October 25, 2023 Games

Lots and lots of games today. Basically everyone played except for 6 teams (Lakers, Warriors, Suns, Nuggets, Bucks, and Sixers). I watched as much of all the games as I could. Tried to keep my thoughts short. I'm still testing out what kinds of things I would want to write for the games. Lets get into it:

Houston Rockets 86 @ Orlando Magic 116

A bit shocked by how much they won by and how good the Magic look. They're a young team but they had minimal roster changes this offseason so their chemistry is carrying over from last year. They had a nice balancing of scoring across multiple people. I was expecting more from the Rockets although they're also a young team but with a couple veterans. They made a run after halftime but it wasn't enough.

Things to look for: Magic - if they can remain consistent. Rockets - not much, they have a lot to improve.

Boston Celtics 108 @ New York Knicks 104

What a great game as the first nationally televised game on ESPN. The Celtics added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis who definitely showed their value with their defense and versatile scoring. KP especially showed his worth on the defensive end with 4 blocks and his ability to run Pick and Rolls/Pops on the offensive end. Tatum (baby GOAT) showed up today as expected, I'm just hoping he can have a consistent year and be a top 3 MVP candidate. The Knicks had some bright spots but it seems like it'll be the same story as last season until they make a change or two. They have talent, just not enough talent and enough consistency.

Things to look for: Celtics - continued integration of new players into their system. Knicks - if they can break their bad habits.

Washington Wizards 120 @ Indiana Pacers 143

Not much to say here. Wizards are going to be a bottom 5 team this year. They don't really have a defense and they''ll be outworked most games. It'll be a year of two people scoring most of the points, Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. I'm excited for the Pacers development though, especially Tyrese Haliburton. Their roles players also stepped up and if those role players can consistently give this effort anf performance, this team might go far this season.

Things to look for: Pacers - Haliburton's leadership and the role players development. Wizards - how many games they'll lose this year

Atlanta Hawks 110 @ Charlotte Hornets 116

Was expecting a better performance from the Hawks but it just wasn't enough. Don't expect much from the Hornets this season since they're young and have lots of issues and not much talent. Also another team to watch thier journey towards the bottom of the standings. I wouldn't be surprised if Hawks trade some folks this year if they remain a middle of the road team. The Hawks had a really poor shooting game and the only reason the game was this close was their defense and the Hornets turnovers (19).

Things to look for: Hawks - if they can find their identity. Hornets - if they can grow up.

Minnesota Timberwolves 94 @ Toronto Raptors 97

I really thought the Wolves were going to win by a landslide, butttttt I guess not. Lakers legend Dennis Shrudaaaaa played well for the Raptors and he's in an environment where he can lead the show a bit more than he did with the Lakers. So far it looked like a good fit. The biggest question for the Raptors will be if they can score as they can definitely move on defense. The Wolves best player by far is Anthony Edwards and will always be going forward. They'll have to decide what to do with their roster going forward because as it's constructed currently, they're not built to win a championship. That misalignment coupled with how much money they have to pay their players, and the league for going over the salary cap limit (Luxury Tax), will lead to some questions down the line.

Things to look for: Raptors - can they put the ball in the basket. Wolves - Ant's development

Detroit Pistons 102 @ Miami Heat 103

The Pistons are one of the youngest teams in the league and they somehow clawed their way back in the 4th quarter and made this a close game. Cade Cunningham looked gooooood, I'm excited to see how much he'll grow this year. Duncan Robinson's play off the bench was arguably the reason why the Heat won today. He lost some playing time last year, but he's lined up to play big minutes this year as the main guy off the bench. The Heat will probably end up in like the 4th or 5th seed and make it an interesting playoff series as they have the past few years.

Things to look for: Pistons - their youth development, not much winning planned. Heat - if they can score.

