The biggest rivalry in the NBA will have a new chapter as the Lakers visit the Celtics tomorrow.
Elsewhere, the Bulls, Hornets, Pelicans, Heat, Spurs, Mavericks, and Warriors will aim to build momentum with wins over their respective visitors.
Keep up to the date with the latest NBA 2021 news as SBOTOP previews tomorrow’s eight-game slate.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Chicago Bulls
The Blazers and the Bulls are looking to snap their skids when they face off at the United Center.
This game will feature two of the best scorers in the league in Damian Lillard (28.8 PPG) and Zach LaVine (27.0 PPG), so this is expected to be a high-scoring affair just like in their first meeting.
In the said match 25 days ago, Chicago narrowly defeated Portland as Coby White and CJ McCollum lit up the scoreboard.
The Blazers are eager to get revenge. But since they won’t have CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic tomorrow, the Bulls are backed by the NBA 2021 odds to grab their eighth win of the season.
Betting Tip – Chicago Bulls Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.86
Milwaukee Bucks @ Charlotte Hornets
The Bucks will look to bounce back when they visit the Hornets tomorrow.
Milwaukee saw their two-game winning streak snapped against the Pelicans despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s monster statline.
The Greek Freak poured in 38 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. However, nobody else produced besides their starters.
They will face a Hornets squad who are coming off of a victory over the Pacers, thanks to a balanced effort by their rotation players.
Charlotte would need to replicate yesterday’s form if they’ll get their fifth home win of the season.
Houston Rockets @ New Orleans Pelicans
It’s safe to say that the Rockets have clearly moved on given that they’re enjoying a four-game winning streak, and now they will stake their record when they visit the Pelicans tomorrow.
Since the James Harden trade, Houston became the best in terms of defensive rating and that played a huge part to their resurgence.
As for the Pelicans, they are on a win streak themselves – winning against the Bucks and the Wizards.
Brandon Ingram’s All-Star form has carried over to this season and he will be tasked to lead his team to try and get their eighth win of the season.
Sacramento Kings @ Miami Heat
The Heat are keen on ending their losing skid when they host the Kings in South Beach.
Miami have been ravaged by injuries and COVID-19 for much of this season, and that led to the poor run of form as of late.
Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler’s presences have been sorely missed by the Erik Spoelstra-mentored squad. And they have been heavily relying on Bam Adebayo ever since.
Tomorrow’s game will see the return of Hassan Whiteside, who owes his NBA career to the Heat organization.
Whiteside is starting to come to life after being benched earlier and he will aim to neutralise Adebayo with his interior presence.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics
The TD Garden has already seen countless Celtics battles versus LeBron James, and that makes tomorrow’s match a must-see on TV.
The Lakers are 10-2 on the road while the Celtics are 5-2 at home, so something has to give in their first meeting of the season.
This game will feature recognisable names in the Association. Besides LeBron James and his reloaded supporting cast, we will also get to see the likes of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kemba Walker.
The biggest x-factor here will be Anthony Davis’ status. The do-it-all forward is suffering a quad injury and he is questionable to play tomorrow.
Memphis Grizzlies @ San Antonio Spurs
Ja Morant lays it up over Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey and Dwight Howard
After being held out for five games due to COVID-19 safety protocols, the Grizzlies are finally back in action.
Memphis will have some catching up to do as they were on a five-game winning streak prior to the hiatus, but it will be easier said than done given that San Antonio are also on a win streak themselves.
Ja Morant will be tasked to carry the load as he makes his All-Star bid and he will be backstopped by the likes of Dillon Brooks, Jonas Valanciunas, and Kyle Anderson.
The Spurs, meanwhile, will be led by veterans DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge and youngsters in Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker IV, and Keldon Johnson.
Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks
A classic Western Conference matchup awaits us as the Suns visit the Mavericks tomorrow.
The Suns recently snapped their losing skid with a timely win over the Warriors, while the Mavericks have yet to bounce back after losing three in a row.
The good news for Dallas is that they have more available players right now since their COVID-19 protocol has been lifted.
Meanwhile, the Suns won’t have Devin Booker as he’s nursing a hamstring injury.
Detroit Pistons @ Golden State Warriors
Wrapping up tomorrow’s games is the cross-conference matchup between the Pistons and the Warriors.
These teams will meet for the second time this season. In their December 29 game, Steph Curry’s 31 points propelled the Warriors to a 116-106 win.
Golden State are heavily favoured to win since they’re 7-4 at home while Detroit have a woeful record on the road at 1-7.
Betting Tip: Golden State Warriors Asian Handicap -5.50 @ 1.95
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The post NBA: Age-Old Rivals Meet Anew at the Garden appeared first on SBOTOP.
