The Orlando Magic took everyone by surprise as they are the only undefeated team left in the NBA and they have a chance to stretch their streak to five games.
Meanwhile, the Raptors, Wizards, and Rockets have yet to hit the ground running since they are winless so far and they are eager to kick off 2021 with a bang.
Today, SBOTOP takes a look at the seven-game slate for New Year’s Day.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Indiana Pacers
Two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams will go head-to-head at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Both teams are coming off of tough defeats after experiencing auspicious starts to their respective 2020/21 campaigns.
The Cavaliers have been on a roll primarily due to their improved chemistry under head coach JB Bickerstaff.
Andre Drummond has been consistent double-double threat, while Collin Sexton and Darius Garland have shown drastic improvement.
The Pacers are also playing with an exciting brand of basketball under head coach Nate Bjorkgren, who was brought over last offseason to replace Nate McMillan.
Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo have been bringing it for Indiana on the offencive end, while Myles Turner’s defencive activity shouldn’t be overlooked.
This should be a fun matchup between rising East clubs, but the Pacers are primed to take this one home.
Betting Tip: Indiana Pacers Asian Handicap -7.50 @ 2.00
Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook dribbles the ball
The addition of Russell Westbrook has yet to bear fruit as the Wizards are winless in their first four games.
They are coming off of a tough defeat against the Chicago Bulls yesterday, and they are keen on not losing to them again tomorrow.
Chicago won the previous game via a collective effort as seven players scored in double figures.
Zach LaVine led the way with 23 points while Coby White added 18 en route to their first win of the season.
Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal can still put up numbers no question. But their other teammates need to step up when it matters most.
Philadelphia Sixers @ Orlando Magic
The resurgent Magic will aim for five consecutive wins as they host the Sixers at the Amway Center.
Since winning over the Heat on opening night, Steve Clifford’s side have notched impressive victories over the Wizards (twice) and the Thunder yesterday.
One can argue that they have been beneficiaries of a light schedule and tomorrow will be their biggest test yet.
Philadelphia recently beat Toronto in last night’s showdown and they will look to give their new head coach Doc Rivers his fourth win of the season.
Betting Tip: Philadelphia Sixers Asian Handicap -2.50 @ 1.85
Sacramento Kings @ Houston Rockets
Houston fans will finally get to see their offseason additions in action tomorrow against Sacramento.
Newly-acquired John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins will make their debuts after undergoing quarantine, while team veteran Eric Gordon will suit up to help as well.
The Rockets have yet to win this season despite the superb performances of MVP candidate James Harden and Christian Wood.
They were beaten by a clutch CJ McCollum three in their first match, while they were overwhelmed by the Nuggets last Tuesday.
Beating the Kings won’t be that easy for the Rockets, but having a more complete squad surely helps their NBA 2020 odds to win.
Betting Tip: Houston Rockets Asian Handicap -5.00 @ 1.98
New York Knicks @ Toronto Raptors
The Raptors will aim to arrest their three-game skid as they host the Knicks in Tampa Bay.
The 2019 NBA champions are off to their worst start in 15 years, and the frustration is evident within the team.
Closing out games have been a problem for Toronto as they squandered their double-digit leads in each of their three losses.
They’re only averaging 21.7 points in the fourth quarter, which is the second-worst in the league, so it’s clear that they need to tighten things up down the stretch.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are coming in confident with consecutive wins over the Bucks and the Cavaliers.
Betting Tip: Toronto Raptors Asian Handicap -9.00 @ 1.95
New Orleans Pelicans @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The Pelicans are keen for a bounce back as they visit the Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
New Orleans are fresh from a humiliating defeat against the revamped Suns as they failed to contain them on the defencive end.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City have gotten off to a slow start as they couldn’t eke out wins in close games.
After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game winning shot against the Hornets, they stumbled to close losses against the Jazz and the Magic.
Both of these teams will be exciting to watch since they’re oozing with young stalwarts, but a deeper Pelicans squad should be able to come away with a win.
Betting Tip: New Orleans Pelicans Asian Handicap -5.00 @ 1.82
Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz
Two rising teams in the Western Conference will meet for the first time tomorrow at the Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The Suns and the Jazz have been relying on their stars to produce NBA 2020 highlights, and the good results have come along with it.
The bigman matchup between Deandre Ayton and Rudy Gobert will be fun to watch down low, while Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell should offer fireworks and high-octane offence.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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The post NBA: Can the Early Surprises Prove They’re No Fluke? appeared first on SBOTOP.