FRIDAY 15TH JANUARY NBA ACTION PREVIEW (9 GAMES)
7:00 PM ET - Indiana Pacers (22-17) vs Washington Wizards (18-19)
7:00 PM ET - Indiana Pacers (22-17) vs Washington Wizards (18-19)
Hype Ranking: 3rd
Key Matchup: Monta Ellis vs Bradley Beal - Both shooting guards have had disappointing years so far - Ellis with lackluster production and Beal with injuries. Now that Beal's back, it's time for the Wizards to take it up a notch and really compete for the playoffs. The key to success in Beal but if Ellis can outscore him, then Beal's scoring production won't matter.
7:00 PM ET - Oklahoma City Thunder (28-12) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (12-28)
Hype Ranking: 5th
Key Matchup: Russell Westbrook vs Ricky Rubio - After an ejection last game, you can bet on Westbrook getting mad and tearing up the Wolves. If the Wolves want any part of winning this game, they're going to need Rubio to put his underrated defense to good use against Westbrook. Also, it'll be interesting to see who gets more assists and who is closer to a triple-double between the two.
7:30 PM ET - Boston Celtics (20-19) vs Phoenix Suns (13-27)
Hype Ranking: 7th
Key Matchup: Jae Crowder vs T.J. Warren - Warren is a gifted scorer and, when given the opportunity, can light teams up from all over the court. The Celtics will need Crowder to assure that doesn't happen while also needing Crowder's own scoring production if they want to win this game comfortably.
7:30 PM ET - Brooklyn Nets (11-28) vs Portland Trail Blazers (17-24)
Hype Ranking: 6th
Key Matchup: Brook Lopez vs Meyers Leonard - Brook Lopez is a talented scorer who is the Nets only chance for victory in most games. If Leonard can use his three point shooting to his advantage, he can tire out Lopez on the offensive end and have less trouble with him on the interior at the other side of the floor. No easy buckets for Lopez means an easier chance to win for Rip City. Brook Lopez will also be matching up with former teammate Mason Plumlee in his first game in Brooklyn since being traded to the Blazers in the offseason.
8:00 PM ET - New Orleans Pelicans (12-26) vs Charlotte Hornets (18-20)
Key Matchup: Tyreke Evans vs Kemba Walker - Both Evans and Walker are talented floor generals albeit Evans as more of a guard/forward that takes a lot of point guard duties away from Jrue Holiday. Both teams desperately need this win and Walker and Evans (as well as Davis) are the only players that could truly take over this game and bring home the win.
8:00 PM ET - Chicago Bulls (23-15) vs Dallas Mavericks (22-18)
Hype Ranking: 2nd
Key Matchup: Pau Gasol vs Dirk Nowitzki - The two European big men are once again facing off in what could become one of their final matchups. Dirk is fresh off a game which he was rested for but so is Pau. If Dirk being fresh means he can continue to score like he has been all year, then the Bulls are in trouble. That is if Pau has nothing to say about it.
8:00 PM ET - Milwaukee Bucks (16-25) vs Atlanta Hawks (23-16)
Hype Ranking: 9th
Key Matchup: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs Kent Bazemore - The Greek Freak is one of the more talented young small forwards in this league but he'll have to overpower suddenly superb 3 and D forward Kent Bazemore to give the young Bucks a win they desperately need if they truly want to make a final push for the playoffs.
9:00 PM ET - Denver Nuggets (15-24) vs Miami Heat (22-17)
Hype Ranking: 4th
Key Matchup: Randy Foye vs Dwyane Wade - Although Barton is the better shooting guard right now, it's Randy Foye and his amazing post defense that the Nuggets will need from him that will allow them to build on their victory over the Warriors two nights ago. If Wade gets his rhythm going, however, Denver won't be looking to good. Foye is the only one that can prevent that.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
9:30 PM ET - Houston Rockets (21-19) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (27-10)
Hype Ranking: 1st
Key Matchup: Patrick Beverley vs Kyrie Irving - No, it's not Harden vs LeBron. LeBron will probably destroy Harden on offense but Harden will most likely match or exceed LBJ's scoring output. The key to this game is whether or not Beverley can lock down Irving. Unlike Harden, Beverley won't be able to match Kyrie's scoring output and will need to make sure he doesn't score any easy buckets or it's game over for the Rockets.
No comments:
Post a Comment