The Los Angeles Lakers are the last NBA team still looking for their first win of the season. LeBron James and co are now 0-5 and are still suffering from the same problems that they had last season, and they extend well beyond Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers will be hoping to get that elusive first win as they host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, who just beat the Lakers a few days ago.
Meanwhile, LA’s other team – the Clippers – will face off against the New Orleans Pelicans, who could be getting superstar Zion Williamson back in the lineup.
And over in the East, Donovan Mitchell and the streaking Cleveland Cavaliers will look to extend their four-game winning run when they host the New York Knicks.
Read on below as SBOTOP previews the three most intriguing matchups in this upcoming NBA slate.
New Orleans Pelicans @ LA Cippers
The New Orleans Pelicans dropped to 3-2 on the season after losing 124-111 to the Phoenix Suns. New Orleans were still without starters Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones, which left them significantly shorthanded.
Ingram is still out due to a concussion, but Zion is hopefully ready to return against the Clippers in LA. Williamson, who has played just three games thus far after suffering a nasty fall against the Utah Jazz, is averaging 22 points and 6.7 rebounds this season, so his return will be a huge boost to the Pelicans’ attack.
On the other side, the Los Angeles Clippers – who were touted as top title contenders according to the NBA 2022 odds – have their own concerns as they’ve lost three in a row, two coming away to the lowly Oklahoma City Thunder. Kawhi Leonard has been sitting out due to his knee, while Robert Covington is also out due to health and safety protocols.
Norman Powell led the Clips with 21 points in their most recent loss to the Thunder as Paul George struggled with just 10 points against his former team.
New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
The New York Knicks saw their three-game win streak come to an end as they fell 119-108 to the Milwaukee Bucks. Marquee summer signing Jalen Brunson had his worst game of the season to date as he finished with just 13 points (3-10 FG) and 2 assists.
Prior to that loss, Brunson had been on an impressive run, averaging 21.7 points and 8.3 assists over his last three games, as he showed the play that made the Knicks give him a $104 million contract.
Although, it should be noted that Brunson and the Knicks are 3-0 at home in Madison Square Garden and 0-2 on the road. And they will find it tough to get that first win in Cleveland as they face the red-hot Cavaliers.
The Cavs have now won four games in a row after a come-from-behind overtime win against the East champion Boston Celtics. Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert both dropped 41 points in that game as they remain without All-Star point guard Darius Garland with an eye injury.
Mitchell is off to a strong start for his new team, averaging 31 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds over his first five games.
Betting Tip: Cavaliers Asian Handicap -4.00 @ 1.92
Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers
With the Orlando Magic winning the other night, the Los Angeles Lakers are now the lone team left in the NBA without a win. The Lakers suffered a 111-102 defeat to the Timberwolves last time out, with Anthony Davis out due to a lower back injury.
LeBron James led the way with 28 points, while Russell Westbrook had 18 points off the bench on his return from a hamstring issue, but they still fell short.
The Lakers will be hoping to get Davis back in the linup for their game against two-time reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets just beat the Lakers, who were without Russell Westbrook, a few days ago, 110-99. Jokic starred with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. And they are also coming off a 117-101 win over the Utah Jazz.
With Jokic having an unusually off night, Bones Hyland carried the team with 26 points, including seven 3-pointers, off the bench. Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr returned after missing the Lakers match to drop 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Unlike the struggling Jamal Murray (13 PPG, 41% FG), Porter Jr is back making NBA 2022 highlights after returning from injury. He is averaging nearly 19 points with 7 rebounds while shooting 54 per cent on 3-pointers.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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