We are nearly a month into the new NBA season now and normality is starting to take shape in the standings. Here, we’ll look to take advantage of the value in the markets as we preview the upcoming games and provide our NBA betting tips for Thursday, 9th November!
2017-18 NBA Preview & Betting Tips for Thursday, 9th November
New York Knicks At Orlando Magic (11:00pm AEST)
The Knicks (6-4) have enjoyed a surprisingly successful start to the new season and are sitting in 6th place in the Eastern Conference after 10 games. They are currently on a 3-win streak after defeating the Suns, Pacers and Hornets this week and will no doubt fancy their chances in this one. Kristaps Porzingis (30ppg, 7.5rpb, 2.3bpg) continues to dominate and will be a handful for the Magic, as will new recruit Enes Kanter (13.6ppg, 10.8rpg), who has been a handy addition to their offense.
The Magic (6-4) have also had a surprising start to the season, but will be looking to get back on the winners after consecutive losses to the Celtics and Bulls. Nikola Vucevic (17.9ppg, 8rpg) has cooled off after a blistering start to the season, although frontcourt partner Aaron Gordon (19.1ppg, 8.9rpg) has started to find some impressive form.
Both sides will be coming into this matchup with a clean bill of health for the most part and will each be looking to get their 7th win of the season. The Magic are at home and will understandably start as favourites, however, we are expecting a close contest and wouldn’t be surprised to see the Knicks get a win here.
TIP: New York Knicks at the line (+5) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Los Angeles Lakers At Boston Celtics (12:00pm AEST)
The Lakers (5-5) have split their first 10 games of the season and will be looking to stay above .500 when the travel to play the Celtics. The Lakers are coming off 2 days rest and will be fit and firing after a team-building 107-102 win over the Grizzlies in their last outing. Rookie Kyle Kuzma (15.4ppg, 6.3rpg) has found himself in the starting line-up after a great start to the season and Brandon Ingram (15.3ppg, 4.7rpg) and Jordan Clarkson (15ppg) continue to get it done on offense.
The Celtics (9-2) have won their last 9 games after starting the season 0-2 to become the outright leader in the league standings. After Gordon Haywards horror injury in the season opener, fans across the world thought they were going to be in for a long season. However, after ultra-impressive starts to the season by young guns Jaylen Brown (15.4ppg, 6.4rpg) and Jayson Tatum (14.3ppg, 6.5rpg) it looks like the Celtics will be feared once again when the playoffs roll around in April.
Unsurprisingly, the Bookies have given the Celtics extremely short odds to beat the Lakers at home. However, after an encouraging start to the season and 2 days break, we think that the Lakers will put up a fight and should cover the line here.
TIP: Los Angeles Lakers at the line (+8.5) - $1.90 at CrownBet
Minnesota Timberwolves At Golden State Warriors (2:30pm AEST)
The Timberwolves (7-3) are currently 3rd in the Western Conference standings on the back of an impressive 5-game winning streak. They are coming into this matchup with the Warriors with two days rest after demolishing the Hornets 112-94 on Monday. The Timberwolves boast one of the leagues most talented players in Karl-Anthony Towns, and with the addition of superstar Jimmy Butler in the offseason it seems that they’ve already started to gel and will be ready to make an impact in the playoffs this season.
The Warriors (8-3) have settled into the season and find themselves near the top of the Western Conference standings once again. They are currently on a four game win streak where they have blown out their opposition to win by margins of 17, 19, 20, and 28. All the usual suspects (Thompson, Durant, Curry) have proven too hot to handle at certain stages so far this season and when they are focussed on the defensive end they almost seem impossible to defeat.
The Warriors have had the wood over the Timberwolves (and most other teams) in recent times. However, the 2017-18 Timberwolves are a different beast and will undoubtedly give the Warriors a run for their money here. We expect this to be a lot closer than the Bookies believe and we are tipping that the Timberwolves will cover the line here.
TIP: Minnesota Timberwolves at the line (+11) - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
_ _ _
Always Gamble Responsibly.
