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Are the Jaguars an AFC Dark Horse? | Man United vs Newcastle Festive Showdown | NBA Christmas Day Preview
20 Plays14 days ago
This week on Who’s Got the Ball? James and Shane break down a massive week of festive NFL, Premier League, and NBA action.
NFL Recap & Predictions
- Trevor Lawrence leads the Jacksonville Jaguars to a statement win over the Denver Broncos — are the Jags a dark horse Super Bowl contender?
- Full analysis and score predictions for the NFL Christmas Day games
Premier League & Carabao Cup
- Leeds United steal the show with the performance of the weekend against Crystal Palace
- Quick preview of the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
- In-depth breakdown of the only St. Stephen’s Day fixture: Manchester United vs Newcastle United
NBA Christmas Day Special
- Michael joins James and Shane to analyse all the NBA Christmas Day games
- Can we expect any major upsets?
Plus, another round of Gan Seans and Power Rankings to wrap things up!
Don’t miss this packed episode covering the biggest talking points across the NFL, Premier League and NBA.
🎧 Listen if you’re into:
- Football (soccer) analysis
- NBA previews & predictions
- Weekly NFL reactions
- Underdog betting tips
- Draft-style sports debates
- Power rankings across multiple sports
- Sports content from an Irish perspective with global takes
🔁 New episodes drop weekly!
Follow/subscribe so you never miss a breakdown of the latest in the EPL, NBA, and NFL.
💬 Connect with us:
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📩 Send your takes → wgtbpod@gmail.com
🌍 Based in Ireland | Talking global sports weekly
(0:00) Happy Christmas!!
(4:03) Are the Jaguars an AFC Dark Horse?
(12:22) NFL Christmas Day Preview
(21:57) Leeds Continue Their Surge Up the Table
(26:45) Arsenal vs Crystal Palace Preview
(31:05) Man United vs Newcastle Preview
(37:25) Gan Seans: Our Underdog Picks
(42:44) Michael Joins for an NBA Xmas Day Preview
(44:39) Knicks vs Cavaliers Preview + Predictions
(49:00) Thunder vs Spurs Preview + Predictions
(53:27) Warriors vs Mavericks Preview + Predictions
(58:21) Lakers vs Rockets Preview + Predictions
(1:05:49) Nuggets vs Timberwolves Preview + Predictions
(1:10:52) Premier League X NFL X NBA Power Rankings
Recommended
Transcript
Holiday Plans and Schedule
00:00:09
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got The Ball. um Our last episode before Christmas, so happy Christmas to everybody. Shane, you are here once again. We're holding down the fort for everyone with their sporting fixes before Christmas. What have you got planned for the for a few days?
00:00:27
Speaker
So we have, I think we have our biggest Christmas ever here. So we have nine people this year. Normally we just have the five of us. So other than praying that the pub might open on Christmas Day for a couple of hours so I can get out the house, I think we'll just be trying to keep everyone entertained for the day. We'll be there at the port-a-call now. So...
00:00:45
Speaker
I think my couple of my family will go for today Christmas Day swim in the Hinch there. So I'll go down and watch them and see after that and just kind of probably just pan out the couch. I dis still think it's one of the most boring days the year, but it is also one of the best at the same time, if that makes any sense. So just really looking forward to us.
Christmas Traditions and NBA Excitement
00:01:02
Speaker
Yeah, I think we're saved maybe like this year. Usually it's it's like tough to know which games like are going to be interesting. But I think we're we're fixed this year with the and NBA stuff that if we do want to have some downtime to watch some sports, the NBA stuff is unbelievable this Christmas. So that would be good to throw on in the background. i We're kind of just doing that at home family i have young siblings so it's not very boring for me it's absolute madness and literally just trying to stay in bed for as long as possible but it's bound to be like 6am when I'm waking up so there is that but yeah I think
00:01:40
Speaker
we're We're going to do a little bit of a different schedule over the festive period. So we wanted to share that with you so you know what's coming. So we're going to record on the 27th of December, which is this Saturday coming up. And we're going to release the episode that same day.
00:01:55
Speaker
We're going to chat about the NFL and NBA Christmas days. And we're going to...
NFL Christmas Day Preview
00:02:01
Speaker
Talk about the two NFL games that are on that night. We're going to preview them. They're two very, very good games. Interesting ones but with good and playoff implications there. So we're going to preview those two and and get that out to you as well as the Christmas Day and sport wrap up. And then on New Year's Eve, we are going to record again.
00:02:20
Speaker
and We're going to do a New Year's football special. So we're going to talk about all the soccer and Premier League stuff that went ah on over the festive period and maybe some NFL football in there too. And you'll have had your fix of basketball, I think, at that point. so yeah we'll talk about the games that went down over the festive period and what's to come for new year's and we'll get that out on new year's day for you so keep an eye out 27th of december and new year's day are the two episodes to keep an eye on but we've got a lot packed into this one so first up we got our clutch player the week um trevor lawrence ran away with it we talked about the jags then maybe can they be solid can they be a team that kind of
00:03:00
Speaker
push in the AFC become maybe a dark horse. We also talked about the Christmas Day games in the NFL, gave you a nice preview on them before we moved into the performance of the weekend in the Premier League, which deservedly went to Leeds. They were absolutely brilliant against Palace and maybe they're they're on a road to stay up now. So we talked about that and and and their solid position in in the Premier League.
00:03:20
Speaker
Arsenal versus Palace in the Carabao Cup will be on tonight for you guys when you're listening to this. So We gave a preview and prediction for that as well as a preview and prediction for a massive Man United versus Newcastle preview um on Stephens Day.
00:03:33
Speaker
So that's at 8pm where we we kind of went into detail on what we think that's going to, what way we think that's going to go. I'll be down in the pub watching with my dad who is a Newcastle fan. so Fingers crossed I don't get embarrassed like the last time we went to watch them and Xerxie got subbed off after 30 minutes. and Then we gave you our gone chance picks before Michael jumped on to preview the Christmas Day basketball games and then we finally wrapped up with our power rankings. So an absolutely packed episode, last one before Christmas, enjoy it and let's get straight into it.
00:04:03
Speaker
Okay so back with the Clutch Player
Trevor Lawrence and Jaguars Analysis
00:04:05
Speaker
of Week. and We're recording this on Monday, so there there may be a huge performance on Monday Night Football, though we miss out on apologies for that. But this guy does deserve a bit of attention right now already um for his performance this weekend. And we've been pretty harsh on him, probably deservedly so, because he's not been good enough really. But now he's he's turned it around the last like four weeks. He's played the best I've seen him play.
00:04:29
Speaker
And that's Trevor Lawrence. He led the Jags to a 34-20 win against the Broncos in Denver. snapping their 11 game winning streak so 23 of 36 7.8 yards per completion 279 yards three touchdowns 20 yards on the ground and another touchdown on the ground as well which he's um done in back-to-back games now six win six game win streak for the jags looking at lawrence himself but also as a whole team are the jaguars a dark horse for the afc
00:05:01
Speaker
of i don't I really don't think they are because I still don't trust him. like I know he's had a really, really good month, but they stopped the back of three or four really, really bad years. um What's the saying?
00:05:13
Speaker
what One swallow doesn't make you summer. One month of good football doesn't make it doesn't make him good. And Jaguars is a good football team. like I know they're up to 11-4 now, but i I still don't think they're going to be pushing for any sort of a Super Bowl this year. and like I don't think they're going to pushing towards the final even of the FC. So no, I don't think they're there, course.
00:05:35
Speaker
Yeah, i don't I don't think that they're a good enough team to get far, but I think they have that kind of dark horse ability that nobody is really still giving them any credit. And I wasn't going to give them any credit until they won this game.
00:05:50
Speaker
And the Broncos are another team that we we talked about, Bo Nix, last week, but then he regressed. Yeah. Back to what he had done earlier in the season. Like, he's fine. But as I said last week, he's never going to be like a top 10 quarterback.
00:06:03
Speaker
Whereas I think Lawrence has the ability to be a top 10 quarterback, but he's just way too inconsistent and way too erratic. So there's definitely different levels of talent there. Like Lawrence is on paper probably more talented than Nick's. But Nick's knows how to win a little bit better until, obviously, last weekend. I think the Jags were really impressive. And plus their defense is really, really good. They're top 10 in points per game with 27 and top 10 in points per game allowed with 21. So both sides of the ball are strong.
00:06:34
Speaker
They have the best run defence in the league, only allowing 87 yards per game, which is... We always talk about that and people always talk about that. like Games are won in the trenches and if you can stop other teams running the ball, which pretty much every team wants to do now, and then you're going to be in a strong position.
AFC Playoff Dynamics
00:06:53
Speaker
And also, if if Lawrence is taking care of the ball, he hasn't thrown an interception in four games, 12 touchdowns in that span.
