This SBOTOP writer is humbly eating his words after prematurely counting the Bucks out after the signing of Doc Rivers.
Since coming back from the NBA All-Star break, the Milwaukee Bucks have looked like a different team. Cream City can now sleep soundly at night knowing that the Bucks are on a six-game winning streak and are 8-2 in their last 10 despite the injury woes they’ve been dealing with this campaign.
Without Giannis, the Bucks thrashed the Clippers at Fiserv Stadium thanks to a 40-point fourth quarter to close the door on Harden and the Clippers. Dame Time took matters into his own hands by scoring a breezy 40-piece, while Crazy Eyes Bobby Portis chipped in with 28 points to boot.
They’re keen on extending their win streak to seven games when they visit the Warriors in the Bay Area.
Speaking of the Warriors, they recently lost to the NBA 2024 betting odds favourites, the Boston Celtics, by 52 points. Yeah, you read that right. The Warriors have yet again shown why they’re not in the playoff picture this season. The Dubs were on a convincing 8-2 rally in their last 10 prior to their humbling loss to the Celtics; it was fun while it lasted.
Let’s see if they can bounce back from their devastating loss to Boston when they host another top-tier team in the East. Their clash with the Bucks will be the first of their three-game stretch at home, and Warriors fans can only hope and pray that the Warriors can maximize their home court advantage.
Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are currently 34-29 and are in the bottom half of the Western Conference standings, not where Lakers fans hoped they’d be after reaching the Conference Finals last season. But, every now and then, the Lakers have this act of becoming the Showtime Lakers on a casual weeknight.
On a random Monday night in Oklahoma, LeBron James and the Lakers thrashed the 42-19 OKC Thunder 116-104. D’Angelo Russell had one of his best games of the season and put up a game-high 26 points, while LeBron and AD contributed respectable lines as well, as expected.
Lakers fans can only wait and see if Darvin Ham’s outfit can produce the same NBA 2024 results when they host the stagnant Kings at Crypto.com Arena.
The boys from Sacramento have been somewhat pedestrian since the All-Star break, going 5-5 in their last 10, and the recent absence of their star point guard, De’Aaron Fox, is a big reason why.
Luckily for Mike Brown and the rest of his team, all their key players will be available tomorrow night against the Lakers. They’ll need every player in their main rotation to contribute if they plan to stay in the playoff picture in the West.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks
Remember when the Cleveland Cavaliers were the hottest team in the entire NBA? To their defence, they could’ve gone on that run a little longer if it weren’t for the injuries that plagued them after the All-Star break.
The Cavs are currently missing Evan Mobley, Max Strus, and Donovan Mitchell due to injuries; That’s three of their starting five in street clothes. During this stretch of injury woes, J. B. Bickerstaff has turned to Caris Levert, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, and other role players to put up significant contributions, which is probably why they’re 5-5 in their last 10.
Injury woes aside, the Cavaliers were able to pull the Boston Celtics back to earth with a thrilling 105-104 victory at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Another injury-riddled team are the Atlanta Hawks, who are currently braving the season without their All-Star Trae Young and budding forward Onyeka Okongwu.
Expect Dejounte Murray to continue his stellar form, as he funnels both the offence and the defence through him. In the last two weeks, Murray has been averaging 22.8 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and shooting .495 per cent from the field.
A Donovan Mitchel-Dejounte Murray would’ve been a sight to see, but assume that Darius Garland will show a good fight.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trail Blazers
OKC will have a great opportunity to take the Western Conference as they face off against the struggling and injury-riddled Portland Trail Blazers.
After losing to the Los Angeles Lakers, SGA and the rest of OKC slipped down to the second spot in the standings, but I can’t imagine Mark Daigneault and his boys having even an ounce of worry.
OKC has been in the upper echelon of the Western Conference for quite some time now, and they’re one of the favourites to summit the West by the end of the season. It helps their cause that they’ll have a four-game home stretch after their clash at Portland.
Meanwhile, the Blazers are officially tanking for the rest of the season. Players in their starting five are either injured or considered day-to-day. Which is why they’re the overwhelming underdogs coming into their bout against the Thunder.
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