NBA 11-12/02/2022: Miami Heat, LA Lakers, and Golden State Warriors all on the floor
The NBA is never short on drama or action. At the moment, the Golden State Warriors are looking hot to trot in the Western Conference, and we have some big games to look forward to this weekend, including the Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat v Brooklyn Nets. Read our full preview below to see how we think these games will unfold.
Chicago Bulls could look to do business before trade deadline
Two straight defeats have sent alarm bells ringing at the Bulls. And before the trade deadline at the end of this week, the Bulls appear primed to make a few moves. Their general manager Marc Eversley went big last year as he brought Nikola Vucevic in from Orlando Magic.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has experimented with lots of different lineups this season. Without Patrick Williams, it has made their task that much tougher at times. After the Timberwolves, the Bulls have a winnable run of games, but they just have to get back to basics and not get too far ahead of themselves.
Minnesota Timberwolves enjoy blowout victory over Sacramento Kings
As far as the Timberwolves are concerned, they are trending in the right direction. They will have been buoyed by their blowout 134-114 win over the Kings. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns came to the fore, with the latter notching up 28 points. The Timberwolves have now won five games on the trot, so confidence will be sky-high.
Miami Heat keep things ticking along in Eastern Conference
The Heat have caught fire over the past week, and there have been some big wins, including the one in midweek, where they enjoyed a 121-100 victory over the Washington Wizards. Bam Adebayo top scored with 21 points, while Jimmy Butler weighed in with 19 points after spending 30 minutes on the floor.
Jimmy Butler clears up issues with Nikola Jokic
Earlier this season, the Heat and the Denver Nuggets played out a fiery encounter, in which Nikola Jokic shoved Markieff Morris to the ground. And while there have been suggestions of problems between the pair, Butler dismissed this. He said: “I don’t think that’s a rivalry. It sounds good. But I don’t even want to get into it.”
Brooklyn Nets freeze against Boston Celtics
For all that is good about the Nets, they do tend to go cold. This was the case in point against the Celtics earlier this week. The Celtics were rampant as they ran out 126-91 winners. Cameron Thomas managed 17 points for the Nets, but once again it was the Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart show for the Celtics.
Brown and Smart both scored 22 points during their 28-minute appearances on the floor, and they are always a threat. The Nets are currently eighth in the Western Conference, with a 29-25 record, but they have to learn from the mistakes they are making, otherwise they will experience more heavy defeats before the season finishes.
Meanwhile, there has been growing speculation of a trade deal involving James Harden and Ben Simmons, with the Philadelphia 76ers stars coming to the Nets. It is thought that the 76ers are confident that if they fail to land Harden before the trade deadline, then they will land him in the offseason.
Golden State Warriors keeping the heat on Phoenix Suns
Whenever the Warriors face off against the LA Lakers, there’s always some drama. At the moment, the Warriors are in the groove. They boast a 41-13 record, and they are second in the Western Conference with Phoenix Suns leading the way. However, the Warriors are in the midst of a nine-game winning streak, and there have been some big victories along the way.
In stark contrast, the Lakers have been slipping, and they are ninth in the Western Conference. A 131-116 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks could have a damaging effect on the morale of the side. Furthermore, they don’t have long to regroup. If LeBron James and Anthony Davis can combine effectively, then they can cause problems, but there’s always the Steph Curry factor for the Warriors.
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