Milwaukee (22 - 9)

Expert Pick
83% ·················><··· 17%

Utah (20 - 11)

Opening Night? Finals Preview?


The NSL Champions begin their title defence this week as they travel to Utah to take on a team poised to contend in 2024-25. The defending champions haven't been without movement and change since reaching the pinnacle of the NSL world with their GM departing shortly after lifting the trophy to clear the runway for one of the league's best Ethan Cornhill to take the reins this coming season. As expected with a change of front office, the playing list also changed over the off-season with key players from the championship Myles Turner, Matisse Thybulle and Dennis Schroder all being kicked to the curb in a cut throat changing of the guard. Further changes came as GM Ethan repurposed Tyler Herro and Mitchell Robinson before playing a single game for the Bucks franchise to bring in premier defensive wing Andrew Wiggins and bouncy rim protector Daniel Gafford. One can't help but wonder what the chemistry will look like for the defending champs after a ruthless takeover so suddenly after reaching the highest heights in NSL. The Utah Jazz on the other hand have been a picture of stability as their pursuit of excellence has come been a patient one. After landing Bradley Beal in a fortuitous FA steal a few years back, the franchise has been steadily accumulating one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the NSL. A front-runner for the Western Conference, the Jazz will have Harden, Murray, Franz Wagner and Joel Embiid leading the way in 2024-25. With both teams suffering absences on the injury front, this game will give us an insight into the depth of the two front-runners of their respective conferences and it might serve as a potential preview to some of the strategies used in the Finals come the end of this season. Expected Lineups: Utah C- Jalen Smith PF- Jabari Smith Jr SF- Franz Wagner SG- Dyson Daniels PG- James Harden Bench: Isaiah Joe, Dario Saric, Doug McBuckets Milwaukee C- Daniel Gafford PF- Evan Mobley SF- Hunter Tyson SG- Andrew Wiggins PG- Shai Gilgous-Alexander Bench: Buddy Hield, Luka Garza, Jaden Springer

The NSL Champions begin their title defence this week as they travel to Utah to take on a team poised to contend in 2024-25. The defending champions haven't been without movement and change since reaching the pinnacle of the NSL world with their GM departing shortly after lifting the trophy to clear the runway for one of the league's best Ethan Cornhill to take the reins this coming season. As expected with a change of front office, the playing list also changed over the off-season with key players from the championship Myles Turner, Matisse Thybulle and Dennis Schroder all being kicked to the curb in a cut throat changing of the guard.

Further changes came as GM Ethan repurposed Tyler Herro and Mitchell Robinson before playing a single game for the Bucks franchise to bring in premier defensive wing Andrew Wiggins and bouncy rim protector Daniel Gafford. One can't help but wonder what the chemistry will look like for the defending champs after a ruthless takeover so suddenly after reaching the highest heights in NSL.

The Utah Jazz on the other hand have been a picture of stability as their pursuit of excellence has come been a patient one. After landing Bradley Beal in a fortuitous FA steal a few years back, the franchise has been steadily accumulating one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the NSL. A front-runner for the Western Conference, the Jazz will have Harden, Murray, Franz Wagner and Joel Embiid leading the way in 2024-25.

With both teams suffering absences on the injury front, this game will give us an insight into the depth of the two front-runners of their respective conferences and it might serve as a potential preview to some of the strategies used in the Finals come the end of this season.

Expected Lineups:
Utah
C- Jalen Smith
PF- Jabari Smith Jr
SF- Franz Wagner
SG- Dyson Daniels
PG- James Harden
Bench: Isaiah Joe, Dario Saric, Doug McBuckets

Milwaukee
C- Daniel Gafford
PF- Evan Mobley
SF- Hunter Tyson
SG- Andrew Wiggins
PG- Shai Gilgous-Alexander
Bench: Buddy Hield, Luka Garza, Jaden Springer

Bucks Star

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA is the reigning MVP of the league and has continued to goe from strength to strength in NBA and NSL life. His scoring is uncontainable and his ability as a playmaker and size at the point guard position is as good as it gets.