00:07:00
Speaker
then it makes life a lot easier than for the defense because they don't have to make up for short yardage for opponents because he's made a mistake or are given the ball away. and Personally, looking at the other teams like in the AFC, or I would take them if they were playing against the Steelers, Broncos or Patriots in a in a playoff game. I think i would I would take them right now as that matchup.
00:07:24
Speaker
The only teams I think are very, very... another level are the bills texans and the chargers i think they're just hardcore playoff teams and Yeah, I know the Patriots might be an odd one to say, but they were great last night down the stretch. But another injury like is what won them that game, like Lamar going out. And then you're in that position where you've played weakened teams and teams with injuries constantly. I just I don't know which teams would you take over them like in the playoffs right now? Or do you think that they're like bottom of your seven that are going to get in?
00:07:59
Speaker
No, they're not bottom. like I do agree with what you said. I'd have the Patriots in the other bracket of teams that they wouldn't beat. So i i I do think I'd take them over the Broncos and in particular, even though I know they've had a great year. I think they're 12-2, so they've they've been incredible. I'd take 12-3, sorry. They've had a great year, but I would take the Jaguars over them the same way they showed last night. as If Lawrence continues showing the ball the he did last night, then they'd be a match for a lot of teams.
00:08:28
Speaker
But I just think the ones you said, so you had the Chargers, I don't think they'd get a touch and lay a hand on them. The Ravens, not the Ravens, the Texans, apologies. The Texans, they wouldn't get near them either. And they the Bills, obviously. I don't think i' like i just think i think the Bills are going the Super Bowl from this side anyway at the moment in time. But I would just put the Patriots in that bracket as well. And then the other three, I think they could very well get past. But if they come up against one of the other four, then at any point, I think they're dead in the water.
00:08:59
Speaker
Yeah, that's fair enough. I think the Patriots are the one that are on the fence for me. And I think that they've shown nothing but solid play. I just think that their defense has not been tested enough.
00:09:10
Speaker
and And the Jags are really hot on offense right now. And they don't let teams run the ball. And like last night was the first game ever that Drake May had 300 yards in a game passing, which is crazy to think about. um I thought he would have had multiple of those, but apparently not. um So...
00:09:29
Speaker
That's another thing. Like, you know, he would have to rely solely on his arm. And if that was him, I would love to see that matchup in the playoffs, to be honest. Now, it's highly unlikely unless the Jags win a game and then they could play the Patriots in the next round. But if they did end up facing off against an easier team and getting there, i could see it. But the wildcard teams right now are probably going to be the Bills, Chargers and Texans, which are all three really, really good teams. I would probably favour them over any of the division winners. So...
00:09:57
Speaker
It's a bit of a funny-looking set-up right now in the AFC. But one one other thing is really funnily, if you look at points differential, they have plus 98.
00:10:11
Speaker
There's only three teams in the league that are better than them, and that's the Patriots, Seahawks, and Rams. And then you have the Texans, who are just one behind them. So it shows that kind of level that they are putting up and they're winning games quite well. And then the Steelers are only on plus 15, yet they have a nine and six record, which just ridiculous. nice they it They're tough to tough to see getting far. But yeah, a lot interesting thoughts around the Jags. It's the first time we're really interested in taking them anyway seriously, like on this six game win streak.
00:10:43
Speaker
And it's actually still possible to get the one seed because if the Broncos and Patriots lose one more game each and... the Jags win out, they will probably get it because they have the best conference record out of the three. So it's kind of an interesting in setup there. But I think Trevor Lawrence, yeah, finally giving him a bit of credit, I guess. We'll probably be skating him again in a couple of weeks if he calls Skating him again next week. Yeah, hopefully. bos I just, I don't want to trust him. um I don't know if if I will ever trust him. Everything you say there at points is like, oh, he must be a really good quarterback. But then you watch him and you're just like...
00:11:21
Speaker
so like how are you doing, how are you throwing three touchdowns 279 yards and nobody thinks you're good? How have you not thrown an interception in five weeks and nobody thinks you're good? It's like, it just doesn't, like one and one isn't adding up here to make two with what he's doing and I do think he's going to come back down to He was normal level on earth again at some point over the next couple weeks. He'll probably be in the playoffs knowing his luck as well. He'll come out and throw four interceptions and get absolutely to just thrown out of it. And everyone will like, oh yeah, that's the Trevor Lawrence beyond new.
00:11:53
Speaker
But I do think he definitely deserves a bit of credit this week for for what for what he did against the Broncos who are a good team as well. Yeah, yeah, i I think so too. I think it's the same with Knicks. We gave him the credit, but was kind of with the caveat that we expect him to come back down to earth and it was instantly proven. And and yeah yeah, let's see what happens with Lawrence. I don't think it'll be instantly proven. Like you said, therell probably be the playoffs because they have the Colts and Titans next.
00:12:17
Speaker
So yeah, they're going to win ball of those, I'd say. and But yeah. Moving on to the Christmas Day schedule, we want to give a preview of the three games. Now, really only one of them makes makes much of a difference, but there's some interest interesting things to keep an eye on in them. And it's kind of funny to think about how much the kind of schedule makers in the NFL must be raging that this has been the outcome. like So the three games we have is Cowboys versus Commanders at 6pm. That's on Netflix Lions versus Vikings at 9.30pm is also on Netflix. And then Broncos versus Chiefs at 1.15am on Prime. Those are Irish times. But yeah, I think right now looking at those, you're going to have a third string quarterback for the Commanders and a third string quarterback for the Vikings and a third string quarterback for the Chiefs. So it's a bit of a mad setup considering what you would have thought this would have been if you looked at it at the start of the season.
00:13:16
Speaker
Yeah, I think what I brought this up last week the week before. at the amount of money that Netflix and Prime pay for these games, and they've ended up with one game that means a tiny bit, because the Lions need to win. to like At the moment, they have an 8% chance of playoffs. They need to keep winning there. They have a 0% chance. It's literally the only one that matters. Broncos now, although the Broncos do need to win as well, so there's a bit riding on that bus.
00:13:38
Speaker
like The Chiefs are out of the playoffs. Yeah. Vikings are out of the playoffs. Cowboys out the playoffs. Commanders are out of the playoffs. Lions are pretty much out of the playoffs. Broncos are the only ones that have anything to play for, really, and they're playing for tough spot their division. The other five was just there for show, really, at this stage. And I can only imagine how few men, not even the schedule mix, the lads who, like, oh, put these games on Christmas Day so we can pay big money for them. And they're now no good to anyone.
00:14:04
Speaker
Yeah, the Netflix executives will definitely be pretty unhappy with that. But I think the prime have lost out massively there because that Chiefs is just a complete dud. And that looked like an unbelievable game. I think two weeks before the end of the season, you're we're going to get Broncos at Chiefs. Maybe the game for the division and the Chiefs are in the toilet right now. like But I think first I had...
00:14:28
Speaker
on the commander's side of things, they actually played okay against the Eagles on Saturday night up until Mariota went out. And then Josh Johnson, he's just not an NFL level quarterback. He's old. He's just gone in from time to time for them. Never done a good job.
00:14:45
Speaker
um Jaden Daniels shut down. They might even be looking to get someone else in before Thursday, apparently. Um, to play that game i don't know who else would want to be playing for them at this stage because they're not in the playoffs like um but i think the cowboys should probably put up a strong performance just since they're at home and jerry won't want them losing on the big stage so i'm going with them to kind of of put the put the heat on the commanders here and beat them 35 to 14 i the cowboys
00:15:17
Speaker
Yeah, but getting some big wins in there. I think the Cowboys will just come out and they just had to do something for their fans, especially after they beat the Eagles and they beat the Chiefs. Everyone was like, oh, this is, I know I've said it a couple times now, but everyone thought they were to out and they've just completely fallen apart. They need to come out here and just put on a show for their fans on Christmas Day.
00:15:40
Speaker
If they don't, then there'll be riots in Texas. like So they need to come out and do something. Yeah, I agree with you. And another thing that I noticed when i was... looking at and the Chargers recently, that the run they've been on, we all kind of went a bit mad when we were to say, oh, they beat the two, the Cowboys beat the two Super Bowl teams from last year in four days.
00:16:00
Speaker
and The Chargers did the same thing in six days. They beat the Eagles or the Chiefs, one of them on Monday night football, and then the other one on the Sunday. So, like, I think, and they're a real team right now. So I'm actually interested in them. I know that's a side note, but it's kind of an interesting and parallel.
00:16:17
Speaker
Then the Lions and Vikings, obviously. This is the one that probably deserves the most attention. So there's a lot on the line for the Lions. Like you said, they have an 8% chance to get in.
00:16:28
Speaker
They need to win both of their games and hope that the Packers lose both of their games. Now, the Packers play the Ravens, but most likely without Jordan Love. So that could go either way. But the Ravens are out of contention now, too. So maybe they won't be bothered.
