NBA Preview: Intriguing Matches Make for Great Watching

NBA Preview: Intriguing Matches Make for Great Watching

The 2018/19 NBA season has been a pretty peculiar one, to say the least.

While the Golden State Warriors keep a bit of sanity in the league by being the top dog, plenty of the other competing teams are in interesting places in the league. Some of these teams have made the big NBA 2018 news by overcoming expectations, while some are making rounds in the media for the disappointing dip in their form.

If you’re looking for great games to catch and bet on, there are ten interesting games lined up for every basketball fan. The NBA has never failed to deliver quality basketball, so there’s never a bad time to watch some good basketball.

Take out your pen and paper; this will be a long one.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov 8, 07:00 GMT+8)

The Oklahoma City Thunder might be playing without their talisman in Russell Westbrook, who left the team’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans after spraining his ankle. However, it’s not like the team’s in a disadvantageous situation. They have played really good ball and won five games on the bounce.

There should be no reason for the Thunder to not beat the Cavaliers. The team is still in disarray after the departures of LeBron James and Tyronn Lue, and the team are expected to play horribly the entire season.

Detroit Pistons @ Orlando Magic (Nov 8, 07:00 GMT+8)

Both of these teams have played great basketball, but neither ball club is expected to make the playoffs. As both teams are situated at the fringes of the playoff positions, they could really use a good win to boost their confidence and increase their chances of making it to the Top Eight.

The player to watch in this match is undoubtedly Blake Griffin. While his team was recently beaten by a motivated Philadelphia team, the former Oklahoma product cannot be blamed by the team. If Griffin and Andre Drummond can impose their will against an unsure Orlando team, it’s a no-brainer to chock the W for the Pistons.

New York Knicks @ Atlanta Hawks (Nov 8, 07:30 GMT+8)

Plenty of New York Knicks fans are having mixed emotions with the way the season is going now that the inflated numbers have gone down. Tim Hardaway Jr is doing a good job as the main scoring option in Kristaps Porzingis‘ absence, but I doubt that his scoring’s enough to stop the Atlanta Hawks.

Meanwhile, Atlanta fans are still on a great honeymoon stage with rookie Trae Young. He is already leading the team in points and assists, and many are already high on him. All eyes will be on the rook as the Knicks try to stop him despite the Hawks coming from another game the day before.

San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat (Nov 8, 07:30 GMT+8)

The San Antonio Spurs will play at the American Airlines Arena as the favourites ahead of their match against the Miami Heat. The Spurs saw their win streak interrupted by a narrow win against Orlando, so they will try to avenge their loss against the Magic’s neighbours.

The NBA 2018 odds on this game will be great. Sure, the Spurs aren’t the big favourites of many bookies to win the title, but I don’t think DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge will have problems against Miami.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Indiana Pacers (Nov 8, 08:00 GMT+8)

These two teams are similar with how they have played their basketball: they prefer playing exciting, gritty basketball while being led by the most exciting young talents in the league. I am personally looking forward to how these two teams will play each other for the season.

However, I believe that the game won’t entirely revolve around the stars: the rest of the role players will be key as to which team will emerge triumphantly. I believe that the winning team will have a bench that will step up.

Denver Nuggets @ Memphis Grizzlies (Nov 8, 08:00 GMT+8)

Many are definitely surprised with the way the Denver Nuggets have started the season. Sure, some aren’t happy with Jamal Murray‘s career night, but the facts cannot lie. The Nuggets are the biggest fish in the West that isn’t named Golden State.

Nikola Jokic and friends have an opportunity to extend their superb run to 10 wins as they face another overachieving outfit in the Memphis Grizzlies. Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are doing an incredible job in Memphis, but I don’t believe they can contain Denver.

Chicago Bulls @ New Orleans Pelicans (Nov 8, 08:00 GMT+8)

It would have been nice to think that the Chicago Bulls have a chance to pull off a superb upset against New Orleans, but many of the team’s young core isn’t playing due to injuries. Moreover, Anthony Davis is back on the lineup after being sidelined in the penalty.

SBOBET fans will surely back the Pelicans to cruise past this one, but I won’t rule out a surprise result from Zach LaVine and the young Bulls.

Dallas Mavericks @ Utah Jazz (Nov 8, 09:00 GMT+8)

The Mavericks are struggling to get Ws, but the fans are pleased with the development showcased by Mark Cuban’s team. Luka Doncic is impressing players, scouts and fans with his quality of play, and DeAndre Jordan is a welcome presence inside the paint.

They will welcome a struggling Jazz team that won four out of their last five. They can hope that Donovan Mitchell will recover in time from his ankle injury when it’s time for the tip-off.

Toronto Raptors @ Sacramento Kings (Nov 8, 10:00 GMT+8)

Sacramento City is in a state of euphoria after their Kings started the season with an over-0.500 record. Buddy Hield, De’Aaron Fox, and Willie Cauley-Stein are somewhat proving the faith placed in them by the organisation.

However, even they know that playing the Raptors is anything but easy. Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry will be a tough duo to beat.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Lakers (Nov 8, 10:30 GMT+8)

The Minnesota Timberwolves visit Tinseltown to play a somewhat disorganised Los Angeles Lakers squad. The Lakers bolstered their frontcourt with the acquisition of Tyson Chandler from the Phoenix Suns, but their problems are far from solved.

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think of Minnesota as favourites, but they have LeBron James in their team, after all.

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