We got back on the right track Tuesday as we went 2-1 on the days games to take our season tally to 56-52-1. At the moment, we are sitting just above the dreaded .500 mark, but with teams settling into their new systems and rotations post All-Star break, we are hoping the betting becomes a bit easier moving forward. We’ll be hunting for a 3-0 day this Thursday, the 9th of March as we take a closer look at the two televised ESPN games plus another key matchup in our NBA Preview & Betting Tips.
Detroit Pistons at Indiana Pacers (12pm AEDT)
The Pacers host the Pistons in the early game of the ESPN double-header Thursday with both teams separated by just one win in a tight Eastern Conference tussle. Just 4 games separate the Pacers in 6th position from the Hornets in 11th, so every game, especially Eastern Conference matchups are crucial from her on out. The Pacers have been fairly inconsistent since the All-Star break, going 3-3 with tough losses to the Heat, Spurs and Hornets. They received a much needed rest and finally get a home game here after a 5 game road trip.
The pacers are 3-12 on the second night of a back to back and 29-19 after having at least one day of rest, so it definitely bodes well for the home team here. They also have a great 21-10 home record, so all signs point to Indiana winning this one against the Pistons, who have a 11-20 away record. With a line that we think is a few points too low, we are comfortable taking the Pacers at -3.5.
TIP: Indiana Pacers -3.5 - $1.91 at Sportsbet
Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors (2.30pm AEDT)
The Celtics and Warriors, who were both once flying in this NBA season enter their matchup Thursday under a cloud of uncertainty. Since the All-Star break, the two teams have a combined 8-6 record with the Celtics in particularly stumbling over a long stretch of difficult games. In the midst of a 5 game road trip in which they have already lost to the Suns and Clippers, Boston desperately need a win here to get their season back on track and stay within striking distance of Cleveland at the top of the East. Al Horford is expected to return for the clash against the Warriors, giving the Celts a much needed boost in the paint.
The Warriors have looked shaky since the injury of star Kevin Durant. While they have still managed to go 2-2 whilst knocking off a tough Hawks team in Atlanta, Boston will be a real test for them as they hope to avoid a repeat of last year when the Celtics were just 1 of 2 teams to win at Oracle Arena. One thing Boston is able to do extremely well against the Warriors is limit the production of guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. With lockdown defenders in Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart in their midst, they have plenty of bodies to throw at the Warriors guards and without KD, we could find Draymond Green becoming the main playmaker tomorrow.
TIP: Draymond Green OVER 7 assists - $1.94 at Sportsbet
Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets (12pm AEDT)
It’s defence vs offence here as the Jazz take on the Rockets from 12pm. The Rockets have been shooting the lights out since the All-Star break, and look on track to break the most attempted and made 3pt shots in a season by an NBA team. Led by MVP favourite James Harden, who is averaging close to a 30pt triple double, the Rockets are an offensive juggernaut who believe they are capable of purely outscoring any team on any given night.
The Jazz play in complete contrast to that. Built around the defensive anchoring of Rudy Gobert, the Jazz have the 2nd ranked defence in the league and routinely keep teams under 100 points. However, they are no slouch to scoring either, with wing threats like Gordon Hayward and an inside presence such as Derrick Favours, they should be able to put up their fare share against a Houston team who practically just let’s teams score so they can get the ball back quicker to shoot 3s. It’s the lowest total points line you’ll see for a Houston game all season and we think this one should go over 214.
TIP: Total Points OVER 214 - $1.91 at Sportsbet
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