An 8-game slate this Saturday, and it’s taken a few weeks, but the NBA punting season has definitely started. Several big names are out injured, and throughout the past weeks we have seen late injuries play havoc on lines across the NBA. It makes it difficult to handicap in advance, without having potentially all the information, however we will do our best to keep posting winners.
Despite a couple of key injuries, there are still some big matchups to key in on this week, headlined by the Nuggets at the Celtics, and the Cavs at the Warriors. We will look at one of those contests in the previews below, but both should be great matches.
NBA Betting Tips: Saturday, 12th November
Denver Nuggets at Boston Celtics
TD Garden, 11:00am AEDT
Two 8-3 teams go head-to-head in my game of the day, as the home side Boston Celtics look to win their 5th straight. The Celtics will be without Malcolm Brogdon, who has been a solid piece of the bench for the Celtics and will limit their scoring off the bench.
The Nuggets are also looking for their 5th straight and are blessed at the moment with a clean bill of health. They’ve been shooting the ball exceptionally well during this 4-game span, and given the Celtics’ poor defensive efficiency this year, I don’t expect that to regress in this game.
This total is huge, but I’m saying it’s not big enough. These are the two best teams in the NBA for offensive efficiency, true shooting percentage and effective field goal percentage. I expect points, and given how big a matchup this is, there’s always a chance at overtime. Give me the over.
Over 230 Points
$1.89 (2 Units)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies
FedEx Forum, 1:30pm AEDT
The sputtering Minnesota Timberwolves (5-7) head to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies (8-4), in a rematch of the 1st round of the 2021-22 playoffs. These two teams were both expected to take meaningful steps forward this season, with both looking a fair way off these expectations early.
The Timberwolves have struggled to get going offensively. After being on offensive juggernaut last season, the addition of Rudy Gobert has seemingly stymied the play of D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns, whilst the defence, while improved, isn’t where they want it either. Going 1-3 on a recent 4-game home stand was not what the doctor ordered, and the Timberwolves need to turn things around quickly.
The Grizzlies have started ok, and after early losses to the Mavericks and Jazz (x2), they have put together a nice 4-1 run, with their sole loss to the Celtics. They seem to be beating the teams they should be, and I see that continuing at home here, and I’ll take them to cover the two-possession spread.
Memphis Grizzlies -4.5
$1.94 (1.5 Units)
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers
Staples Center, 2:30pm AEDT
The Lakers have continued their poor start to the season, and despite getting two wins in a row over the Nuggets and Pelicans, their level has been atrocious all season. Tonight, they get a Kings outfit that has taken a step forward this season, despite a below average 4-6 record.
The Kings started off slowly with 4-straight losses, however since a 125-110 home loss to the Grizzlies, have managed to put together a solid body of work, going 4-2, with one possession away losses to the Heat and Warriors not looking all that bad.
Now, they’re off the back of a nice 127-120 home victory over the Cavs two nights ago, and today they get a Lakers outfit minus LeBron James, whilst also potentially missing Anthony Davis and Lonnie Walker IV, who are both questionable.
This number is sure to move and will move more if either of the above mentioned are also ruled out. Give me the Kings to cover the one possession spread.
Sacramento Kings -2.5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
