We hit on two out of three bets on Tuesday to keep our profitbale run of NBA tips going. Just four games on the schedule this Thursday, the 15th of March, but all feature some playoffs implications as we draw closer to the end of the season. We preview the key matchups od the day and give our betting tips below.
Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic (10am AEDT)
The Bucks have won their last two games and get another relatively easy matchup here as they come up against the Magic. Orlando have been in tank mode for over a month now and hold the third worst record in the league at the moment. They have lost their last five games in a row and while they have a decent 32-35-1 record against the spread, they are overrated at home with that ATS record in Orlando sitting at just 12-18-1.
The bucks have all but secured passage into the 2018 playoffs, currently sitting six games above ninth placed Detroit, however, they’re still jostling for position and could arguably finish as high as third in the Eastern Conference with a good run home.
The Bucks will win this game, it’s just a matter of the margin. The line has opened at 8.5 for the game and given Orlando’s poor record against the spread at home and the fact that Milwaukee trounced the Grizzlies by 18 points on the road on Tuesday, we like them to cover here.
TIP: Milwaukee -8.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics (11am AEDT)
Massive Eastern Conference clash here as the Celtics host the Wizards from 11am. The Celtics are probably out of the race with Toronto to finish atop the Eastern Conference after some poor performances of late now have them four games behind the Raptors. They could probably go into cruise control now as they are 5.5 games clear of Indiana in third place. It’s a comfortable position for the Celtics, who could use the run home to rest some key players who are suffering niggles.
Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart have already been ruled out of Thursday’s game while star forward Al Horford is also in doubt. Combine those injuries with the loss of Gordon Hayward at the start of the year, and the Celtics best five players are all currently sidelined.
The Wizards are still without their star point guard John Wall but have been playing some decent basketball to remain in the top five in the East in his absence. Almost even odds for this game but we have to give the slight advantage to Washington because of Boston’s missing players.
TIP: Washington to win - $1.96 at Sportsbet
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (1.30pm AEDT)
The Warriors have lost their last two games in a row to the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers respectively and now sit two games behind Houston for the top spot in the Western Conference. It shouldn’t bother them too much as they’ll back themselves to beat anyone regardless of the home court advantage, and they currently have a 10-game lead over Portland in third place.
The Lakers captured a great win over Denver on Wednesday to make it two wins in a row and eight out of their last 10 as they remain one of the hottest teams in the league since the all-star break. Brandon Ingram remains on the sidelines for the Lakers which could be a bit of a concern against the length of Kevin Durant and co.
Not sure as to how the Warriors will play out the rest of this season, will they strive for wins in an attempt to reel in the Rockets or will they go into full blown cruise control. Cruise control could be the right option here as all of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Igoudala, David West, Nick Young and Jordan Bell have already been ruled out or are in doubt for Wednesday’s game.
The line has been adjusted for that factor though, with the Warriors starting as just 4.5 point favourites. At home, with Kevin Durant and with the Lakers on the second night of a back to back, we think they still cover.
TIP: Golden State -4.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
