🏀👑Martin Luther King Jr. Day slate of games👑🏀
⏳Last chance⏳
As we prepare to enjoy a full day of NBA action this is a reminder that today is your last day to vote for who you think should play in the NBA All-Star Game. Voting will conclude at 11:59 PM ET, so vote for your favorites now!
TODAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO VOTE 🗳️
#NBAAllStar Voting presented by @ATT concludes TONIGHT at 11:59pm/et… Vote on the NBA App or https://t.co/Pqxh2EQ21u NOW!➡️ https://t.co/WoseqUjq4z pic.twitter.com/eE86l7QBZP
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2025
3️⃣🔑Stories
- Two of arguably the biggest surprise teams of the season thus far, the Pistons and Rockets will meet in Houston at 2 ET this afternoon. The Rockets finished 41-41 last year, and No. 11 in the West, while the Pistons finished with a league-worst, 14-68 mark. Both of these teams taking a leap upward was expected, but Detroit playing to a 21-21 record and in the thick of the playoff race, and the Rockets sitting No. 2 in the West at 28-13 are likely bigger leaps for each squad than predicated. As an extra layer of intrigue, this matchup will feature two of the biggest rising stars in the NBA, with 2021 No. 1 and No. 2 selections, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green squaring off. It may also feature a matchup of the Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar, who also went back-to-back in the 2023 Draft, at No. 4 and No. 5 respectively. However, Amen is currently listed as questionable due to calf tightness.
- Two of the NBA’s biggest highlight reel creators, Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant will square off this afternoon. The Timberwolves and Grizzlies last met just over a week ago on Jan. 11, playing to a 127-125 final with Memphis earning the victory. Neither Edwards nor Morant had remarkable games statistically, but that is unlikely to remain the case again. With these two on the floor, we’re certain to get at least a couple of eye-popping, must-see plays. Beyond just the individuals, this game will also feature two teams working to gain ground in the standings. Memphis is now No. 3 in the West, and after playing to a 5-5 record over their last 10, have the Nuggets and Clippers nipping at their heels. As for Minnesota, after making it to the Western Conference Finals last season and looking to take another leap forward, sit at just 22-20 and are No. 8 in the West, tied with the Sacramento Kings. They’re also only 0.5 games from being out of the playoffs altogether, but conversely just one game out of the No. 6 seed.
- Boston visits Golden State this evening for a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals. Both of these teams had a red-hot start to their season but have fallen back a bit since. However, that fallback has been much greater for the Warriors. Golden State started their season with a 12-3 record featuring wins over Oklahoma City and their opponent today, but now sits at just 21-20, and after already losing Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) and Brandin Podziemski (abdomen) to injuries, they’ll also be without Draymond Green (calf), and could be without Stephen Curry (ankle), who is considered questionable to suit up. A win here could help spark a Golden State turnaround, but in a crowded Western Conference, a loss will push them further away from the playoffs.
