The NBA trade deadline isn’t until February, but that doesn’t mean a big deal can’t happen before then as we saw with Jimmy Butler shipped to Philadelphia over the weekend. The Charlotte Hornets’ best player is All-Star point guard Kemba Walker, but he can hit free agency this summer. Will the Hornets deal him? Reportedly, teams inquiring about Walker have been told by owner Michael Jordan that Hornets are committed to contending for a playoff berth with Walker as the face of the franchise. That could all change, though, if the team starts losing. Here’s a look at two interesting matchups in the NBA this week. Check back for NBA odds.
Meanwhile, the Rockets are talking about releasing Carmelo Anthony. For the second straight night, Anthony was not with the team Sunday because of an illness, according to the Rockets. But there’s more to that as Anthony and the Rockets are off to a rough start. Houston is 4-7 entering Sunday night and Anthony, used primarily as a reserve after starting every game of his career in his first 15 seasons, is averaging a career-low 13.4 points on 40.5 percent shooting from the floor.The Rockets’ net rating is 8.8 points per 100 possessions better when Anthony sits than when he plays, according to NBA.com statistics. The Rockets signed Anthony, 34, to a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum of $2.4 million after he received a buyout from the Atlanta Hawks.Houston is being outscored by an average of 6.2 points this season. The Rockets led the league in scoring differential (+8.5 ppg) last season. Houston is 3-0 when leading after three-quarters of play this season and 1-7 when trailing. The Rockets were 56-3 when leading after three-quarters of play last season and 9-14 when tied or trailing.Chris Paul ranks second in the NBA with 2.56 steals per game this season while James Harden is fourth with 2.38 spg. The last time teammates averaged at least 2.50 spg in a single season was Michael Jordan (2.77 spg) and Scottie Pippen (2.57 spg) for Chicago in 1989-90.
Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – November 12th Edition
AD had himself a GAME! 🔥#doitBIG pic.twitter.com/ewdY0xFVS4
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) 11 de noviembre de 2018
New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves
- When: Wednesday, 8 PM ET (ESPN)
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
- When: Thursday, 8 PM ET (TNT)