00:16:41
Speaker
and And then it comes down to the Packers and Vikings on the final weekend, maybe. But the first thing the Lions need to do is win. And that's what makes this game at least interesting because they need to win.
00:16:51
Speaker
And they're playing against Max Brosmer, who's a third stringer because realistically between Wentz and JJ McCarthy, they were one and two. And then Brosmer is the third string.
00:17:02
Speaker
like The Lions are really banged up. They gave it their all versus Steelers. Fell short on the very last play, which was... Crazy the way the refs dogie like even announced that.
00:17:12
Speaker
They said it's a touchdown. All the fans start going mad. And then they're like, however, however like you did not need to say that. But I think Amon Ra will definitely go off in this game because he dropped a couple of catches, which is unlike him. And then he got he was the one that got pulled up on the OPI on the last play of the game. So but I think he's going to have a huge one on Christmas Day.
00:17:35
Speaker
I think Gibbs is as well. Gibbs couldn't get anything going on the ground last night either. So he's going another one who's be like, that doesn't happen to me. That never happens to me. It's time for me to just go out and put a hundred yards up on these lads again. So,
00:17:49
Speaker
Yeah, I think the Lions are going to come out here with a point to prove. Not even the fact they want to try and get to playoffs and it's a very small chance. They're just going to have so much anger built up on them from yesterday and it's only four days after this as well. So so it's not it's a very quick turnaround for them to come out here and just say, we're going putting points on you and there's very, very little you can do about it.
00:18:09
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. I'm going with 31-10 to the Lions. I think that there'd be way too much for the Vikings in this. Yeah, I have 34-10 to the Lions as well. so i just i just I know the Lions love conceding points and stick like the Vikings, with the tertian quarterback, I just can't see them really being able to put too much onto the Lions. I know the Lions love to just... like They love a shootout. like If this was 40-44, you wouldn't be surprised, but I just i can't see the Vikings being able to put anything on them here. So yeah, 34-10.
00:18:45
Speaker
Yeah, audience yeah i can't see Brosmer doing anything, even even on a big day. and Broncos versus Chiefs then at 1.15am. This should be a get-right game for the Broncos. It should be easy because they're playing against a Chiefs team that just lost to the Titans.
00:19:02
Speaker
They're on their third-string quarterback after Mahomes blew out with ACL, and then a week later, Gardner Minshew did the same thing. So... Something going on there and the chief with the Chiefs. I think I was looking at their games and seeing they had the Titans and Raiders in the last three weeks. as They need to tank because they this is going to be probably their only chance getting a high pick. But how can you tank when you play the Titans and Raiders? Well, yeah that's how you tank. You have a third string quarterback and you barely play.
00:19:28
Speaker
So I think they'll just be tanking again. um He's a seventh rounder from 2022, Chris allah ducan 11 of 16 111 yards against the titans not abysmal but they weren't really even trying to win i'd say and then broncos were really poor against the jags so they need to bounce back but often they make it way too close when when they actually don't need to so i don't know could they even manage to make this one close the chiefs are the broncos The Broncos you always seem to like be too close to teams that are bad.
00:20:03
Speaker
So could this be another instance of that? Or is it even too hard for that? i No, I think this another one where they're going to make really, really hard work. But they will get there in the end. i have to the Broncos. um I just think they're just, they're, they're, they're one of those ones are going to go out and think, oh, this should be easy.
00:20:22
Speaker
But then the Chiefs put up the smallest bit of fight for the first half and the Broncos go in 7-0 down at halftime or something and then come out and just get three touchdowns quick. And Harrison Bucker gets one kick, misses another three as he's been doing all year. And then we just see it out twenty one ten um yeah The Chiefs, as you said, they were waiting for the season to finish now.
00:20:43
Speaker
There's nothing going for anymore. completely given up. That performance at the weekend was the least Chiefs-like performance you've ever seen in your life, and they've had a couple of them this year, so they just can't wait for the season to finish. A couple of them retire, and they start again.
00:20:58
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. And I think this is a great opportunity for them because they'll never really with Mahomes and Reid together, they're never going to get another chance and to pick very high in the draft. So they might as well just keep on Lulevin and try and get like even a top 12 pick would would mean a lot to them because they're never ever at that level. And the last time they were at that level, that's when they got Mahomes. So...
00:21:21
Speaker
going to be interesting then it's a big game for Knicks like interception on the last fumble versus the Jags after a big game against the Packers you thought he'd continue to rise but no and so yeah I'm going to be similar I'm going with 28-10 Broncos but I can see it being like fourteen ten right up until the last 10 minutes and then they just turn the screw and get away from them but like we saw how they played against the Jets and the Raiders this season already they made like such hard work of it so Yeah, it could be. It could be exact same again. and I would not be one bit surprised.
00:21:53
Speaker
But let's move on then to the other football. We've got a shout out to a team that we weren't sure on at the start of the season. I think I'm a little bit more sure on what they're going to do now that they've changed their style of play. And that's Leeds. And performance of the weekend has to go to them.
00:22:11
Speaker
They beat Palace 4-1, 2.67 XG created. All four of their goals came from set pieces, which is madness. Palace only he had three shots on target, and apart from kind of a late flurry from Palace, Leeds were really dominant and good value for their win, I thought.
00:22:27
Speaker
Yeah, i thought they were brilliant. They absolutely battered Palace from start to finish here. they were They just wanted it so much. and This is a Leeds team who, a couple of weeks ago, I was convinced West Ham were going to climb above them and just keep climbing. They were just going to keep climbing and West Ham were going to get out of trouble.
00:22:44
Speaker
I now think West Ham are the ones that are going down along with Bernie and Mulls and Leeds. Leeds look like a different team in the last month. They're four unbeaten now. The one before that they lost to City was the the last minute goal from Phil Foden.
00:22:56
Speaker
Dominic Calverloon looks like the man that was playing under Caroline Chalotti scoring goals for fun again all of a sudden. like I honestly thought Leeds' problem was going to be scoring goals. And I think now they're up to the 10th most goals in the league or something like that. So that's clearly not an issue for them anymore. And anyone who goes out and does what they did to this Palace side deserves to be applauded and looked at as a team that might be actually serious because no one does this to Palace under Glasner.
00:23:23
Speaker
yeah Yeah, I agree. yeah And I think that at the start of the season, I had them pegged to go down along with West Ham. And I'm firmly sticking behind that West Ham take because they are woeful. They are so bad. And I don't think even Nuno can make the difference there. And looking at leads now they're on 19 points like they're only three away from spurs and bournemouth um and six clear of west ham like they're closer to that middle pack of teams than they are kind of towards slipping further down and you have sunderland away on sunday sunderland and they're a team that obviously have a lot of players gone to afcon and they're over performing so i i actually think that i would like to see leads uh not not that i would like to see them i have no
00:24:09
Speaker
uh vested interest in either team but i i would like that bet is what i meant to say there because i think they would be great value in that one i'd say i think from what i remember they were in seven to four ish so they're not favorites or massive underdogs but it's a nice price and and set piece goals they're actually playing what their team is built to do right now so they want to play survival football use the big bodies that they have and it was either going to be that farca kind of moved into this and played that way or they got in a new manager to do it and he's he's adapted so yeah i like them to stay up now at this point definitely
00:24:49
Speaker
Yeah, I'm actually surprised that Farca has managed to work out this plan because I really thought he was i thought he was in trouble and before this run of four games they're on. i thought they were going to come into this Christmas period and it was just going the end of them. I thought they going to lose City, lose to Chelsea, lose Liverpool. and they haven't even like i Honestly, if they were going the way I thought they going, they'd have lost last night as well. But this run they're on the two wins and two draws, none of them have been easy games.
00:25:16
Speaker
Liverpool, Chelsea... I'm looking for Chelsea have i got A palace, sorry. And then they've one other tough game as well. I went completely likeed there. don't know what happened to me. And they've just come out of it just smelling like roses. Farke has inferenced him. He's done a great job putting this this plan together, getting the players playing to their strengths. And they finally look like an actual semi-decent football team.
00:25:38
Speaker
Yaman Tanaka is a man reborn again. I know he was class last year, but he actually looks really good now again at the moment in the Premier League. He was dropped out the team for a while as well. He was playing so badly. So... it's just it's It's good to see it. I have no issue with Leeds really. yeah and I just want to go back to a point you were saying there about them being closer to the middle pack than the bottom. and it's When you get to that kind of stage, it's not about being as far ahead as you can. It's about having teams between you and the bottom three.
00:26:06
Speaker
So if they can keep winning, if they can get four or five teams between them and eighteens, Even if it's still only three or four points, it's a lot harder for teams to catch you when there's five teams between you and the one below as well. So I think if they do win this weekend again, I think they'll be safe enough there.
