On our final day of 2023, we head into today’s NBA action coming off a 3-3 night bringing our overall record to 45-22 with six more games scheduled for New Year’s Eve. Coming off a controversial loss on his birthday, LeBron James hopes to lead the Lakers to a win over Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. Out West, the Orlando Magic hit the road to take on the Phoenix Suns as well, looking to continue Phoenix’s misery as of late.
As we usher in a new year, let’s take a look at the NBA action that will help us do that before the clock strikes midnight.
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards – 3 PM EST
Hawks Last 10 Games: 3-7
Wizards Last 10 Games: 3-7
Hawks Injuries: Onyeka Okongwu – Day To Day (Illness), De’Andre Hunter – Out (Knee), A.J Griffin – Out (Personal)
Wizards Injuries: Tyus Jones – Day To Day (Foot), Danilo Gallinari – Out (Back)
Last 5 Meetings: Hawks Lead 5-0
The action for today tips off at 3 PM Eastern with the Atlanta Hawks on the road to take on the Washington Wizards. Atlanta comes in having lost four in a row and seven of their last 10 games as a pivotal trade deadline approaches for them. The Wizards have also lost seven of their last 10 but are coming off a win over the Nets on Friday evening at home.
For the Hawks to snap this slide they find themselves on, they have to get more consistent production from their starting backcourt. The duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray are in danger of being split with Murray seemingly on his way out of town just 105 games into his Hawks career. On the last day of 2023, I expect this pair to break down Washington’s porous perimeter defense and combine for enough offensive production to bring in 2024 with a win.
Prediction: Hawks def. Wizards 114-105
Boston Celtics at San Antonio Spurs – 7 PM EST
Celtics Last 10 Games: 9-1
Spurs Last 10 Games: 2-8
Celtics Injuries: Jayson Tatum – Day To Day (Ankle), Kristaps Porzingis – Day To Day (Calf)
Spurs Injuries: Devonte Graham – Day To Day (Illness), Victor Wembanyama – Day To Day (Rest)
Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 3-2
In our second matchup of the evening, we have two teams heading in completely opposite directions to bring in 2024. The Celtics have won nine of their last 10 games with an overall record of 26-5. The Spurs have lost eight of their last 10 games with an overall record of 5-26 on the season thus far.
While the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are sure to play with their day-to-day status, the real matchup to watch features two other players with that health distinction. Kristaps Porzingis and Victor Wembanyama are set to meet for the first time in their career, making for a memorable night for each star. Porzingis will look to school rookie Wembanyama while the Spurs big man will look to prove his worth yet again versus a savvy veteran. With the roster surrounding Porzingis, Boston just seems far too deep to drop their last game of 2023.
Prediction: Celtics def. Spurs 115-104
Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans – 7 PM EST
Lakers Last 10 Games: 3-7
Pelicans Last 10 Games: 6-4
Lakers Injuries: Cam Reddish – Day To Day (Groin)
Pelicans Injuries: Trey Murphy III – Day To Day (Knee), Matt Ryan – Out (Calf)
Last 5 Meetings: Lakers Lead 4-1
With the Los Angeles Lakers dropping a close contest on Saturday night to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they come into New Orleans on Sunday extremely desperate for a win to end their year on a high note. As always is the case with back-to-backs, the status of their biggest stars remains unclear but something tells me they are angry and want to avenge last night’s loss as losers of seven of their last 10 games since winning the In-Season Tournament.
The Lakers have won their last three meetings with New Orleans including a 34-point drubbing earlier this month in L.A. For the Pelicans to emerge victorious, they have to figure out a way to slow Anthony Davis down who has been on a tear for the last month. They will throw some sort of combination of Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson his way although even that may not be enough to slow Davis. If I am the Lakers, all focus needs to be on Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum defensively at the point of attack. With two teams who have a chip on their shoulder in this contest, I believe the Pelicans may just pull this one off to end 2023.
Prediction: Pelicans def. Lakers 115-111
Every NBA’s Team Perfect Wish For 2024Brooklyn Nets at Oklahoma City Thunder – 7 PM EST
Nets Last 10 Games: 3-7
Thunder Last 10 Games: 8-2
Nets Injuries: Nic Claxton – Day To Day (Illness)
Thunder Injuries: N/A
Last 5 Meetings: Thunder Lead 3-2
The fourth matchup of this New Year’s Eve slate features the Brooklyn Nets on the road to take on one of the NBA’s hottest teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nets have had a rough go of things lately, losing seven of their last 10 games and two in a row. The Thunder have hit their stride as winners of eight of their last 10 games including three straight wins.
While Shai-Gilgeous Alexander has been playing like an MVP and Chet Holmgren like the Rookie of the Year, it has been the production elsewhere that makes the Thunder look like a powerhouse. Second-year standout Jalen Williams is averaging 19.1 points per game on 55.2% shooting in his last 10 games, putting the Thunder over the top as one of the best in the West. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, they do not have enough firepower to hang with Oklahoma City in this one and will suffer their third straight loss to end 2023.
Prediction: Thunder def. Nets 118-106
Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies – 8 PM EST
Kings Last 10 Games: 6-4
Grizzlies Last 10 Games: 4-6
Kings Injuries: N/A
Grizzlies Injuries: Derrick Rose – Day To Day (Hamstring), Luke Kennard – Day To Day (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Grizzlies Lead 3-2
In a matchup of elite point guards in one of our first late games, the Sacramento Kings find themselves on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant has injected some life and energy into the Memphis lineup since his return, going 3-1 when he is in the lineup in four games. Meanwhile, the Kings have been solid, moving up to fifth in the Western Conference with a 19-12 overall record.
All eyes will be on De’Aaron Fox and Ja Morant in this one as two of the game’s brightest young point guards face off for the first time since January 2023. In his last 10 games, Fox has averaged 30.1 points and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 50.0% overall and 45.9% from three on nearly 10 attempts. When factoring in Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, and more from the Kings, I do not think there will be much dancing in Memphis to ring in the New Year.
Prediction: Kings def. Grizzlies 119-109
Orlando Magic at Phoenix Suns – 8 PM EST
Magic Last 10 Games: 5-5
Suns Last 10 Games: 4-6
Magic Injuries: Gary Harris – Day To Day (Calf), Markelle Fultz – Day To Day (Knee), Jonathan Isaac – Day To Day (Hamstring), Wendell Carter Jr. – Day To Day (Knee), Joe Ingles – Out (Ankle)
Suns Injuries: Josh Okogie – Day To Day (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Suns Lead 3-2
The final game of 2023 features the Orlando Magic heading West to take on the Phoenix Suns. In their first full game together as a Big 3, the Suns took care of business against the Hornets on Friday night, hopefully getting their season back on the right track. Orlando has been hanging around with the best of the best in the East all season long so it will be interesting to see how this game unfolds.
While the focus will be on the play of Phoenix’s Big 3 in this one, the young duo of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero could steal the show. Orlando presents a ton of mismatches for Phoenix Including these two plus being deeper than Phoenix when it comes to their bench. I expect Wagner and Banchero to fight valiantly but I am rolling with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal to finish off 2023 strong, combining for at least 75 points and a win Sunday night.
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