A big 3-0 day in our NBA betting tips on Thursday with all three winners coming at line prices or better. We’ll look to continue our good form this Saturday, the 6th of January as we take a look at some of the best value matchups in the NBA’s 10 game slate below.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics (11am AEDT)
The Celtics secured a massive win over Eastern Conference rivals in the Cavs on Thursday, winning 102-88 to hold onto their top spot in the conference. Back up point guard Terry Rozier was massive in the win, scoring 20 points while young guns Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to impress for the Celts.
The Timberwolves have been going about their business fairly quietly in the Western Conference, and currently hold a 24-15 record, good for 4th place in the West. Starting point guard Jeff Teague remains on the sidelines with an injured knee, making way for young PG Tyus Jones, who has averaged over 30 minutes per game in Teague’s absence.
Tough game to call here. The defence of the Celtics at the guard positions from Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown should make it really hard for Jones and Jimmy Butler to get much offence going. At home, the Celts have a great 17-5 record while the Wolves have looked shaky on the road at 11-9. Back the Celtics to win this one to make it five in a row.
TIP: Boston Celtics -4 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers (11am AEDT)
After an extremely good start to the season, the Pistons have fallen away recently and now sit 6th in the Eastern Conference with a 20-16 record. Their fall away in recent weeks could be attributed to the injury woes, with four of their starting five missing games throughout the last month of play.
The 76ers continue to impress at times, but have overall been pretty inconsistent throughout the season so far. They have an 18-19 record going into the game against the Pistons, and are right in the Eastern Conference playoffs mix. Joel Embiid has been working his way up to averaging over 30 minutes per game, but still misses regular games through rest and maintenance. All signs point to him playing Saturday, and with no other injury concerns to report of, the 76ers should be right in this contest.
No markets out for the game yet, as usually with Sixers games the bookies like to leave it until the last minute because of Embiid’s tendency to be a late withdrawal. As long as he is playing here, we expect the 76ers to give it a real shake, and they should start as slight underdogs.
TIP: Philadelphia 76ers to win – Price not yet available
Charlotte Hornets at LA Lakers (2.30pm AEDT)
The Hornets and the Lakers conclude the day’s play at the Staples Centre from 2.30pm (AEDT). After surprising many at the start of the season, the Lakers have dropped away to the worst record in the Western Conference at 11-26. There are still plenty of promising signs for the Lakers with some talented youngsters but all in all it’s a tanking year for the Lakers.
The Hornets have been underwhelming this season and currently sit 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 14-23 record. Kemba Walker has been a shinging light at the point guard position and off season recruit Dwight Howard has been surprisingly good at his first season at the club.
The Lakers have started as $2.17 underdogs for this contest, which we think is a bit respectful to them given their record and form this season. The Hornets at $1.73 is great value here.
TIP: Charlotte to win - $1.73 at Sportsbet
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