NBA Games of the Week, Trade Deadline Players to Watch, Odds

The story around the league continues to teams struggling to put forward consistent rosters night after night as players go in and out of covid protocols. Roster depth has played an important role this season and top-heavy teams like the Lakers have struggled with having so many players out and are sitting right around .500 despite being one of the early season favorites to win the NBA title. As we move past the Christmas day games and get closer to the NBA trade deadline in early February, it will be interesting to see what type of moves contenders make as they try to build out depth on their rosters.  If you are just catching up on the NBA action and want to get in on the action, head over to our offers page where you will get a full list of available sign-up promotions and more.

Players to watch for the Trade deadline

Ben Simmons

Simmons has not been on the roster all season long as Sixers President Daryl Morey has held fast that he wants to get back a top 20 player in any deal for Simmons. As we get closer to the deadline it will be interesting to see if Morey starts to budge since it doesn’t look like Simmons wants to be in Philly and the Sixers are playing fine without him.

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving will give the Nets a big boost on the road

The Nets are in a tough situation with Irving with New York’s vaccine mandate that prevents Irving from playing in any home games. The mandate doesn’t look like it will end any time soon which means the Nets could be without Irving in any playoff games at home. The Nets have to be wondering if it would be best to move Irving and get some additional pieces back at this point that will be available for every game. Teams like the Mavericks, Clippers, or Nuggets are teams that you should keep an eye on in the trade market for Irving as they have the pieces that the Nets may have an interest in.

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Top Games

Hawks vs. Bulls

The Hawks have struggled out of the gates this year after making a run in last year’s postseason and will hope to turn things around as we get closer to the second half of the season. Trae Young is having a monster year and is averaging 27.3 points per game, but the Hawks look like they need another star to get over the hump in the East. The Bulls have been one of the big surprises this year in the East and are only 1.5 games back of the Nets. DeMar DeRozan is thriving in Billy Donovan’s offense and Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball are both having career years as well.

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Lakers vs. Grizzlies

The small market Grizzlies have had a great season so far but don’t get a ton of national attention since they play in small market Memphis. Beating the Lakers is a great way to get some publicity and they will have an opportunity to make another statement on Wednesday night. Ja Morant has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the NBA and the Grizzlies have 5 starters averaging double figures that most people haven’t even heard of. The Lakers have struggled to have a consistent lineup all season as they have battled injuries or been in Covid protocols.

76ers vs. Nets

Embiid is having one of his best statistical seasons

The Nets have the best odds in the NBA to win the title and are playing at a high level and should only improve with the addition of Kyrie Irving for home games. The Nets will still have to get through the Bucks but if they can stay healthy all year and get Irving back for home games they will be tough for anyone to beat. The Sixers are a team in the East to keep an eye on as they should get another key player from the Ben Simmons trade for the back half of the regular season. If they can land another scorer the Sixers could make a run to the Finals with the way Embiid is playing this year.