Indiana snapped a five-game losing streak on Thursday with a 107-103 triumph in Memphis. With Ivica Zubac and Obi Toppin returning from injury in that game, their front court was given a real boost and while Zubac looked very slow and provided little in his comeback, Toppin was everywhere and proved to be a crucial piece late in the game, as Indiana gained separation. A 15-5 run late in the fourth turned an 86-91 deficit into a 101-96 lead for the visitors and although Memphis threatened a comeback, a huge three from Aaron Nesmith iced the game (despite Nesmith missing the and-one opportunity). Siakam led the charge late and finished with 20 points and two steals, Andrew Nembhard topped the scoring with 22 points and four assists and Braden Smith looked solid in his second start, with 10 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Indiana’s defence was intense and locked-in, with Nesmith wreaking havoc, Smith having some good moments and Quenton Jackson impressing on that end.
Denver got back to winning ways on Thursday in their best game of the season, beating Toronto 128-109. It was a dominant third quarter that won the hosts the game, as they dominated Toronto 41-15, helping build a 109-82 lead early in the fourth quarter to make it game over at that point. It was a welcome rise to Nikola Jokić’s expected form after what has to be described as a disappointing start to the season from the former MVP, with the big man posting a dominant 32 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals. That helped Denver post an elite 130.6 offensive rating against a good Toronto defence, despite a rather shaky night from Jamal Murray who had 14 points on 4/11 FGs, to go with five rebounds and seven assists. Cameron Johnson hit four threes in this one for 12 points, Bryce Hopkins had a very efficient 18 points and two steals off the bench and Aaron Gordon looked much more energetic with his 17 points.
DeMar DeRozan (back) and Spencer Jones (hamstring) are set to return from their respective injuries for Denver, while TJ McConnell (hamstring) has been upgraded to questionable suggesting that he may be in line to make his season debut. That may well bring some much-needed depth for Indiana’s backcourt, but I still don’t see how Indiana get close here. Without Haliburton, Indiana have been 11.5 points per 100 possessions worse this season and Denver should take care of them easily.
Best
Denver -7.5 ($1.90)
Cleveland were able to pull off a big in-season tournament on Saturday, beating Philadelphia 119-95. Philly were on a five-game win streak heading into this game and headed to Rocket Arena as favourites on the road, but Cleveland were able to blow them off the floor essentially from the very beginning, despite some Philadelphia bounce-backs throughout the contest. A 19-4 start to the game saw Cleveland race out the blocks and while the visitors got back to 54-50, they never hit the front and a 29-9 third quarter run from Kenny Atkinson’s men put the game to bed. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley were a very handy one-two punch, with the guard dropping 23 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals and Mobley had 22 points six rebounds, four assists and one block. Peyton Watson was important in his return from injury, with a great defensive effort and 13 points to boot, while Tyrese Proctor’s defence was also impressive off the bench.
New York have now won four of their last five games to shake off any early-season concerns. In fairness, their last three wins have all very much been expected, coming against Chicago (twice) and Brooklyn, but they were able to take care of business on each occasion, and they did so emphatically in their latest clash against Chicago on Thursday, in a 135-105 thumping. It was a beatdown from the very beginning, with a 39-13 first quarter run making it a blowout from the very start, with New York’s lead getting out to 44 points late in the third. It was an elite offensive performance from the defending champions, with a 135.0 offensive rating, and it came on a strong shooting performance, with a 59.7% eFG, and a 30/37 rate at the free throw line. OG Anunoby was the main beneficiary at the stripe, hitting 11/12 for 18 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Jalen Brunson led the scoring with 33 points and four assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points, 12 rebounds and Mohamed Diawara had his best game of the season with eight points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks off the bench.
New York will again be without Josh Hart (ankle) but with Brunson having been finding his form and New York starting to look like last season’s championship side, it shouldn’t matter. Cleveland will be feeling it on night two of a back-to-back and we saw last season that New York have the hosts’ number in their 4-0 sweep in the conference finals. I have NY winning well here.
Best
New York -4.5 ($1.87)
Portland suffered just their second loss of the season on Saturday, going down to the Lakers 118-124. It was their inability to slow down Luka Dončić ended up being their downfall, with just a 124.0 defensive rating by the end of the night, as they collapsed in the second half. A 51-35 second quarter lead shortly turned into a 70-81 deficit in the third quarter, and although Portland got back within arm’s reach with a 43-point fourth, the Lakers kept their cool to hand the visitors the loss. It ended up being a costly third quarter for Portland, with their 15 points leaving them with too much of a hole to get out of, conceding more turnovers (6) than they scored field goals (5) to earn the loss. Deni Avdija was again Portland’s best with 22 points, nine rebounds, 11 assists and two steals but he did have eight turnovers. Donovan Clingan impressed once more with 17 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks and Damian Lillard was efficient enough with his 22 points. Toumani Camara hit four threes on his way to 18 points and Jrue Holiday had 12 points and seven assists but his defence was somewhat unusually off, and Avdija’s defensive effort was poor.
San Antonio comfortably took care of Sacramento on Saturday, in a 124-109 victory. A 15-5 run late in the first quarter opened up a 36-27 lead and that was the springboard that San Antonio used to make this game a blowout. Victor Wembanyama dominated on both ends to post 30 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks and Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle each scored 19 points to continue the scoring avalanche. Vassell had nine of his points early on, while Castle added seven assists and Harrison Barnes had a very efficient 13 points off the bench.
With both teams being on night two of a back-to-back, we’ll see some tired legs late in the piece and that’s where San Antonio’s depth will come into play. I like Wembanyama’s offensive matchup in this contest, with Clingan too slow to stay in front of him and the rest of Portland’s bigs not up to par on size or athleticism. That’ll help the visitors come out on top in this contest and I like them as 5.5-point favourites.
Best
San Antonio -5.5 ($1.87)
