ORANJPEEL

My model slightly favors the Kings. D’Aaron Fox is a young John Wall and Holmes is a young Tucker. I’ve been very disappointed in the play of former #2 pick Marvin Bagley, his ceiling looks to be that of a rotation player if not bust. However it’s another home game for the Rockets. They took the Kings down last Thursday, and this is the perfect opportunity for Harden to now remind Houston how much he (really) wants to stay. It is more self destruction waiting to happen and less about the Kings outplaying them. Take the points.

OP STAFF | 2-3 NBA 2020 SEASON

My model slightly favors the Heat. Ok, so Jimmy Butler is sitting this one out, but Miami is playing at home on 4 days rest and the Spo-designed defense is suffocating. Sure the Bucks got 7′ superstar Giannis, and he is going to eurostep to the basket and into a wall named Bam and Precious. They will dominate the middle and the Heats are lights out at the 3 pt range. Rest up Jimmy, the team will pick up the slack with Goran leading the way. Take the points.

OP STAFF | 2-2 NBA 2020 SEASON

None of the other four Christmas day games hit on my model run, with the exception of BKN vs BOS. My model barely favors the Nets. Kemba Walker is out, so it’s a matchup between Irving vs Dinwiddie and Durant vs Tatum – both favor the Nets. I reckon bench play for both teams will be a wash. Brad Stevens gets the nod over newbie Steve Nash (D’Antoni really), but a well rested Nets team playing the Celtics on their home turf won’t really be home court advantage this early on in a Covid year. It will be close, but Nets will cover.

OP STAFF | 2-1 NBA 2020 SEASON