We could not have ended 2023 with any better outcome on our daily picks, going a perfect 6-0 on New Year’s Eve, bringing our overall record to a staggering 51-22. Using that momentum heading into 2024, the first slate of games of the year features some great matchups later today.
First, the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers meet for the first time since their post-game game-ball incident back in Milwaukee. Then, the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers meet in a battle of 19-win teams looking to secure a win in an important inter-conference matchup. With 2023 ending in perfection, let’s see if we can replicate that to kick off 2024.
Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks – 3 PM EST
Timberwolves Last 10 Games: 7-3
Knicks Last 10 Games: 4-6
Timberwolves Injuries: N/A
Knicks Injuries: Quentin Grimes – Day To Day – (Illness)
Last 5 Meetings: Timberwolves Lead 3-2
Over the weekend, the New York Knicks completed a blockbuster trade to strengthen their lineup, sending RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and draft picks to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn. It is unknown if Anunoby will make his debut today for New York but the deal is certainly the talk of the town heading into a matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As for the players who will be on the court for both teams, the advantages lie with the Western Conference-leading Timberwolves. Minnesota has gotten great production from its stars of course but their supporting cast will be the tipping point in this one. Jaden McDaniels has been one of the best perimeter defenders in the game this year while Naz Reid has been dominant off the bench. Armed with depth that New York simply cannot match, they get a win on the road in fairly easy fashion.
Prediction: Timberwolves def. Knicks 115-105
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM EST
Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 5-5
Raptors Last 10 Games: 3-7
Cavaliers Injuries: Darius Garland – Out (Jaw), Evan Mobley – Out (Knee)
Raptors Injuries: Garrett Temple – Day To Day (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Raptors Lead 3-2
The other team involved in the Knicks trade, the Toronto Raptors also hit the court for the first time since the deal at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors, who aren’t done making moves this season, have struggled over their last 10 games with seven losses in that stretch. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have begun to get healthy once again with the return of Donovan Mitchell to the lineup.
With the depleted roster from the Knicks trade, the Raptors will have to rely on Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes to make this one competitive. The Cavaliers claim the interior advantage with Jarrett Allen playing great basketball as of late, averaging 16.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game in his last 10 games. Given their depth and star power, the Cavaliers should start 2024 with a win.
Prediction: Cavaliers def. Raptors 118-109
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks – 8 PM EST
Pacers Last 10 Games: 4-6
Bucks Last 10 Games: 9-1
Pacers Injuries: Bruce Brown – Day To Day (Knee)
Bucks Injuries: Jae Crowder – Out (Groin)
Last 5 Meetings: Pacers Lead 3-2
In one of the NBA’s newest rivalries, the Indiana Pacers kick off 2024 in Milwaukee against the Bucks. The last time we saw these two teams play each other, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a franchise-record 64 points and the Pacers ran away with the game ball sparking a post-game altercation that took over the NBA community for over 48 hours.
The fireworks should be abundant in this one with marquee matchups up and down each team’s lineup. Giannis will likely dominate once again and aim to surpass his previous franchise record of 64 points to make a statement. The point guard battle will be interesting as well with Tyrese Haliburton bringing his extremely efficient play into battle against the red-hot Damian Lillard. I expect the Bucks to get the job done on their home floor having too much pride to drop this one after what transpired just a few weeks ago.
Prediction: Bucks def. Pacers 121-118
Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets – 8 PM EST
Pistons Last 10 Games: 1-9
Rockets Last 10 Games: 4-6
Pistons Injuries: Isaiah Stewart – Out (Toe)
Rockets Injuries: Dillon Brooks – Day To Day (Oblique), Jabari Smith Jr. – Day To Day (Ankle)
Last 5 Meetings: Rockets Lead 3-2
After breaking their historic 28-game losing streak in their last meeting against the Raptors, the Detroit Pistons head into their New Year’s Day matchup with the Rockets feeling good about their chances. The Rockets have struggled over their last 10 games with six losses to just four wins. Luckily, Houston is at home where they have a 12-5 record on the season while the Pistons are just 1-15 on the road.
Detroit will turn to their young stud point guard Cade Cunningham who despite the losing streak has shown maturity and leadership this season. For Houston, they will rely on the complete play they have gotten from veteran Fred VanVleet as well as the continued consistent play of third-year big man Alperen Sengun. While the Pistons may have broken their losing streak, a new one is likely to begin tonight in Houston.
