Jayson Tatum and the rest of the Boston Celtics are still the top dogs of the NBA, boasting the best record across both conferences with 26 wins and six losses. Aside from being the team with the best record, they’re also the hottest squad entering the new year due to their six-game winning streak.
With Tatum’s 27-8-4, Jaylen Brown averaging 23 points, Kristaps Porziņģis remaining healthy, and Derick White playing like an All-Star, it’s no surprise that Joe Mazzulla’s outfit is the current favourite to win their conference and even the whole shebang.
As dominant as they have been, they’ll have quite the scramble to extend their win streak to seven, given that the OKC Thunder are tough as nails.
The Thunder have been playing way over their heads since the start of the season. They end the 2023 calendar year with a 22-9 record, the second-best record in the wild Wild West. SGA is leading his young team and has been the catalyst as to why the Thunder are above veteran teams like the Nuggets and Clippers in the standings.
Leading Coach of the Year candidate Mark Daigneault has created one of the most beautiful brands of basketball in the NBA that showcases surgical pick-and-rolls, sharp cuts, intricate off-the-ball movement, and a bulwark of a defence that will be tested against the best perimeter player in the world, Jayson Tatum.
This matchup will definitely shine the brightest on the marquee, but luckily, basketball fans can continue reading below as SBOTOP provides an in-depth preview for tomorrow’s NBA slate.
Chicago Bulls @ Philadelphia 76ers
The Bulls have fared well in the absence of key players like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic due to injuries. Thanks to the emergence of Coby White and their veteran wingman DeMar DeRozan, the Bulls were able to win six of their last 10 games, bringing them to just four games below .500.
But their New Year will immediately test their will, especially without their starting big man, Vucevic, as they visit the City of Brotherly Love to face the 22-10 76ers. This will be the second game of a back-to-back between these two teams, as the Bulls were able to fend off the Embiid-less Sixers before the new year with a 105-92 victory.
Fortunately for the Sixers, their main man and reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, will return from a four-game absence and finally suit up for the Sixers again.
During the first game of their back-to-back, the Sixers were humbled down low as the Bulls dominated the rebounds with 53 to the Sixers’ 36. But now that the Process is back in the rotation for Nick Nurse, it will certainly be a different story in their rematch at Wells Fargo Center.
San Antonio Spurs @ Memphis Grizzlies
Victor Wembanyama returns for Gregg Popovich for their last match of the 2023 calendar year. The Frenchman posted 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one block during their 101-134 loss against the healthy Boston Celtics.
This time, Wemby will look to take advantage of a Grizzlies squad that’s a little thin in the interior. But with Ja Morant back in the mix for Memphis, Popovich and his young squad have a lot on their plate despite having the interior advantage.
A Wembanyama-JJJ matchup will surely be on the Marquee, and with Ja Morant flying in the air as he usually does, expect a plethora of NBA 2024 highlights in this exciting Western Conference clash.
The Grizzlies are 10-22 coming into the new year, while the Spurs are 5-27. Both teams are currently on a losing streak, so a win in this year’s opener would mean wonders for both of these young and promising teams.
Brooklyn Nets @ New Orleans Pelicans
The Nets have struggled in December, winning only against the Detroit Pistons, which is not a very difficult thing to do nowadays. They’re coming into the new year with a three-game losing streak and a 15-18 record, which is enough to get them the ninth spot in the East.
Mikal Bridges noticeably took a dip, averaging just 17 points over the last two weeks and shooting the ball with a .385 field goal percentage. This will definitely look dim if your number one option is averaging below 20 points and shooting at an abysmal percentage.
Unfortunately for Jacque Vaughn’s outfit, they’ll be going up against a ramping Pelicans squad, who won three of their last five games in 2023, including a 20-point beatdown over LeBron James and the Lakers.
Things are looking bright in New Orleans since they have all of their core players on the floor. Their most recent win against the Lakers was an attestation of how promising this team is, as Ingram and Zion both scored a team-high 26 points, McCollum flirted with a double-double, posting 22 points and nine assists, while Jonas Valančiūnas, Herb Jones, and Larry Nance Jr. all scored in double digits as well.
And as the NBA 2024 betting odds suggest, the Pelicans will come out as the victors during their tie against the Nets, being the overwhelming favourites at 1.40, while the Nets are the underdogs at 2.92.
Orlando Magic @ Golden State Warriors
The Magic have successfully remained in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, ending 2023 with a 19-13 record and the fourth spot in the East. But even though they’re currently one of the top teams in their conference, Jamahl Mosely and his boys are struggling with consistency, which is a common dilemma for young teams.
They’re 4-6 in their last 10 games, and it seems like the young core is getting overwhelmed on the road, tallying a 7-9 record away from Kia Center. Which is exactly why the Warriors should take advantage of this as they host the Magic for their 2024 opener at Chase Center.
It’s one step forward, two steps back for the Golden State Warriors this season. Their championship pedigree keeps them afloat amidst a problematic season on and off the court. Suffering three straight losses against the Nuggets, Heat, and Mavs doesn’t do them any good, especially given their closing window.
They’ll have a chance to get their legs back under them as the Magic come to town, but that won’t be a walk in the park either.
Charlotte Hornets @ Sacramento Kings
In case you’re not aware, De’Aaron Fox is averaging 30 points this season. Fox has been the focal point of Sacramento’s offence, and it’s surely working wonders for them given that they’re 19-12 and are the fifth seed in the tougher Western Conference.
The Kings’ floor general is up for a big night against the visiting Charlotte Hornets, who have one of the worst defences in the league. But it won’t be a walk in the park for Sacramento, that’s for sure. The Hornets have a talented backcourt duo in Ball and Rozier, who are a handful against any defence the league can offer. Charlotte are looking to end their 11-game losing streak and climb a few spots in the Eastern Conference standings, while the Kings are keen on keeping their top-five spot in the West, especially with the Pelicans and Mavericks closing in on their tail.
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