Best Sports on TV and Stream this Weekend (November 3-6, 2023)
Another week, another jam-packed assortment of sporting events to look forward to. Now that the NBA season is finally here, basketball fans around the country are eagerly following the first games to see who looks like a contender for the chip this season.
In addition, there are some huge matchups happening around the world in soccer, Formula 1, and tennis. Let’s have a look and see what we have in store for us.
ATP Tour: Paris Masters (October 30th - November 5th)
The Paris Masters this week is set to be a thrilling chapter in the ATP Tour, with a spotlight on the players who could clinch the title at the AccorHotels Arena. As one of the final ATP Tour 1000 series events, it's a pivotal moment for players to secure their positions in the year-end rankings and qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.
Top-seeded players and former champions are expected to bring their best to the indoor hard courts of Paris. The current world number one, Novak Djokovic, known for his formidable baseline game, is a strong contender and will be keen to add another title to his impressive season after getting his 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open. Defending champion Holger Rune, too, will be eager to repeat his past success and get his season back on track.
However, the tournament isn't just about the established names. Several rising stars and underdogs, such as Jannek Sinner and Casper Ruud, have shown remarkable tenacity and skill throughout the season. These young talents, who have already risen up to be higher-ranked players, are hungry for victory and could very well surprise fans with breakthrough performances.
In a season marked by unexpected twists, the Paris Masters promises high-stakes competition and potential surprises. With a blend of experience and fresh energy, the tournament is poised to be a captivating display of tennis mastery.
NBA: Suns at 76ers (November 3rd)
With the NBA returning with a bang over the past week or so, we already have some trade drama happening around the league. The big news of the past few days has been James Harden being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Clippers, with the unhappy star finally being moved from Philly after a mess of a summer trade impass.
The 76ers got Marcus Morris and Robert Covington, among some other players and picks, in return, and they may well be ready to play for their new team this weekend, when the overloaded Phoenix Suns visit the 76ers.
The Suns have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and new addition Bradley Beal in a powerful big 3 that has the rest of the league worried this season. Phoenix have been one of the best teams in the league over the past few years, and they will take some stopping this season with their attacking talent.
Philadelphia do still have MVP Joel Embiid and star point guard Tyrese Maxey, and the fact that they have more depth after the trade could be valuable for them in order to match the Suns offense, but this will be a tough one for them to get out of with all the turmoil going on.
Formula 1: Brazilian GP (November 5th)
With Max Verstappen already having won the Driver’s Championship, the only thing left to fight for is a higher place in the final standings for the other drivers and teams. But after a great race in Mexico last weekend, Brazil should provide more fireworks for the drivers trying to get as high in the standings as possible.
Mercedes driver and 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is currently 3rd in the driver’s standings, but only 20 points off 2nd place Sergio Perez in his Red Bull. He could possibly overtake Perez this race, especially considering Perez’s woeful form the past few races.
Slightly further down, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso are tied in 4th place on 183 points, but with Sainz driving much better for the past few races, it will take a superhuman effort from Alonso to reverse the tide and finish on top in the end.
Finally, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is only 3 points away from 6th place Lando Norris in his McLaren, and they will fight it out in the coming races to see who will come out on top.
Other than that, Verstappen is favorite to win (big shock, I know) in Brazil, but all of the fights behind him should be an absolute spectacle to watch at one of the most exciting tracks on the circuit.
Premier League: Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur (November 6th)
With Tottenham surprisingly sat top of the Premier League after 10 games, winning their last 4, new manager Ange Postecoglou looks like an absolute genius. Tottenham lost star striker and club legend Harry Kane over the summer without replacing him, and they are looking more dangerous and creative than ever before, playing some fantastic soccer.
This weekend, their title ambitions will be put to the test again against a Chelsea side that is sliding further and further into chaos. After spending over $1 billion on transfers in the past 2 years, they amazingly seem to be playing worse, and last weekend’s 2-0 home loss to Brentford has left them floundering in 11th place, 14 points off Spurs.
However, Chelsea always seem to raise their game for London derbies, and they have traditionally played very well against Tottenham. Their new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, knows Spurs very well from his 5 years there, and Chelsea will be expected to play much better than they have in recent weeks. Forwards Raheem Sterling and Nicholas Jackson have started to play better together, especially with quick link-up play, and if their end product improves, we could see Chelsea have more success.
However, Tottenham have to be considered big favorites for the 3 points here, which would put their legendary former manager Pochettino under tremendous pressure going into a busy time of the season.
Author: Dan Anderson