An 8-game slate in the association on Saturday, with the matchups on offer not being the most inspiring of the season. However, there is one way to make these games a little more fun, and that’s by having a punt. This time of the season is a little more difficult to bet, given the close proximity to the All-Star Weekend, so small stakes at the moment before we go harder towards the back end of the season.
Today, Ben Bridge picks three games where we see some value and provide our best bets for this NBA slate.
2022-23 NBA Betting Tips: Saturday, February 4th 2023
Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 11:00am AEDT
It’s almost one year to the day since the Sacramento Kings sent Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield to the Indiana Pacers for Domantas Sabonis, and it has to be said that the trade has been positive for both squads. The teams have played twice since this trade, with the Kings winning both games. In the first matchup (last season), Sabonis didn’t play for the Kings, whereas the Pacers got 25 points and 7 assists out of Buddy Hield. In both encounters, Tyrese Haliburton has been relatively quiet, however with Haliburton unavailable for this game, that fact doesn’t really matter.
The Kings have been tremendous this season, however I get the sense they may struggle to keep up the momentum for the remainder of the season. They are also without star point guard De’Aaron Fox for this game, which is a big blow given his production this season (24.3ppg, 6.1apg).
Nevertheless, I still like the Kings in this matchup. With the point spread being one possession, this is close to betting the Kings just to win the game, but I’m happy to pay for the points. The Pacers are, at the time of writing, in a close matchup with the Lakers on Wednesday. The Pacers have lost their last two back-to-backs, however have managed to keep it relatively close. Given this, I don’t mind a half/full double shout on IND/SAC, paying $5.50 at TAB currently, but I’ll keep it simple and take the Kings at the small handicap.
Sacramento Kings (-3)
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics
TD Garden, 11:30am AEDT
This is a big number (currently Celtics -9.5/10); however, I believe there’s cause to believe the Celtics will cover this. A quick look at the schedule shows the Suns have this game, before heading to Detroit tomorrow to take on the Pistons. It’s quite obvious which game gives the Suns the best chance at going 1-1, and that’s the Detroit matchup. Whilst I don’t see them outright tanking this game against a team they may have to beat if they’re to win the NBA Championship, I also don’t see any reason for the Suns to keep their starters on the floor if the Celtics get out to a lead.
Handicapping this one based on game state, and hoping that the above can come true. But even if it doesn’t and the Suns go all out to win this game, I can see the Celtics taking care of business at home by double digits.
I’ll split my stake here with a tiny bit on the Celtics being the only team to score 100+ points in this matchup. Despite their ordinary start to the season defensively, the Celtics have quietly made their way up the defensive ranks, ranking 6th in defensive efficiency and 4th in points per game allowed over the past 2 months.
Alternate Bet: Boston score 100+ only - $4.20 @ TAB (0.5u)
Boston Celtics (-9.5)
$1.91 (1.5 Units)
Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs
AT&T Center, 12:00pm AEDT
Another big spread, with the only issue I see in this one being the availability of 76ers big man Joel Embiid. Regardless of whether or not Embiid plays, I still see an obvious path to a blowout victory here for the 76ers.
The Spurs are currently the worst team in the league power ratings wise, if not record wise, and it has shown in their level over the past month, winning only 2 of their 17 games since the start of 2023. They’ve lost 7-straight, whilst losing by 9+ in each of those games except one (131-126 loss to the Clippers).
If Embiid is a confirmed starter, I expect this number to push up towards 76ers -12, so to get them now at -9.5 is a solid bet. Embiid is pushing hard to win the MVP on a personal level, with the 76ers also pushing hard for a top 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. It’s currently tight at the top, and they’ll want to win every game at this point.
The last point I’ll make is 2 days ago, the Sacramento Kings closed 7.5-point favourites at the Spurs, winning by 10. As good as the Kings are, the 76ers are better, and they should cover this spread easily. Keeping stakes a little smaller given the resting risk of Embiid.
Philadelphia 76ers (-9.5)
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
