The Toronto Raptors are the top team in the East at 12-2 on the season but started this week with a loss at home against the Pelicans. Can Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors continue to stay atop the East? What about Golden State in the West can they survive early without Steph Curry in the line-up? Here are 5 Bold NBA Predictions for Week 5!
Number One: The Rockets Beat the Warriors in Houston
On Thursday Night the Golden State Warriors travel to Houston to face the Rockets. Though the Warriors still have Durant, Green, and Thompson, they seem to be a little off without Curry playing. Houston hasn’t looked at all like they did when they had the Warriors on the ropes in the Western Conference Finals last season. James Harden leads the Rockets averaging around 28 points per game, which will play a big role in if the Rockets want to compete this season. Harden and guard Chris Paul will be the key to beating the Warriors on Thursday.
Number Two: Cleveland will continue to lose
The Cavaliers were lucky to pick up a win, against the Hawks on October 30th. They may not see another one for a while with games against the Hornets tonight, and a game on the road at Washington on Wednesday. Cleveland is shorthanded with all of the injuries they are dealing with, and they look well on their way to another top three pick, possibly the top pick in the draft. I don’t see this team winning this week.
Number Three: The Lakers will Show more improvement
The Lakers have been decent the last couple weeks as they have won five of their last six games. They look far better than they did only three weeks ago with the trouble from their brawl with the Rockets. Lebron and Company have gotten themselves to 7-6 on the season and look for that to continue starting with a home game against the Blazers who they have already played twice this season. They have a trip to Florida at the end of the week for a back to back against the Heat and Magic, but the Lakers look like a very much improved team.
Number Four: The Pistons will continue to be up and down
The Detroit Pistons started the season great with four straight wins, before dropping five straight. They picked it back up y winning two straight away from Detroit last week but ended that with a home loss against the Hornets on Sunday. They could be in for another tough week as they head to Toronto on Wednesday night, for their only game this week. Will the Pistons be able to keep up withe Best team in the East? How will Dwane Casey try to beat his former team?
Number Five: Jimmy Butler will Trust the Process
The Philadelphia 76ers are a new team, with the major trade that was announced Saturday, as they shipped off Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timber-wolves in exchange for Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton. Butler did play against Miami on Monday Night but should be in uniform when the 76ers face the Magic on Wednesday, and hopefully he will be able to Trust the Process as his new teammates do. Butler is a huge get for Philly and could bring a lot to the table as the 76ers are looking to compete in the East.
It is going to be a great week of basketball in the NBA, keep those eyes on it. It’s going to be fun to watch.