He averaged 40 points, 5 rebounds and 7 asssist last season on his way to his first MVP and Championship in the NSL world. Preseason numbers look very similar, indicating he will be well and truly in the mix to go back-to-back in both the MVP and Title defence. His numbers this preseason through 2 games were 38 points, 5 assists and 2.5 rebounds, while sharing the scoring load with Tyler Herro and co.

GM Ethan's most recent trade has once again made SGA the focus of the offence meaning big numbers are expected.

If SGA can hold Hardend defensively and force him into an inefficient showing, there's no doubt the shorthanded Bucks will begin their defence in the way they expect, a decisive W.

Predicted Opening Night Numbers: 40 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists.

PPG 39.0

RPG 5.1

APG 5.8

SPG 2.1

BPG 0.5

FPG 2.7

TPG 2.0

PPG 31.5

RPG 4.7

APG 4.4

SPG 1.0

BPG 1.1

FPG 1.8

TPG 1.3

Jazz Star

James Harden
James Harden will be the lifeblood of the Jazz in Week 1. The ever durable star will have all the ball he can handle as other key members of the roster watch from the sidelines. A 2k darling and one of the winningest players in the NSL, Harden has the ability to carry any team to a victory with his flurries of scoring and his elite size/playmaking combination.

Expect for Harden to look for his shot early and be well and truly in double digits as the half time break approaches. His biggest challenge will come in getting his shot over the athletic Andrew Wiggins who he will likely try to separate from with the use of high screens and back-door cuts.

If Harden is able to contain his opponent on defence, and generally his 2k defence is good, it will go a long way in getting an opening night W for the Jazz.

Predicted Opening Night Numbers: 32 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds.

X-Factor
Team Chemistry: Anyone who has been around the league understands there is an unquantifiable element to 2k basketball which falls under the umbrella term 'Chemistry'. It can be defined as being the balance in roles, the perfect mesh of player types, the balance in minutes or simply striking the perfect balance where your players do all that is expected and nothing more. The Bucks were a team with perfect chemistry moving towards the trade deadline last season. Paul George arrived via trade and the team couldn't find consistency. After scraping into the second round of the playoffs, the Bucks found chemistry once more and the rest is history. Moving pieces around can have a significant impact on the look and feel of the team. Personalities and roles need to mesh, skillsets need to be tested alongside one another, and balance needs to be found. This always takes longer than expected. On paper, Milwaukee has a terrific balance of offensive power and defensive prowess. How Ethan blends it together in week one will likely tell the tale in this match-up. On the other hand, the Jazz appear to know exactly what they have and even with Embiid on the sidelines, their roster appears a year older, more mature and ready to step into the limelight. Harden is the offensive system and in Embiid's absence it is his team to run. Young guns such as Dyson Daniels, Jabari Smith Jr and Franz Wagner simply must play hard and make their shots when open (which will happen a lot) and the Jazz will be a big chance to win. If GM Jason can find enough depth to defend when the starters are off the court, there's no doubt this will be a close affair. The rowdy Utah home crowd will spark the team as well.

X-Factor

Team Chemistry:
Anyone who has been around the league understands there is an unquantifiable element to 2k basketball which falls under the umbrella term 'Chemistry'. It can be defined as being the balance in roles, the perfect mesh of player types, the balance in minutes or simply striking the perfect balance where your players do all that is expected and nothing more.

The Bucks were a team with perfect chemistry moving towards the trade deadline last season. Paul George arrived via trade and the team couldn't find consistency. After scraping into the second round of the playoffs, the Bucks found chemistry once more and the rest is history. Moving pieces around can have a significant impact on the look and feel of the team. Personalities and roles need to mesh, skillsets need to be tested alongside one another, and balance needs to be found. This always takes longer than expected. On paper, Milwaukee has a terrific balance of offensive power and defensive prowess. How Ethan blends it together in week one will likely tell the tale in this match-up.

