WASHINGTON WIZARDS AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
December 23rd – 7:00 pm ET – Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia
The Philadelphia 76ers have failed to live up to the potential that they possess with the likes of Joel Embiid. However, they are looking to put that those struggles in the past when they start anew on Wednesday evening.
The Wizards aren’t expected to do a whole this season, but will be looking to play spoiler on opening night in Philadelphia. There will be no fans in attendance so the raucous Philadelphia crowd will not be an issue for the visitors either.
The 76ers are a desperate side though, even if the season hasn’t begun yet. They need to prove that they are a team that can be an elite side in the Eastern Conference and legitimately compete for a title. Go with the home team to pick up a big win on Wednesday night, blowing the Wizards away.
PICKS: Philadelphia
ODDS: Philadelphia (-)
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AT BROOKLYN NETS
December 22nd– 7:00 pm ET – Barclays Center
More than a year after signing with the Nets, Kevin Durant will make his long awaited debut with his new club on Tuesday evening in a game that will be viewed around the world.
Steph Curry will be back in the lineup for the Warriors after suffering an injury last season and missing much of the campaign. However, Golden State will be without Klay Thompson who suffered a setback in training camp and will likely be out for the remainder of the season.
It’ll be interesting to see how Durant fits in with his new team and whether he will be able to get back to being the dominant player he was prior to his injury. However, Brooklyn will be pumped up on Tuesday and ready to send a message to the rest of the league. Go with the Nets to pick up their first victory of the season and cover the 5-point spread in doing so.
PICKS: Brooklyn
ODDS: Brooklyn (-5)
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS AT LOS ANGELES LAKERS
December 22nd– 10:00 pm ET – Staples Center
The Los Angeles Lakers won the 17th championship in franchise history inside the NBA bubble this summer when the league re-started after being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Lebron James is not done cementing his legacy as he looks to win his fifth title.
The Clippers were a disappointment in the playoffs last year, being knocked out in the second round by the Denver Nuggets after blowing a 3-1 series lead. Kawhi Leonard will be looking to prove on Tuesday that the buzz he generated last season when he signed with the Clippers was justified.
This should be an entertaining contest for fans and neutrals alike, with no love lost between these two clubs. The Lakers should get the job done though as they raise their newest championship banner in front of their rivals.
PICKS: Los Angeles Lakers
ODDS: Los Angeles Lakers (-2.5)
MILWAUKEE BUCKS AT BOSTON CELTICS
December 23rd– 7:30 pm ET – TD Garden
The Milwaukee Bucks were the best team in the entire NBA last year during the regular season, but they couldn’t get it done when it mattered most. Despite their playoff woes though, Giannis Antetokounmpo has decided to stay and will sign an extension with the Bucks following the current season.
The Celtics knocked out the defending champions Toronto Raptors in seven games last year to reach the Eastern Conference final where they fell short. They are a strong team and will be a contender to reach the NBA final again this season.
The Bucks will be eager to prove they are still the best team in the conference even after their poor performance in the playoffs last season. They will be motivated in their first game back with the eyes of the nation on them. Go with the visitors to pick up the win and cover the three points they are favored by.
PICKS: Milwaukee
ODDS: Milwaukee (-3)
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS AT TORONTO RAPTORS
December 23rd– 7:30 pm ET – Amalie Arena
‘We the North’ has become ‘We the South’ with the Raptors still prevented from playing games in Toronto by the Canadian federal government due to COVID-19 restrictions. The 2019 NBA champions won’t let that stop them though as they have ambitious goals with an experienced side.
Zion Williamson will be back for the Pelicans as he hopes his second season in the league will be an injury-free one. When he is in the lineup he can be dominant, but New Orleans will need him playing if they have any chance of making any kind of impact on the upcoming season.
It will be strange watching the Raptors playing anywhere else than Toronto, but fans won’t mind as long as their team performs on the court. Take the Raptors to win their first game in their new home Amalie Arena and to cover the 5.5 points they are favored by.
PICKS: Toronto
ODDS: Toronto (-5.5)
* All odds are via Parx Sportsbook.
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