The NBA landscape looks a little different as we enter the first week of February, as two teams have made their inroads towards the top of both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
While the Celtics are still on top of the East and the whole league, they have a new No. 2 behind them in the Cavaliers because they’re on a league-leading six-game winning streak.
On the other hand, the Clippers are now the officially best team in the West because of their own winning run, leapfrogging the likes of the Thunder and the Timberwolves.
It’s another busy day in the Association tomorrow with seven games to play, and SBOTOP is here to pick the top five games in today’s preview.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Washington Wizards
Not only have the Cavaliers won six straight, but they’ve also won 14 of their last 15. And one key reason why they’re on a roll is because of their much-improved defence, which has conceded at least 110 points only three times during the said period.
The return of Evan Mobley has been big for the Cavaliers. The 22-year-old forward made his long-awaited return from injury on January 29th, and he has averaged 14.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in his last four appearances.
On the offencive side of the floor, Donovan Mitchell is on a rampant run himself, averaging 31.7 points, 7.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 4.3 three-pointers in the last six games.
As for the Wizards, they’re still one of the worst teams in the league with a 9-40 record.
Golden State Warriors @ Philadelphia Sixers
The last time that the Warriors and the Sixers met, Joel Embiid hurt his knee and hasn’t played since, so the former is favoured by the NBA 2024 odds to win tomorrow.
Can the Sixers cope without their MVP? Their latest NBA 2024 results indicate that they can’t because they’ve fallen to fifth in the Eastern Conference.
In their losses to the Nets and Mavericks, the Sixers looked devoid of firepower sans Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is doing all he can by averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game in that stretch, but those norms need to improve.
The Warriors, meanwhile, will continue to ride on Steph Curry’s coattails. The two-time league MVP just dropped a 60-piece in Saturday’s defeat to the Hawks, although Golden State bounced back with a victory against the Nets when he had 29 points.
Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics
The Hawks saw their four-game winning streak ended by the Clippers, so they’re eager to bounce back against the Celtics.
Dejounte Murray and Trae Young continue to be solid for the Hawks, as they’ve averaged 21.6 and 29.6 points per game, respectively. Atlanta are back in the play-in tournament mix (22-28) as a result.
With Clint Capela sidelined for at least a week due to a strained adductor, Onyeka Okongwu has stepped up nicely for the Hawks. Against the Clippers on Monday, Okongwu had 18 points, five rebounds, and one block across 34 minutes.
After losing to an undermanned Lakers squad last Thursday, the Celtics blew out the shorthanded Grizzlies in Marcus Smart’s return to TD Garden on Sunday.
Jayson Tatum led the way with 34 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and six three-pointers. His co-star, Jaylen Brown, was absent at the time due to a back injury, but he is no longer in the team’s injury report.
New Orleans Pelicans @ LA Clippers
The Pelicans and the Clippers are both on a winning streak, but only one of them can extend their unbeaten run tomorrow.
New Orleans are coming off a huge blowout victory against Toronto, as Brandon Ingram went off for 41 points, including eight three-pointers on 76-per cent shooting from the field.
Ingram will be up against Kawhi Leonard, who has scored at least 25 points in his last six games. In their recent victory against the Hawks, the Klaw had 36 points, five rebounds, and five three-pointers on 65-per cent shooting from the field.
Detroit Pistons @ Sacramento Kings
The Kings were one of the most recent victims of the Cavaliers, but prior to that, they’d won six of their last seven.
All-Star snubs De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis will continue to lead the way for Sacramento, as the two of them are averaging 27.3 and 19.7 points per game, respectively.
Cade Cunningham is doing fine for the Pistons after a lengthy injury absence, but he is questionable to play tomorrow due to left knee injury management.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
