nic Claxton – Day To Day (Illness)

Wizards Injuries: Danilo Gallinari – Day To Day (Back)

Last 5 Meetings: Nets Lead 5-0

Our second matchup of the night features the Brooklyn Nets taking on the Washington Wizards where Brooklyn has won six straight against Washington and eight of their last 10 games. The Nets are coming off an odd night on Wednesday that saw them bench their two stars, Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas just 12 minutes into the game against Milwaukee.

This gives me reason to believe that these two are going to come out firing on all cylinders, desperate to prove that it was the wrong decision by coach Jacque Vaughn. The Wizards have won just two of their last 10 contests and Brooklyn is starting to get healthy with Dorian Finney-Smith close to returning from injury. I expect the Bridges and Thomas duo to carry the nets to a much-needed win over the lowly Wizards fairly comfortably

Prediction: Nets def. Wizards 115-102

Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:30 PM EST

Bucks Last 10 Games: 8-2

Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 6-4

Bucks Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Day To Day (Calf), Jae Crowder – Out (Groin)

Cavaliers Injuries: Donovan Mitchell – Day To Day (Illness), Sam Merrill – Day To Day (Wrist), Darius Garland – Out (Jaw), Evan Mobley – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Cavaliers Lead 3-2

Another matchup of Eastern Conference contenders tips off at 7;30 this evening when the Milwaukee Bucks hit the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bucks are on quite the run right now, winning eight of their last 10 games, bringing them to 23-8 on the season and just 1.5 games out of first place. The Cavaliers come in extremely banged up but getting spirited performances from their bench that have allowed them to stay in and win some big games.

The duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the talk of the town in Milwaukee as of late as they should be. The real boost to their lineup has been the resurrection of Khris Middleton. In his last 10 games, Middleton is averaging 18.8 points per game on 51.5% shooting overall and 40.8% from three. If this version of Middleton continues to show up, not only will the Bucks win this game, but they will also be Eastern Conference favorites come playoff time.

Prediction: Bucks def. Cavaliers 118-108

Sacramento Kings at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 PM EST

Kings Last 10 Games: 6-4

Hawks Last 10 Games: 3-7

Kings Injuries: N/A

Hawks Injuries: A.J. Griffin – Out (Personal), De’Andre Hunter – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Hawks Lead 4-1

In a rare meeting of inter-conference foes, the Sacramento Kings travel to the East Coast to take on the Atlanta Hawks. The Kings have hit a hot streak as of late, while the Hawks have hit yet another roadblock in their quest to get past the first round of the playoffs since their Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021.

All eyes will be on the point guards tonight as De’Aaron Fox and Trae Young lead their teams into battle. Fox is on a tear lately with 30.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.6 steals per game on 42.0% shooting from three in his last five games. The Kings will also have the advantage on the interior as Domantas Sabonis looks to feast against the Hawks’ lackluster front line.

Prediction: Kings def. Hawks 120-109

Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics – 7:30 PM EST

Raptors Last 10 Games: 3-7

Celtics Last 10 Games: 9-1

Raptors Injuries: Garrett Temple – Day To Day (Ankle)

Celtics Injuries: Jaylen Brown – Day To Day (Back)

Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 5-0

The Boston Celtics are coming off an overtime win over the lowly Pistons on Thursday night as they remain at home to take on the Toronto Raptors. Although not on the injury report, I expect some rest to come from Boston’s stars on the second night of a back-to-back. This opens the door for a Raptors team desperate for a win to pull off an upset on the road.

The only issue with that is the Celtics are a perfect 15-0 at home this season. They simply do not lose on their home court. After a close call on Thursday night, that day may come today with the Raptors duo of Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam playing some extremely solid basketball lately. Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis have been two of the most impressive players on the floor for Boston lately as well. White is pushing for an All-Star selection this season while Porzingis is doing the same, dropping 35 points in the win on Thursday.

Prediction: Celtics def. Raptors 116-107

Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets – 8 PM EST

76ers Last 10 Games: 8-2

Rockets Last 10 Games: 5-5

76ers injuries: Joel Embiid – Day To Day (Ankle), Nic Batum – Out (Hamstring)

Rockets Injuries: Tari Eason – Day To Day (Leg), Dillon Brooks – Out (Oblique), Jabari Smith Jr. – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 4-1

Another inter-conference showdown will be taking place in Houston tonight as the 76ers take on the Rockets. It is unclear if reigning MVP Joel Embiid will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. The Rockets are banged up as well with Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. both expected to miss tonight’s games with injuries of their own.

