Christmas is one of the best times if you’re an NBA fan. And as usual, we will be treated to another set of mouthwatering matches tomorrow.
Last season’s NBA finalists in the Heat and Lakers will square off against up-and-coming teams in the Pelicans and Mavericks, while the new-look Nets will face the Celtics in a blockbuster.
Elsewhere, the Bucks and Warriors also offer an enticing clash, while the Clippers and the Nuggets will engage in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference semis.
Read on below as SBOTOP previews the 2020/21 Christmas games.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Miami Heat
The Miami Heat will look to bounce back from their disappointing loss as they host the Pelicans tomorrow.
Erik Spoelstra and co. were defeated by the Orlando Magic, who were led by the hot hand of Evan Fournier late in the final period.
Turnovers killed the Heat as they squandered 22 possessions which lead to 24 Magic points, and they need to tighten up against a confident Pelicans squad.
New Orleans are fresh from an impressive win over Toronto as they rallied from a double-digit deficit to claim the win in the second half.
The Pelicans will field in a full squad. The Heat, meanwhile, are hopeful that Jimmy Butler’s ankle injury isn’t too serious.
But either way, the Heat should have enough tools to take care of business at home.
Betting Tip – Miami Heat Asian Handicap -4.00 @ 2.00
Golden State Warriors @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are eager on getting their first win of the 2020/21 season when they host the Warriors.
Milwaukee suffered a tough loss in the opener as their late rally was upended by the Celtics via a Jayson Tatum go-ahead three.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a chance to draw level when he was fouled in the ensuing possession. However, his missed free throw sealed the deal for Boston.
The Warriors are also fresh from a brutal defeat against the Nets in their opener, as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving lit them up with a flurry of NBA 2020 highlights.
Golden State’s NBA 2020 odds to win look bleak in this game as they will come in shorthanded.
Draymond Green is still nursing a strained right foot and he will be on spectator status once more.
Betting Tip – Milwaukee Bucks Asian Handicap -9.50 @ 1.86
Brooklyn Nets @ Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant and guard Kyrie Irving stand together on the court
The Brooklyn Nets will aim to make a statement as they visit the Celtics in the TD Garden.
Will this be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals? It sure looks like it as this will feature a star-studded matchup between Kyrie Irving-Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown.
The good news for the Nets is that despite their recent run-ins with the media, their play on the court hasn’t been affected at all.
Kevin Durant is showing everyone that he’s still got it, while Kyrie Irving’s handles and shot creating ability remains topnotch.
The Celtics, who were under the radar during free agency, look deep and strong as shown in their opener against the Bucks.
This is expected to be a high-scoring game, but the edge should go to the Nets given that they had an extra recovery day.
Betting Tip – Brooklyn Nets Asian Handicap -2.50 @ 1.87
Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers
Two of the league’s remarkable playmakers in LeBron James and Luka Doncic will lock horns as the Mavericks visit the Lakers at Staples Center.
The Lakers, who reloaded during the offseason, were defeated by the Clippers as they looked to have championship hangover.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks had a meltdown late against the revamped Suns, as Luka Doncic struggled in the clutch with his shot selection.
It’s no secret that LeBron James is getting up there with age which is why many have dubbed Luka Doncic as the next big thing.
Matchups between these two have yet to disappoint, and the Lakers should eke out a close victory in the end.
Betting Tip – Los Angeles Lakers Asian Handicap -5.50 @ 1.85
Los Angeles Clippers @ Denver Nuggets
The sting of blowing a 3-1 lead will be on top of the minds of the Clippers as they visit the Nuggets.
Since that awful outcome, the Clippers made drastic changes both to their roster and coaching staff with aims to secure their first-ever championship.
Tyronn Lue will now call the shots for the retooled Clippers, who added the likes of Serge Ibaka, Luke Kennard, and Nicolas Batum.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will continue to spearhead their attack just like how they did during their opening win.
Denver, meanwhile, are fresh from a defeat against Sacramento as Buddy Hield scored the buzzer-beating field goal.
It was uncharacteristic for the Nuggets to lose in that game, so they will be motivated to meet their old rivals again.
Betting Tip – Los Angeles Clippers Asian Handicap -2.00 @ 1.87
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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The post NBA Preview: The Present Meets the Future In Hollywood appeared first on SBOTOP.