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After a league-altering trade trade that sent James Harden to the Nets, all the attention has been focused on what is going to happen to the Rockets' and Nets' rotations. Brooklyn's production is going to be altered slightly, but losing Caris Levert and adding Harden just adds another playmaker that has free usage to work with. For Houston, Christian Wood is playing at an All-Star level and now will face opponents alongside Victor Oladipo, one of the hardest working and most well-rounded players in the league.
This trade was a jolt to the league, so for the next few games, expect teams to be posting outlier games while lineups get finalized and certain players adapt to their new roles. With Eight games Friday, there is plenty of action, no teams are on the second night of a back-to-back, but the Magic, Grizzlies, and Hawks will all play the first of two games in two days.
You can find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter with any questions.
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ORL @ BOS
Jaylen Brown (BOS) MORE 27.5 Points - Nikola Vucevic (ORL) MORE 22.5 Points
Jaylen Brown's point total has dropped two points since midnight, but that can work into our favor. The Magic defense has stability and even though they are missing key pieces that made them a league leader in multiple categories last season, their discipline makes it hard for teams without set scorers to operate. Fortunately for Boston, they have two of these players although Brown has historically underperformed against Orlando.
Without Gordon Hayward in the mix, not only is there going to be extra usage, but Brown has already taken 18 or more shots, as a secondary scorer, in those last two meetings with Orlando. Nikola Vucevic on the other hand has no drawbacks playing against the Celtics frontcourt. The only thing that holds him back is hot or cold shooting, much like every other superstar. Against Boston, he won't have to extend his range, but he will anyway.
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DAL @ MIL
Luka Doncic (DAL) MORE 30.5 Points - Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) LESS 28.5 Points
The return of Kristaps Porzingis gives Luka Doncic better spacing and more ways to contribute in the box score. He will be able to draw softer defenses now that they will have to incorporate defending a 7'3 stretch. There should be a bump in all the Mavericks production and more importantly, they should look like a more composed, winning basketball team.
They will have to face the Milwaukee Bucks defense, however. Giannis Antetokounmpo is already set for a big game and it's only a matter of how long it takes him to hit 30. Dallas' defense is going to struggle and Antetokounmpo is going to be one of a few Bucks that are going to cruise over 20-points Friday.
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NYK @ CLE
Julius Randle (NYK) MORE 22.5 Points - Andre Drummond (CLE) MORE 21.5
Last time these two teams met, both of these players had fantastic games. Andre Drummond posted a huge double-double, while Julius Randle carried the Knicks in scoring. The pace of this game was set by the Cavaliers guards, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, but both are out right now. With the Knicks still struggling and Randle as the only real source of consistency, look for both, Randle and Drummond, to be doing most of the scoring.
Jarrett Allen will eventually take production from Drummond, but over the past week Drummond is averaging 22-points and 19-rebounds per game. There is no way any coach or basketball organization simply tosses that aside.
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MEM @ MIN
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) MORE 23.5 Points - Brandon Clarke (MEM) LESS 16.5
These teams met more recently and after Dillon Brooks tied his season low, Monkey Knife Fight decided Brandon Clarke was a more deserving prop-place-holder. Karl-Anthony Towns limped to 25-points last game, and that came in an 11-point loss, so his upside is worth the interest. Brandon Clarke on the other hand, is riding the wave that is the Grizzlies offense desperately taking whatever they can get.
Clarke is averaging 12-shots per game this season and over the past week that number has bumped up to 16. Until Ja Morant returns, look for the Memphis offense to be filled with inconsistencies and random outings from players they are giving near 20-shots-a-game to. Optimistically, the Grizzlies can't be trusted.
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CHI @ OKC
Zach LaVine (CHI) MORE 26.5 Points - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) MORE 23.5
After losing back-to-back games to in-conference opponents, the Oklahoma City Thunder need any win at this point. The Bulls have a very wayward defense and will be dissected by someone who can consistently get by their man and draw a second defender. Since that player for the Thunder is Gilgeous-Alexander, it's about time he's had one of his better games. For Zach LaVine, Oklahoma City's defense is a bit tighter and forces teams to play off of their playmakers.
LaVine has been one of the most productive and highest scoring players in the league over the past week, so expect him to take advantage of a defense that will have a much easier time containing LaVine's supporting cast rather than LaVine himself.
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ATL @ UTA
Trae Young (ATL) MORE 28.5 Points - Donovan Mitchell (UTA) MORE 26.5
When the contest first came out, both Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell had point totals below 25-points. Since they both will be the main facilitators for their teams Friday, the over for both still feels safe. Young has been struggling slightly more than Mitchell over the past few games, but it's only getting the league ready for a signature Trae Young barrage.
The Jazz defense is notorious for being great at stopping teams, but struggling to stop a teams best player. For Mitchell, the Hawks frontcourt will have a challenge dealing with both Rudy Gobert camping the paint and Mitchell doing everything he can to exploit that.
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NOP @ LAL
Brandon Ingram (NOP) LESS 24.5 Points - Anthony Davis (UTA) MORE 23.5
Get used to the injury tags on both LeBron James and Anthony Davis because it's about to become patched onto their jerseys. Even with a slight slump from Davis, if you can call it that, he is still posting near-20 point games, and anyone who watches Davis play knows that he scores when needed. The Lakers have won their last four games and even though Davis scored below 23-points last time against the Pelicans, the two 40-plus point performances against them in previous seasons are evidence of how lethal he can be whenever he chooses.
The same can be said about Brandon Ingram, but playing for the Pelicans limits his upside greatly. Even if he is the one taking all the shots, if the game doesn't stay close, he won't even get the chance attempt a high-scoring game. He is capable of scoring 20-points in a half, but if there is any squad that is going to outscore a team they can't shut down, it's the Lakers.
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