If Embiid is in the lineup, the clash between him and young star Alperen Sengun should be fun to watch. Embiid is going to try and physically punish the smaller Sengun while the Turkish big man is going to combat that with his finesse and all-around polished offense. The other matchup to watch is going to be Tyrese Maxey and Fred VanVleet going at it in the point guard spot. Maxey is having a career season while VanVleet has been at the center of Houston’s turnaround this season.

Prediction: 76ers def. Rockets 121-110

Charlotte Hornets at Phoenix Suns – 9 PM EST

Hornets Last 10 Games: 1-9

Suns Last 10 Games: 3-7

Hornets Injuries: Brandon Miller – Day To Day (Ankle), Mark Williams – Day To Day (Back), Gordon Hayward – Out (Calf)

Suns Injuries: Bradley Beal – Day To Day (Ankle), Josh Okogie – Day To Day (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Suns Lead 5-0

As we head into our slate of later games, we come across a Hornets and Suns matchup that is bigger, at least for Phoenix, than some may think. With seven losses in their last 10 games, the Suns have reached a boiling point in their frustrations amid a disappointing start to their Big 3 era. The good news is we may finally see the trio of Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker together tonight for just the second time as Beal may return from his ankle injury to make that dream come true.

If the Big 3 do hit the floor together tonight, there is no way this Suns team should lose this game. The Hornets are coming off a loss to the Lakers on Thursday Night while the Suns are well-rested and getting healthier. Durant and Booker have been showing off their playmaking abilities as of late with Durant coming off a career-high 15-assist performance Wednesday. I see absolutely no way the Suns lose to Charlotte but of course, anything can happen.

Prediction: Suns def. Hornets 117-101

Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets – 9 PM EST

Thunder Last 10 Games: 7-3

Nuggets Last 10 Games: 9-1

Thunder Injuries: N/A

Nuggets Injuries: Reggie Jackson – Day To Day (Skin), Aaron Gordon – Out (Face/Hand)

Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 3-2

Our matchup of the night features two teams on incredibly hot runs that sit toward the top of the Western Conference Standings. The Oklahoma City Thunder have won seven of their last 10 games led by their young core that has taken the league by storm. The Nuggets, winners of nine of their last 10, are on a roll themselves even after losing forward Aaron Gordon this week due to a vicious dog attack.

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray will be an electric matchup, all eyes will be on the interior in this one. Rookie Chet Holmgren is having a tremendous season and tonight, he gets his third face-off with the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic. Holmgren and Jokic will surely bring the fireworks with their complete offensive packages and stifling defensive play. Another name to watch tonight will be Jaylin Williams who could be the key to the Thunder pulling off a big road win.

Prediction: Thunder def. Nuggets 119-112

San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers – 10 PM EST

Spurs Last 10 Games: 2-8

Trail Blazers Last 10 Games: 2-8

Spurs Injuries: Devonte Graham – Out (Illness)

Trail Blazers Injuries: Anfernee Simons – Day To Day (Illness), Deandre Ayton – Out (Knee), Shaedon Sharpe – Out (Adductor)

Last 5 Meetings: Trail Blazers Lead 3-2

It’s deja vu. On Thursday night, the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers went head-to-head as the Spurs came away with a 118-105 win. On Friday, the two teams will face off again in a home-home back-to-back for Portland. The breakdown for this one is extremely simple. Portland had no answers for Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama last night. The French rookie led the Spurs to a win with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 blocks on 9-14 shooting.

Portland can and will do nothing to slow him down in the second matchup either.

Prediction: Spurs def. Trail Blazers 115-103

Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers – 10:30 EST

Grizzlies Last 10 Games: 4-6

Clippers Last 10 Games: 8-2

Grizzlies Injuries: Ja Morant – Day To Day (Illness), Santi Aldama – Day To Day (Illness), Brandon Clarke – Out (Achilles), Derrick Rose – Out (Hamstring)

Clippers Injuries: Kawhi Leonard – Day To Day (Hip)

Last 5 Meetings: Grizzlies Lead 3-2

The final matchup of the night is a great one between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers. Memphis is coming off a 37-point drubbing at the hands of the Nuggets last night while the Clippers were last in action on Tuesday when they took down the Hornets. The status of Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant and Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard remains unclear for this contest as both were out of the lineup in their last matchups, respectively.

As far as the players we know will be playing, the firepower and camaraderie the Clippers are playing with lately have been exciting to watch. James Harden and Paul George have been electric for Los Angeles as of late with Harden averaging 20.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game on 46.5% shooting from three in his last 10 games. Even with Morant or without Leonard, the Clippers are going to prove to be far too much for the Grizzlies in this matchup.

Prediction: Clippers def. Grizzlies 114-106