On January 9, Beijing time, the NBA regular season will continue, and the league has scheduled six games. The Clippers host the Suns, and the two teams are tied for the second game of a back-to-back, and Durant is expected to hit three milestones. Bucks vs. Jazz, Lillard is out, can Brother Alphabet win? Rockets challenge the Heat away, Shin Jing and Adebayo have an inside matchup. The Celtics are back against the Pacers in an effort to cement their No. 1 standings in the league. With the Thunder facing the Wizards in a two-game losing streak, will Alexander lead the team to a rebound? The Bulls face the Hornets again and are expected to kill their opponents three times.
8:00: Celtics vs. Pacers
The Celtics are 28-7 and in first place in the East, while the Pacers are 20-15 and seventh in the East. This is the fourth meeting between the two sides this season and the second in the last three days. In the first three battles, the Celtics won two and lost one. In this meeting on January 7, the Celtics defeated the Pacers 118-101, with Tatum of the Green Army with 38 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists and Jaylen Brown with 31 points. Haliburton of the Pacers had 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Mathurin had 20 points. In terms of injuries, the Celtics' Tatum, Porzingis, and Hauser are doubtful. The Pacers' Bruce Brown, Nembhard and Isaiah Jackson are doubtful.
8:00: Bulls vs. Hornets
The Bulls are 16-21 and 10th in the East, while the Hornets are 8-25 and 13th in the East. This is the third meeting between the two sides this season and the second in the last four days. In the first two battles, the Bulls won both battles. In this meeting on Jan. 6, the Bulls beat the Hornets 104-91. The Bulls' White had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, LaVine had 15 points, five rebounds and four assists after coming off the bench, and Vucevic had 11 points and seven rebounds. Bridges for the Hornets 28 points. In terms of injuries, the Bulls' ball brother and Craig are absent, LaVine and Vucevic are likely to play, and Caruso and Pawe are doubtful. The Hornets' three-ball, Hayward, Ntilikina, PJ Washington, Mark Williams are out.
8:00: Thunder vs. Wizards
The Thunder are 23-11 and in third place in the West, while the Wizards are 6-29 and on a four-game losing streak and are 14th in the East. The Thunder lost to the Nets 115-124 in their last game, Alexander had 34 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, and Jalen Williams had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The Wizards lost to the Knicks 105-121 in their last game, with Kuzma scoring 27 points and Afdija having 23 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, and in terms of injuries, the Thunder are fully healthy, and the Wizards' Shamet and White are doubtful.
8:30 a.m.: Rockets vs. Heat
The Rockets are 18-16 and 8th in the West, while the Heat are 20-15 and 8th in the East. The Rockets beat the Bucks 112-108 in their last game, with Shin Jing scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Jalen Green and Jeff Green each scored 16 points. The Heat lost to the Suns 97-113 in their last game, with Bam Adebayo having 28 points and 11 rebounds and Love having 20 points and seven rebounds. This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, and the PK of Shin Kyung and Adebayo is expected. In terms of injuries, the Rockets' Dillon, Eason and Oladipo are out. The Heat's Butler and Drew Smith are absent, and Martin is likely not to play.
9:00: Jazz vs. Bucks
The Jazz are 17-20 and 12th in the West, while the Bucks are 25-11 and are second in the East. The Jazz won 120-109 over the 76ers in their last game, with Markkanen scoring 33 points and 13 rebounds and Sexton having 22 points and 10 assists. The Bucks lost to the Rockets 108-112 in their last game, with 48 points and 17 rebounds, and Lillard had 18 points and eight assists, making only 1-of-8 three-point shooting. This will be the first meeting between the two sides this season. The Jazz are fully healthy, with the Bucks' Lillard sidelined for personal reasons and Crowder and Payne out injured.
11:30 a.m.: Suns vs. Clippers
The Suns are 19-17 and ninth in the West, while the Clippers are 22-13 and fourth in the West. The Suns lost to the Grizzlies 115-121 in their last game, Durant came back and had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, Booker had 24 points and 8 assists, Nurkic had 18 points and 19 rebounds, and Beal had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. The Clippers lost to the Lakers 103-106, George had 22 points, 4 rebounds and 5 steals, Zubac had 22 points and 19 rebounds, and Harden and Jr. scored 15 points each. This will be the second meeting between the two sides this season, with the Clippers beating the Suns 131-122 in the last meeting. In terms of injuries, the Suns' Durant, Gordon and Little are doubtful, and Damion Lee is out. The Clippers' Diabate is out, and Leonard is likely to play.
If Durant plays in this game, he is expected to hit three milestones-
For one, Durant has hit 9,500 shots in his career so far, and if he hits nine more shots, he will surpass Oscar Robertson (9,508) and move up to 19th place on the all-time shooting list.
Second, Durant has already made 1,924 three-pointers, and if he makes seven more three-pointers, he will surpass J.R. Smith (1,930) and move up to 20th on the all-time three-point list.
Third, Durant has already made 6,827 free throws, and as long as he hits six more free throws, he can surpass Dantley (6,832) and move up to 11th place on the all-time free throw shooting list.