00:26:22
Speaker
yeah Yeah, no, I agree with you That is a good point, just creating that daylight, because now it's only forest in between them, and it's easy to get sucked back into it if you're not careful. But yeah, Sunderland would be a key win for them, definitely, if they manage to pull that off on Sunday. So we're going to preview a couple of games now, and some some games leading up to the festive period. So this game will be...
00:26:45
Speaker
Arsenal versus Palace, quarterfinal of the Carabao Cup. This is going to be played Tuesday evening, so you'll be getting this on Tuesday morning, so a direct preview for the game tonight for you.
00:26:57
Speaker
As I said, quarterfinal of the Cup. Winner plays Chelsea in the semi, so all the London teams left on one side. It's an interesting game for me, but I do think that our that Palace are in a really tough situation right now.
00:27:10
Speaker
They're clearly... Feeling the effects of losing Eze. Munoz was a massive loss and that's proven to to kind of reign through here for them. They're finding it hard without him. And then Sar gone to AFCON is another massive one. He was one of their best threats this season. And Mateta, and his finishing is just awful. It's really bad. It's not even League 2 level, his finishing right now.
00:27:36
Speaker
He still scores goals because he gets a lot of chances, but he hasn't scored in a couple of weeks. And when he does get one-on-one, sometimes he looks more likely to to put the ball out for a throw than he does to get it on target. It's crazy how bad his finishing can be.
00:27:49
Speaker
So I don't like them at all in this game. I think they're in a really tough period right now and they just need to gut through it. Yeah, I agree. I think the amount of games they're playing as well with the Conference League throwing in and in.
00:28:01
Speaker
like they it's They're not a team that are used to playing every three or four days and they're playing every three or four days at the moment between this, the Cup, the Premier League. Everything is just coming out of it once. And you mentioned all the players are missing now as well. And Mateta, just forgetting he's a footballer as he got to Arsenal.
00:28:17
Speaker
Sar was stepping up big time. Pino also can't finish. It's mad how bad his finishing is. I can't believe it. I thought he was going to be a lot better than he has been. Arsenal are getting Palace at a great time here. Arsenal weren't very good at the weekend against Everton. They were lucky to come away from that with the win, but that Everton Stadium looks like a tough place to go. So fair play to them coming out of there with clean cheeks.
00:28:40
Speaker
I just can't see Palace being able to put anything together here to stop Arsenal coming out of this with a two or three-run win. Yeah, I think Arsenal did exactly what they needed to do against Everton. Like, Everton were tragic in that game.
00:28:53
Speaker
They couldn't even complete a five-yard pass, whether that be from Arsenal's press. They should have had penalty, though. Yeah, 100% they should have had a penalty. Saliba literally booted Barry's foot, didn't kick the ball. That's always given as a penalty. So I was...
00:29:09
Speaker
shocked I was at home saying that is so clear. You know, I said it so many times. My sister was like, yeah, we get it. It's clear. and then And then they didn't even give it. So I was beyond shocked at that. But outside of that, Everton didn't deserve anything from the game because they were awful. And Arsenal just kind of got the job done, hit the post as well. So I think they'll use that, head into this game before the festive period begins. And I think they'll be Palace off the park at home threeno Yeah, I think 3-0 is probably a go for as well, to be honest. Can we just have a quick word? What is Jacob Ryan doing for the penalty? Honestly, well that was another Van Dijk-esque there.
00:29:50
Speaker
Except he went two-handled. Yeah, for of coursele force but what your head for you to do this? Great for people listening on Spotify, but why are you putting your hands above your head like that? It just doesn't make any sense.
00:30:06
Speaker
Oh, it's just a typical Arsenal look to get away with murder. I don't know what was going through his head there. Like... How can you think, like, you know if you jumped up and say he, like, pushed himself upwards and he, like, had one arm up, then you're like, yeah, it's not right, but you can make an excuse for it. But to go, like, double-handed, like, straight up like this as if you're trying to spike the ball. Couldn't make sense. i I don't get it. And then Gyakras got given the pity penalty because he's not a penalty taker and he hasn't scored in a while. And, ah yeah, that was annoying for all the Saka managers out there in fantasy football. bubble But anyway... I thought that was that was quite a funny moment to see him giving it because he's just not their penalty taker. Nor is he probably even their second. not even He's not even their second choice penalty taker.
00:30:53
Speaker
I would say it's Saka, Odegaard and then Rice. So he's probably fourth at this point. And they give to him. Fourth or fifth, yeah. But anyway, they got their win and they're going to get another one, I'd say, on Tuesday.
00:31:04
Speaker
yeah Another game then to preview. this is This is probably a much more interesting one for me. and Not just because I'm a fan of one of the teams. it's It is going to be quite an interesting game, I think. and Seems like every single festive period, like either Stephen's there or the day after, United are playing Newcastle. But... yeah We've got Man United at home to Newcastle on Stephens Day, 8pm.
00:31:26
Speaker
It's going to be a huge clash. United are without so many players, like pretty much like eight of their first team players are gone with Bruno injured. and We've got De Ligt and Ahmad and Mbumo all gone.
00:31:40
Speaker
So there is at least the fact that Casemiro will come back having been wrested from his suspension. So I'm and'm thinking... If I was to pick the team, I would i know Manu is out, so that's gone with a calf injury. So it's going to be probably the best option is Casemiro and Mount deeper.
00:31:59
Speaker
And I would give Cunha Sesko and one of the young guys a chance on the right, maybe Lacey. Or I really like Bendito Mantaro because I think he has pace and he can play right wing back either. The biggest issue for me in that United game and against Villa, despite them being the better team, every time they got into attacking positions, it was Dorgu or Dalo that was left up to do the creativity. And that is does not work because it's usually Ahmad that's there. So I think a young guy there just, you know, head like a sieve. He forgets every time he makes a mistake. He does it again and again and again.
00:32:33
Speaker
That's what you need. Whereas Dalo is just, yeah, the less said about him, the better. And when I saw him with the captain's armband on and he turned off the match. Yeah, so that game at the weekend, Amaran just needs something to go his way at some point. The four-all job at Bournemouth was just, it was literally, we were just talking about, we'd be talking about basketball in a minute. We could have put that game into the basketball category as well, which how up and down that was. And then the two-win loss to Villa is just, it's so, just the two goals. I know they're lovely finishes, but he's just been given that space far too easily by Euro on both occasions, especially the first one. The second one.
00:33:07
Speaker
The second one you should learn from is mistake, though. Yeah, it does that as well, yeah. um Emerald just needs need a result. Newcastle are absolutely awful away from home as well. boston and You just list it off the amount of players United are missing.
00:33:21
Speaker
and oh it doesn't It doesn't make it pretty reading for United. but don us It just makes this game... It's it's such a big game for both managers for different reasons.
00:33:32
Speaker
Newcastle keep bottling needs. Not even needs, keep bottling games. Bottling the Sunderland game. Tune up against Chelsea at the weekend. Should have had a penalty, I think, to go 3-0 up, but then they just their heads fell off and they finished So Eddie Howe needs a result, Amaram needs a result, so it's probably going to be a draw.
00:33:51
Speaker
Yeah, it's that type game that does have draw written on it. I think Newcastle throwing away that game at home is really bad, though, because like they need to continue to win at home if they're going to be like a home team that does well at home.
00:34:06
Speaker
And then away, like you said, they're just abysmal. Even though United are missing a lot of players, I could still see Newcastle coming in here and setting up negatively, looking for a nil-nil again, because they've done that in so many away games, despite even being the favourites in those games.
00:34:21
Speaker
um what they did to united last christmas period was like xerxi was subbed off after 30 minutes in that game it was just an absolute joke so that's what they should be aiming to do right right now to united because united are so weak with um the amount of players that are out but i really like the effort that they've put in in the last few weeks and i can see a clear increase in their performance but it's not coming with results and i think they need to get a result um but I wouldn't be 100% opposed to predicting a United win here, um to be honest. I just think Newcastle away from home and...
00:34:57
Speaker
the way they keep throw throwing things away. it's It's going to be tough and getting to Old Trafford on Stephens day and everybody's going to be riled up for this and especially seeing the two young lads, Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey, getting their debuts against Villa, I'm sure there'll be another couple of young lads thrown in there, at maybe at some stage or maybe one from the start and that that's exactly what gets Old Trafford going. So I'm actually going with a 2-1 to United um despite all the players that they're missing.
00:35:27
Speaker
Fair enough. just want to have a word right now with i Jack Lacey, or Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher. You can both play for Ireland. We're going to World Cup there if you want to come with us in June. and You know what to do. Just give the FA a call there. I'm sure to be happy to take you on, especially we're going to start playing for United. We'd love it, someone.
00:35:44
Speaker
At that level, could join the first two could join our senior team. I've no issue with you calling the win there. i just I really do think Newcastle's away form is just chronic, but it's just the fact United are missing so many players well.
