The NBA season is officially here. It’s back. 14 games took place over the opening two nights of the NBA regular season, so what’s better than overreacting to one component from each game? That’s precisely what Digits is here to do.
Lakers v. Nuggets: The Nuggets are still certainly the best team in the NBA.
Does this even qualify as an overreaction? The Nuggets are their best are just such a talented team from top to bottom, and their offense is absolutely beautiful to watch. Their starting five is nothing short of incredible, and it’s absolutely fair to say that the Nuggets are the title favorites despite other teams getting stronger.
Suns v. Warriors: Devin Booker will be a surefire MVP candidate.
Booker’s playoff run last season was historic, and people seem to already be forgetting it. To me, Booker is teetering on the level of a top 10 player in the NBA, and he showed that on opening night, putting up 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists on a 71.7 TS%. Point Booker appears to be here, although it is important to note Bradley Beal did not suit up.
Hornets v. Hawks: The Hornets will be a play-in team.
Sure, the result was only a 6 point win against the Hawks, but the Hornets really could surprise people this year. PJ Washington and Terry Rozier put up 25 and 24, respectively, while Mark Williams also looked incredible. LaMelo Ball had an off scoring night, shooting 4-15. With others like Gordon Hayward, Brandon Miller, and a returning Miles Bridges, can the Hornets be the surprise team of the year?
Wizards vs. Pacers: The Pacers will have a top 5 offense in the league.
The Pacers seriously scored 143 points. The least points they scored in a quarter was 33. Tyrese Haliburton is absolutely an elite offensive engine, as he showcased by putting up a 20 point, 11 assist double double. Benedict Mathurin, who scored 18 points on Wednesday, could be in store for a leap. With their other personnel, they could be an absolute force on this end of the floor.
Celtics v. Knicks: Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis will be the reason Boston wins the NBA Finals.
Porzingis was incredible against the Knicks, filling up the box score: 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks on a 77.3 TS% (5 3s). All the Celtics gave up for Porzingis was Marcus Smart, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and the No. 35 pick in the most recent draft. With all due respect to those players, none match what Porzingis is and will be for the C’s.
Rockets v. Magic: The Magic are the league’s most underrated team.
The Magic defeated the Rockets 116-86. Neither Paolo Banchero nor Franz Wagner had stellar games, and it was just an absolute blowout. These two stars plus the very underrated depth and supporting cast of this team sets them up to be successful and silence some people’s criticisms (we’re looking at you, Pat Bev).
Cavs v. Nets: Max Strus’ ability to stretch the floor will be a game-changer for Cleveland.
In the postseason last year, the Cavs’ lack of shooting and spacing was apparent and obvious. Their solution was paying Max Strus and Georges Niang, and boy did it pay off. Strus ended the night with 27 points and 7 made threes. His presence on the team is what will put Cleveland over the top, as teams will not be able to completely stuff the paint anymore.
Heat v. Pistons: The Pistons young core is among the top 3 in the league.
Sure, the Heat won, but the Pistons may be the story of this game. Cade Cunningham had a 30 point, 9 assist game. Jalen Duren had 17 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. Ausar Thompson had 5(!) blocks. Isaiah Stewart had 14 points and 14 rebounds. While Jaden Ivey struggled, this young core as a whole looked absolutely incredible. Watch out for Detroit in the coming years…
Timberwolves v. Raptors: Scottie Barnes will bounce back from his sophomore slump.
Despite shooting 6-16, Barnes did a little bit of everything: 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 5 blocks. Many were critical of Barnes’ down season last year, but the third-year player out of Florida State looks ready to prove the doubters wrong. Everybody was raving about his potential just two seasons ago, so it could definitely be the season for Barnes to begin climbing toward his potential.
Thunder v. Bulls: The Bulls are going to be among the worst teams in the East.
They need to blow it up. Sure, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are a legitimately good duo, but this team just doesn’t have much going for it. Their ceiling is a play-in team. If a team is having a players-only meeting after the first game of the season, they are clearly on the wrong path.
Pelicans v. Grizzlies: The Pelicans are here.
Zion Williamson is back, putting up 23 points. Is this the year where everybody can stay healthy, and it can come together? If this first game is any indication, yes. Remember last year that they were the 1st seed in the West prior to injuries derailing the season. The team isn’t the deepest, but the core of Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy is absolutely elite.
Kings v. Jazz: The Kings are hands down among the most well-rounded teams in the league.
The Kings are just so, so good. They had the best offense in league history this year, and they show no signs of slowing down, having scored 130 points against the Jazz on Wednesday night. Outside of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis (the two stars), they have Harrison Barnes (who just had 33 points!), Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, and Sasha Vezenkov.
Mavericks v. Spurs: Dereck Lively II could place himself into ROTY conversations.
We’ve always known what the perfect big for Luka Doncic looks like, and it’s somebody of the mold of Dereck Lively II. Doncic has never had that type of player, but now he does, and it’s quite clearly a match made in heaven. Coming off of the bench and playing 31 minutes, Lively scored 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block on 7-8 shooting. He was incredible and will win that starting spot soon.
Trail Blazers v. Clippers: If the Clippers can stay healthy, they are contenders.
We say this every year, yes, but people have already ruled the Clippers out this year. Why? Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both put up over 20 points on efficient shooting, and the team has other notable contributors such as Ivica Zubac, Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, Bones Hyland, Mason Plumlee, and more. Why not them?
Charlie Spungin , NBA Analyst