2016-17 NBA Betting Tips: Cavaliers at Trailblazers + Thursday, January 12th Games

With a 29-19 record on the season so far, our NBA Tips have been pretty solid. We’ll be looking to add three more winners to the list this Thursday, the 12th of January as we preview the ESPN double header which features the Blazers vs Cavs and OKC vs Grizzlies. We will also take a look at the other big matchup of the day as East coast playoff contenders the Washington Wizards travel to Boston.

Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder (12pm AEDT)

The Grizzlies have the added advantage of coming into this one on the back of two day’s rest, which will be extremely beneficial for the older core that they possess. After many thought they would start to drop off this year, the Grizzlies have continued to do what they do best, grind out wins and defy the odds. 24-16 so far on the season has them 5^th in the west and pushing hard for that first round home court advantage. They managed to weather the injury storm that inevitably comes with the Grizzlies every year, and have won their last 2 over tough opponents in the Warriors and Jazz.

OKC have won their last 2 games after stumbling through a 3-game losing streak. Their losses were to respectable teams in the Bucks, Hornets and Rockets, however, and they have bounced back well. I think the Grizzlies just pose to many weapons defensively for the Thunder. The majority of their offence is Russel Westbrook driving into the lane and either finishing or creating shots. Memphis allow the least amount of points in the paint per game, which will take away so much of Westbrooks scoring and creating ability, leaving them with minimal avenues to score.

TIP: Memphis Grizzlies +4.5 - $1.88 at CrownBet

Cleveland Cavaliers at Portland Trailblazers (2.30pm AEDT)

After a hot start, the Trailblazers have quickly become one of the worst teams in the league. It seems their demise that everyone predicted when LaMarcus Aldridge parted ways came a year late. They lack real defensive pressure on the inside and when their star guard combo of CJ. McCollum and Damian Lillard are having an off night, they really lack the ability to score. They have now lost 13 of their last 17, and don’t really show any signs of picking up a win here against the Cavs.

The Cavs fell to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, making it 2 from 3 so far on their six-game road trip. Following the Blazers they will travel to Sacramento and round out the trip in Golden State. The Cavs have not lost back to back games since December 1^st, and I can’t see them breaking that streak in this one. With the added shooting ability of new recruit Kyle Korver paired with Kyrie Irving, Channing Frye and Kevin Love, the Cavs should have a field day against the Blazers who have allowed their opposition to shoot 37% from 3 this season, the 5^th highest mark in the league.

TIP: Cleveland Cavaliers -4.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet

Washington Wizards vs Boston Celtics (12pm AEDT)

The Celtics looked well on their way to proving themselves a genuine East contender on Wednesday against the Raptors before they were outscored by 17 points in the second half to eventually go down by 8. There were promising signs in the loss, however, with Marcus Smart capably taking over the starting shooting guard position in Avery Bradleys absence and Isaiah Thomas continuing to be one of the league’s premier scorers. This proves to be a good matchup, with the Wizards coming off a hard fought win against the Bulls on Wednesday.

The Wizards looked down and out, trailing by as much as 16 at one point in the 2^nd quarter. However, they rallied behind all-star point guard John Wall to storm home and take the W, moving them to 18-18 on the season. The Wizards are probably just a tier or two below the Celtics when discussing East coast supremacy, and I think even without Avery Bradley, who is out with an Achilles injury, they should still be able to get the job done in this one. The Celtics defend the guard positions very well, usually led by Bradley, but still well above average with Smart and youngster Jaylen Brown, and I think that is where Washington’s major threats lie in Wall and Brad Beal.

TIP: Boston Celtics -5.5 -$1.95 at Sportsbet