00:35:57
Speaker
Newcastle should be close to, if not at full strength, and it's going to be probably a half-string United team. That's where I just think the only reason I'm not back in the game, if this is at St James' Park, I'll be back in Newcastle to win it, but I just think the fact that it is at Old Trafford is where I've gone for the draw.
00:36:14
Speaker
Okay, what do you think? 2-2, 1-1? Yeah, I think, yeah. you United, like, neither team can stop conceding goals. There'll be goals, like, without a single lift. There'll be goals for both teams in some capacity. And I would say if United actually played a back four in this game and played Martinez, but actually played him in a back four because he was brilliant when he came on. and know he played in midfield, but if he starts...
00:36:39
Speaker
um and you actually have two fullbacks and get some of the young lads on the wings or cuny and shale ac on the other wing it's yeah that could be very very solid and i will point out as well there's a there's another very very good young player um in the united academy under 18s jack moorehouse and he does play for ireland so no one is laurerian isn't he yeah you're right he's gone on loan to late in orient um yes as long and le orient Yeah, so there's there's at least some solid guys there coming through. But yeah, it would be great to get some of the other youngsters on board. But I think Fletcher is definitely wants to play for England. Maybe we could sway Lacey, sway Shea. Let's see what happens. But we need to get Heimer on that belt and get some of these young lads in there.
00:37:24
Speaker
But yeah, let's move on then to Ganshan's. So we both got one right last week and it was actually both the same pick. and So we're at 15 all right now. We've got 15 right each in 15 weeks. and So we're getting around one a week right each. which is good because we're picking underdogs every single week. So we we were in a nice position. Last week I had Chargers to beat the Cowboys. That came off, as did Shane. We both had the Jazz to beat the Magic and Desmond Bain scored a floater in overtime with like 2.6 seconds left to break our hearts there. And then I had Everton to beat Arsenal, which we've already talked about didn't work out. And Shane had Wolves to beat Brentford, which did not come off. So...
00:38:08
Speaker
We'll jump into this week's picks then. We're going to do something slightly different. The NFL and and Premier League rules are still the same where you pick a team who is playing against an odds-on favourite. We're just going to apply that same rule to the NBA this week and for the Christmas Day games because the odds are out way in advance, which they're not usually. and So I'll throw to you, Shane, first.
00:38:28
Speaker
what have you gone for yeah so i've gone with forest to beat city first of all um forest are four to one uh man city are eight to fifteen but i said it i think it was last week that forest are the team in the most false position in the league and they're far better than their results under their previous managers have shown and i just think at four to one at home especially around the festive period where the fans are going to be going wild in the stands i think you could you could very easily see forest doing a job in man city there I've gone with the Panthers to beat the Seahawks. I think the Seahawks are class.
00:38:59
Speaker
The Panthers are a lot better night think than I think they have been this year. They're 11-4. Seahawks are one to four And finally, I've gone with the Spurs at 7-2 to beat OKC on Christmas Day. OKC are 1-5. We'll see now if the Spurs team are for real or if they're kind of just there for the ride. If they beat OKC a couple of weeks back and in the NBA Cup semi-finals, we'll see if they can go back-to-back on them.
00:39:23
Speaker
Yeah, i'm I'm surprised we actually had three different answers, which is great. I thought we'd have at least one overlapping. um I've gone with... First up, I went with Aston Villa to beat Chelsea.
00:39:36
Speaker
I couldn't believe that Chelsea are odds-on favourites for that at home. They're I didn't see that. And that's at 5.30pm on Saturday. Although Chelsea... Although i would say, based on logically arguing a point and breaking down the game that Chelsea should win, Villa just keep winning games regardless of how the game goes with long-range shots and bits of brilliance. So I think it'd be silly not to take them Obviously, since I noticed that, you missed that one. But I think Forest to beat City is a great shout because they might win. We don't know yet. You'll know the result of their game against Fulham on Monday Night Football. But if they come off the back of a good win and win again, then yes, could be on for an upset against City.
00:40:17
Speaker
then I've gone for the Browns to beat the Steelers at home. So the Browns are 37 to 20 and the Steelers are four to nine. i just think the Steelers now they're after sealing, pretty much sealing up the division, beating the Lions in a big game. They're just going to go out and drop a third against this the Browns at home away. I just, I can just feel it in my bones. I'd like the Steelers are just destined to lose their last two games and finish nine and eight.
00:40:42
Speaker
And I just think that they'll just drop on here against the Browns. Miles Garrett breaking the sack record, getting a big sack on Aaron Rodgers. You can't lose if if you if your team if you break the sack record. your team can't go and lose on you. And Shadour is looking slightly better every week. So I'm going to go with that.
00:40:59
Speaker
And then last up, I'm going with the Mavericks to beat the Warriors. and The Mavericks are 11 to 5, Warriors 10 to 27. That's at 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. Now, the Mavs couldn't get it done against Philly the other night.
00:41:11
Speaker
You know, so many teams have tried, but those Sixers just keep on keeping on. But they have beaten the Pistons and the Rockets this month, so they're improving 6-4 in the last 10.
00:41:22
Speaker
And we'll talk more about that game and and also about the Spurs and Thunder game next up and when Michael joins us. But... Yeah, those are my three, the Mavs, Browns and Villa.
00:41:33
Speaker
and I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Panthers pick, though. Like, I think it's a really interesting pick because the the Panthers are like those that team, like like they played against the Rams and they went out and beat them. And then the next week they're useless and then they go and win a massive game against the Bucs. So do you think this is going to be like one of their up weeks and they just catch the Seahawks unaware? Or do you think they're going actually just like get a run now going into the playoffs?
00:42:00
Speaker
I think the second one, I do think they're going to get a bit of a run to get into the playoffs now. So they're still just in the hunt for the playoffs. They're not guaranteed, Jess. Whereas the Seahawks, they're fully guaranteed. They're another team that are just kind of they're just going to come out here and just just play the games. They might rest a couple of lads. Whereas the Panthers have a lot more to play for than the Seahawks do coming into this week. So I just think, why not? I think it's a really good bet that Panthers go out there and just manage to put them together and get themselves into the playoff run as well.
00:42:28
Speaker
Yeah, I like it. I think if they if they managed to beat Seahawks and then they go and beat the books again the week after, like then they're just like you kind of have to look at them then going into the playoffs and say this is actually a team that could be anyone just randomly. But yeah, it's an interesting interesting one. OK, so NBA Christmas Day schedule is absolutely packed. We've got Michael joining us. He is in.
00:42:50
Speaker
Texas right now with his girlfriend so he's going to be getting these these games at a reasonable hour us over here we're going to have to be staying up all night if we want to watch some of these games but Michael thanks for joining back again I'm obviously as we said the last time you're on a couple of weeks ago permanent member of the team now will be on every two weeks so you better get used to this man um how's it going how's your time been in the U.S.
00:43:14
Speaker
It's been great. I've been here for four or five days already. And i feel like every day ah wake up, get some lunch and like two, three o'clock, there's some good sports match on at a reasonable hour. There was like Duke versus Texas Tech the other day.
00:43:31
Speaker
watched the Steelers at a normal time and then I watched the first half of the Patriots versus the the Ravens. It's been fantastic. Also, being able to text James about Sixers games at 6pm, knowing that he needs to go to sleep for work the next morning and I have the whole evening to myself is...
00:43:55
Speaker
I feel a bit mean at this point, but look, I'm getting the authentic experience. This is what it's like on the ground over here. Did it help me on my fantasy football? Absolutely not. We've bottomed out. I'm king of the toilet bowl currently.
00:44:10
Speaker
by i actually went back into our... We hope basketball goes a bit better. I went into our group of the fantasy because I was looking at what way we'd agreed to split the prize money. So I know for next week when I'm sending it out and we like what Michael just joined on the first message there is just like, oh, I'm just hoping I don't finish last. And I was just like, oh, sorry to tell you, buddy.
00:44:36
Speaker
But anyway, let's get into the NBA action. So we're going to give a quick chat about each game and predict and what we think is going to go down in each one. So absolutely stacked schedule, as I said. First game is Cavs at the Knicks.
00:44:49
Speaker
So that's 5 p.m. Irish time. And now all the games are on Sky Sports in Ireland, which is pretty good. They've got the rights over here now. So if you want to give any of them a watch, that's where to find it. Cavs are really struggling. They've gone from one of the best teams from three in the league to one of the worst teams.
00:45:04
Speaker
That's probably down to Garland's injury, Merrill being injured, Struess being injured. They got rid of Jerome. Literally all their best three-ball shooters outside of Mitchell have had some sort of issue.
00:45:16
Speaker
So that's kind of destroyed the flow of the offense. They're 3-7 in their last 10. And then the Knicks are on a high. They just won the cup, eight and two in the last 10. Couldn't take down the Sixers, but we won't hold that against them.
