The NBA dished out its first blockbuster trade in less than two weeks since the season opener, and we’re all here for it.
The Philadelphia 76ers have officially parted ways with James Harden, who was a key contributor to the team’s playoff run last season. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid is set to carry his team to yet another playoff run, but this time, he has a new second option in Tyrese Maxey. The 22-year-old combo guard has proven himself to be an All-Star calibre player and is ready to take the reins alongside Embiid.
A KD vs Wemby rematch is on its way as the Phoenix Suns try to fend off a surging Spurs team, who came out as the victors in their first matchup of the season. It is still to be known if Devin Booker will suit up for the Suns, but we all know Durant is capable of taking over and producing NBA 2023 highlights on any given night.
Learn more about these headlines and more in today’s SBOTOP preview.
Toronto Raptors @ Philadelphia 76ers
Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors march their way to the city of brotherly love for an early rematch against the Philadelphia 76ers, who have recently acquired quite the haul for their former star guard James Harden. These two teams met for the first time this season last week in Scotiabank Arena, where the visiting 76ers came out as the victors with a 114-107 win.
Sixers general manager Daryl Morey got the job done and traded James Harden, a player who had no interest in playing with the team anymore. The former Brooklyn Net was sent to reunite with former teammate and longtime friend Russell Westbrook in Los Angeles. PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev came with the deal and were also traded to the LA Clippers.
In return, the Sixers get veteran wings Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris, a young KJ Martin, an unprotected 2028 first-round pick (via Clippers), a 2026 first-round pick (via Oklahoma City Thunder), a first-round pick-swap (via Clippers), and two second-round picks (via Clippers). We all have to wait and see what the Sixers plan to do with this haul, but expect the reigning MVP Joel Embiid and running mate Tyrese Maxey to be the focal points of the Sixers’ system.
The eastern conference is wildly considered to be a two-horse race between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, but with just a small sample size of three games, it’s smart to not count the 76ers just yet.
Betting tip – Philadelphia 76ers Asian Handicap -8.00 @ 1.91
San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns
The basketball world, myself included, couldn’t seem to get over the matchup between Kevin Durant and Victor Wembanyama. Luckily for us, it won’t take long to see these stars go head-to-head once again as the Phoenix Suns host the San Antonio Spurs once again at the Footprint Center for tomorrow’s NBA slate.
Last time these two teams met, they had a highly competitive outing where the visiting Spurs came out as the victors with a score line of 114-115. The Suns came into the fray without Devin Booker and Bradley Beal’s services, which meant KD had to carry his team against the bouncy Spurs squad.
Durant balled out, scoring 26 points, dishing seven assists, and grabbing two rebound in 37 minutes of play. But he came short against a well-rounded Spurs team that rallied in the fourth quarter and scored 33 points while limiting the Suns to 19 points. Forward Keldon Johnson led the way for Gregg Popovich and his team with 27 points.
This time, the Suns will get another crack at defending their home court against the Spurs with a rejuvenated supporting cast, as Eric Gordon, Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkic, and Yuta Watanabe slowly get their roles set with their new team. Bradley Beal will miss his fifth straight game, but Devin Booker is upgraded to questionable as he still deals with a toe injury.
It will be detrimental to Phoenix’s success in the postseason for their big three to play and share the court as early as possible, but for now, the NBA 2023 odds still have them as one of the favourites to win the championship.
Betting tip – Phoenix Suns @ 1.26
Orlando Magic @ Utah Jazz
The 2-2 Orlando Magic continue their western conference road trip as they visit the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The young Utah Jazz have one of the toughest opening-week schedules in the league. In their first four games, they faced the Kings, Clippers, Suns, and Nuggets. They ended that slate with a 1-3 record, only garnering a win against the LA Clippers.
Despite their tough start, the Jazz had a resurgence yesterday when they hosted the underwhelming Memphis Grizzlies, where they displayed their dominance in a 133-109 win. Guards Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton scorched the grizzlies with their tenacity and their fiery playstyle. Clarkson ended with 20 points, while Sexton scored a team-high 23 points.
The Orlando Magic, on the other hand, have split their first two games 2-2. They started the season strong with a 116-86 thrashing of the rebuilding Houston Rockets. Afterwards, they marched over to Portland, where Franz Wagner put on a showcase and led his team to a 97-102 victory.
Jamahl Mosley and his team then folded under the lights in La La Land, where they suffered back-to-back losses against the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers. It will be interesting to see if Paolo Banchero and the Magic will benefit from the change of scenery as they visit the serene landscape in Utah and go back to their winning ways.
Betting tip – O/U Over 222.5 @ 1.97
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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