The regular season is starting to wind up and competition for playoff spots is as hot as ever. There are some huge games coming up on NBA Thursday this week, so take a look below at our previews and betting tips for Thursday, 22nd of March.
Toronto Raptors At Cleveland Cavaliers (10am AEDT)
The Raptors will play their third game in four days when they travel to Cleveland to take on LeBron James and the Cavaliers in what will be their second and final game of a quick 2-game road trip. The Raptors bounced back from their loss to OKC to get back on the winners list against the Magic on the road on Tuesday. DeMar DeRozan missed Tuesday’s game and is again a question mark ahead of their duel with the Cavs. The Raptors have been successful on the road this season, winning 23 games in 35 attempts.
The Cavaliers welcomed back perennial All-Star Kevin Love in their most recent game against the Bucks. Love finished the game with 18 points and 7 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action. The Cavs are on a 2-game winning streak and will play their second of a 3-game home stand against the Raptors on Thursday. Despite their struggles the Cavs have been solid at home this season with a 23-11 record.
With Kevin Love back for the Cavaliers and DeMar DeRozan a question mark for the Rapors, we’re expecting the Cavs to prevail in a close one.
TIP: Cleveland Cavaliers at the line (+1.5) - $1.90 at CrownBet
Memphis Grizzlies At Philadelphia 76ers (10am AEDT)
The Grizzlies have well and truly thrown in the towel for the season and are clearly tanking for draft picks. They have failed to be competitive since the All-Star break and have won just 1 of their last 21 games. Mike Conley continues to miss and Marc Gasol is a question mark, which will make the task even harder for them on their visit to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia have been a top 5 team in the league since the All-Star break, with Rookie Ben Simmons and Sophomore Joel Embiid leading the charge. Three-point-shooting has been a weapon for the Sixers, with Embiid, Saric, Covington and Reddick all shooting around 40% since the break. They’ll be full of confidence and expecting to make light-work of the short-handed Grizzlies on Thursday.
We are expecting the Sixers to blowout the Grizzlies early on, covering the line comfortably with the potential of a 20+ point winning margin.
TIP: Philadelphia 76ers at the line (-13) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Washington Wizards At San Antonio Spurs (12:30pm AEDT)
Another huge game in the playoff race will be played out between the visiting Washington Wizards and the evergreen San Antonio Spurs. The Wizards have exceeded expectations since losing their superstar points guard (John Wall), but will face another tough challenge in Texas. The Wizards have been excellent on the road this season, boasting the sixth best win/loss record at 20-15.
After a rare 3-game losing streak the Spurs have bounced back to win their last 4. Thursday’s game against the Wizards will be their fourth of a season long 6 game home stand. Their most recent game was against an extremely short-handed Warriors outfit, where they were unimpressive in a narrow win.
We are taking the Wizards to cover the line against the Spurs. We feel their offense will cause a lot of issues for the Spurs and don’t see them keeping up for four quarters.
TIP: Washington Wizards at the line (+5) - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