00:45:28
Speaker
More rotations now than ever before, which is great. So yeah, Michael, what do you think about this game? What are you looking out for? ah I think this game could be a cracker game. Now Evan Mobley is injured.
00:45:44
Speaker
He's looking to be back in the next week, week to three weeks. So if he's not playing, This could be sad because the the twin tower lineup of Mitchell Robinson and Carol Anthony Towns looks fantastic for the Knicks right now. Watching them play in the m NBA Cup Mitchell Robinson is standing up against 7'7 Wemby, and he is not afraid to fight for that offensive rebound. It is a wonder to watch. That man knows he's on the court for one thing, and he does that thing to an elite level.
00:46:18
Speaker
The rest of the team, everyone looks like they've just gotten so much better since last year. And I guess I was kind of sleeping on them because I thought, you know, the Knicks... expectations, they always fall short of them.
00:46:30
Speaker
But you look down the list, Mike Brown's doing a fantastic job in between the rotations playing them. I mean, we saw Jordan Clarkson get minutes down the stretch, have some great hustle plays for the Knicks.
00:46:44
Speaker
Like I said, the the rise of Mitchell Robinson, I mean, he's always been great, but him staying healthy now for an extended period of time This team looks like it's rolling. And even if the Cavs had Evan Mobley at full health, I think they're still losing to the Knicks.
00:47:00
Speaker
What do you think, Shane? What way do you see this one going? Yeah, I can't see past the Knicks here. As you said at the top, they're 8-2 in their last 10. They're just on such a high at the moment. That Cup win is, I know they lost to the wonderful Sixers, but they just have such, it's like they have a new lease of life. They're like, okay, we're able to win things out here now, so why can't we go on and maybe win a championship? I think it'd be very hard for the Cavs come out here and be able to do anything to this Knicks team, even if they are at home.
00:47:30
Speaker
Yeah, i I agree. I think it's going to be a tough one for the Cavs. Yeah, I think it's going to be a bad start. to Not a bad start to the day, unless you're a Cavs fan, but like maybe the biggest blowout or the biggest gap that we'll see and in any game because...
00:47:47
Speaker
yeah Yeah, it's also going to be her the Cavs' third game in four days as well. And they're going, like they're playing tonight and then they were back to back then on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So I think it's going very tough for to come out here after that kind of schedule and be able to put it up to the Knicks at all. I think, yeah, it's going walk in the park for the Knicks, I think.
00:48:07
Speaker
Yeah, it's a rough one. it's a rough It's a rough outlook for them, especially with the injuries. But what I'm going to go with in and this one is the Knicks by 10. I think it could be... the biggest and blowout of the day or the biggest letdown in terms of of a decent matchup. So I'm going with the Knicks by 10. Shane, what have you got?
00:48:25
Speaker
Knicks by eight. um I don't think it'll be double figures. don't anything on Christmas Day is going to get to double of figures, but I just don't think the Cavaliers will be able to do anything. Yeah, that's fair enough. Mike?
00:48:39
Speaker
Yeah, I'm actually the exact same as Shane. I've got Knicks by eight. I just feel like Out of all the games, this is going to be the closest thing to a blowout. If Evan Mobley isn't playing, I think the Knicks could win by 15. But I'm assuming Evan Mobley's there. Eight points seems like good option.
00:48:59
Speaker
Yeah, nice. So next up we've got probably one of the tastiest matchups of the day. We've got the Spurs at OKC. and That's 7.30pm Irish time. So first and second in the West.
00:49:11
Speaker
Right now there's only four games separating the two. Shows us how well that the... Spurs have gone both 8-2 in their last 10. Now, the Spurs took them down um in the semi-final of the Cup. Unbelievable 25-minute appearance from Wemby.
00:49:27
Speaker
He's not looked that same level in his other games that he's been on the minutes restriction. But this Spurs team looks great without him. and i really, really like watching Stefan Castle. The hustle, he's literally the like engine of this team, probably the leader without Wemby out there. So I think it's going to be tough though.
00:49:46
Speaker
Like OKC in prime time home, they get... They get away with so much on defense and then they get that shade whistle. And I think especially at home, the only saving and grace might be the fact that Chris Finch made such a big deal of it that he got ejected the other night that maybe the refs are going to be a little bit weary about that. But I i highly doubt it. So, yeah, I think the OKC would still have a slight edge here, despite the Spurs being very solid. Shane, what do you make of it?
00:50:17
Speaker
Yeah, this is such a massive game. i Such a massive game in the West between the top two. We'll see if the Spurs winning that cup semi-final was... Just one of those ones where jo like there was no way that OKC going to go through the rest of the season without losing another game. So that could have just been one of those ones they dropped.
00:50:35
Speaker
As you mentioned, both teams 8-2, I think it's going to be really, really close. Depends if Wemby is off his minute restriction, that would make a massive difference. I don't think he is yet though, so he might still be on kind of a max of 25.
00:50:47
Speaker
um Yeah, I'd love to see the Spurs win this. I have Spurs in my gone chance as well, which you heard a couple of minutes ago, but I just i think the OKC are going to just about get over the line in this one. As you said, prime time, the Shea whistle, everything in their favour. It's very hard to look past them at home as well.
00:51:04
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. Michael, do you agree with that or do you see the Spurs coming away with this? I still had to go with OKC, honestly. As much as I really do want to...
00:51:15
Speaker
you know I was thinking without the minutes restriction, maybe Wemby pushes them above, but the Spurs have always been a bit restrained when it comes to Wemby, and even without it, I doubt to see him play more than 32 minutes a game, ideally. on ah on a good, on a night for the Spurs. They have so many players. Like you said, watching Stefan Castle, Devin Vassell, I mean, Luke Cornett having moments, a game-winning block earlier in the season. Everybody on that team seems to be playing at a great level.
00:51:45
Speaker
And ah I just feel like OKC are at a very different stage in their... in In all of their seasons, I mean, they seem to just be sharpening the blade for the playoffs right now. Every single player is trying to play at their absolute best every single night. And they want to get this record.
00:52:08
Speaker
i think I think that's part of it. I think the whole team kind of wants to show that, you know, we weren't taken seriously last year. They're coming out this year and trying to blow the gates off the whole league.
00:52:20
Speaker
Yeah, yeah so and what way have you got the prediction? Do you think they'll be the win by much? I have OKC by four. I could see, especially with the free throws at the end of the game, it's it's very rare that you have one team winning just by one or two.
00:52:35
Speaker
So i I just said OKC at four, assuming that Shea will get like at least four free throws down stretch. Yeah, it's basically a lock at this point, but I'm going to go with A slightly closer one. I'm going with OKC in a thriller. I think it's going to be overtime.
00:52:53
Speaker
They're going to grab it by two. I think that despite Wemby being out, being on a minutes restriction, this Spurs team is serious. And what they've done without him, apart from that fourth quarter against the Knicks, every other game, they've shown how amazing that they can be even without him on the floor. So I'm going with them by two in overtime.
00:53:15
Speaker
What about you, Shane? OKC by four as well. So me and Michael are on for a full house of same predictions here now. We'll see. i don't think he'll have the same predictions in end of the next one somehow, but we'll see.
00:53:27
Speaker
OK, so let's let's move on to the next one then. We've got the Mavs at the Warriors. That's 10pm Irish time. um For me, this might be the biggest upset of the day, to be honest. I like the Mavs to get a win here.
00:53:39
Speaker
I'm surprised the Warriors are favoured by seven. It's bit shocking and because the Mavs are 6-4 in their last 10. They've beaten the Rockets and the Pistons this month. They couldn't get over the hump against the Sixers. Obviously tough for any team, but they have learned how to utilize Cooper Flagg.
00:53:58
Speaker
a lot better. He's driving a lot more. AD is as healthy as he can be, I i guess. PJ Washington being back fit is massive. So I think that physical lineup is really something that can cause hassle for the Warriors. I know they took down the Rockets in the playoffs last year, but we saw that cause a lot of problems for them. And, you know, Draymond Green is back on his ridiculous... behavior and getting ejected against the suns they still won i like the team when it comes to playoffs and crunch time but in regular season they just mess around a lot they win some they lose some like the way they lost the other night to the sixers that can happen to any team but i think it's it's uh it's going to be a mavs upset i'm going with the mavs by two so let's hear what you've got to say on this one michael i'm with you i'm not
00:54:46
Speaker
I think the Mavs are definitely doing a lot better. I think, you know, they finally figured out we can't just run Cooper flag at the one Brandon Williams is starting to have a great season. Ryan Nemher we've had seen his explosion. He had 28 points, 30 points on another two games where he has over double digits assists. and Jason kids finally figuring out that he needs a point guard. That's not Cooper flag on the team. And they seem to be doing a lot better. Anthony Davis is back.
