The top teams in the East and West are back in action this Wednesday, and they all have their eyes on the BIG W in a quest to solidify their positions in the NBA standings.
Toronto Raptors are up against the Atlanta Hawks, and they have a chance to return to the top with a victory. Meanwhile, both the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder will aim to get back on track after losing their last matches.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers are worth watching as well, with the three title contenders looking to extend their winning runs.
Washington Wizards @ Philadelphia 76ers (January 09, 08:00 GMT+8)
After getting their biggest road win of the season against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who could stop the Washington Wizards now?
Of course, that statement is over exaggerating it. However, with John Wall out and the Wiz struggling all season long, it’s the best morale booster they can get.
The Philadelphia 76ers are the best team at home this year though, and they will certainly be hard to beat as they ride a three-game winning streak. Jimmy Butler is doubtful with an upper respiratory infection, but Ben Simmons (16.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 7.9 assists) and Joel Embiid (26.9 points and 13.5 rebounds) are playing well to pick up the slack.
Indiana Pacers @ Cleveland Cavaliers (January 09, 08:00 GMT+8)
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the worst team in the NBA this year and their 35-point blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans last week is clear proof of that.
Even the return of Tristan Thompson (foot injury) and Rodney Hood (back injury) isn’t enough to turn things around for the Cavs, and their prospects of winning a match look bleak amid their nine-game skid.
Cleveland’s last win this campaign came against the Indiana Pacers, so that should be an interesting storyline to watch. Nonetheless, the Hoosier State side has actually won six of their last seven games, with Victor Oladipo averaging almost 20 points per contest during that stretch.
Betting Tip: Indiana Pacers First Half Asian Handicap -5.50 @ 1.92.
Denver Nuggets @ Miami Heat (January 09, 08:30 GMT+8)
Denver lost to the Houston Rockets and there’s nothing wrong about that. Besides, the Clutch City squad is surging behind another MVP-calibre play from James Harden.
Now, the Nuggets must quickly move on as they play the Miami Heat in the second game of their back-to-back.
Miami have been up and down lately, and an injury to their star point guard Goran Dragic has not helped their playoff chase. They even lost to the struggling Atlanta Hawks the last time out.
Nikola Jokic and his Nuggets are No.1 in the West, and unlike Miami, they had the likes of Gary Harris and Paul Millsap return to fitness recently.
Atlanta Hawks @ Toronto Raptors (January 09, 08:30 GMT+8)
The Toronto Raptors are feeling great! After taking their first win against the Milwaukee Bucks this season, they continued their winning ways with a dominant victory over the Pacers.
Even more remarkable, the Raps beat Indiana without Kawhi Leonard, who was taking a precautionary rest in the other end of a back-to-back set.
Leonard is set to feature for Toronto against the Atlanta Hawks, and with a pair of fresh legs, the two-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year is expected to terrorise the league-worst Atlanta defence.
It shouldn’t help the Hawks that Kyle Lowry is back after missing time due to a lingering back issue.
Betting Tip: Toronto Raptors Asian Handicap -15.00 @ 2.02.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder (January 09, 09:00 GMT+8)
What now for Minnesota? After firing head coach Tom Thibodeau, more questions than answers popped out for the Timberwolves.
The Wolves have won their last two games under Thibs, the last one a 22-point thrashing of the Lakers. But the Minny top brass still decided to axe their head coach for the team’s performance this season.
‼ Minnesota Timberwolves confirm the sacking of coach Tom Thibodeau.
Assistant coach Ryan Saunders will fill in on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2018-19 season. #AllEyesNorth #NBA pic.twitter.com/rguJXkmfYg
— SBOBET (@SBOBET) January 7, 2019
It remains to be seen how the players will react and adjust to Ryan Saunders taking over as interim coach, but it should be difficult for them.
Derrick Rose has thrived under Thibodeau and is putting up All-Star numbers, while Karl-Anthony Towns has developed into a double-double machine with the 60-year-old tactician at the helm.
For Oklahoma City Thunder, this development is a welcome boost as they try to return to bounce back from their latest defeat. Paul George is having the best season of his career and will be hard to stop, while Russell Westbrook remains a triple-double threat.
Betting Tip: Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -8.00 @ 1.92.
Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns (January 09, 10:00 GMT+8)
The NBA 2019 results haven’t been kind to the Sacramento Kings. In four games since the New Year, Sac-Town won just once. They endured a slump since losing to the Los Angeles Lakers last week before taking down Orlando.
Fortunately for the Kings, the Phoenix Suns pose no threat at all. The West-worst Arizona ballclub is on a six-game skid and has lost seven of their last 10.
Sacramento have also taken the W in their first encounter this year, a game that saw them demoralise the Suns, 122-105.
New York Knicks @ Golden State Warriors (January 09, 11:30 GMT+8)
Halfway through the season, it’s definitely surprising to see the Golden State Warriors only second in the Western Conference. They were supposed to be the top team right now, wreaking havoc in the NBA and tearing opposing defences with their ‘Death Lineup.’
However, the lack of bench production, the absence of a top-quality big man, and chemistry and other off-court dramas continue to cause problems for them. Not to mention that both Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are playing poorly and inconsistently.
Of course, the NBA 2019 odds at SBOBET favour the Dubs to clobber the lowly New York Knicks. But with the Warriors’ tendency to go cold and the Knickerbockers’ new-found confidence after upsetting the Lakers, it could turn out to be an exciting match.
Charlotte Hornets @ LA Clippers (January 09, 11:30 GMT+8)
The Hornets are fighting for a playoff spot, but it always seems they are just a couple of injuries away from falling to the bottom and battling for the lottery.
Although All-Star guard Kemba Walker is providing 25.3 points on a nightly basis, he isn’t enough to bring the team to the next level. They severely lack depth, and that was evident when they lost by 38 points to the Dallas Mavericks last week.
The LA Clippers may not have a legitimate All-Star in the team, but they make it up with a deep roster. Tobias Harris is leading the starting unit, while microwave scorer Lou Williams is anchoring the bench mob.
Betting Tip: LA Clippers First Half Asian Handicap -3.50 @ 1.96.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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