On the other hand, the Jazz appear to know exactly what they have and even with Embiid on the sidelines, their roster appears a year older, more mature and ready to step into the limelight. Harden is the offensive system and in Embiid's absence it is his team to run. Young guns such as Dyson Daniels, Jabari Smith Jr and Franz Wagner simply must play hard and make their shots when open (which will happen a lot) and the Jazz will be a big chance to win. If GM Jason can find enough depth to defend when the starters are off the court, there's no doubt this will be a close affair. The rowdy Utah home crowd will spark the team as well.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Joel Embiid (Knee/Injury Management) - 7 NBA Games missed this season Josh Richardson (Shoulder/Calf) - 4 NBA Games missed this season Dejounte Murray (Hand) - 12 NBA Games missed this season Vlatko Cancar (Ankle) - 6 NBA Games missed this season Jaylin Williams (Hamstring) - 12 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Paul George (Knee/Injury Management) - 6 NBA Games missed this season Mohamed Bamba (Knee) - 11 NBA Games missed this season Mitchell Robinson (Ankle) - 10 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
In a neck-and-neck affair, the Utah Jazz jump out of the gates to an early lead with the fuel of the home crowd propelling them forwards. At the halftime break the Utah Jazz 54 lead the Bucks 48. After a passionate address from new GM Ethan, the cogs start to turn for the hungover defending champs and SGA hits the first 4 buckets to take the lead at the beginning of the new half. With a narrow lead going into the final break, the Bucks extend the lead with their superior depth in the early stages of the 4th. The Bucks find their championship gear and extend the lead to double-digits to run out the game as the winners by a comfortable 16 point margin. Dominant games from Harden and SGA will be the talking points, however Dyson Daniels will impress with his defensive efforts on his way to 3 steals and a block. Buddy Hield will come on for patches of the game and dominate with his outside shot, finishing with 15 points with three 3s from outside. Evan Mobley also puts his name on the map as a potential DPOY candidate finishing with a double double and three blocks. Franz Wagner struggles to find his shot, finishing in single digits and sub 40% from the field. Player of the Game: Shai Gilgous-Alexander 40 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. Good luck to both GMs with all their aspirations for the new season. We hope you can reach the heights that are expected from your outstanding franchises.

Prediction

In a neck-and-neck affair, the Utah Jazz jump out of the gates to an early lead with the fuel of the home crowd propelling them forwards. At the halftime break the Utah Jazz 54 lead the Bucks 48.

After a passionate address from new GM Ethan, the cogs start to turn for the hungover defending champs and SGA hits the first 4 buckets to take the lead at the beginning of the new half. With a narrow lead going into the final break, the Bucks extend the lead with their superior depth in the early stages of the 4th. The Bucks find their championship gear and extend the lead to double-digits to run out the game as the winners by a comfortable 16 point margin.

Dominant games from Harden and SGA will be the talking points, however Dyson Daniels will impress with his defensive efforts on his way to 3 steals and a block. Buddy Hield will come on for patches of the game and dominate with his outside shot, finishing with 15 points with three 3s from outside. Evan Mobley also puts his name on the map as a potential DPOY candidate finishing with a double double and three blocks. Franz Wagner struggles to find his shot, finishing in single digits and sub 40% from the field.

Player of the Game:
Shai Gilgous-Alexander
40 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds.

Good luck to both GMs with all their aspirations for the new season. We hope you can reach the heights that are expected from your outstanding franchises.

		Comments (2)
Jasonpitts 11/24 07:31 am	I think Wagner took offence to the write up - great write up nonetheless and glad we could come away with the win even though we were picked to lose by 16! GG Ethan
EthanC21 11/18 09:15 pm	Sheeesh, what a write up. Love the in depth prediction. All the best Jase!

	PHO	55
	ATL	58

	DEN	118
	DAL	119

	HOU	113
	LAC	103

	MEM	95
	OKC	104

	CLE	107
	GS	100