00:55:18
Speaker
He's still one of the best centers in the league, even though we all trash him for being part of that Luka trade. I'm with you. I have Mavs winning by six currently.
00:55:29
Speaker
And it not that I don't think the Warriors will put up a fight or that Steph won't drop 45 on Christmas Day just because it's a holiday and he needs to remind everyone that he's still that guy.
00:55:44
Speaker
i did I don't know. i can kind of see it Draymond getting frustrated with Anthony Davis having a good game ejection in the third quarter. Steph having a flurry of threes to put him down by six at the end and then the Mavs winning the game anyway.
00:56:00
Speaker
But we'll see. We'll see. yeah What do you think? that's it Go for Shane. Let's hear what you've got. Yeah, so but we actually have a full house here, but I've gone. This is my overtime game on Christmas Day. The Mavs winning this by three after overtime.
00:56:14
Speaker
like I'm the same as you. When I saw the Warriors were favourites for this by seven points, I was like, wow. and I couldn't believe. like yeah Fair enough, the Warriors are favourites. They're at home. book But by a seven-point margin, it was massive. it was like, Jesus, there's no way the Mams going to come out here and just get walked all over. So I think both teams are kind of noer team or any like Neither team has any great shakes. Obviously, the Warriors are a bit better and will finish higher, but I think this is one of those games they might just get cock holes. um i think if it goes into overtime, the Mavs will just but they'll want it more. Cooper Flagg is going to want to finally a get one of these. He's going to want to get one over on Steph. kind of this is this is my This is my sport now kind of moment. so I think a big game from Cooper Flagg and the Mavs winning overtime.
00:57:00
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. I think it could be a really big flag game. So I like that call on him taking it to the Warriors. And liked your point about Brandon Williams as well, Michael, because I think he's really pivotal to them right now. But I want to, Shane, I thought you were going to go with the Mavs in Ganshans. And now I'm even more confused because you went with the Spurs in Ganshans. I went with the Mavs, but you picked the Mavs to win, but you picked OKC to beat the Spurs.
00:57:26
Speaker
So I'm just... In my defense, I was panic picking there because I had forgotten that we were doing the NBA by odds. And the first one I saw it that came up was the OKC. So I was like, I'm going to just go with the one, the Spurs. So I just kind didn't even look at the other three games. It was just, the Spurs came up. They were comfortably second. I was like, I just want to get this in so we can get back over to the actual podcast instead of me looking through Paddy Power. So that's why i've gone with the OKC. But once you mentioned the Mavs, it's like, oh, Jesus.
00:57:53
Speaker
If I had looked one more flick of the mouse sound further, I would have seen this one and would have gone with this. post it It seems like that's a recurring issue we've had with you, not scrolling one one more down to see something. clear Something that makes far more sense than what I picked. Anyway, watch the Spurs win anyway and this of cold conversation will be pointless but I just was confused there so I had to bring that up. um Let's let's let let you speak about something though that you really wanted to make up for that and and that's the Rockets at the Lakers. 1am Irish time.
00:58:30
Speaker
This is a tough one. This is a tough one to call. Rockets, yeah, let me just let you talk first because this is your team so why have you got on it? They've had such a bad week.
00:58:43
Speaker
Played four games, three go to overtime, they lose all three in overtime. Lose to two teams that don't have ten wins yet. The whole week everything has been lacking. Sengun missing three throws down the stretch to put you out of sight. Reed Shepard missing two really good looks for a three to win the game as well.
00:59:01
Speaker
Kevin Durant turning the ball over like he's playing for the other team. He's six against the Nuggets in the game we lost. and it's just It's like they've just forgotten this week how to play basketball.
00:59:11
Speaker
and I talked about them last week as potential championship winners and of course they had to go and show me how wrong I was by coming out and just losing to everyone and anyone. It makes no sense they to go and beaten to go beat the Nuggets then.
00:59:23
Speaker
It's like, how you winning this then going and losing to the Kings and losing to... The Pelicans, they just they drive me insane. don't understand. They really, really need a point guard. and We were talking earlier today, me and James, about their defending with four because Reid Shepard is not a defender on this team at the moment. he's just He just can't do it. I know he gets a couple of steals, gets a few blocks, but...
00:59:46
Speaker
At 6'1", Dennis Schroeder last night just made him look silly, which is is quite a pity when it is Dennis Schroeder who's doing it because he's, I know he's a World Cup winner, but he's not special.
00:59:57
Speaker
But this Rockets team aren't looking special at the moment. They're actually really, really frustrating to watch. It's a really, really bad week for um for Udoka and the rest them as well, but especially Udoka.
01:00:08
Speaker
Yeah, i so I did say to you earlier that Shepard is literally like a traffic cone on defense. There's literally no point in having him out there. So he made Schroeder look like LeBron.
01:00:20
Speaker
You're 100% right. And the other issue is KD is doing KD things because he's throwing his arms up. He's slumping, he's making faces. he doesn't really he He always forgets he's on camera or maybe he doesn't care. But every time Sengun has gotten the ball in key moments and gotten, he's been clipped recently and there's clips of him. And that's why everyone has always said he's a bad teammate.
01:00:45
Speaker
Because he wants to be the one with the ball in the hand at the end of the game. But this is not your team. You've been brought into this team, Shengun. This is his team. And we saw what happened. You had the ball in your hands twice against the Kings.
01:00:58
Speaker
Two chances. One to tie it, one to win it. You missed both. So that's kind of... You don't see Shengun throwing his hands up and making a big deal out of it. So... All these things are not not a good looks recently, but I do think a more aggressive guard on defense would make the world of difference, and the KD thing comes and goes. That's just what you get with him.
01:01:21
Speaker
and So I think that things will shake out fine for the Rockets, but yeah, tough week. and I think... If Luka is on this court the same time as Reid, he's going to get his his and switch on to him, no matter what. He always switches on to who he wants.
01:01:35
Speaker
So if he gets to switch on to Shepard, good night. If LeBron is on Shepard, good night. It's going to be tough to see him play in this game. Now, the Lakers do have a lot of injuries,
01:01:47
Speaker
I do think that a lot of them will be okay. and JJ Reddick did say that Austin Reeves and Rui Hachimura are both improving and should be fine. and And then Luka got a kind of a contusion or ah a bruise on his leg. don't know, it's probably...
01:02:02
Speaker
something that might keep him out for one game, but I'd say he'll play on Christmas Day. So that full strength, LeBron, Luka and Austin Reeves, I just think that offense is too much. DeAndre Hayton should be coming back too. I just think all those things are too much in a matchup against the Rockets, especially considering Reeves, Luka, Hayton and Rui will all have come off maybe a little bit of rest and rejuvenation by then. So I'm going with the Lakers by five.
01:02:27
Speaker
um Michael, what did you have on this game? I like I had already kind of looked at and NBA Christmas Day, probably about a week ago when I was on the way over here, because I was looking at what what's the lineup going to be when I'm here over at Christmas? how What's the different basketball games? And if you had asked me any day before the Rockets lost to the Sacramento Kings, I would have said the Rockets by like four.
01:02:57
Speaker
I'm currently at the Lakers by three just because The Rockets have been to overtime five times this year and they've lost four of them. And like, I mean, taking OKC to double overtime on opening day is amazing. But then when you're losing to the Pelicans and the Kings, I think they'll turn it around and I wouldn't be like hugely worried about that going into the playoffs, you know,
01:03:25
Speaker
Kevin Durant is so good. And I think Sangoon is just as good. He is superstar. love watching him play. This Rockets team looks like it's for real. But I just think for Christmas, I mean, they've already had such a bad month of December. I think they're just looking for New Year's, looking for next January to get it going again, get some different energy going in the New Year's.
01:03:48
Speaker
But yeah, I've got the Lakers by three. If they're healthy, I think Luka could drop forty LeBron might have a vintage 30 ball game.
01:04:01
Speaker
What did you go for? Your prediction, Shane, did you go with your Rockets or did you give a clean Lakers sweep? Of course, I had to go with the Rockets. I've gone the Rockets by three. Just before I move on, there's another three things I want to mention while I'm having this go. We have no one at the moment who's capable of taking the last shot in clutch time, it seems. Reid has had a go now, Shane Guinness had a go, Durant has had a go. They all keep missing him.
01:04:26
Speaker
Maybe now Terry Eason is back. He had a couple of good games, but now he was doing it to finish the half, not finish the game. But he was just throwing up half-court shots like they were nothing to him there. So maybe would be him that takes the last shot.
01:04:38
Speaker
Jabari Smith is a bit of an issue at the moment. So he was minus 20 when he was on the court against the Kings, which is outrageously bad. And then Reid Shepard, despite his lack of offense, was plus 17 when he was on the court. So maybe there is something in that, but he just he isn't a defender. So...
