The Celtics dropped their NBA Cup opener against the Hawks on Tuesday, so they’ll be eager to return to the win column when they visit the Nets tomorrow.
The defending champions are now 9-3 to start their 2024-25 campaign, good for second in the Eastern Conference behind the top-seeded Cavaliers.
Speaking of the Cavaliers, they will also hit the road to take on the Sixers, as will the Pacers, Bulls, Pelicans, Clippers, Pistons, Wizards, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Suns, who will visit the Magic, Knicks, Thunder, Rockets, Bucks, Spurs, Lakers, Blazers, and Kings, respectively.
SBOTOP basketball fans will get to enjoy an 11-game schedule tomorrow, and here is the preview of some of the best matchups to look forward to.
Boston Celtics @ Brooklyn Nets
The Celtics meet the Nets for the second time in five days, with the former winning their first meeting at the TD Garden.
Despite not having Jaylen Brown (hip), Boston escaped with a 108-104 result in overtime, as Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard combined for 53 points.
Now with Jaylen Brown available, the Celtics should do better than a four-point win last Friday. The reigning Finals MVP led his team in scoring against the Hawks with 37 points, while co-star Jayson Tatum had 20 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and two blocks but only went 5-for-16 from the field.
Meanwhile, the Nets are defying the NBA 2024 odds since they’re 5-6 to start their campaign, good for sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Brooklyn are coming off a 107-105 win against New Orleans to end their two-game skid, as seven players scored in double digits.
Cam Thomas led the Nets with 17 points, seven rebounds, and two assists while going 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-5 from three-point range. Against the Celtics last Friday, Thomas dropped 31 points on 50-per cent shooting from the field.
Betting tip – Boston Celtics Asian Handicap -9.50 @ 2.11
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia Sixers
The Cavaliers’ undefeated streak has extended to 12 games after their 119-113 win against the Bulls on Monday.
Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 36 points on 12-for-26 shooting. He also notched eight rebounds, two assists, four steals, and seven three-pointers made.
Cleveland’s bench mob played a pivotal role in the victory, as Georges Niang, Caris LeVert, and Ty Jerome all had 12 points each.
As for the Sixers, they have slumped to a 2-8 record, but at least they got Joel Embiid back at 100-per cent fitness.
Joel Embiid made his season debut in their 111-99 loss against the Knicks, but the 2023 NBA MVP looked rusty in his return, recording only 13 points, three rebounds, and five assists on 2-for-11 shooting from the field.
Him and Paul George will be tasked with carrying the heavy offencive cudgels for Philadelphia since Tyrese Maxey is out for at least two weeks due to a hamstring injury.
George did well against the Knicks, recording 29 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and seven three-pointers made on 10-for-19 shooting from the field.
Betting tip – Cleveland Cavaliers Asian Handicap -9.50 @ 2.05
New Orleans Pelicans @ Oklahoma City
There’s a three-way tie at the top of the Western Conference since the Suns, Thunder, and Warriors have identical 9-2 records.
The Thunder have a great chance to claim the top berth, at least for a few hours, since they have a relatively easy game against the Pelicans.
Despite losing Chet Holmgren to a nasty hip injury, the Thunder didn’t skip a beat against the Clippers, since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a new career-high of 45 points to go along with three rebounds, nine assists, five steals, and two blocks.
Speaking of injuries, New Orleans are down bad since they will miss at least six key players to injuries (Jose Alvarado, Zion Williamson, Jordan Hawkins, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, and Dejounte Murray), leaving Brandon Ingram to shoulder the heavy load.
Betting tip – Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -14.00 @ 1.80
Phoenix Suns @ Sacramento Kings
The Suns saw their seven-game winning streak end at the hands of the Kings on Sunday, so they’re seeking retribution when they visit the Golden 1 Center.
Kevin Durant was sidelined by a calf injury during that loss, and he’s out for at least two weeks, so Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will be tasked with creating new NBA 2024 highlights for Phoenix.
Sacramento are going to be led by the three-headed monster of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan. The Kings are fresh from a blowout loss (116-96) against the Spurs.
Betting tip – Sacramento Kings Asian Handicap -7.00 @ 1.94
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