The chaos of the NBA trade deadline has passed with little action compared to what was expected. Fadeaway World ushered in the post-deadline season with a 5-4 record in our predictions last night, bringing our overall record to 204-103. With a success rate of 66.4%, we take a look ahead at Friday night’s six-game slate in what is sure to kick off a huge weekend in sports the right way.
First up, we have a big Western Conference showdown between the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings featuring two of the best point guard/center duos in the NBA. Then, the Lakers stay on their home court in a duel with the New Orleans Pelicans, hoping to avoid falling back to .500 after suffering a loss to the Nuggets on Thursday.
While there isn’t the usual amount of action on the hardwood tonight, Fadeaway World has all the latest details and updates to keep you honed in on everything set to transpire this evening.
Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers – 7 PM EST
Hawks Last 10 Games: 4-6
Sixers Last 10 Games: 3-7
Hawks Injuries: De’Andre Hunter – Day To Day (Injury Management), Dejounte Murray – Day To Day (Back), Clint Capela – Out (Adductor)
Sixers Injuries: Joel Embiid – Out (Knee), De’Anthony Melton – Out (Back), Nic Batum – Out (Hamstring), Robert Covington – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 4-1
We kick things off on Friday with a rematch of the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Atlanta Hawks (22-29) and the Philadelphia 76ers (30-20). Atlanta’s core remains intact for the remainder of the season after no moves were made at the trade deadline yesterday. Meanwhile, the Sixers added sharpshooter Buddy Hield from the Pacers to make up for the offensive production they are lacking from missing their MVP Joel Embiid.
This is setting up to be a high-scoring affair as both teams’ primary interior defenders remain out with injuries. The key matchup to watch here is the point guard showdown between Trae Young and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey is going to bring the fight to Young early and if he gets going. It could be a long night for Young. This is why Dejounte Murray’s health is paramount as a defender who can step in and slow Maxey down. Overall, the Sixers will once again prove to be too much for a struggling Atlanta squad, especially with their 17-9 home record this season.
Prediction: Sixers def. Hawks 130-122
Houston Rockets at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM EST
Rockets Last 10 Games: 4-6
Raptors Last 10 Games: 2-8
Rockets Injuries: Fred VanVleet – Out (Adductor), Tari Eason – Out (Leg)
Raptors Injuries: N/A
Last 5 Meetings: Raptors Lead 4-1
Last Friday night, the Toronto Raptors (18-33) walked into the Toyota Center in Houston only to be embarrassed by the Houston Rockets (23-27), 135-106. The Rockets got a complete game from Alperen Sengun with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists while Came Whitmore came off the bench with 25 points in the blowout win.
The results of that game parallel exactly what could happen this evening as the Rockets head North to take on the Raptors. Toronto will once again have no defensive answer for Alperen Sengun and will likely struggle to contain both Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore. For the Raptors to steal a win tonight, they need all they can get from All-Star Scottie Barnes as well as newcomers Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. Only if these three are in sync can the Raptors get a much-needed victory
Prediction: Rockets def. Raptors 115-106
Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics – 7:30 PM EST
Wizards Last 10 Games: 2-8
Celtics Last 10 Games: 7-3
Wizards Injuries: Marvin Bagley III – Out (Back), Isaiah Livers – Out (Hip)
Celtics Injuries: Jayson Tatum – Day To Day (Illness)
Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 4-1
After a relatively quiet trade deadline on Thursday, the Washington Wizards (9-41) hit the road to take on the Boston Celtics (39-12) on Friday night. The Wizards are still looking for their 10th win on the season while the Celtics look to reach win No. 40 over the Wizards, a team they have beaten four of the last five times they met on the court.
This one has a chance to be over early tonight with advantages for Boston across the board being way too much for the Wizards hoping to pull off the upset. Star forward Jayson Tatum may be out of the lineup due to an illness but even with that being the case, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis will overwhelm the lowly Wizards.
