We hit on just one of three NBA bets on Thursday after our big 3-0 day on Tuesday. We’ll be looking to recapture some of that form as we preview some of the games of the day in the NBA this Saturday, the 27th of January and give our tips below.
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers (11.30am AEDT)
The Cavaliers are in shambles at the moment, having lost their last two games and seven of their last 10. They just can’t seem to find any harmony within the team after star point guard Isaiah Thomas entered the line-up, and Kevin Love’s commitment to the team has even been brought into question.
The Pacers are in the exact opposite situation, having won seven of their last 10 games and their last two in a row. They scored 116 points in a 15-point win over Phoenix on Thursday as Victor Oladipo continued his great form on the season, scoring 21 points.
The Pacers start as 5.5 point underdogs here, but with the way the Cavs are playing at the moment we like the away team. The Pacers boast a 27-21 record against the spread this season and a decent 13-10 record ATS away from home. We like them to cover here.
TIP: Indiana +5.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans (12pm AEDT)
With James Harden back in the line-up after injury, the Rockets have been rolling. They currently sit second in the Western Conference with a 34-12 record, having won seven of the last 10 games. The Rockets secured a 7-point win over Dallas on Thursday as Harden went for 25 points and 13 assists.
It finally seems like the Pelican’s recruitment of DeMarcus Cousins last season is paying dividends. The big man, along with Anthony Davis, have been getting the job done for New Orleans over the past few weeks, winning seven of the last ten games. Cousins was particularly outstanding in the Pelicans double overtime win over the Bulls on Tuesday, scoring 44 points with 24 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Rockets start as 3.5 point favourites here in a really tough game to call. In Houston we’d have no problem picking the Rockets to cover the line. We have slightly more reservations picking them in New Orleans but the Pelicans have just a 10-12 record against the spread at home this year. Back the Rockets to cover.
TIP: Houston -3.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs (12.30pm AEDT)
The city of Philadelphia is flying at the moment, not only are the Eagles in the Super Bowl on Monday week, but the 76ers have won eight of their last 10 games and currently sit 7th in the Eastern Conference. Forward Joel Embiid has been rewarded for his excellent play with an all-star selection while rookie Ben Simmons was extremely unlucky to miss out.
The Spurs have continued to go about their business sans Kawhi Leonard over the past few weeks. While they are shaky away from home without their star small forward, they are still arguably the most dominant home team in the league with a 20-3 record at the AT&T Center.
Hard to look past the Spurs based on that stat. Not only are they 20-3 at home but they have a league best 16-6-1 record against the spread at home. The line is just 3.5 here in favour of the Spurs and we like them at that handicap.
TIP: San Antonio -3.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
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