Two of the most iconic NBA franchises will meet for the first time this 2024-25 season, as the Lakers visit the Knicks at the hallowed Madison Square Garden. LeBron James has almost always put on a show whenever he visits the Big Apple, so he’ll be eager to put up new NBA 2025 highlights tomorrow.
Los Angeles come into this match in fine form, winning five of their last six games. However, the hosts will test them, who are on a five-game winning streak and are one of the Eastern Conference’s elite squads.
Elsewhere, the Pacers, Jazz, Hornets, Rockets, Timberwolves, Thunder, Spurs, and Blazers will host the Hawks, Magic, Nuggets, Nets, Wizards, Kings, Heat, and Suns, respectively.
It’s a busy day in the league tomorrow because there are so many matches to choose from, and SBOTOP will cover the top three in the nine-game schedule.
Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers
Trae Young and Tyrese Haliburton were surprisingly snubbed in this season’s NBA All-Star Game, so both will be eager to prove their doubters wrong. But, at least for the Indiana Pacers, Pascal Siakam made it to the cut.
Perhaps the Hawks’ recent slide played a role in Young’s omission, as their losing streak is extended to seven games following their blowout loss to the Cavaliers last Thursday. Young had 15 points and 10 assists but shot 5-for-16 from the field in 32 minutes.
Another reason for Atlanta’s slide is Jalen Johnson’s season-ending shoulder injury. The former no. 20 overall pick has improved year after year and will finish his 2024-25 campaign averaging 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 50-per cent shooting from the field.
Meanwhile, the Pacers registered consecutive double-digit wins over the Spurs and the Pistons. Last Wednesday, Pascal Siakam led all scorers with 37 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four three-pointers on 15-for-21 shooting from the field. Tyrese Haliburton dropped 30 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and four three-pointers on 10-for-17 shooting from the field.
The Pacers are fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 26-20 record, while the Hawks are ninth with a 22-26 record.
Betting tip – Indiana Pacers Asian Handicap -6.50 @ 1.85
Los Angeles Lakers @ New York Knicks
The Lakers remain shorthanded when they visit the Knicks tomorrow, as Anthony Davis is recovering from an abdominal injury. With AD out, Jaxson Hayes got the starting nod and recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field in 25 minutes. Don’t be surprised if head coach JJ Redick starts Hayes again.
In LA’s 134-96 victory over Washington last Thursday, LeBron James led all scorers with 24 points, three rebounds, and 11 assists on 9-for-19 shooting from the field. He also didn’t have a turnover, and the Lakers need this from him against a well-drilled team like New York.
The buoyant Knicks secured victories over the Hawks, Nets, Kings, Grizzlies, and Nuggets earlier this week, with their last three being double-digit wins. As a result, they improved to a 32-16 record, good for third in the Eastern Conference. New York’s offence clicked during this period, as they had reached 140 points in consecutive games (against Sacramento and Memphis) for the first time since 1965-66.
Jalen Brunson was spectacular against the Nuggets last Wednesday, as he notched 30 points, four rebounds, 15 assists, and two steals on 10-for-16 shooting from the field. Besides Brunson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Miles McBride added 23, 15, 14, 13, and 12 points, respectively. New York didn’t reach 140 points against Denver, but 122 points on 52-per cent shooting will win you plenty of games, per the NBA 2025 odds.
Miami Heat @ San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs will play their second match of a back-to-back set when the Heat visit them tomorrow at Frost Bank Center.
San Antonio are fresh from a blowout victory against Milwaukee last night to avenge their defeat earlier this season. It was a balanced effort for the Spurs, as six players recorded double-digit points. Victor Wembanyama had a team-high 30 points, 14 rebounds, five three-pointers, and six blocks on 9-for-20 shooting from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
The Heat are fresh from a 20-point loss against the Cavaliers last Wednesday. Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier had 22 points each in the losing effort. Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, and Nikola Jovic had 21, 13, 12, and 11 points. Herro was recently named an NBA All-Star for the first time. Look for him to flex his credentials.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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