Last Updated on December 19, 2022 2:10 pm by Erwin Noguera
Nine weeks have passed since the start of the 2022-23 NBA season, and we have enjoyed many intense battles in each league’s arenas.
But this is not enough because starting today, Monday, December 19th, a new week begins, which will be full of many emotions in each game that will be played.
Yesterday, Sunday, we were able to observe the closing of the eighth week of the season, which left us with surprising results, such as the crushing defeat of the Chicago Bulls against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a score of 126-150.
Likewise, we have observed that the teams at the top of the respective league conferences have managed to maintain their exemplary level of play and remain in the upper part of the standings.
The Bucks lead the NBA Eastern Conference with a 21-8 record and are coming off winning two of the three games played in the past week. They are followed by the Celtics, who, despite two consecutive losses, are tied for first place in the standings.
We must emphasize that the Cavaliers, Nets, 76ers, Knicks, and Heat, had perfect weeks where they took advantage to climb essential positions in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic seem to have woken up since they have two consecutive weeks winning every game. But, at the same time, the Wizards have fallen for the tenth straight time, which puts them in a terrible position at the table.
In the Western Conference, the fight for the top positions of the table continues, with the Grizzlies leading right now. The Pelicans lost all three games of the week and are currently tied for second place with the Nuggets.
NBA Weekly Roundup 9: Atlanta Hawks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
When:
Monday, December 12th, 08:00 PM ET at FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
Moneyline odds:
Hawks +220
Grizzlies -277
Where can I watch it?
The Grizzlies were able to assert their home-court status and to bet favoritism in the game against the Hawks that was played last Monday, December 12th, 2022, with a score of 128-123.
Throughout the game, the Grizzlies proved that they were not in first place in the Western Conference by pure coincidence.
With Tyus Jones leading the way scoring 22 points and dishing out 11 assists, plus Dillon Brooks and Santi Almada with 18 and 16 points, respectively, they were able to take a comfortable win at home against a Hawks that could do virtually nothing to stop these Grizzlies onslaughts.
Without going too far, the Hawks could only win the last quarter of this game due to the home team’s relaxation after having a 26-point lead.
Result: Grizzlies (128) – (103) Hawks
NBA Weekly Roundup 9: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
When:
Monday, December 12th, 10:00 PM ET at Moda Center, Portland, OR
Moneyline odds:
Trail Blazers -181
Timberwolves +146
Where can I watch it?
A story to the one we just told in the game between Grizzlies and Hawks was what happened last Monday, December 12th, between Portland and Minnesota, where the home team, the Trail Blazers, managed to win comfortably with a score of 133-112.
We can not say anything other than that this game was an actual demonstration of the extraordinary level of play that Damian Lillard retains and increasingly increases.
The Trail Blazers point guard had a spectacular game in which he scored 38 points in only 29 minutes, an absolute madness. He was accompanied by Jeremi Grant, who scored 24 points in 32 minutes.
For the Timberwolves, D’Angelo Russell with 23 points, Jaylen Nowell and Anthony Edwards with 17 points, and Rudy Gobert with 16 points stood out.
This game remained evenly matched until halftime, with a score of 70-59 in favor of the Trail Blazers. But, in the third quarter, they pulled out an 11-point difference that was impossible for the Timberwolves to recover.
Result: Trail Blazers (133) – (112) Timberwolves
NBA Weekly Roundup 9: LA Clippers vs. Boston Celtics
When:
Monday, December 12th, 10:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Moneyline odds:
Celtics -172
Clippers +140
Where can I watch it?
One of the pleasant surprises this Monday, December 12th, was the Clippers’ 113-93 victory over the super-powerful Celtics. A game that had Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as its leading scorers.
The Celtics continue to prove that they are one of the best teams in the league, but they did not expect the Clippers to play as defensively as they did.
The Californians’ wall was challenging to overcome, as they could limit the league’s best offense to scoring just 93 points, less than 20 points than they currently average per game.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined to score 51 of the team’s 113 points, and remember that this pair of players have spectacular defensive qualities.
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown tried to keep their team alive in the game, with 20 and 21 points, respectively, but all efforts were in vain.
Result: Clippers (113) – (93) Celtics
NBA Weekly Roundup 9: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
When:
Thursday, December 15th, 08:00 PM ET at FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Moneyline odds:
Bucks +102
Grizzlies -125
Where can I watch it?
The great duel of the day on Thursday night came to nothing. Memphis Grizzlies mercilessly swept Milwaukee Bucks (142-101) in a game already settled at halftime, when the locals led by 29 points (70-41).
The victory, as the scoreboard shows, was accessible. Very, very easy for the Grizzlies, who held Giannis Antetokounmpo, who only scored 19 points: this is the third time this season that he has scored less than 20.
Faced with the weak defense of the Bucks in this game, the significant beneficiary was Ja Morant. The point guard accumulated his third triple-double of the season with 20 points, ten rebounds, and ten assists.
One of those who took advantage of his passes was the Spaniard Santi Aldama, who played a good role as five on defense on Brook Lopez and reached 14 points (2 of 3 from three-point range) and three rebounds.
With 18 and 23 points in the first two quarters, the Bucks sign one of the most pathetic first halves in their recent history.
Result: Bucks (101) – (142) Grizzlies
NBA Weekly Roundup 9: Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets
When:
Thursday, December 15th, 08:00 PM ET at Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Moneyline odds:
Miami Heat -188
Houston Rockets +153
Where can I watch it?
Miami recovered a little smile after getting in Houston its third consecutive victory, the sixth in the last ten games, after a very close game against the Rockets with a score of 111-108.
It was a hard-fought and highly complex victory for the Heat in a game that almost went to overtime if Kevin Porter Jr. had hit his three-pointer with 4 seconds left in regulation time.
The Florida Heat assaulted the Rockets thanks to an inspired Tyler Herro, who finished with 41 points on 10 of 15 from a long distance. We should also note that the team’s star, Jimmy Butler, is back and is gradually providing the points that his team needs to continue on the path to victory.
The Rockets had a very collective game, with Porter and Jalen Green leading the way, scoring 21 and 20 points, respectively.
Remember that these two teams are not playing at a reasonable level so far this season, but every win they get is vital in their quest to wake up and fight at the top of their respective conferences.
Result: Heat (111) – (108) Rockets
NBA Weekly Roundup 9: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz
When:
Thursday, December 15th, 09:00 PM ET at EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Moneyline odds:
New Orleans Pelicans -125
Utah Jazz +103
Where can I watch it?
Utah Jazz, that team created to take but that resists doing so has bent New Orleans Pelicans (132-129), the already former leader of a Western Conference that is now in the hands of Memphis Grizzlies.
The Jazz had an illusion with two culprits against the Pelicans: Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen. Clarkson hit 15 of 26 shots from the field and made seven three-pointers to help Utah sweep the two-game series.
Zion Williamson had 31 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks for New Orleans. CJ McCollum added 28 points, and Nate Marshall and Larry Nance, Jr. had 13.
The Jazz never trailed in overtime after Clarkson made a pair of baskets to put Utah up 127-123.
At one point in the game, the Pelicans were able to take control of the scoreboard by getting within 76-63 after a 14-2 run, but the Jazz was able to erase that deficit before the quarter was over with a 14-1 run to put Utah up 91-90.
Result: Pelicans (129) – (132) Jazz
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