Look for the action to be with Porzingis early and often this evening as Washington rid themselves of frontcourt defenseman Daniel Gafford at yesterday’s deadline while Marvin Bagley remains on the shelf with a back issue.
Prediction: Celtics def. Wizards 125-108
Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks – 8 PM EST
Hornets Last 10 Games: 1-9
Bucks Last 10 Games: 4-6
Hornets Injuries: Cody Martin – Day To Day (Knee), LaMelo Ball – Out (Ankle), Mark Williams – Out (Back)
Bucks Injuries: Damian Lillard – Day To Day (Ankle), Khris Middleton – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Bucks Lead 4-1
The Charlotte Hornets (10-40) bring the NBA’s longest losing streak into Fiserv Forum tonight to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (33-19) on the road. Losers of their last nine, the Hornets have all but waved the white flag this season, trading Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington on Thursday while receiving draft compensation and low-impact role players in return.
If there was any time for Charlotte to right the ship, it is tonight against a struggling Milwaukee team as of late. While their defensive struggles have been well-documented this season, the Bucks have lost six of their last 10 games and are coming off a beatdown courtesy of the Timberwolves on Thursday. Unfortunately for Charlotte, an enraged Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to be a nightmare to contain, especially on his home floor. Even if Damian Lillard misses his third straight game with an ankle injury, I expect the Bucks to overwhelm the Hornets and hand them their 10th straight loss.
Prediction: Bucks def. Hornets 119-105
Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings – 10 PM EST
Nuggets Last 10 Games: 8-2
Kings Last 10 Games: 6-4
Nuggets Injuries: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Day To Day (Hamstring)
Kings Injuries: Chris Duarte – Out (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 3-2
Coming off a big win on Thursday against the Lakers, the Denver Nuggets (36-16) continue their road trip with a trip to Sacramento on Friday. The Nuggets come in winners of eight of their last 10 games and seemingly hitting the same championship stride they hit at this time last season, which is scary for the rest of the league.
Tonight’s game presents a showdown of epic proportions at two different positions on the court. The point guard battle between Jamal Murray and De’Aaron Fox will be electric with Fox’s high-scoring ability being on full display against Murray’s methodical approach. Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis will go at it at the center position as well which is sure to be a highlight reel on its own as two of the most offensively gifted big men in the NBA.
The key to a win for either team will be their supporting casts which the upper hand falls to Denver with Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon playing their best basketball of the season right now. Sacramento will fight valiantly but ultimately fall just short of beating Denver again.
Prediction: Nuggets def. Kings 122-118
New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 PM EST
Pelicans Last 10 Games: 6-4
Lakers Last 10 Games: 6-4
Pelicans Injuries: Jonas Valanciunas – Day To Day (Calf), Naji Marshall – Day To Day (Back)
Lakers Injuries: LeBron James – Day To Day (Ankle), Anthony Davis – Day To Day (Achilles/Hip), Cam Reddish – Out (Ankle), Jarred Vanderbilt – Out (Foot)
Last 5 Meetings: Lakers Lead 3-2
In a shocking turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers (27-26) stayed quiet at the NBA’s trade deadline yesterday. They put together a spirited performance against the Nuggets on Thursday but ultimately fell, 114-106. On the second leg of a back-to-back against New Orleans tonight, the main question will be whether both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, just one, or neither take the court tonight as the New Orleans Pelicans (30-21) come to town.
The Pelicans find themselves on a bit of a hot streak, winning four games in a row and six of their last 10. They are coming off a big road win over the Clippers on Wednesday led by their trio of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum which gives them tremendous momentum heading into tonight’s matchup. If Davis is on the court, their priority needs to be slowing him down and not allowing him to control things defensively or on the glass. Staying aggressive on their attack against Los Angeles’ porous perimeter defense is going to be key as well.
If the Pelicans stay true to what has been successful over the last two weeks for their squad, another home loss may just be in the cards for the Lakers, dropping them to .500 at 27-27 on the season.
Prediction: Pelicans def. Lakers 117-110
