We’re midway through the 2023-24 NBA season, meaning we already have an idea of the teams that could be in the mix for a championship. Likewise, we’ve also seen more than enough from other sides that may not have what it takes to get the job done.
Monday’s slate features plenty of interesting matchups between top-tier teams looking to make a big splash at the top of the standings. Crazy as it may seem, some of these games could end up having huge postseason implications once it’s all said and done.
Making a prediction is never easy, but we have more than enough data already. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the four most interesting games of Monday, as well as our selection for every single one of these matchups.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Los Angeles Lakers. Darvin Ham’s team has struggled with both health and consistency, and they’ve had a tough time fielding the same team for more than a couple of games. As for the Houston Rockets, they’ve regressed from their impressive start to the season.
The Lakers, however, have finally turned back to their end-of-season lineup again, and it’s giving them the same results. They’re fresh off a massive double-overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, with LeBron James grabbing a career-high 20 rebounds.
The Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last ten games overall, and 4-6 ATS in their last ten against the Lakers, including a ten-point loss in their last meeting. Also, their once-solid defense has taken a big dip without Jabari Smith Jr.
Pick: Lakers -1
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The two teams with the best record in the Western Conference square off in a much-anticipated rematch after Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had some things to say about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the season.
Two of the leading MVP candidates will meet again, looking to get that No. 1 spot and make a statement in the season series. This features to be a high-scoring affair between the No. 8 and No. 2 most efficient offenses, which is why a 224 total seems low by today’s standards.
The Thunder average the third-most points per game at a whopping 121.2, all while the Timberwolves have the second-best three-point shooting percentage at 39.2%. It’s hard to predict a winner, but there will be plenty of buckets.
Pick: o224
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets
Despite having the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Adrian Griffin. Now, they have Doc Rivers, who’s great at creating a winning culture but not so much when it comes to making adjustments.
The Bucks’ defense has struggled mightily all season, and replacing Jrue Holiday with Damian Lillard had a lot to do with that. Now, they’re going to hit the road to play the reigning NBA champions in Denver’s altitude.
The Denver Nuggets are fresh off a big win over the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Bucks’ 24th-ranked defense will struggle to contain their one-two punch of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.
Pick: Nuggets -4.5
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics could be thin in the frontcourt without Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, who are both questionable ahead of this matchup. Still, they’re coming off a lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, so they should be very locked in.
The Celtics have covered the spread in three straight games against the New Orleans Pelicans, and they’ve won 7 of their past 10 matchups overall. They have the fourth-best defense and fourth-best offense in the league.
The Pelicans have lost three of their past four games and while they do have the size to match up with the Celtics if Horford and Porizingis miss the game, they could struggle mightily in the backcourt and wings against the Celtics’ stellar stoppers.
Pick: Celtics – 7.5
