The anticipated Jayson Tatum revenge game is here. Will he deliver? It’s bound to be a barnburner regardless, though, as both teams have started out well.

Catch the game tomorrow, November 7th, at 8:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Golden State Warriors (6-1, 4-0 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Stephen Curry
  • Brandin Podziemski (day-to-day) / Moses Moody
  • Andrew Wiggins
  • Buddy Hield
  • Trayce Jackson-Davis

The Warriors enter as winners of four-straight games. They are averaging 121.6 points per game while only allowing 104.3 on the other end, giving them a league-leading +17.1 net rating. The hot stretch is also despite Stephen Curry missing three games.

As always, offense will be king in the Warrior system. The Klay Thompson role has been taken over by Buddy Hield, and man is he excelling. The 31-year-old is pacing the Dubs in scoring at 21.9 PPG on 50% shooting from three with an average of 9.4 attempts. It’ll be fun to see how long he can keep it up.

Curry returned to action during Tuesday’s 124-112 win over the Washington Wizards, posting 24 points and six assists in 24 quality minutes. He may be limited for a few more games, but since this is a marquee matchup, perhaps the staff will give him more leeway.

Brandin Podziesmki got hurt vs. WAS and his status is up in the air. Jonathan Kuminga, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Moses Moody will be the guys to watch out for in his absence. Either way, though, defense will be the key for GS as they are against a well-oiled, finely-tuned offense – and, as mentioned, Jayson Tatum may be salivating to light up the scoreboard.

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HOME: Boston Celtics (7-1, 2-0 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Jrue Holiday
  • Derrick White
  • Jaylen Brown
  • Jayson Tatum
  • Kristaps Porzingis (out) / Al Horford

The defending champs are brimming with confidence and rolling as expected. They are number one in scoring at 123.6 PPG and offensive rating, while their +13.9 net rating ranks third. Much like last year, the threes are still at a high-volume as well, unloading 50.9 treys and making 19.0 of them per contest.

While talent is across the board, chemistry is just as good, if not better, and Jaylen Brown (25.7 PPG) can get his at any given night, this game is heavily deemed as Jayson Tatum’s “revenge game” on Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, particularly for benching him multiple games in the Paris Olympics. Tatum is dropping 30.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game thus far, and we may see him go for a stat-stuffing performance or a massive, 40, 50-piece – not that the Warriors defense are pushovers.

Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and veteran two-way guard Jrue Holiday remain as valuable secondary weapons, as well as other veteran Al Horford, especially since Kristaps Porzingis is still sidelined. White is putting up a career-high 19.0 PPG  thus far, so he too may show out.

PICKS:

Spread: Warriors (+7.5)

Over/Under: Over (229.5)

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