Missing the key ball handler Victor Wembanyama hasn't affected San Antonio Spurs so much. They keep racking up wins Memphis Grizzlies have improved and won against Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans. But they are going to be shorthanded for this game.

Take it for granted that Boston Celtics will fight tooth and nail against blazing hot New York KNicks at home. They are missing only Jayson Tatum for this game. Knicks have played excellent offense in recent MSG games but they are not as great in the road games. Rationale: Knicks are missing OG Anunoby.

Being shorthanded isn't an issue for Portland Trail lazers even though it affects their game. They will miss Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, Blake Weseley, and Mattise Thybulle again. Raptors lost to New York Knicks by double digit margin in the last game. Rationale: Raptors should be good enough to withstand the offensive barrage of Trail Blazers in a home court game.

Early season injuries are affecting yet another season of New Orleans Pelicans. Karlo Matkovic, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, Zion Williamson, and Herbert Jones won't suit up against Minnesota Timberwolves. Rationale: Timberwolves are at full strength even though their defense is inconsistent.

Philadelphia Sixers are one win over the playoff-vital 0.5 win-loss yardstick. They have been inconsistent so far. Washington Wizards have scored their wins in unexpected manner including the last one against Milwaukee Bucks. Rationale: Wizards will miss Middleton, Sarr, Kispert, Johnson, and Cooper. Sixers will miss Embiid, Oubre, and Watford. The DC basketball team is visibly more shorthanded than the team from the state of brotherhood!

Kansas Jayhawks are going to face Connecticut Huskies in an early season, key home court game. They lost to Duke Blue Devils in a pivotal game earlier but rebounded in the NBA Players Era Tournament to win against Tennessee Volunteers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This is the first road game of the season for Volunteers.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights won the consolation game against UNLV Rebels after losing to Tennessee Volunteers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NBA Players Era Tournament. They are going to face top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers at home coirt today. Rationale: Boilermakers have yet to overcome their issues on defense.

Duke Blue Devils have passed their early season tests. They have earned wins against Texas Longhorns, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Kansas Jayhawks on the neutral courts. Florida Gators have been clicking well on offense. Rationale: Duke have offensive firepower to combat Gators' offensive potential.

Both teams are undefeated. Both of them have been scoring well. Hawkeyes haven't faced a tougher opponent than Xavier Musketeers so far. Spartans have defeated Ketucky Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Rationale: Spartans' defense shouldn't stymie Hawkeyes' offense completely.

Syracuse Orange competed well against Houston Cougars in the NCAAB Players Wera Tournament. They took Cogars to overtime and lost closely [74-78]. Their performance against Kansas Jayhawks was not as competitive [60-71]. They they had a subpar game against Iowa State Cyclones [64-95]. Volunteers have won 7 of 8 games. Rationale: Orange have to shore up their defensive frailties.