Cleveland Cavaliers 114 @ Brooklyn Nets 113

Man what a performance by Cam Thomas of the Nets. He had a stretch of high scoring games last year and he continued that with the first game this season. Early Most Improved Player favorite? Maybe? Possibly? The Nets looked good and I think they'll surprise folks this year. The Cavs should've won this game and they did, but was a little more difficult than planned. They were ahead and then the Nets made a come back. I'm also curious to see what the Cavs will do with their roster this year, if anything. The Nets issue is they don't have a solid "go-to" person yet as demonstrated on their last play. Their original play got broken up by good defense from the Cavs and then they were lost so they couldn't get a good quality shot to possibly win the game.

Things to look for: Nets - their chemistry. Cavs - consistency.

Oklahoma City Thunder 124 @ Chicago Bulls 104

Bulls are a weird team. They signed people to new contracts, but they won't be a winning team. They are a very very MID team and not sure what their goal is. Unless they plan to tank for a better draft pick, they'll kinda just be there, chillin. I really wish DeMar DeRozan can join a winning team and have a chance to win a championship though, he deserves it. The Thunder, although a young team, are poised to make a big run this year, and they started that journey off strong. Their chemistry will go stronger this year and their leader, SGA, will continue to improve this year and quite possibly might end up being a MVP favorite.

Things to look for: Bulls - nothing. Thunder - SGA and Chet development.

New Orleans Pelicans 111 @ Memphis Grizzlies 104

The Pelicans have a solid group but their biggest question will be if they can remain healthy. They have a good core that's been through a couple rollercoaster seasons. I wouldn't be surprised if they make a run this year and end up being a solid playoff team. Again, only if they are HEALTHY. They looked good today and Zion had a good game as well. Grizzlies looked rough and definitely look like they're going to be missing Ja. They Tyus Jones this summer, their best asset last year while Ja was out, so they'll have to find a way to replace that hole.

Things to look for: Pelicans - if they stay healthy. Grizzlies - if they can build an identity with their new players and no Ja.

Sacramento Kings 130 @ Utah Jazz 114

The Harrison Barnes game. This guy will definitely not be playing like he did tonight on a consistent basis but wow that was interesting to see. With 33 points, he led all scoring today in this game. Damontas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox also continued their play from last year into this year. Fox is still looking good and FAST as usual. The Jazz had a nice little run last year, maybe they put something again this year but that might be tough. They have some young folks and need to also find their identity, along with other teams in this league. A common theme this year: consistency and identity.

Things to look for: Kings - if they can improve their defense. Jazz - if they can score.

Dallas Mavericks 126 @ San Antonio Spurs 119

Wemby's debut. What a game this was. As mentioned on the broadcast, the Spurs are the youngest team in the league, but they definitely didn't play like it in the beginning. They were hitting their shots and playing hard on defense. They might have found something with this game, there were definitely some bright spots and Wemby came alive in the 4th quarter after a pretty mundane first 3 quarters. One of their other star players, Devin Vassell, recently signed a 5 year contract extension which will average him $27 Million per year, and it looks like that might be the start of something special. He also showed some bright spots and has lots of potential. The Mavs main rookie, Dereck Lively II, showed up today as well and put together a good performance and held his own on both offense and defense. Luka did his thing and led them to the win with a dagger at the end of the game. Btw, he looked physically good, he was in the weight room and doing cardio this summer.

Things to look for: Mavs - if they can win, and if they can't do they make trades? Spurs - youth development, do they think they can win games?

Portland Trail Blazers 111 @ LA Clippers 123

The first game of the No Damian Lillard on the Blazers era began today. This game wasn't really close. The Clippers dominated for most of the game. The Blazers won't be looking to win many games this year as theyir main focus will be the development of their three young stars, Deandre Ayton, Anfernee Simons, and Scoot Henderson. I'm happy for Russell Westbrook too on the Clippers, it seems like this is a much better fit for him than the Lakers. They had a good team win and they'll be a threat if they can stay healthy.

Things to look for: Clippers - healthy. Blazers - youth development.

What a fun first day of games this was. I'm so excited for this season and if today is any indication of how the year will go, it will definitely be fun and dramatic. Great product will lead to great business.