10 Predictions for NBA Opening Night
The day is finally here, the first day in a six month season (never mind the two months of the playoffs). Although the NBA season will be filled with excitement, today were focusing on opening night. Here are 10 predictions for opening night.
1. Kyrie and LeBron acknowledge each other before the game.
This one is pretty bold considering what happend this summer. If you did not already know this summer Kyrie Irving was traded to the Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Nets 2018 first round pick. This happened after Kyrie Irving demanded a trade in order to be a more of a focal point on his team. There were multiple reports saying that LeBron James would be “tempted to kick Kyrie’s ass” if he saw him in public. Even after all of those events transpired I still think there is enough respect between the two to acknowledge each before tip-off.
2. Kyrie gets booed
Surprise, surprise. Some people still think everyone will stand and clap like the Cavs had to trade him. Kyrie left, this is no different than a player leaving in free agency. During the Cavaliers tribute video the fans at the Q will boo louder than the volume on the video can go.
3. LeBron James gets a triple-double
Although LeBron respects Kyrie, he definetly wants to show the Celtics and Kyrie that he is still better than them. Many LeBron doubters think Kevin Durant has taken LeBron’s greatest on earth status. LeBron will prove to the world he still is the best player on the planet by recording a triple double on opening night.
4. Jayson Tatum scores 20+ points
It was announced over the weekend that Marcus Morris would be out the first week of the season and the rookie Jayson Tatum will start in his place. Tatum proved in summer league that he can make difficult shots and looked NBA ready. Tonight Tatum will be on a mission to prove he can be a starter and valuable player to a contending team. The Cavaliers ranked 21st last year in defense. Cleveland did get better with the addition of Crowder and no longer the liability of Kyrie Irving on defense. To start the game I would expect Tatum to be guarded by Crowder. Although this seems like it would hurt Tatum’s case it doesn’t because Tatum is two inches taller than Crowder and has a seven foot wingspan. Tatum has proved he can make tough shots with good defenders on him and I expect nothing less tonight.
5. Kevin Love records a double-double
LeBron getting a triple-double might be a little bit of a stretch but Love getting a double-double is very realistic. Last season Boston ranked 26th in total rebounding, while Cleveland wasn’t stellar they ranked 14th with Love getting 20% of those. Point wise Love should have no problem. Last season when Kyrie was not playing Kevin Love averaged 20 points a game. Love will be mainly guarded by Al Horford tonight and will be use his jump shot to expose Al Horfords slow defense. When Love isn’t being guarded by Horford he will be guarded by a smaller defender, in which he’ll post moves to score at the hoop.
6. Cavaliers Win! Barely.
Only four players are returning from the Celtics roster last season (Horford, Smart, Brown, Rozier). They are going to need some time to understand each other on the court. The Cavaliers roster is pretty new to but they still have LeBron which is a major advantage for any team trying to mesh together. Kyrie will try to keep the game close by scoring upwards of 25 points but ultimately the best player controls the game.
7. Kevin Durant leads both games in scoring.
As this summer Kevin Durant twitter debacle proved to us, Kevin Durant believes he has something else to prove. Also Kevin Durant is just really good. No one is going to stop Durant on the Rockets. Ariza, Anderson, Mbah a Moute aren’t good enough defenders. PJ Tucker is too short to guard a seven foot tall, sharp shooting small forward.
8. Nick Young, JaVale McGee, and Zaza Pachulia combine for 25+ points
The Warrior starters will play great, we already know that but the NBAs newest and most entertaining duo JaVale McGee and Nick Young will play superb. JaVale will dominate the post when Capela is not on the court. Nick Young won’t know what to do with all the open looks he gets. Theres a chance Swaggy P could make 5 or 6 3s. Between the celebrations by swaggy and the hair styles by JaVale this duo is sure to give us many memories throughout the season.
9. Harden and Paul play great, others don’t
James Harden is an MVP candidate and Chris Paul has one of the highest player IQ’s in NBA history. If those two players can’t mesh then someone’s doing something wrong. The players will combine tonight for numbers around 45, 20, and 10. The rest of the starters and bench will struggle against the quick moving, sharpshooting defending champions. Capela, Anderson, and Ariza will struggle to defend Durant and Green. Tucker is a good defender but Mbah a Moute and Gordon can not keep up with sharpshooters like Steph and Klay.
10. Warriors win by 20 points
Curry, Thompson, Green, and Durant are just to much for Paul and Harden. Defensively someone will have to guard Durant and that’s just not happening. The Warriors offensively and defensively are a better team. The Rockets should be happy with any sort of close game against one of the greatest teams to ever play.