.png){kind=small}
Welcome to week five of the NBA season. As always, OTG has six matchups for you to keep an eye on this week! Follow us on Twitter and vote on who you think will win these matchups.
Detroit Pistons @ Milwaukee Bucks
Greg Monroe anchors the lengthy and unpredictable Bucks, who welcome the Pistons to Milwaukee to kick off my games of the week. Monroe spent his first five seasons in the Motor City, but was considered expendable after the emergence of double-double machine, Andre Drummond. With players like the Greek Freak and Reggie Jackson also featured, this game should be a gritty, but exciting way to start your NBA week.
Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks
The Celtics seem to be finding their footing while the Hawks have lost some altitude the last couple of games. With a different player stepping up during each game, the Celtics have found ways to win offensively while suffocating teams on defense. Atlanta will look to get back on track against Boston, who beat them by 13 just a couple of weeks ago.
Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs
Is Dallas actually good? Outside of the defending champs, the Mavs are the hottest team in the league and will look to continue their start against the modern day model franchise of the NBA. Kawhi Leonard has played like a man possessed by Pop. Not only will this be a surprisingly good matchup on the court, but it also features two of the best coaches in the NBA.
Miami Heat @ New York Knicks
Miami and New York have both been tough teams to figure out. Kristaps Porzingis has been awesome and seems to be gaining momentum. He will face the front line of Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside, who have been more than formidable defensively. Madison Square Garden will also get their first look at Justise Winslow, who majority of New York fans wanted the Knicks to draft with the fourth pick, as they rained boos down on Porzingis; typical.
Toronto Raptors @ Washington Wizards
The Raptors will have to find a way to adjust to life without Jonas Valančiūnas as they take on the Washington Wizards. This matchup also features two of the top backcourts in the league in Wall and Beal for the Wizards, and Lowry and DeRozan for the Raptors. Toronto, on Saturday, turn your weapons, to the Capitol.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Memphis Grizzlies
Look, I get it, its Philly, but just hear me out. Memphis hasn’t looked great this year, but they have been better as of late. However, they don’t blow teams out in the Grindhouse, which makes this a really interesting matchup for the Sixers. Maybe this is the game they stay close and steal a win, before the 76ers continue to Chip (see what I did there?) away at the title of worst season ever.