Houston Rockets at Brooklyn Nets (ESPN)
The Rockets head to Brooklyn in the first half of ESPN’s double-header.
Houston dropped their season opener to Milwaukee but have gone on to win three straight. The addition of Russel Westbrook has looked good early, who is averaging 22.5 points, 12 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game.
James Harden continues to put up monster numbers (36.8 points 8.8 assists, three triples per game) and is one of the early frontrunners for MVP.
Typical of a Mike D’Antoni led-offence, the Rockets currently lead the league in scoring at 128 points per game, but have been surprisingly effective at the other end too, allowing just 127.5 points per game (second in the league).
The Nets have started slow out of the gates with a 1-3 record, but one-point losses to Minnesota and Memphis could easily have gone the other way.
Kyrie Irving is in career-best form, averaging 35.3 points on 47 per cent shooting, six rebounds and six assists. Caris LeVert (18.5 points per game) looks ready to take the next step and Spencer Dinwiddie (17.5 points per game) is the perfect sixth man.
Things will turn for Kenny Atkinson’s side soon, but the Rockets will be a tough assignment.
Tip: Houston to win @ $1.59.
LA Lakers at Dallas Mavericks (ESPN)
The Lakers and Mavericks lock horns in Dallas to close out ESPN’s double-header.
After dropping their season opener to the Clippers, the Lakers have won their last three. However, two of those victories came against Charlotte and Memphis.
Regardless, their wins have been convincing and Anthony Davis is starting to come into his own. The star big man is coming off a huge performance in the win over the Grizzlies, tallying 40 points, 20 rebounds and going a career-best 26-of-27 from the free-throw line. And all of that in just three quarters.
It should be noted that Davis has been troubled by a shoulder niggle and is a game-time decision in this one, but intends to play.
The Mavs have started hot at 3-1, including an impressive road win over the Nuggets in their last contest. Luke Doncic has been sensational, averaging 25 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.5 threes per game.
Kristaps Porzingis has been equally impressive and will have Knicks fans seriously lamenting his departure. The European stud is averaging 22.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks through three games.
Tip: LA to win @ $1.82.
San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors
The Spurs head to Golden State in a Western Conference showdown.
San Antonio seem to get written off every year but continue to win games. Greg Popovich’s team are 3-0 and look a much stronger unit this season with the return of Dejounte Murray.
Murray is averaging 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, six assists and two steals in just 23 minutes per contest.
The star duo may be ageing, but DeMar DeRozan (averaging 22 points per game) and LaMarcus Aldridge (21.3 points, eight rebounds, 3.7 blocks) continue to lead this team as well as any pair in the league.
On the other side, things are looking murky in Oakland following the injury to Steph Curry. This 1-3 Warriors side were already shallow, but just got a whole lot weaker. Curry is set to miss an extended period with a broken wrist, putting a huge onus on D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green. Green himself is battling a back injury but is expected to play here.
The Dubs are going to need to find production from their lesser names, but are any of them capable of standing up? We’ll soon find out.
Working in Golden State’s favour is that San Antonio are on the end of a back-to-back.
Tip: San Antonio to win @ $1.39.
