Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers
The second day of the NBA calendar is headlined by a blockbuster Eastern Conference clash between the Celtics and the 76ers.
Both sides underwent dramatic makeovers in the off-season as they look to go one step further in 2020.
Boston were one of the big disappointments from last season as many had them coming out of the East and even going all the way. But they ultimately bounced out in the semi-finals to a dominant Bucks outfit. Kyrie Ivring and Al Horford bolted in free agency, with Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter coming in to replace them.
A lot of the Celtics’ fate in the new season lies in the hands of Jayson Tatum, who is primed for a massive season, while Jaylen Brown just agreed to a four-year $115 million extension.
They face a 76ers outfit who fell agonizingly short of a potential conference finals appearance after Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer beating shot buried them in game seven of the semis.
Philly retooled by nabbing Horford to form a deadly frontcourt with Joel Embiid and sending Jimmy Butler to Miami for Josh Richardson. JJ Redick departed for the Pelicans which hurts their floor spacing, but Tobias Harris recommitted on a five-year $180 million deal.
Embiid is set for another MVP-calibre season and all eyes will be on the development of Ben Simmons and if he has incorporated a three-point shot into his arsenal.
Tip: Philadelphia to win @ $1.45.
OKC Thunder at Utah Jazz
The Thunder and Jazz lock horns in a Northwest division battle.
OKC pulled off two of the most stunning moves of the off-season, selling both of their stars to conduct a full-scale rebuild. Paul George was shipped to the Clippers and Russell Westbrook was sent to Houston, with Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and an array of draft picks coming back.
And while this Thunder team are set for a major drop off, they might be more competitive than what most people think.
The Jazz had one of the more impressive off-seasons, bringing in veteran point guard Mike Conley and efficient forward Bojan Bogdanovic.
Led by savvy coach Quin Snyder, Utah possess one of the most balanced and deepest rosters in the league, which could go a long way in helping them secure a top four seed in the always tough Western Conference.
With Conley, Donovan Mitchell commanding the offence and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert patrolling the paint at the other end, the Jazz are set to be a force in the 2019-20 season.
Tip: Utah -8.5 @ $1.87
Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers
The Nuggets and Blazers cap off ESPN’s Thursday schedule at Portland’s Moda Centre.
These teams resume their rivalry after meeting in last season’s conference semi-finals, with Portland claiming the 4-3 series win that went right down the wire.
Coming off a second seed finish, Denver didn’t make any major moves in the off-season other than bringing in athletic forward Jeremi Grant from OKC to round out arguably the deepest roster in the NBA.
The highly touted Michael Porter Jr enters the frame for his true rookie season, but it’s hard to figure out how coach Mike Malone will get all these guys on the court and divide the minutes.
Expectations will be higher in the Mile High City this season which adds pressure, but Denver has something a number of other Western Conference heavyweights don’t have – continuity.
Portland are perennially underrated with many expecting them to drop off this season from their third seed finish in 2018-19.
But don’t sleep on any team led by Damian Lillard, while CJ McCollum continues to get better and could be in line for his first All-Star berth.
The Blazers brought in Hassan Whiteside to hold down the centre spot whole Jusuf Nurkic recovers from his nasty leg break. The Bosnian Beast is expected to return later in the season.
Zach Collins will start at the four spot this year and all signs are pointing to him being having a breakout season.
Tip: Denver to win @ $2.00.
