The Celtics are gunning for their fourth consecutive win when they host the Grizzlies for the second game of their back-to-back set at TD Garden. Basketball fans will watch this game with great interest since fan-favourite Marcus Smart returns to Boston for the first time in a long while.
The Mavericks are suddenly one of the most in-form teams in the NBA because they’ve won six straight (like the Hawks). The reigning Western Conference champions aim to make it seven victories in a row when they visit the North to take on the Raptors.
Elsewhere, the Hornets, Wizards, Pelicans, and Knicks will host the Cavaliers, Nuggets, Thunder, and Pistons, respectively, to round out tomorrow’s seven-game slate. Continue reading below as SBOTOP previews the top games that we shouldn’t miss.
Dallas Mavericks @ Toronto Raptors
The Mavericks improved to a 15-8 record to move to third in the Western Conference after a positive run of NBA 2024 results.
Luka Doncic’s return from a wrist injury gave Dallas a major boost. The five-time NBA All-Star is averaging 31.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 3.0 steals on 52.4-per cent shooting from the field and 41.4-per cent from three-point range in his last three games. His co-star Kyrie Irving, on the other hand, is averaging 24.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.4 steals on 43.3-per cent shooting from the field and 40.9-per cent from three-point range in his last five appearances.
During their 137-101 rout of the Wizards on Thursday, Doncic and Irving combined for 46 points, and the former added 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The Mavericks also had meaningful contributions from others since six more players scored in double digits.
The Raptors saw their two-game winning streak end at the hands of the Thunder on Thursday. RJ Barrett and Jonathan Mogbo top scored for Toronto with 17 points each. Gradey Dick, Scottie Barnes, and Chris Boucher added 15, 12, and 10 points, respectively.
Scottie Barnes was out for 11 games between October 30 and November 18 due to an eye injury, but he has returned with aplomb. The one-time NBA All-Star is averaging 22.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in his last eight appearances.
Betting tip – Dallas Mavericks Asian Handicap -9.50 @ 2.03
Memphis Grizzlies @ Boston Celtics
The Celtics won 111-105 on Friday to complete their season sweep of the Bucks to improve to a 19-4 record. Still, they remain the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
After missing the game against the Pistons on Wednesday due to a knee injury, MVP candidate Jayson Tatum returned in a big way for Boston, notching 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four three-pointers on 12-for-20 shooting from the field. This was his ninth double-double of the regular season and third in his last four outings.
The Celtics cannot underestimate the Grizzlies since the visitors have won seven of their last eight games. Memphis are fresh from a 115-110 victory over Sacramento, as Marcus Smart hit the game-icing free throws with 2.9 seconds left. The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year finished the game with 18 points (team-high), four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and four three-pointers off the bench.
If the Grizzlies plan to upset the NBA 2024 odds and beat the hosts, they need a bounceback performance from their star point guard, Ja Morant. The two-time NBA All-Star only had eight points on 2-for-13 shooting from the field, and he was ejected with less than seven minutes remaining against the Kings.
Betting tip – Boston Celtics Asian Handicap -7.50 @ 2.07
Phoenix Suns @ Miami Heat
The Suns aim to return to winning ways after suffering a 126-124 upset loss against the healthier Pelicans on Thursday. Phoenix now have a 12-9 record on the season, good for seventh in the Western Conference.
Phoenix are without starters Kevin Durant (ankle) and Jusuf Nurkic (thigh). Devin Booker top scored for the team with 28 points on 6-for-20 shooting from the field and 13-for-14 from the free throw line, and Bradley Beal added 24 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals on 10-for-17 shooting from the field.
The Heat obliterated the Lakers 134-93 on Wednesday to end their two-game slide. Tyler Herro recorded 31 points (game-high), five rebounds, four assists, and nine three-pointers on 11-for-19 shooting from the field. Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Bam Adebayo, and Haywood Highsmith added 17, 16, 14, and 14 points, respectively. Like Phoenix, Miami are the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference at 10-10.
Betting tip – Miami Heat Asian Handicap -6.00 @ 1.98
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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