Credit: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
Vic's Night Caps, NBA Week 1/6
Published: Monday, January 13, 2025
by Victor Lisboa
Welcome to Vic’s Night Caps, where we recap our friend Darren’s weekly NBA takes. This week, he highlighted four matchups between Monday, Jan. 6 and Tuesday, Jan. 7. This week had some great games, including Wednesday’s showdown between the current top-two teams. Let’s see how the matchups went.
Monday’s Key Games
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Battle of the 7th vs. 10th Seed)
Both teams came into this game in play-in territory, with the Clippers having a slight edge; this game could be crucial for playoff implications in April. Anthony Edwards is coming off a 53-point effort in a loss to the Pistons. The Clippers just recently got Kawhi Leonard back, which should make things easier for LA.
This was essentially a game of runs, as the Clippers’ largest lead of the game was 19 points, and ten points for the Wolves. It seemed as if LA was in control for most of the first half. The Timberwolves started getting hot in the second half, going on several runs to eventually take the lead in the beginning of the third quarter. In this game, Minnesota started Donte DiVincenzo in place of Mike Conley, who’s never come off the bench in his career with the Timberwolves, but is averaging career-lows across the board.
Clippers led by five with over four minutes left, but a three-point play and a three pointer by Edwards gave Minnesota the lead. The Wolves were down by one with 1:12 when Edwards drained a three, and then drained another, after Zubac missed a layup with 34 seconds to seal the game. He finished with 37 points, eight boards, and seven assists, scoring over 80 in his last two games. James Harden finished with 22 points, eight boards, and eight assists.
Darren predicted a close matchup giving the T-Wolves a three-point edge. The final score was a Minnesota victory, 108-106.
Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers (The Valley vs. The City of Brotherly Love)
After blockbuster trades to acquire Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in the last couple of seasons, the Suns have not lived up to the expectations. Although All-NBA stars Durant and Devin Booker haven’t seemed to lose their step, the lack of defensive effort, depth, and consistent chemistry has left this team in play-in range.
The 76ers also made a big move this summer, signing Paul George and making several trades and acquisitions to bolster the roster. However, just like Phoenix, Philly has also not lived up to expectations. They were injury riddled to start the season and are still recovering; they are five games from being .500, and are struggling to stay healthy to compete with a much-improved Eastern conference.
Joel Embiid was ruled out of this game, giving a clear advantage to Phoenix. Still in their MVPs absence, Philly managed to keep it close, entering halftime with a four-point lead. Phoenix recently made changes to bring Beal off the bench, after posting some of the worst averages of his career.
It seemed to be a smart move for Coach Bud of Phoenix, as Beal led all Suns scorers with 25 points on 10-15 shooting. Durant added 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Booker added a 10-point and 10-assist double-double. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 31 points and 10 assists. Phoenix executed a 25-6 run in the third quarter, overcoming a seven-point deficit to make it a 12-point lead. Both teams needed a big win in this game based on the standings.
Darren predicted the Suns firepower would be too much for the Sixers with or with Embiid, and he predicted a six-point victory for Phoenix. The final score was 109-99 Suns.
Tuesday’s Key Games
Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets (Possible NBA Finals?)
This was a matchup many were anticipating to be the NBA Finals in 2023, before the Heat made an impressive run. However, in 2025, these are the last two defending NBA championships, and at times this year they’ve definitely shown it.
The Nuggets haven’t remained as dominant in the West. As competition around them has improved, they’ve had to rely on their stars even more. The Celtics are also in a competitive conference and haven’t shown the same dominance in the standings either. Both teams are loaded with stars that helped them win their championships. While those stars haven’t lost a step, changes to both teams might put them in a vulnerable position this season.
Nikola Jokic was out for this game with an illness, giving Boston a clear advantage, as the Nuggets are 1-2 without him. Aaron Gordan was also out from a calf injury. As a result, the Nuggets were trailing by as much as 15 in the first half, but they were able to tighten it down the stretch, tying the score to 93 at one point.
n Jokic’s absence, Russell Westbrook seemed to step up, leading all Nuggets scorers with 26 points on efficient shooting, with Jamal Murray adding 19. The Nuggets bench had a solid showing as well, scoring 34 points. However, Boston was able to gain firepower from their stars, going on a 15-0 run in the fourth to secure the victory. Jayson Tatum had 29 points and six assists, Kristaps Porzingis added 25 points and 11 rebounds.
Darren predicted a little bit of a closer matchup under the assumption Jokic would play, but still predicted the Celtics fire power would be too much. The Nuggets couldn’t pull off the upset, and the final score was 118- 106
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks (Battle of the 5th and 7th Seeds)
The Dallas Mavericks are coming off a finals appearance where they were defeated in five games last season. In the off-season, this team acquired four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson from the Warriors, in a sign-and-trade to add more spacing for their stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
The Lakers also made changes in the offseason, acquiring first-time head coach and former player JJ Reddick, who has relied heavily on Anthony Davis and LeBron James to start the season. They recently acquired three-and-D wing Dorian Finney Smith and combo guard Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets, adding much-needed depth and stress off of their aging stars.
Luka Doncic suffered a left calf strain on Christmas Day and has been out ever since. Kyrie Irving was also out, as it was announced he has been suffering from bulging discs. With the Mavericks and Lakers being separated by just one game in the standings, Lakers had the perfect chance to capitalize.
Unfortunately, it might’ve been their worst performance of the season. It seemed as if the Lakers were a bit discombobulated on defense and lacking on communication, as were out-rebounded, let Dallas shoot 47% from three, as well as let them score more in the paint. This is unusual for LA, as they tend to win games defensively, with their stars leading the way.
The Lakers also shot only 31% from three, further adding to their bad night. Anthony Davis was able to notch a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James also added a double-double, with 18 points, 10 rebounds, as well as eight assists. PJ Washington had a great night for Dallas, scoring 22 points on 9-14 shooting including three-three from distance. Quentin Grimes and James Hardy combined for 38 points off the bench. This matchup could be crucial to determine playoff seeding.
Darren predicted a 10-point victory for the Lakers, but one couldn’t have expected such a great night from Dallas without their star. The final score was 118-97, Mavericks.
Victor Lisboa can be reached at victor.lisboa@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,