01:04:55
Speaker
They've a lot to work out. There's a lot of creases to be ironed out here if they are going to come down the stretch and do anything in playoffs. But the Suns look a better team than at the moment. So the Rockets are least, or sorry, best of fourth seed at the moment. So we'll have to wait and see if it pulls together. But do you know what? have to back them.
01:05:13
Speaker
It's not very often they go back-to-back really, really poor. Like, really, really poor. So hopefully they can turn this around before they go and lose again before New Year's. But hopefully they can just beat the Lakers just this once, if you wouldn't mind.
01:05:25
Speaker
Yeah, yeah so submit some some really prevalent points there going into the new year. Some things that they need to sort out, but look, they're a young team, always going to be ups and downs. I think as long as they're righted by the playoffs, it should be good because they are still one of the best teams in the league. But yeah, some interest interesting things to keep going.
01:05:44
Speaker
keep fans a little bit on the edge of their seats and not think everything is going to be playing sailing just yet. But let's wrap up the the Christmas Day slate then. Timberwolves at Nuggets, Irish time. This is...
01:05:56
Speaker
in irish time this is a huge game it's always a brilliant game these two always have a great game against each other Jokic going up against Ant both teams are on great runs lately um looking like they have it all together probably the hardest to call out of these in my opinion i think the Timberwolves they've had the Nuggets number um in big games recently and in playoff series which is really important um Right now, the Nuggets will be without Aaron Gordon and Christian Brown, which I think is massive. and they're They're very big losses, especially to a Timberwolves team coming off a game where they just got a big win against OKC and showed up massively in that one late on. and He showed up against the Bucks in a three-point win.
01:06:39
Speaker
Didn't shoot great from the floor, but still got his job done for them. He dropped 40 against the Suns, 44 against the Pels this month. So... He's really someone that's ramping up. He loves tough basketball games. He loves being the one to call his number and do what he needs to do. Some of those finishes against the Bucs last night were just disgusting. They've been strong on the offensive boards as well against OKC Not something they're generally too good on. They're like mid-level in the league, but 29 second chance points to 12 in that game. So if they do something similar, find it hard to see the Nuggets keeping up with them with with all their injuries. So I'm going with the Timberwolves by six just to stretch it out right at the very end and get the win.
01:07:21
Speaker
What have you got for us, Michael?
01:07:25
Speaker
I've got the almost the exact same. I've got the Timberwolves by four. ah I just feel like Ant loves the big game.
01:07:36
Speaker
One thing we know about the and NBA, the superstars, when the big time games come around, they're there for it. Christmas Day, opening day, you know, even sometimes around Easter, end of the regular season towards the playoffs.
01:07:50
Speaker
The superstars are there and Ant is one of them. When he's locked in on the court, it feels like he's one of the best defenders there and he's the best ah offensive player on the court. It's amazing to watch him play. Will he be able to do that next to Jokic?
01:08:07
Speaker
It's going be a rough day. But... I think this Wolves team is going to be rolling. They look so good already this month. I was a little bit hesitant about them going into December.
01:08:20
Speaker
And I feel like their last few games has kind of turned my opinion on them a little bit. But I think this will be a really good test to kind of see if, you know, their slow start to the season is just that, a slow start, or if it's kind of indicative of...
01:08:37
Speaker
bigger gaps in the roster. I mean, feel like the Wolves and the Rockets are kind of in the same position where they're so short-handed at the guard position.
01:08:48
Speaker
And ah one thing that keeps striking in my head that like if either of them get has one injury at the point guard position, the next few weeks for that team might look very, very rough. So, I mean, if everything stays exactly the same,
01:09:06
Speaker
I'm feeling the Timberwolves at plus four, but I'm just saying, wolves Wolves trade coming in before the trade deadline next year. Look for that. Look for that now.
01:09:17
Speaker
um I'm telling you guys. There you You've heard it. We've got the inside scoop from the US. Michael's on the ground for us.
NBA Predictions and Insights
01:09:24
Speaker
He knows what's coming. Shane, what have you got for us in this one? um I have the Wolves by four here in another game that I wish I'd picked the underdog over picking the Spurs to beat OKC and then having to go completely go back on myself a again straight away. i'm The problem with the point guard position for the Rockets is we don't have one. It's not about getting an injury there. We literally just don't have a point guard is our problem. So with we're the ones that need to be going out there trading for a point guard or Dorian Finney-Smith gets back soon.
01:09:52
Speaker
um I just think... this is This is such a close game. As you said, it it's always a cracker. Jokic up against Ant. we'll just have to I think Antony is going to have the better risk, even if Jokic is obviously going to come here and put down 40. But if Ant puts down 35 and the rest of the random help as well, then no, the Wolves come out here by four.
01:10:11
Speaker
And Michael and myself will be right again for the third time in five games, I think. Yeah, three matches. I saw your little smirk when Michael said Wolves by four. i knew you were going to yeah you're go to come with that. But we that's that's the full slate. What a game. What a set games. The NBA has done an unbelievable job here, especially considering the state of the NFL and currently, that the way that those games are looking. So this is Definitely necessary viewing over the NFL for me and this Christmas Day. But thank you again for joining us, Michael. We'll see you again in a couple of weeks and enjoy your time stateside. Come back with some more on the ground reporting for us next time.
01:10:51
Speaker
Thanks very much.
Updated Power Rankings
01:10:52
Speaker
All right. So just wrapping up then with the power rankings week 16, I'll go first. Last week I had the Knicks um off the back of their cup win. I wanted to put them first for a week at least. Then I got the Rams, OKC, City, Arsenal and the Broncos. So this week I've made some changes. OKC are back on top and they're just the most powerful team and in all of these sports for me.
01:11:16
Speaker
So they're jumping back up to first place. The Rams stay in second. I know they lost to the Seahawks, but so many things had to go right for the Seahawks to win that game. I think the Rams are still the best team, the most powerful in in the NFL. So i I find it hard to move off them. But I have moved the Seahawks and now into third.
01:11:34
Speaker
So they're a new entry. i had them in two weeks ago. I took them out for the Broncos because I'd said the Broncos run such a good run, but really it's the Rams and Seahawks for me are the best two. So they are two and three.
01:11:46
Speaker
City then are fourth. They haven't moved. Arsenal are fifth. They haven't moved. I think they're the best two teams in in the Premier League right now. um And they're both kind of, shoring up games and and winning them where they need to but city just look like they're doing it with a bit more power and flair and then the knicks wrap up wrap up the top six i didn't want to drop them out completely because they're eight and two in the last ten um they're just two back from the pistons in the east they just won the cup and yeah sure look they only just lost to the sixers the other night and obviously they're one of the best teams in the league so it's kind of tough when you play them you can't hold that against them
01:12:19
Speaker
I'll listen to you and Michael about this now in a couple of minutes about how great the 60s are again. Thank God the Sixers aren't playing on a on NBA Christmas Day.
01:12:30
Speaker
We would had a field day talking about them there few minutes ago. I think you'd have found that it would have been you and Michael are doing the segment this week if if if the Sixers had been playing and the Rockets weren't. But anyway, i'll I'll give you all my high rankings. So last week I had OKC, Villa, Broncos, Bills, Knicks and City. and I have made a couple of changes in myself this week. So the top two remain the same.
01:12:52
Speaker
OKC and Villa. So Villa have now won 10 games in a row. I know they're going to come crashing down to earth at some point in the next couple of weeks. So before they do that, it's going to keep them up here towards the top. And what more can you say about, okay, so you know they've lost two of their last three, but they're still the best team in all of sports.
01:13:09
Speaker
I've dropped out the Broncos and brought back in the Patriots. They come in. um I brought in the Rams and the Patriots at 3-4 instead of the Broncos and the Bills. The Rams are just outrageous. and You have them as your Super Bowl favourites. It's very, very clear to see why.
01:13:23
Speaker
And then my last two remain the same. Knicks and City. So City have all of a sudden won seven games in a row. I don't know where that has come from. So they they do remain. So OKC, Villa, Rams, Patriots, Knicks and City.
01:13:36
Speaker
Nice, nice. We've got finally got those Rams in there, which I'm happy to see because I was getting on your case about that one. and But yeah, Patriots after that one against Ravens, hard to argue with that one.
Year-End Reflections and Farewell
01:13:47
Speaker
So that's it for another week. and the next time you'll hear from us is after Christmas. So we do wish you a very happy Christmas and hope you enjoy all the festivities around it with your family or whoever going to spend it with. I'll throw it to you, Shane, to wrap up.
01:14:04
Speaker
Yeah, thanks, lads. It's now been over a year of, nearly a year of episodes. It's been 53 episodes. Just thank you so much for the support the whole way through. Have a really, really good Christmas, and we'll talk to you on the other side.
01:14:16
Speaker
Nice one, lads. Welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball? with Shane and James.