Atlanta have had a brutal schedule of late, with seven road games in their last eight games, but have come out on the other side with a 4-4 record as they return to State Farm Arena on Sunday. Their road trip wrapped up with a 101-117 loss in Portland on Friday, thanks to a terrible 14-29 fourth quarter, which ultimately cost them the game. It also contributed to a lowly 99.0 offensive rating on the night, as Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and new recruit CJ McCollum all had sub-par shooting nights. Onyeka Okongwu top-scored with 26 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while McCollum was the only other player to hit the 20-point mark, but it was Atlanta’s 18 turnovers on the night and 4/20 shooting in the fourth that really did the damage.
Boston could not have started off any worse in Miami on Friday, going down 9-28 inside the opening seven minutes of the game. It took them a while to fully click into gear, but when they did late in the third quarter, a Boston barrage struck to take control of the game. A 23-7 run in the space of eight minutes saw them absolutely lock down the hosts and take a 101-100 lead with five minutes to play, and they used that momentum to get themselves over the finish line for a big road win. It was Anfernee Simons who got them there, exploding for 39 points, including going 7/16 from deep, with 18 of his points coming in the fourth for a clutch performance. Sam Hauser also had some big moments, with 17 points and three assists, and Luka Garza added 11 valuable points as Jaylen Brown and Derrick White both struggled. Brown went 9/24 from the field for 27 points and seven boards, while White shot just 1/7 for eight points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
Daniels is questionable for Atlanta and Payton Pritchard is doubtful for the visitors, meaning two key backcourt pieces may miss this game, but I fancy Atlanta in their return home. Boston do not have a good defensive matchup for Johnson and the hosts will be able to give Brown a lot of defensive attention. As home underdogs, I really like Atlanta.
Miami choked away a golden opportunity to overcome their Eastern Conference rivals on Friday, giving up a 93-78 third-quarter lead to lose 114-119. It was quite the collapse, including giving up a 7-23 run, as Miami’s offence completely dried up and that cost them the game. Norman Powell had another impressive scoring night, with 26 points on 10/15 shooting, and Tyler Herro also had an efficient night, recording 22 points on 9/15. Rookie guard Kasparas Jakučionis had some big shots to keep Miami in the contest, finishing with 12 points and eight assists, and Bam Adebayo had 22 points and five assists, but the team’s late-game execution let them down.
Oklahoma City recorded another statement win on Friday, beating Houston 111-91. After getting revenge against San Antonio on Wednesday, the road win at Toyota Center was another big result for this OKC team that looked to have something to prove. Leading just 77-75 at three-quarter time, it was an utterly dominant fourth quarter that saw the visitors come out on top, as they led by as many as 25 points late in the piece. Chet Holmgren stood out in this game, with 18 points, nine rebounds, two steals and four blocks, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just kept his 20-point scoring streak alive, with 20 points, four assists and two blocks. Ajay Mitchell provided a key 17 points, including eight in the fourth, off the bench and Jalen Williams’ 10 assists helped create 25 points for OKC.
Miami are one of the few teams in the league who are set up to give Oklahoma City’s defence some troubles and that will result in a shootout in Florida. The hosts have the fastest time to shot in the league and that will put plenty of pressure on OKC, which will result in a high total.
Portland took care of business at home against Atlanta on Friday, prevailing 117-101. Leading by just one point heading into the fourth, the game was up for the taking, and it was Portland who almost immediately took control of the contest with a 15-2 run, seeing them finish with a somewhat comfortable victory. Deni Avdija missed his second straight game, seeing Shaedon Sharpe take control with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Jerami Grant had 16 points, three assists and two blocks and former NZ Breaker Rayan Rupert had 13 points and three steals to provide some crucial minutes.
The Lakers fell to a 117-135 defeat to Charlotte on Friday, as they struggled to come up with the answers for Charlotte’s free-flowing offence. With a woeful 138.9 defensive rating, the hosts could not slow down the likes of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, as the visitors shot the lights out, including going 20/43 from deep. It was a 16-34 second quarter that undid Los Angeles’ good work from the opening quarter, seeing Charlotte take a 55-64 lead into halftime and the hosts had no way back into the game from there. Luka Dončić starred again, with 39 points, three rebounds and four assists, while LeBron James put up 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Jake LaRavia also hit his shots, providing 18 points and two steals, but it was LA’s poor defence that let them down.
Dončić is out for Sunday’s game and that is a huge blow for LA, as he joins Austin Reaves on the sidelines. That will leave a lot on James’ plate, and at 41 years old, I am not sure he will have what it takes to lead his team to victory. Portland are 13-8 ATS at home this season and will be too good against the undermanned visitors.