The New Year has barely begun, but the NBA promises fireworks this January 4th with a trio of thrilling matchups. These games don’t just offer high-stakes competition; they feature some of the league’s most dynamic players ready to make their mark.

NBA Game Preview

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns

In the desert, the Phoenix Suns are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder in what could be an edge-of-your-seat battle. The Suns have a slight edge according to our GameSim prediction, with a predicted score of 118.2 to 116.4, and a 52% win probability. The Vegas odds might suggest a safer bet on the Suns with a 9.5-point spread, but don’t count out the Thunder just yet.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to lead Oklahoma City with a standout performance of 28.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. On the other side, Devin Booker of the Suns is projected to put up 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. With both teams boasting strong offensive capabilities, this game might come down to a few key plays in the final minutes.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Washington Wizards

Heading east, the Minnesota Timberwolves are favored to take down the Washington Wizards by a predicted score of 120.2 to 114.0, according to our GameSim analysis. With a 58% chance of victory, the Timberwolves seem poised to handle business, especially with stars like Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle leading the charge.

Edwards is projected to dazzle with 27 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, while Randle is anticipated to add another 23.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Their synergy might just be the key to overcoming CJ McCollum and the Wizards, who will be relying heavily on McCollum’s 18-point effort to keep them competitive.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The late-night spotlight will shine on the Los Angeles Lakers as they face the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers, with a 57% chance of winning according to our GameSim prediction, are expected to triumph with a score of 114.0 to 108.2.

All eyes will be on Luka Doncic, who is poised for a near triple-double performance with 30.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. LeBron James is also expected to contribute significantly with 23.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. will need to elevate their game to upset the Lakers, with Morant projected at 16.4 points and 7.2 assists.

These matchups not only promise to be thrilling but also provide a platform for stars to shine. For those looking to dive deeper into player projections and game stats, become a GameSim+ subscriber for exclusive insights. Learn more and subscribe here.