Steve Kerr is not happy with the Warriors’ slow start to their 2022-23 NBA campaign, saying that his players are lacking a sense of purpose, but he’s optimistic that they’ll improve their NBA 2022 results soon.
But for them to get back into the win column, they must be ready against a hungry Heat team on the road, who’s also on a two-game losing streak.
Elsewhere, the Nets, Thunder, and Suns are aiming to extend their win streaks when they host the Bulls, Magic, and Timberwolves respectively.
Despite the lean schedule, basketball fans are going to enjoy the games given the number of stars who’ll set foot on the court tomorrow, and SBOTOP is here to preview the matches one by one.
Chicago Bulls @ Brooklyn Nets
The Nets finally ended their four-game slump and they’ll aim for more wins to improve their record.
Brooklyn won in their second consecutive home meeting against Indiana as Kevin Durant passed Vince Carter for 19th on the NBA’s All-Time scoring list. The 2014 MVP had a team-high 36 points to push his career total to 25,754.
Durant has also scored at least 25 points in each of the first seven games of the season, which is the most in Nets’ franchise history.
Kyrie Irving and Nic Claxton were also key to the Nets’ victory as the former had 28 points, while the latter recorded 19 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
The Bulls enter tomorrow with a 3-4 record and head coach Billy Donovan is sweating on the fitness of some of his key players.
Backup center Andre Drummond is likely to sit out tomorrow due to a shoulder sprain, while Ayo Dosunmu (chest), Coby White (quad), and Zach LaVine (knee) are all listed as questionable.
DeMar DeRozan, who just became the 50th player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points, is expected to shoulder the offencive burden once more alongside Nikola Vucevic.
Golden State Warriors @ Miami Heat
Two of the league’s elite franchises are struggling, as the Warriors and the Heat have now lost back-to-back games.
Golden State suffered uncharacteristic defeats against Charlotte and Detroit – two teams who aren’t expected to do much this season, as per the NBA 2022 odds.
The Hornets spoiled Steph Curry’s homecoming as they outlasted the defending champions in OT despite not having their starting backcourt in LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier. And then against the Pistons, they couldn’t slow down Saddiq Bey and Cade Cunningham – who was one assist shy of a triple-double.
They did beat the Heat, though, in their previous meeting with a score of 123-110. And that result was followed up with a 119-113 loss to the Kings last Sunday.
Klay Thompson was rested on Sunday versus Detroit and he’ll play a huge role in tomorrow’s game. The Heat, meanwhile, are going to be led once more by Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo.
Betting Tip: Golden State Warriors Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.99
Orlando Magic @ Oklahoma City Thunder
This should’ve been the first matchup between two of the top picks from this summer’s NBA Draft.
The Magic’s Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick, has been good as advertised since he’s averaging 22.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game in his first seven career matches – although they only have one win so far.
The Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, on the other hand, is currently sidelined due to a Lisfranc injury that needed season-ending surgery.
But even without their second overall pick, the Thunder has put up a three-game winning streak with quality victories over the Mavericks and Clippers (twice).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the driving force for OKC’s unbeaten run with norms of 31.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, earning for himself his first Western Conference Player of the Week award this term.
Betting Tip: Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -4.00 @ 2.04
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Phoenix Suns
The Suns’ winning streak is on the line when they get their first look at the beefed up Timberwolves tomorrow.
Like last season, Phoenix are off to a great start, thanks to the consistent production of Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have been up-and-down to start their 2022-23 campaign and they have yet to face a team with the Suns’ calibre.
With Deandre Ayton out with an ankle sprain, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert will take advantage of their size – making this an interesting chess match between two teams who are likely to make it to the playoffs this year.
Betting Tip: Phoenix Suns Asian Handicap -5.00 @ 1.98
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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