There’s a massive slate of NBA on this Thursday with a few key games headlining the day. It should be an exciting day of action so join us here as we assess the markets of some of the upcoming games and showcase our NBA betting tips for Thursday, November 16th!
2017-18 NBA Preview & Betting Tips for Thursday, 16th November
Washington Wizards At Miami Heat (11:30pm AEST)
The Washington Wizards (8-5) have taken advantage of an easy draw to start the season and find themselves in the 3rd seed in the East. They’ve won their last 3 games, which all came at home against lower tier teams (Lakers, Hawks and Kings). Usual suspects John Wall (20.3 points, 9.7 assists per game) and Bradley Beal (23.8 points) have produced as expected, while Otto Porter (16.8 points, 7 rebounds) has increased his output significantly in 2017-18. The Wizards will have their work cut out for them against a full-strength Miami Heat in this one, with a key indicator being their ability to keep Hassan Whiteside at bay (which is no easy feat).
Miami Heat (6-7) have had an inconsistent start to the season, partly due to a few niggling injuries to key players Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside. It’s still a much improved start when compared to the 2016-17 season, where they went 11-30 through the first half of the season before flying home to finish with a 41-41 record. The Heat have won 2 of their last 3 games, with their loss coming in a 9-point away loss to the red-hot Pistons. Hassan Whiteside (15.9 points, 13 rebounds, 1.88 blocks) is starting to find his way with 8 games now under his belt and will most likely be the deciding factor in the result against the Wizards.
The Wizards still haven’t proven themselves against quality opposition this season and a full-strength Miami Heat is exactly that. In front of their home fans we can see Whiteside and co. getting a win here.
Tip: Miami Heat to win - $1.86 at CrownBet
Cleveland Cavaliers At Charlotte Hornets (12:00pm AEST)
The Cleveland Cavaliers (7-7) fought back triumphantly from 20+ points down to claim the victory inside a packed Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, levelling their season up at 7-7. Kyle Korver was enormous with 19 fourth quarter points, while LeBron James was his dominant self and fell one rebound shy of a triple double. The Cavs have been inconsistent all season and will be determined to use their gritty comeback win against the Knicks as an opportunity to kick-start their season. They definitely have the talent on their roster and have a great opportunity to claim consecutive wins when they face a lacklustre Hornets outfit on Thursday.
The Charlotte Hornets (5-7) came into the 2017-18 season as one of the favourites to make the jump from a mediocre .500 team to contenders in the Eastern Conference, but currently look a long way off achieving that status as they sit 4th last in the East after their opening 12 games of the season. They’ll return home for this match after losing all four games of their road trip, but will be tasked with facing a spirited Cavaliers outfit. Kemba Walker has been down on his 2016-17 form, but still holds averages of 21.7 points and 6.6 assists per game, while Dwight Howard has been surprisingly effective, averaging 14.4 points and 13.1 rebounds thus far.
The Cavaliers come into this game as favourites and for good reason. The Hornets have been really disappointing this season and lack a genuine scoring threat when Kemba Walker’s off the floor. The Cavs are coming off a team-lifting win and we can see them keeping the momentum going with another win here.
Tip: Cleveland Cavaliers at the line (-1.5) - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
Philadelphia 76ers At Los Angeles Lakers (2:30pm AEST)
The Philadelphia 76ers (7-6) are above .500 now after an impressive away win over the Clippers on Tuesday. They are currently in the 7th seed in the East and look like they’re ready to live up to the hype and make a genuine push towards the playoffs this season. Ben Simmons looks a certainty for the Rookie of the Year award and star Centre Joel Embiid’s minutes restriction looks to be a little less ‘strict’. Although still youthful, the 76ers look ready to start consistently winning games and possibly claiming a top 4 seed in the East.
The Los Angeles Lakers (6-8) are coming off a 100-93 win away to the Suns on Tuesday and currently sit 11th in the Western Conference standings. The jury is still well and truly out on the Lakers playoffs credentials due to their inconsistency throughout the early part of the season. They definitely found a gem late in the draft in Kyle Kuzma, who has earned himself the starting Power Forward position on the back of impressive averages of 14.9 points and 6.8 rebounds. Lonzo Ball (9.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.2 assists) continues to tease fans with patches of brilliance, while Brandon Ingram (13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds) has improved in leaps and bounds this season.
The 76ers have a huge opportunity to go to 8-6 by defeating a youthful Lakers team and we would be really surprised if they come up short. We see Joel Embiid dominating the Lakers front-court enroute to a dominant 76ers win.
Tip: Philadelphia 76ers at the line (-3.5) - $1.95 at CrownBet
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