I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and after a short hiatus, we return with our daily NBA picks and predictions. With Saturday’s 13-game slate netting us a 7-6 record, our overall record now sits at 23-14, with six more games scheduled for today. Luka Doncic is back in action after his 50-point Christmas Day explosion and the Knicks hit the road to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. There are also four other exciting games on the schedule for tonight so let’s look at the action ahead.
Philadelphia 76ers at Orlando Magic – 7 PM EST
76ers Last 10 Games: 8-2
Magic Last 10 Games: 4-6
76ers Injuries: Joel Embiid – Day To Day (Ankle), Nic Batum – Out (Hamstring)
Magic Injuries: Joe Ingles – Out (Ankle), Jonathan Isaac – Out (Hamstring), Markelle Fultz – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: 76ers Lead 4-1
Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference right now are set to meet tonight as the 76ers hit the road to take on the Orlando Magic. After a close Christmas Day defeat to the Miami Heat, Philadelphia is hoping to have reigning MVP Joel Embiid back in the lineup tonight for their matchup with Orlando as well as a much more focused and efficient Tyrese Maxey.
Orlando could use a win tonight after going just 4-6 in their last 10 games, sliding to fourth in the East, two games behind the 76ers for the third spot. Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero are going to be a tough matchup for Philadelphia’s defense but the 76ers hold the biggest advantage of the night. If Joel Embiid is indeed back in the lineup, look for a heavy dose of him going up against Wendell Carter Jr. in the paint.
Prediction; 76ers def. Magic 120-111
Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards – 7 PM EST
Raptors Last 10 Games: 2-8
Wizards Last 10 Games: 2-8
Raptors Injuries: N/A
Wizards Injuries: N/A
Last 5 Meetings: Raptors Lead 4-1
Our next matchup this evening is quite contrary to the first in that it is between two of the bottom teams in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards. Both teams have won just two of their last 10 contests on the season and are desperately looking for a rapid turnaround. Of course, the Raptors are in a much better position playoff-wise with an 11-18 record compared to Washington’s 5-34 record.
One matchup that is a heavy advantage for Toronto heading into this one is their perimeter attack against Washington’s porous perimeter defense. Of course, Washington can score the ball too, especially with Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma seemingly both finding their stride lately. Unfortunately for Washington, production outside of those two has been minimal while Toronto has the edge in depth and overall offense as well. Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam should be the duo that emerges victorious this evening.
Prediction: 115-110
Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM EST
Bucks Last 10 Games: 8-2
Nets Last 10 Games: 4-6
Bucks Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Day To Day (Calf), Jae Crowder – Out (Groin)
Nets Injuries: Ben Simmons – Out (Back)
Last 5 Meetings: Bucks Lead 4-1
Our third Eastern Conference matchup to kick off the night is going to be a battle on the road for the Milwaukee Bucks as they travel to Brooklyn to take on the Nets. The Nets have won two in a row while the Bucks are coming off a Christmas Day loss to the Knicks as a part of their current road trip.
The duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have finally hit their ascension as a duo, leading Milwaukee to eight wins in their last 10 games, and scoring in droves in the process of it all. Lillard is shooting 44.2% from three over his last 10 games while averaging 27.2 points per game. Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game during that same stretch. As stingy as Brooklyn’s defense can be, I see no path to which they slow down Milwaukee enough to capture a win.
Prediction: Bucks def. Nets 121-109
New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder – 8 PM EST
Knicks Last 10 Games: 5-5
Thunder Last 10 Games: 7-3
Knicks Injuries: Jericho Sims – Out (Ankle)
Thunder Injuries: Jaylin Williams – Day To Day (Illness)
Last 5 Meetings: Thunder Lead 3-2
The first inter-conference matchup on Wednesday Night features the New York Knicks hitting the road to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks and Thunder have not met since the end of 2022, nearly 14 months ago. The Thunder come in red-hot and winners of seven of their last 10 games while the Knicks are coming off a huge home win over the Bucks on Christmas Day.
Of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a superstar over this last stretch with 31.5 points, 6.9 assists, and 3.6 steals per game in his last 10 games. Where the Thunder have begun to separate themselves from the rest of the field is the play they are getting from rookie Chet Holmgren. While the battle between him and Julius Randle should be a fun one to keep an eye on this evening, the real fireworks will be taking place on the perimeter between Gilgeous-Alexander and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.
Prediction: Thunder def. Knicks 121-115
Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets – 8 PM EST
Suns Last 10 Games:3-7
Rockets Last 10 Games: 6-4
Suns Injuries: Jusuf Nurkic – Day To Day (Personal), Josh Okogie – Day To Day (Ankle), Bradley Beal – Out (Ankle)
Rockets Injuries: N/A
Last 5 Meetings: Suns Lead 3-2
Phoenix Suns fans did not expect to be in this predicament this early in the 2023-24 season, but here we are. The Suns led by their duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, are losers of seven of their last 10 games while also no sign in sight for the return of their third star, Bradley Beal. After a loss to Dallas on Christmas, Durant vented his frustration with his team and their “underwhelming supporting cast”. Oh boy.
The good news for Phoenix on Wednesday is that they are hitting the road where they have a 7-6 record on the season. The bad news is that they travel to Houston where the Rockets are 12-3 at home. Houston is being led by standout big man Alperen Sengun who is coming off a 30-point, 16-rebound performance in a loss to Indiana yesterday. Sengun should feast on Phoenix’s lackluster frontcourt, especially if Nurkic remains out of the lineup and he should lead Houston to another win.
Prediction: Rockets def. Suns 115-108
Cleveland Cavaliers at Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 PM EST
Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 6-4
Mavericks Last 10 Games: 6-4
Cavaliers Injuries: Donovan Mitchell – Day To Day (Illness), Caris LeVert – Day To Day (Knee), Sam Merrill – Day To Day (Wrist), Darius Garland – Out (Jaw), Evan Mobley – Out (Knee)
Mavericks Injuries: Josh Green – Out (Elbow), Kyrie Irving – Out (Heel), Maxi Kleber – Out (Toe)
Last 5 Meetings: Cavaliers Lead 3-2
Our final matchup of the evening is the final inter-conference matchup of the night as the Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks. These two teams are within one game of each other in the league standings with Dallas at 18-12 and Cleveland at 17-3 on the season. Both teams are also 6-4 in their last 10 games, fighting for wins even as the injuries begin to pile up.
The Cavaliers come in at a disadvantage with both Darius Garland and Evan Mobley still out of the lineup while it remains uncertain if Donovan Mitchell will return. Meanwhile, Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic has returned to the lineup and immediately went back into MVP mode with a 50-point masterpiece against Phoenix on Christmas Day. If Mitchell returns, Cleveland has a chance to win a big game on the road. Without him, Doncic and his supporting cast of Dante Exum, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dereck Lively should be able to get their 19th win of the season.
Prediction: Mavericks def. Cavaliers 118-110
