Aside from the Warriors vs. Cavaliers rematch, the NBA will feature marquee matchups from the Eastern Conference for tomorrow’s league slate. SBOTOP has got you covered with in-depth previews and statistics for the upcoming clashes that will feature heavyweights such as the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, and the Miami Heat.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Orlando Magic
With high expectations due to the addition of Damian Lillard to their already proven roster, the Bucks are proving that they are definitely a championship threat. They now hold a 5-3 record, beating other playoff contenders like the 76ers and the Heat.
It helps their case that their star forward, Kris Middleton, is starting to get his feet under him after mending an injury that kept him on the sidelines for quite some time. Middleton is still playing under a minute restriction, but his productivity on the court is starting to ramp up, which can only be bad news for their adversaries.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard is having little to no problems meshing with his new team. In seven games playing in a Bucks uniform, the former Portland superstar is averaging 24 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. Although the veteran point guard is struggling with his three-point shot, he is averaging just under 30 per cent from downtown this season. He will have a great opportunity to regain his rhythm beyond the arc when they visit the young Orlando Magic.
After winning three straight games against the Knicks, Nets, and Pistons, the Milwaukee Bucks fell short during their visit to Indiana, where Haliburton and the crew edged them out in a 126-124 Pacers win. But Giannis and the rest of the Bucks have a chance to bounce back against a struggling Magic squad.
The Magic are currently on a two-game losing streak, as they fell short against the Hawks, who stole the game in Mexico City with a 120-119 win, and when they failed to protect home court against Luka and the Dallas Mavericks. They will have an opportunity to take advantage of home court when they try to fend off the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center.
Leading the way for the Magic is their star sophomore Paolo Banchero, who is averaging 18 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals this season. It will be interesting to see how the young star will fare against two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Toronto Raptors @ Boston Celtics
The NBA 2023 odds favourites Boston Celtics will defend their home court as their northern Rivals Toronto Raptors will stomp onto TD Garden for an Eastern Conference showdown.
Joe Mazzulla and his team suffered back-to-back losses against the Timberwolves and 76ers. This stretch hurt their record, forcing them to concede the top seed in the Eastern Conference to the ramping 76ers. But they’re back on track to reclaim the top seed after their lopsided 121-107 win against the Nets in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Jaylen Brown balled out and scored 28 points in 29 minutes, while MVP candidate Jayson Tatum posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Celtics fans are hoping for similar productions from their All-Star duo against the visiting Raptors.
After their roster reconstruction in the offseason, the Raptors are holding their own pretty well with a 4-4 record to start the season. Their third-year forward Scottie Barnes has made NBA 2023 news because of his tremendous leap this season averaging 21.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.1 blocks. It’s amazing how the 22-year-old handled the pressure of being the main man for the Raptors, and he continues this form all throughout the season, the Raptors should be able to clinch a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam is still making his case as one of the best power forwards in the league, with averages of 17.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. The 2x All-NBA, and 2018-19 most improved player aims to be the tip of the spear for the rest of his younger teammates and lead the Raps to a deep postseason run.
Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks
Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat have been on a three-game win streak, and they aim to ride that momentum when they visit the Atlanta Hawks at the Philips Arena. The Heat barely got out of their matchup against the struggling Grizzlies (108-102), before they bested LeBron James and the Lakers in a playoff-like game in Miami (108-107).
This time, Coach Spo would much rather get a comfortable win against the Hawks, as they go on the road for two more games after their stint in Atlanta. After a slow start to their season, the Heat are now 4-4, but facing off against a 5-3 Hawks team in Atlanta, a comfy win would be a tall order for any team in the league.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are having a great start to their season, being just 1.5 games behind the Eastern Conference leaders, the 76ers. Even though Trae Young is having some efficiency issues, he is still producing 24.1 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1.6 steals for the Hawks this season.
It also helps that their budding big man, Onyeka Okongwu, is developing into an important piece for the team. The Hawks have good pieces to build around Trae Young, and if the likes of Onyeka Okongwu, De’Andre Hunter, Clint Capela, and Bogdan Bogdanović stay healthy, the Hawks could float around the upper half of the Eastern Conference until the postseason starts.
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