We are almost at the halfway point of the 2016-17 NBA season. Through the season so far we are 32-22 on our NBA bets, a healthy 10 games above .500. We will be looking to add three more wins today as we tackle the two ESPN televised games, the Bucks at Rockets and the Thunder at Warriors, as well as the East coast clash between the Celtics and Knicks.
Milwaukee Bucks at Houston Rockets (12pm AEDT)
The Rockets seem to have cooled down from a ridiculous 3-pt shooting spree that lasted half the season. In their last 4 games they have lost to the Timberwolves, Grizzlies and Heat, marking the first time they have lost back to back games all season. James Harden is still the dominant force he’s been all season, racking up 40-10-12 in the loss to the Heat, but the supporting cast isn’t as good as it was to start the season.
The Bucks are the most consistently inconsistent team in the league. They have been hovering around the .500 mark all season and currently sit at a perfect 20-20. They have has some massive wins over good clubs, but also succumb to some of the minnows in the process. It seems that once superstar Giannis Antetokoumpo really takes the reigns and dominates every night he takes the floor, they should become a true playoff contender.
The Rockets remain the best team in the league against the spread this season at 27-16. I think their recent woes have brought the line for todays game into a smaller margin than it should be. I’m happy to take them at -7.5 against the inconsistent Bucks team.
TIP: Houston Rockets -7.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors (2.30pm AEDT)
The Warriors are beginning to prove themselves as the terrifying force we thought they would be when their team took shape in the last off-season. They asserted their dominance over their main rivals the Cavaliers on Tuesday with a 35-point win. If it wasn’t for the ridiculous play of former teammates James Harden and Russel Westbrook, Kevin Durant would be this years MVP favourite, and reigning MVP Steph Curry is happy to take a backseat. Contrary to popular belief, the Warriors boast one of the best defences in the league, and lead the league in every major offensive statistic. They seem genuinely invincible at the moment.
If there’s one guy that does seem likely of taking it up to the Warriors, it’s the pissed off ex-teammate of Durant, Russel Westbrook. Westbrook is capable of winning games of his own back, but I think the challenge that stands in front of him in the Warriors will pose to great. After many thought they would take a steep downward spiral this year, Westbrook has kept the Thunder more than afloat, sitting at 25-18 on the season so far. There should be plenty of exciting offence in this game, but I think the total points line of 227 is a touch high, the Warriors should keep the Thunder to under 100.
TIP: Total Points UNDER 227.5 - $1.88 at CrownBet
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics (12pm AEDT)
The Knicks have been in the wars of late, from starting point guard Derrick Rose simply not showing up to a game to star big man Kristaps Porzingus being injured and out of form. They have lost 11 of their last 13 matches. The only shining light in that time has been the semi resurgence of perennial all-star Carmelo Anthony. Of the 13 games, Melo has scored over 20 in 7 of them, and is back to shooting a good percentage from the 3-pt line.
The Celtics have been on the other end of the NBA spectrum. Since star point guard Isaiah Thomas’ return from injury, the Celtics have won 13 of their last 16 matches, and look the class side of the Eastern conference, including the Cavaliers! Thomas is having the best season of his career. At 28.4 points per game, he’s tied for the 3rd most in the league, and leads nearly every offensive 4th quarter stat there is, which has resulted in Boston sitting pretty at 26-15 on the season.
The Celtics should be way too strong in this one with the home court advantage. While the New York Knicks are the 4th best team in the league against the spread, the Celtics sit right behind them in fifth at 23-16-2 and I like them to cover the spread here, especially if Porzingus misses through injury.
TIP: Boston Celtics at the line (-8.5) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
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Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
