The Grizzlies are coping well without their franchise point guard, Ja Morant. They remain second in the Western Conference with a 41-26 record, and they can extend their winning streak to four consecutive games when they visit the Heat.
Morant is out indefinitely because he’s on a counseling program after a series of concerning incidents, such as flashing a gun at a Denver nightclub on his Instagram live video earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the Sixers, Kings, Lakers, Celtics, Mavericks, and Warriors are also going to visit the Cavaliers, Bulls, Rockets, Timberwolves, Spurs, and Clippers, respectively.
It’s another busy day in the NBA tomorrow with seven games on the schedule. So, continue to read on below as SBOTOP previews some of the marquee matchups to look out for.
Philadelphia Sixers @ Cleveland Cavaliers
The Bucks and the Celtics are the best teams in the tight Eastern Conference, but behind them are the Sixers and the Cavaliers, who will meet for the final time this regular season.
These two teams have split their last two meetings, but the Sixers have the edge because they’re third in the East standings with a 45-22 record, while the Cavaliers are in fourth with a 44-27 slate.
Philadelphia are on a five-game winning streak, thanks mainly to Joel Embiid, who was recently named Player of the Week. In Week 21, Embiid averaged 38.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game.
He is also closing in on the top spot in the NBA’s MVP ladder. And with the Nuggets struggling right now, this is Embiid’s chance to get the upper hand.
The Cavaliers are hoping that Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell are fit for tomorrow’s game, as both didn’t play in their 120-104 win over the Hornets. Allen is dealing with a right eye contusion, while Mitchell has a sprained finger.
Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert stepped up in their absences, but that might not be enough to match the Sixers’ firepower.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Miami Heat
The Grizzlies are keen to keep their winning streak alive, but they’re going to have to do it without some of their key players. Ja Morant is set to miss his sixth straight game, while they will also be without Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke.
Adams is expected to miss the rest of the regular season because of a knee injury, while Clarke is out indefinitely due to a torn Achilles.
With the three of them out, Memphis will continue to lean on Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Bane and Jones are thriving as the Grizzlies’ playmakers sans Morant, while Jackson Jr. is still a menace on the defencive end.
The Heat, on the other hand, have had a mixed bag of NBA 2023 results this past week. They split their two meetings with the Cavs, and then they recently defeated the Jazz after losing to the Magic.
Jimmy Butler has been on fire since the All-Star break, averaging 26.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over that stretch. Co-star Bam Adebayo is also doing his share, as he has now scored at least 15 points in five straight matches.
But if the seventh-placed Heat are going to climb out of the play-in tournament, they need more production from others. They need more balanced performances like they had against Utah, where multiple players scored in double figures.
Betting tip: Miami Heat Asian Handicap -3.50 @ 1.86
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers
The Warriors and the Clippers are both on winning streaks, but only one of them can extend their undefeated run tomorrow.
Golden State have suddenly moved up to fifth in the Western Conference standings, but Los Angeles are behind them in sixth. The visitors are fresh from big victories over the Suns and the Bucks, while the hosts recently beat the Knicks, Raptors, and Grizzlies.
These two teams met earlier this month, where the Warriors secured a 115-91 victory at home. It’s been that way for the defending champions this season, as they’ve been great at home but not so much on the road.
The stars from these two teams are present for tomorrow. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson will aim to maintain their hot outside shooting, while Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are two of the league’s best two-way wings.
Both of them have a 36-33 record, so whoever wins will get the solo fifth spot. Because the Warriors are on the road, the NBA 2023 odds favour a Clippers victory.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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