LA Lakers @ Cleveland Cavaliers (ESPN)
LeBron James returns to Cleveland for the first time as a Laker in the first of ESPN’s Thursday double-header.
Things are starting to gel in LA (9-7) and LeBron is showing why he is the King, coming off a 51-point game against his other old team, the Miami Heat.
LeBron, as expected, has made the Lakers a much stronger side on other end of the court and is putting up MVP numbers (averaging 28.8 points [second in the league], 7.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists).
Meanwhile, the Cavs (2-13) are a mess, holding the worst record in the league and probably have one eye on star college prospect Zion Williamson.
JR Smith has taken leave from the team after seeking a trade, George Hill is injured and Colin Sexton simply isn’t that good.
The Lake Show will look to keep rolling and consolidate their position in the West’s playoff picture.
Tip: LA -9 @ $1.92.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Milwaukee Bucks
The West’s number one seed Portland (11-5) visits the East’s number two seed Milwaukee (12-4) in a huge battle between two emerging contenders.
The Bucks continue to lead the league in scoring (120.1 per game) behind the dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo (25.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.4 blocks).
But Mike Budenholzer’s team has more layers to it than just Giannis. Brook Lopez is hitting a career-high 2.9 triples per game, while Khris Middeleton (19.3 points, 3.1 triples, 5.4 rebounds) and Eric Bledsoe (18 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists in his last five) make this team a serious handful.
The Bucks have only dropped one game at home this season and have the tools to make a deep run in the playoffs.
The Blazers rank first in the league in rebounds (51.6) and seventh in points allowed (107.9).
Damian Lillard (26.6 points, 2.6 triples, 6.1 assists) and CJ McCollum (20.8 points, 2.2 triples) continue to do their thing and Jusuf Nurkic (10.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks) is proving to be a powerful asset on defence.
It is tough to see anyone beating the Bucks at the Fiserv Forum right now and the Blazers will be coming off a trip from New York.
Tip: Milwaukee -2.5 @ $1.55.
OKC Thunder at Golden State Warriors (ESPN)
The Thunder (10-6) embark on basketball’s most daunting trip, facing the Warriors at Oracle Arena (12-6).
OKC have been in scintillating form other than a hiccup against the Kings on Tuesday, having won eight of their past 10 games.
Paul George (24.3 points, 3.3 triples, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 steals) has been red hot and Russell Westbrook (24.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 8.6 assists) is back from his ankle injury.
It has been a rocky road for the reigning champions of late, who are on a three-game skid as Stephen Curry (groin) remains sidelined and of course the drama still fresh between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green.
Champion teams tend to overcome adversity, but the Dubs aren’t playing like one at the moment.
The addition of Westbrook grossly boosts OKC’s chances, but Steve Kerr’s team have only dropped one game at home this season and are too good to not bounce back at some stage.
Tip: Golden State -1.5 @ $1.98.
