Nikola Jokic visits the Kings at 4 a.m.

Well, hopefully those who didn’t explode in front of the turkey should have recovered by now. On the way to the NBA Evening Program, with 10 games on the menu and big shocks, especially in the West. Here we go!

AND THROUGH HERE FOR THE RECAP OF YESTERDAY NIGHT

# THE PROGRAM

• 1h : Magic – Lakers
• 1h : Wizards – 76ers
• 1h30: Celtics – Rockets
• 1h30: Pacers – Hawks
• 1h30: Raptors – Clippers (beIN Sports 1)
• 2h: Grizzlies – Suns (beIN Sports 4)
• 2h: Thunder – Spurs
• 2h30: Mavs – Knicks
• 4h : Warriors – Hornets
• 4:30: Kings – Nuggets

# DO NOT MISS

We start with the heavy at the level of the Western Conference: at 2 a.m., Grizzlies et Suns find themselves for a match which should have its importance for the season… It is nothing to say. The Grizz have recovered Desmond Bane and the trio of young Tennessee bears can resume their campaign of terror. “Top 2 backcourt in the League, and not second” said Ja Morant? Well, we would have liked to see that once morest serious candidates, with the duo Chris Paul – Devin Booker, but Ci Pi Fruit will not be able to count on his sidekick, who was injured during the Christmas Game defeat once morest Denver. Third defeat in a row for Phoenix, which is going through a bad patch and is now in fifth place in the west, closely followed by Sacramento (repeat the sentence by imagining yourself 6 months ago, there’s a way to laugh a little ). Moreover, it was Memphis who had inflicted a correction to the Suns for his first match with the 5 major reunited. Same story tonight? It is quite possible given the major absentees on the cactus side (Booker, Payne, Johnson)…

And to finish the night, heavy at the level of the Western Conference, for a change. See you at 4:30 in Sacramento for a big Kings – Nuggets coming ! Niko Jokic has definitely put on his Joker costume and seems determined to make the pass of three concerning the title of MVP (and at the same time become the first player to receive the Michael Jordan Trophy). The Big Honey have already carved their name big among Christmas Day legends this Sunday, becoming one of only nine players to have slammed a triple-double on Christmas Eve, and with a 41/15/15, sorry…The Joker’s stats in December? But here they are:

I know we’re supposed to hand out the player of the month trophy at the… end of the month, but how are Nikola Jokic in December?

11 matches
30 point average
13.1 rebounds
10,3 passes
60% shooting
7 wins

Completely absurd his level of play.

— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) December 26, 2022

On the Kings side, the dynamics are clearly not disgusting either, since Sacto might go as far as entering the Top 4 in case of alignment of the stars tonight (Victory once morest Denver + defeats of Phoenix and the Clippers). Small downside to the party however: the injury de Domantas Sabonis. The Sacto pivot was starting to earn a star-studded award in earnest in February, but suffered an avulsion fracture to his right thumb. Difficult to contain the Serbian monster without a good Lithuanian interior, but Domas doesn’t seem to want to rest in the infirmary…? Playing with a fracture…why not apparently, since Sabonis is only listed as “Questionable” for tonight’s game.

# ALSO WATCH

• Except for one loss, the Magic and the Lakers have the same record, and we don’t know if we should laugh or cry regarding it. Playing at a stratospheric level before his 243rd injury, Anthony Davis is still expected to miss at least two weeks of competition, and the Lakers are in distress despite a still impressive King at almost 38 years old.
• After a series of nine defeats, the Wizards have finally unlocked the counter with two successes in the last three games! The six-game road trip is finally over, and wizards return to the capital to find 76ers in steamroller mode. 8 wins in a row for Jojo and his friends, all without even counting on Tyrese Maxey, who should return this Friday strengthen the Pennsylvanian ranks.
• The machine is relaunched in Boston: the Jay Brothers duo muzzled the Minnesota wolves, before wishing a Merry Fucking Christmas to Giannis and his Bucks Sunday. But the C’s like to scare themselves once morest “small” teams, as evidenced by their two consecutive defeats once morest Orlando, and the Rockets might well come to stall the little surprise of the evening.
• After two great victories in Boston and Miami, the Pacers went to be blown away by Pelicans reserve team and will have to recover for the evening back-to-back. Back to Indianapolis then, and reception of the Georgia Falcons. pas de chapel to steal rebounds from Myles Turner this time, but the Pacers center still has Jonas Valanciunas nightmares.
• And Spicy P and fashion player of the week and all of Toronto is smiling. This night, it is Paul George who brings back his troop of Clippers in Ontario. The trip won’t be long, since Tyronn Lue’s band was playing in Detroit, on the other side of Lake St Clair, just yesterday (victory of the Clipps, on an XXL choke from the Pistons)
• Sam Presti is sulking right now. OKC wins too much, and if the Thunder pleased its GM by losing in Overtime once morest NOLA on Friday, not saying that they are repeating the gift once morest San Antonio tonight. What’s more, the Spurs are likely to arrive tired in Oklahoma, following their victory over the Jazz yesterday. Are we signing for a draw?
• Act two of the reunion between Luka and his former lieutenant Jalen Brunson ! The Slovenian has already prepared his best declaration of love, option “come back, I miss you”, but Jalen might just miss the date, hip pain keeping him at Questionable status.
• Despite the Trashtalking-filled Christmas Day victory over the Grizzlies, nothing is easy right now for the Warriors. Fortunately, the Dubs are playing at home and it is the Hornets, the second-worst record in the League, who are passing.