It’s hard not to keep one eye on LeBron James and the two basketball teams he was involved with over the last 12 months. The King is the most impactful player of the decade, lifting the teams he has played for into the conversation of potential NBA title winners as easily as breathing.
While LeBron did warn that this year’s Los Angeles Lakers wouldn’t be as instantly competitive as his previous teams, it is curious to see the Lakers without a win in three games. Likewise, the Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling to fill the LeBron-shaped gap in their team as they also haven’t won their matches.
These two sides will make for interesting spectacle and betting as the rest of the 22 teams set to play will be sure to give us plenty of NBA 2018 highlights.
Dallas Mavericks @ Atlanta Hawks (October 25, 07:00 GMT+8)
Luka Doncic is having a brilliant first three games in the NBA, already leading the Dallas Mavericks in points scored. Meanwhile, Trae Young brought out the flamethrower and is showing flashes that convinced Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk to trade down on draft day for the Oklahoma product.
This game between two of the league’s future stars is a perfect argument for basketball fans: will Luka’s superb court vision and basketball IQ be able to neutralise Trae’s red-hot shooting?
Brooklyn Nets @ Cleveland Cavaliers (October 25, 07:00 GMT+8)
The Cavaliers were the unfortunate recipients of the Atlanta beating, and what made it worse is that they were considerable favourites by leading bookies like SBOBET to triumph over the young Hawks.
They will hope that things will be different this time as they continue their home stint against the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets aren’t the strongest in the Eastern Conference and will definitely be more disorganised than the Cavs.
If Kevin Love can’t will a win against their guests this time around, it might be time for the Cavs’ front office to blow it up earlier than expected.
New York Knicks @ Miami Heat (October 25, 07:30 GMT+8)
After shutting down the Hawks on the season’s opening day, the New York Knicks have since lost three straight basketball games. While it is expected that they will struggle without Kristaps Porzingis, plenty of Knicks fans will find delight that Tim Hardaway Jr. and Enes Kanter have brilliantly led the team.
They have a chance at snapping their losing streak against a Miami Heat team that doesn’t have a 20-point-a-game scorer thus far. However, they will be tough opposition after playing close games against Charlotte and Washington.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto Raptors (October 25, 07:30 GMT+8)
Jimmy Butler is in an interesting place in at the moment. He wants out of the Minnesota Timberwolves after getting in a row with the team’s young stars. He came in during the first home expecting a lot of boos from the crowd. However, he managed to turn those jeers to cheers and made them realise of what they’ll be missing.
Unfortunately for him, he cannot bring the cheers at Target Center up north when they face the Toronto Raptors. Kawhi Leonard‘s team, with NBA 2018 odds of 18.00 in the NBA Championship Winner market, will be a tough assignment for him and the immature Wolves.
Charlotte Hornets @ Chicago Bulls (October 25, 08:00 GMT+8)
Kemba Walker is having an unbelievable start for the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 33 points, five assists, and an incredible 27.9 PER. There’s no question in Fred Hoiberg‘s mind that they have to stop Kemba if he wants his Bulls to shower their fans with the W.
Fortunately for him, Hoiberg has his own microwave scorer in Zach LaVine. The high-flier is not far behind Kemba on points with his 32.3 in three starts. If Jabari Parker and the rest of the team can stop Kemba’s team-mates, the game is as good as theirs.
Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets (October 25, 08:00 GMT+8)
The Utah Jazz have played some good team basketball on the back of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. The duo, slowly becoming one of the most dangerous one-two punches in the association, will be trying to one-up the Houston Rockets and defending MVP James Harden.
Indiana Pacers @ San Antonio Spurs (October 25, 08:30 GMT+8)
It’s business as usual for both teams as they will once again try to quietly situate themselves into the playoff picture without anyone noticing. It will definitely be interesting to see how DeMar DeRozan and Victor Oladipo will fare, now that DeRozan is thriving under Gregg Popovich.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Milwaukee Bucks (October 25, 09:30 GMT+8)
Both teams know that this is the kind of game they should be winning if they want to stand at the top of the Eastern Conference. Both teams have amazing seven-footers in Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. They also have surrounded their big stars with equally stellar players. This game will surely make for interesting basketball among the neutral fans.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns (October 25, 10:00 GMT+8)
I don’t think anyone has forgotten the jabs (both the basketball and boxing terminologies apply here) thrown at the Staples Center when things got heated between James’ Lakers and the Rockets. With both Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram suspended, the Lake Show will struggle against the young Phoenix Suns.
But LeBron is no stranger to dire situations, and he should be able to force a winning scenario for the Purple and Gold against an exciting core of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Sacramento Kings (October 25, 10:00 GMT+8)
The Memphis Grizzlies have won two straight games after stumbling out of the gate against Indiana, and the great Memphis duo of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol is looking as potent as ever. However, the Kings are looking especially intriguing this year, with De’Aaron Fox, Willie Cauley-Stein and Buddy Hield coming into their own.
Washington Wizards @ Golden State Warriors (October 25, 10:30 GMT+8)
The Washington Wizards barely scraped past the Portland Trail Blazers to get their first win of the season. However, I don’t see Bradley Beal and John Wall being able to stop a terrifying Golden State team that has Stephen Curry averaging 30.5 points and converting 5.5 3-pointers over his last four games.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
