As the end of the NBA season draws near, each matchup holds more weight. Bubble teams are jockeying for position, hoping to avoid the play-in tournament. The top teams in each conference are looking to lock up home court in the first round. This season has been full of excitement and this week’s games should continue that trend. Here are a few predictions for April 21 and 22.
NBA Predictions: April 21-22
This week’s slate is full of potential playoff matchups, so let’s start with the predictions.
April 21: Phoenix Suns at Philadelphia 76ers
The red-hot Phoenix Suns travel to Philadelphia to take on the number one seed in the east. The Suns are in the midst of a brutal road trip, taking on five of the top six teams in the conference to end the month. It has started off well for them, pulling off an overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. The 76ers have been up and down recently, following up big wins against the Nets and Clippers with an unfortunate loss to the Warriors on Monday.
If Phoenix is to win this game, it will be due to their incredible ball movement as a team. The Suns lead their conference with 27.2 assists per game. Chris Paul has been vital to this success and looks to keep up the pace in this matchup. When these two teams last played, Devin Booker was a key factor in the Suns’ victory, scoring 36 points to lead all players. Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton were huge in the team’s last win. If Bridges chips in another 20-point performance and Ayton adds another double-double to his season, then the Suns may be able to sweep this season series.
The 76ers odds of success in this game come down to health. Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons are both day-to-day and Philadelphia will need them both to play if they hope to take this one. Although Joel Embiid has kept his MVP form after returning from injury, Monday’s double-digit loss to Golden State shows that the Sixers lack the depth to compete without their other two stars on the court. Despite a near triple-double from Embiid, they were no match for Stephen Curry and the Warriors. Harris and Simmons add another 35 points per game on average and Simmons’s excellent defense could slow down Booker enough to lead the Sixers to a victory.
Prediction: Suns over 76ers
April 22 Predictions: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks
Thursday’s schedule is full of great games. The Suns will take on the Celtics in what should be a great duel between Booker and Jayson Tatum. The 76ers will take on the Bucks in another epic showdown between Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Another important matchup will be between the Lakers and Mavericks, each one trying to lock down a spot in the Western Conference.
The Lakers have managed to hold onto a top-five seed while Anthony Davis and LeBron James heal from injury. Andre Drummond has been a big addition, averaging a double-double in the month of April. He has struggled offensively at times since joining the team and will need help from Dennis Schroder and Kyle Kuzma. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was huge in the Lakers’ recent win over the Jazz, leading the team in threes made that night. If he can spread the floor and Drummond can clean the offensive glass, then the Lakers may have enough to keep the Mavericks at bay.
The Mavericks have had an interesting April, to say the least. I’m still watching the highlight video from Luka Doncic’s game-winning floater over the Grizzlies. Apparently, some of his teammates might be doing the same as the team has lost both outings since. Dallas has been an enigma all month, following impressive wins against the Jazz and Bucks with tough losses to the Rockets and Spurs. The good news is, they should be near full strength going into this game. Tim Hardaway Jr. is listed as day-to-day, but there is a good chance that the Mavs’ third-leading scorer is back by Thursday. If Kristaps Porzingis and Maxi Kleber are effective at keeping Drummond in check, then the Mavericks have a great shot at taking the game from the Lakers.
Prediction: Mavericks get past the Lakers on a late shot from Luka
April 22: Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks
Let’s consider this the bonus round since we’ve talked about the 76ers already. If Simmons and Harris are back by Thursday, then my money is on Philadelphia. If one or both of them is out, I don’t see how they can keep pace with Bucks.
Prediction: Bucks beat the 76ers (unless Harris and Simmons play)
April 22: Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics
This could be the most fun game to watch this week. Tatum has had a great month, eclipsing 40 points on two different occasions. He’ll have to bounce back from a subpar performance against the Bulls earlier this week. If he and Jaylen Brown contribute their usual 25 points per game, the Celtics have a great shot at defending home court in this matchup. Getting Marcus Smart or Kemba Walker back by Thursday would be a big help as well.
If Booker can outscore Tatum, the Suns could walk away with the win. However, I think Ayton is the key to success for Phoenix in this bout. Booker and Paul’s numbers are expected and will likely be matched by Tatum, Brown, and possibly Walker. If Ayton can beat down the Celtics frontcourt, that will give his team the best chance to come out victorious.
Prediction: Celtics stop the Suns
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