We’ve got a massive 10-game slate of NBA action on this Thursday and there are plenty of high-quality matchups among them. Jake Smit provides his best bets for the key value games!
Also, sure to check out our NBA tips page regularly to find our best bets for multiple slates each week!
NBA Betting Tips: Thursday, 17th November
Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Hornets
Spectrum Center, 11am AEDT
The Pacers won only one of their first five games but have hit their straps since and loom as a potential play-in contender in the Eastern Conference this season.
Tyrese Haliburton has improved in his third year in the league with averages of 21/5/10, which in nearly every season in the 21st century would warrant an All-Star berth. Likewise, Benedict Mathurin has impressed in his rookie season and comes in averaging 20 points per contest.
The Hornets have eased LaMelo Ball back into the swing of things in his two starts to date. He helped his team to a much-needed win over the Magic last start, which snapped an eight-game losing run.
The Hornets had a tumultuous off-season, and it looks to have spilled over into their performances early in the season. They enter this slate with the fourth worst record in the association.
If both teams were fully fit, then possibly you could justify the Hornets being favourites at home in this matchup. That isn’t the case however, so I’ll be backing in the Pacers to get the job done.
Indiana Pacers H2H
$2.20 (1.5 Units)
Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors
Scotiabank Arena, 11:30am AEDT
The Heat pulled off a clutch win against the Suns on Tuesday to extend their winning streak to three, all of which have bene on their home deck in Miami. They now hit the road where they’ve managed only one win from four attempts.
In line-up news for the Heat, Tyler Herro remains on the sidelines due to injury, meaning they’ll be looking for a spark off the bench from Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson.
Meanwhile, the Raptors have had a rollercoaster campaign to date. They’re yet to have more than two wins or losses in a row and enter this game off a win over the lowly Pistons in Detroit last start.
Pascal Siakam won’t take part in this game which is unfortunate considering his red-hot start to the season. Aside from him, the Raptors are relatively healthy and will have no excuses.
This is already the third meeting between these teams this season, and if the previous two were anything to go by, then it should be a cracked.
In saying that, each of the first two were in Miami and the Raptors managed to get a split with a win in their most recent clash. As long as they perform close to the level they have this season, then they are certainly over the odds at around $2.
Toronto Raptors H2H
$2 (1.5 Units)
Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns
Footprint Center, 2pm AEDT
The Warriors have had a far from ideal start to their championship defence but wins in three of their last four games has silenced a few critics. Their 132-95 win over the Spurs last start was particularly impressive, led by Jordan Poole with 36 points.
Amazingly, the Warriors are still yet to win a road game this season and it’s not like they haven’t had their opportunities. In fact, they’re 0-7 on the road compared to 6-1 on their home deck.
The Suns entered their recent game against the Heat having won 32 of their last 41 games following a defeat, but that trend meant for little when they went down by a solitary point.
The Suns have now lost four of their last six games and are going through one of their worst stretched for the past two and a half seasons.
Despite recent struggles, the Suns look to be the value play in this game when you consider how historically poor the Warriors have been away from home this season. I’m more than happy to be with the Suns for a couple of units.
Phoenix Suns H2H
$1.79 (2 Units)
