Mathematically speaking, next week will represent the halfway mark of the 2023-24 NBA season. With 25 weeks of basketball action, it would be safe to consider Week 13 as the midway point, right? While we ponder about that thought, let’s have a sneak peek at some of the riveting games from across the league.
January 15: Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards
Did Kyle Kuzma just put pressure on his team when he made fun of the Pistons and their long losing streak? It was quite bold for him to do that when you consider the fact that his Wizards are not playing well this year. Anyway, he has to face the Pistons three more times before the season ends and any loss against them is just an invitation for fans to mock him in the online world.
At this point its like “dont be that team” 🤣 https://t.co/qmWMgPt9Jz
— kuz (@kylekuzma) December 29, 2023
January 16: Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers
This could be the game of the week if both Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid play. Last year’s regular season MVP versus last year’s NBA Finals MVP is literally a heavy-weight matchup. This season, both players are expected to have a close fight again for that MVP trophy. Don’t forget that they will play each other twice in a 12-day span.
Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are now tied for the betting favorite for the MVP pic.twitter.com/Q6Y3Q8syKm
— Jack 🏹📋 (@murray_center27) January 8, 2024
January 17: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers
This will be the third and last meeting between these squads and one can sense that something special is going to happen. Kyrie Irving hit the game-winning three-pointer in the first meeting while Dante Exum did his best Ray Allen impression by making seven threes in the second game. The Lakers wouldn’t want to be “season-swept” by these Mavericks, so maybe it will be their turn to shine in this one.
Dante Exum tonight 🎯
26 PTS (17 in 4Q)
7 3PM (5 in 4Q)CLUTCH to beat Lakers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UxGIfpZR0A
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 13, 2023
January 19: Denver Nuggets at Boston Celtics
Despite the number of changes made to their rosters, expectations remained high for the Nuggets and the Celtics before the season began. You could tell that both teams wanted to avoid being stagnant and continue the progress they gained. Denver’s duo of Jokic and Jamal Murray going against Boston’s tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is one of this week’s highlights.
"No disrespect to the Nuggets or the LA Clippers… There's nobody in the NBA on the level with the Celtics right now… I think they're the best team by far."
Charles Barkley on the pregame show before the Bucks blew out Boston 😬
(via @NBAonTNT)pic.twitter.com/sHUihVgVPB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 12, 2024
January 20: Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks
After four seasons with the Knicks, RJ Barrett returns to Madison Square Garden as a visitor. That’s right. Barrett was a Knick roughly two weeks ago before a trade brought him home to Toronto. This will be a new scene for him. Imagine facing Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and all the other guys you used to practice with. Time to see how Barrett handles this.
R.J. Barrett since getting traded to Toronto:
21.4 PPG
58.5% FG
50.0% 3P
7.2 RPG
3.4 APGCan't say I didn't see this coming pic.twitter.com/VC36gMvBAp
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) January 10, 2024
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