Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics
The Raptors visit the TD Garden to take on the Celtics in a division rivalry matchup.
Toronto edged out a Zion Williamson-less Pelicans outfit 130-122 in overtime on opening night behind massive performances from Pascal Siakam (34 points, 18 rebounds) and Fred VanVleet (34 points, seven assists).
With Kawhi Leonard bolting to LA, Siakam will take the keys for this team and looks primed for a big season and could be headed for a maiden All-Star berth. VanVleet figures to take on a bigger role too and despite losing Leonard, this team might be better than expected.
Boston went down in their opening game on Thursday (all times AEST) in a road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Star recruit Kemba Walker had an off 4-of-18 shooting night for his 12 points, while Jaylen Brown (eight points) was also quiet after getting in foul trouble. Jayson Tatum looked good, posting 21 points and 10 rebounds, however it took him 22 shots to get there.
On a positive for the Cs, Gordon Hayward tallied 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting and looks set for a bounce back season.
Tip: Boston to win @ $1.68
Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans
The Mavericks head to New Orleans in the first half of ESPN’s double header.
The Luka Doncic-Kristaps Porzingis era in Dallas got off to a good in Thursday’s home clash against the Wizards, winning 108-100.
Doncic was particularly impressive, pouring in 34 points on a 12-of-19 shooting effort with four triples and nine rebounds. Porzingis added 23 points in his Mavs debut.
Dallas will go as far as their star European duo takes them and they will only improve as the pair build chemistry.
We got our first look at this new-look Pelicans line-up on Wednesday and despite falling to the Raptors on the road, Alvin Gentry’s team impressed.
The minutes division was a bit all over the place as Gentry looks to iron out his rotation without Williamson, who will miss 6-8 weeks with a torn meniscus. 12 Pelicans took the floor and none of them played less than 12 minutes.
Brandon Ingram looked good in his Pels debut with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks and Josh Hart finished with 15 points and 10 boards off the bench.
Tip: Dallas +3.0 @ $1.87
Utah Jazz at LA Lakers
The Jazz host the Lakers to cap off NBA’s Saturday card in a clash between two Western Conference powerhouses.
Utah opened their campaign with a home win over OKC in a game that went down to the wire.
Mike Conley had a horror 1-of-16 shooting night in his Jazz debut, but Donovan Mitchell more than picked up the slack. Mitchell dropped 32 points on a 12-of-22 clip and 12 rebounds to help guide his team to victory.
Bojan Bogdanovic turned his ankle in the first half and despite returning in the third quarter, is a game time decision against the Lakers.
The Lakers went down to the Paul George-less Clippers in their season opener in Anthony’s Davis’ first game in purple and gold.
Davis (25 points, nine rebounds, two blocks) and LeBron James (18 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five turnovers) were below their best, with Danny Green taking centre stage. The sharpshooter put up 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting with seven triples, adding seven rebounds and two steals.
With so many new pieces, Frank Vogel’s team will experience growing pains in the early part of the season, but will be keen to bounce back at home.
Tip: LA to win @ $1.66
