Distance duel for the top of the table in the West!
Three duels in the NBA are on the schedule for the night from Thursday to Friday. With Phoenix and the Warriors, two top teams from the Western Conference are challenged. Tips for the games on 21.01.2022 are presented below!
New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 21 January, 01:30 hrs
The Knicks are unbeaten in three duels with the Pels. Most recently, they took on the Minnesota Timberwolves and conceded a narrow home loss. It was their second home defeat in a row after a previous loss to the Hornets.
The visitors have also lost twice recently in games against Brooklyn and Boston. Third last in the West, the Pelicans’ season has been disappointing so far: one reason, of course, is the absence of Zion Williamson, who has yet to play a single game this season and continues to miss time due to injury.
With regard to the upcoming game, NOLA will mainly rely on the in-form centre Jonas Valanciunas. The “big man” already scored his 30th double-double in the last game against the Celtics – only Gobert from Utah, Jokic from Dallas and Sabonis from the Pacers top this great score.
In addition, Valanciunas delivered a particularly strong double-double with 27 points and 14 rebounds in the last direct duel with the Knicks. The visitors are also strong defensively: Only five teams rank ahead of the “Big Easy” in the defensive rating, which puts them just ahead of the home side, who also rank a very good seventh in the league.
However, the away record of the guests is weak: They have not won more than six of the 23 games they have played away from home – only the Rockets and Portland have been less successful away from home in the West.
For the clash at Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans, tips of more than 28.5 points and rebounds by the very stable guest centre Jonas Valanciunas are worth considering.
A limit he has surpassed in the majority of his games this month, five out of eight, and as described he already acted extra strong in the past clash with the Knicks.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns – Jan 21, 04:00
The Mavericks and Suns have already faced each other twice this season and the runners-up from the Valley have always prevailed. However, they were close affairs – Phoenix had a maximum lead of eight points in the end in the direct duels.
At the same time, the feeling of defeat for the Texans against the team of head coach Monty Williams is not new: For eight comparisons, the Suns have always come out on top!
The guests will now rely on Devin Booker for another success. “Booker is currently in very good form: This can be seen in his 48 points in the last game against San Antonio. The guard is the most important reason why the Suns are in a very good sixth place in the NBA’s offensive rating.
In contrast, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd and his team are counting on their recent home strength. They have won six games at home and have beaten the top team in the East, Chicago, and two top teams in the West, the Warriors and Denver.
For the Dallas Mavericks game against the Phoenix Suns on 21.01.2022 from 04:00, however, predictions on an away win are a good idea. The Suns arrive as the league leaders in the West and are very strong away from home: no team in the NBA tops their 81 percent win rate away from home.
In addition, they have a physical advantage because the hosts have to play a back-to-back.
Golden State Warriors vs. Indiana Pacers – Jan 21, 04:00
The six-time champions have won the past two meetings and the prospects of a third straight win are good, although the pairing has not seen a home win in four meetings!
The visitors are third from bottom in the East and have won just two of their last ten matches. On top of that, they now have to play a back-to-back, while the hosts were off last night.
The Warriors will also rely on their usually efficient defence. They allow only 102.2 points per 100 opponent possessions – best in the NBA!
Myles Turner will also not be able to play for the Indianapolis basketball team. The centre is suffering from a foot injury and his absence weakens the Pacers’ defence. His average of 2.8 blocks is the best in the NBA!
The Warriors are also pleased with the performances of their rookie Jonathan Kuminga: The small forward currently replaces the injured Draymond Green and fills these big shoes with flying colours. The 19-year-old delivered a double-double in points and rebounds in the last game against the Pistons.
For the battle at the Chase Center between the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers, the betting odds are on a home win with at least an eleven-point difference.