Prediction: Rockets def. Pistons 112-103
Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz – 9 PM EST
Mavericks Last 10 Games: 4-6
Jazz Last 10 Games: 7-3
Mavericks Injuries: Kyrie Irving – Day To Day (Heel), Seth Curry – Day To Day (Illness)
Jazz Injuries: N/A
Last 5 Meetings: Mavericks Lead 4-1
The Utah Jazz have quietly gone on a bit of a run as of late, winning seven of their last 10 games and reaching an overall record of 14-19 to come within 2.5 games of the 10th spot in the West. The Mavericks also appear to be getting healthier right now with Kyrie Irving’s status being upgraded to questionable following 16 games missed due to a heel injury.
If the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving duo does hit the floor together tonight, it will be a difficult task for Utah to slow them down with their porous perimeter defense to blame. However, the play they have gotten from role players such as rookie Keyonte George has been the catalyst for their great play lately and could lead them to yet another upset win in their latest stretch.
Prediction: Mavericks def. Jazz 119-115
Charlotte Hornets at Denver Nuggets – 9 PM EST
Hornets Last 10 Games: 0-10
Nuggets Last 10 Games: 8-2
Hornets Injuries: Mark Williams – Day To Day (Back), Gordon Hayward – Out (Calf)
Nuggets Injuries: Aaron Gordon – Out (Face/Hand)
Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 4-1
With the Pistons’ historic losing streak coming to an end, the NBA’s longest losing streak now belongs to the Charlotte Hornets at 10 straight. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any easier for Charlotte to begin 2024 as they head to the road to take on the defending champion Denver Nuggets. I wish I had some terrifically great insight to this one but a whole lot of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic should make this an easy win for Denver and another long night for the Hornets.
Prediction: Nuggets def. Hornets 123-105
Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns – 9 PM EST
Trail Blazers Last 10 Games: 3-7
Suns Last 10 Games: 5-5
Trail Blazers Injuries: Anfernee Simons – Day To Day (Illness), Deandre Ayton – Day To Day (Knee), Shaedon Sharpe – Day To Day (Adductor)
Suns Injuries: Josh Okogie – Day To Day (Ankle), Nassir Little – Out (Knee), Damion Lee – Out (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Trail Blazers Lead 3-2
The Phoenix Suns are finally feeling a little bit of relief from the slow start to their season as their Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal have finally got some action together on the court. The trio is now 2-0 together in recent days, combining for 76 points in a big win over the Magic on New Year’s Eve. It looked so good that Phoenix got just six points in total from their bench last night but still won the game 112-107 over Orlando.
Portland has been better as of late but they are banged up in the injury department heading into this one. Deandre Ayton returns to Phoenix for the first time since being dealt to Portland this summer but is listed as day-to-day with a knee injury so his status remains unclear. The Suns should have no issues cruising to a win to kick off 2024 with their Big 3 healthy and playing at a high level. I expect another 75 points or better from the trio to pick up another win.
Prediction: Suns def. Trail Blazers 114-108
Miami Heat at Los Angeles Clippers – 10:30 PM EST
Heat Last 10 Games: 7-3
Clippers Last 10 Games: 8-2
Heat Injuries: Jimmy Butler – Out (Foot), Caleb Martin – Day To Day (Ankle), Kyle Lowry – Day To Day (Soreness), Josh Richardson – Day To Day (Back)
Clippers Injuries: Kawhi Leonard – Day To Day (Hip), Mason Plumlee – Day To Day (Knee)
Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead 3-2
In the final matchup of the evening, two of the NBA’s hottest teams meet on the West Coast as the Miami Heat travel to take on the Los Angeles Clippers. The Heat have been on a tear lately, winning seven of their last 10 games while the Clippers have been just as hot, winning eight of their last 10 as well. Even without Kawhi Leonard who is nursing a hip injury, the Clippers have found ways to win led by the duo of James Harden and Paul George with Russell Westbrook thriving in his role off the bench.
The Heat will be without Jimmy Butler once again who has missed five of his last six games with a lingering foot injury. Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. have been the key to Miami’s success lately in his absence. Although Miami has been good lately, the Clippers and their 13-4 home record are as tough as they come. I expect James Harden and Paul George to relentlessly attack Miami’s depleted perimeter defense to lead them to a win.
