Our NBA predictions for the 2021-22 season have seen mixed results with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks struggling. Out west, the Golden State Warriors are coming off a blowout win over the Nets in Brooklyn and boast a league-best 12-2 record.
Somewhere in between, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves on a cold streak while the Los Angeles Lakers are attempting to remain above water in the absence of LeBron James. Below, we look at NBA predictions for the next week of action.
Related: Updated Sportsnaut NBA power rankings
It was just on Tuesday that Philadelphia fell to the Jazz in Utah by the score of 120-85. It won’t get any easier for a team that remains without Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris. The 76ers remain out west until Nov. 24 with their road trip ending in San Francisco against the Golden State Warriors. It won’t be easy sledding.
Having lost five in a row, we wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia dropped three of these four games. That would have the team under .500 heading back home for a mini two-game stand against the Timberwolves and Magic.
Related: Daily NBA, fantasy basketball picks
After a two-year haitus from the top of the NBA standings, these Warriors appear to be back. Some believed that a soft early-season schedule impacted Golden State’s success. Recent wins against the Bulls and Nets by a combined 44 points changed that big time. From a statistical perspective, these Dubs have been elite.
We can go up and down the line, and these Warriors would be ranked near the top in every category. Stephen Curry is playing at an MVP level and could actually earn All-NBA Defensive Team honors. With back-to-back road games coming up against the Cavaliers and Pistons before a homestand consisting of the Raptors, 76ers and Blazers, we would not be shocked if the Dubs found themselves at 17-2 before a post-Thanksgiving road date with the Clippers.
Related: 2021-22 NBA MVP rankings
It has been pretty ugly for the Greek Freak and the defending champs thus far this season. Milwaukee boasts a 6-8 record. It ranks in the bottom half of points scored, points allowed, offensive rating and defensive rating.
To make matters even more disturbing, Milwaukee has dropped games to teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz. Just don’t expect this to continue. The Bucks have themselves a pretty favorable homestand with games coming up against the Lakers, Thunder, Magic (twice) and Pistons. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bucks swept that five-game set and found themselves well above .500.
After missing five of the first six games of his rookie campaign due to injury, this No. 1 pick appears to be settling into form. If so, preseason NBA predictions of him earning Rookie of the Year honors might not be too far off.
Sure shooting has been somewhat of an issue for Cunningham (35%). But as you can tell, he’s rounding into form. Detroit has games against lackluster defenses in that of the Pacers and Lakers moving forward on the week. Look for Cunningham to continue stepping up.