NBA 29-30/01/22: Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets on the floor

The NBA is never short on drama and excitement! Things have been bubbling up nicely over the past few weeks in the Eastern and Western conferences. In our preview, we will look ahead to three matches taking place this weekend, including Miami Heat v Toronto Raptors, and Golden State Warriors v Brooklyn Nets. Check out our full preview below.

Miami Heat still calling the shots in the Eastern Conference

The Heat are still going along nicely in the Eastern Conference. After 47 games, the Heat have a 30-17 record, and their win percentage is just shy of 64%. However, they will be desperate to bounce back after slipping to a 110-108 defeat. Jimmy Butler was surprisingly quiet by his high standards, as he managed just 13 points.

Bam Adebayo was the top scorer with 21 points, but before they face the Raptors on Saturday evening, the Heat will take on the New York Knicks, and then the LA Clippers. Nevertheless, the Heat have been one of the surprise packages of this season, and the defeat to the Hawks was merely a blip.

Toronto Raptors in good spirits after comfortable win over the Charlotte Hornets

Things haven’t always been easy for the Raptors so far this season. However, they were in good shape against the Charlotte Hornets earlier this week, as they ran out 125-113 winners. They are eighth in the Eastern Conference, and they will be looking to climb the table, although the Heat will be a tough test.

Golden State Warriors surge to blowout victory over Dallas Mavericks

The Warriors have kept their foot firmly on the accelerator, and they are in hot pursuit of Western Conference table-toppers Phoenix Suns. Currently, the Warriors are second with a 35-13 record. Against the Dallas Mavericks earlier this week, the Warriors enjoyed a blowout 130-92 victory, and they will take some stopping at the moment.

Klay Thompson catches fire for the Golden State Warriors

It was originally expected that it would take Klay Thompson some time to get back into the swing of things after a long injury lay-off. However, he has been posting some solid figures. Against the Mavericks, he scored 15 points, and he went 6-for-12 from the field. His season high so far has been 21 points.

Steve Kerr reserves special praise for Golden State Warriors star

As mentioned, Thompson has come back a different player for the Warriors. Although Steph Curry usually receives most of the plaudits, Thompson has been galvanised since returning to the floor. And Thompson’s performances haven’t been overlooked by Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Speaking after the win over the Mavericks, Kerr said: “I think this was Klay’s best game. He wasn’t forcing things at all.”

Offensively, Thompson offers so much to the Warriors. And against the Mavericks, he also weighed in with six assists. He is essentially the glue that holds the Warriors together, and they are looking like the side that enjoyed a mini dynasty when they were winning NBA Championships a few years ago.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets will be desperate to put things right after a 106-96 loss to the LA Lakers earlier this week. Although the Nets will pose problems, the Warriors should have the skill to see this game out, and nick a win. This matchup will make for unmissable viewing!

Minnesota Timberwolves in good shape after edging out Portland Trail Blazers

The Timberwolves seem to be in the ascendancy, and they will take some confidence from their win, albeit a narrow one (109-107), against the Trail Blazers earlier this week. As things stand, the Timberwolves are seventh in the Eastern Conference, and their record stands at 24-23 after 47 games.

However, standing in the Timberwolves’ way are Utah Jazz, who are fourth in the Western Conference, boasting a 30-18 record. The Jazz’s results have been mixed of late, and they lost against the Warriors and the Phoenix Suns in the past few weeks. However, the losses were relatively small, and they should bounce back against the Timberwolves this weekend.

18+ please gamble responsibly gamblingawarenesstrust.ie