We broke even with a 1-1-1 day on Tuesday but will be looking to go at least one better this Thursday, the 30th of March as we take a look at some of the key games in the NBA’s 10 game slate. ESPN are televising the massive clash between the Warriors and Spurs so we’ll take a closer look at that as well as some more crucial playoff race games below.
Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs (12.30pm AEDT)
At 2.5 games behind the Warriors for first place in the West, this game will probably decide whether Spurs coach Greg Popovich chooses to make a real run at the top seed or begin to put his players on ice for the playoffs. The Spurs dismantled the Cavaliers in San Antonio on Tuesday to the tune of 29 points and look unstoppable at the moment. Their defence in particular has been outstanding, not letting a team score over 100 in their last four contests. Kawhi Leonard is the lynchpin of the phenomenal defence but gets great support from the likes of Danny Green, Patty Mills and Pau Gasol.
The Spurs game will be the 2nd night of a road back to back for the Warriors, who scored an emphatic win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. With a pretty tough run home that includes games against the Spurs, Rockets, Wizards and Jazz, Golden State will be desperate for a win here to keep san Antonio at bay. Still no timetable for Kevin Durant’s return although he has been participating in practice of late. Chances are Steve Kerr will hold him off until the final few games of the regular season just to get some minutes into him before the playoffs start.
Without Durant, Klay Thompson will likely get the impossible task of playing on Kawhi Leonard. San Antonio also rank 3rd in opponent 3pt% so we like the Klay Thompson unders here.
TIP: Klay Thompson UNDER 23.5 points - $1.87 at Sportsbet
Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Clippers (1.30pm AEDT)
The Wizards sit just one game in front of the Raptors in the 3-4 standings in the East and will want to secure a win here as the seeds could be the difference between playing the Celtics or the Cavs in the second round. Washington have won their last 3 and scored over 127 in their last 2 games against the Nets and Cavs, but will arguably get a harder defensive test here when they travel to LA to meet DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers.
LA are locked in a tight race for the 4th seed in the West with the Jazz but another loss on the Clippers record would all but secure the home playoff berth for Utah. They’ve had a clean bill for one of the only times since the formation of their big 3 but haven’t exactly been getting the desired results of late with losses to the Kings and Mavericks in their last 3 games.
Really tough game to pick, the Clippers have the home court and 2 full days rest while the Wizards played a tough game against the Lakers on Wednesday that saw it get pushed right to the wire. Clippers to win this one.
TIP: LA Clippers -5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings (1.30pm AEDT)
The Jazz have been one of the most reliable teams to bet on or against all NBA season. At a dismal 31-40-3 against the spread, often the bookies have looked past their defensive style of play and set lines way too high. Usually the Jazz like to keep the scores, and the margins, pretty low so we have been able to pick up some wins betting against them this year. The bookies seem to have caught on here, however, and have opened the line at just 5 for their matchup against the Kings.
The Kings are arguably the worst team in the league and even at home we expect the Jazz to get an easy win here. The Jazz should come out firing as they still have a lot to play for. Gordon Hayward is listed as questionable for the clash but even without him we think the Jazz cover the 5 point line here.
TIP: Utah Jazz -5 -$1.95 at Sportsbet
