NBA players will get a well-deserved break at the end of this week as the 2018 All-Star Weekend will take place from Los Angeles. However, there’s some great slates of games up until Thursday and we are back with another preview and tips for the key games of the day this Tuesday, the 13th of February below.
New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers (11am AEDT)
The Knicks were dealt a massive blow to their season last week when all-star forward Kristaps Porzingus tore his ACL, meaning he’ll be out for the remainder of the 2017-18 season. The Knicks were just relevant in the Eastern Conference standings but have now lost their four games since Porzingus went out and face a tough test in Philly on Tuesday.
For what seems like the first time all season, the 76ers are completely healthy, besides number one draft pick Markelle Fultz, and will have a full compliment of players to call upon on Tuesday. All-Star Joel Embiid is off his minutes restriction and has been absolutely dominating for the 76ers, with eight double-doubles in a row and almost 2 blocks per game over that stretch. Aussie Ben Simmons will be out to prove a point in the lead up to the all-star game, after the rookie was snubbed not once but three times as Kevin Love, John Wall and Porzingus were withdrawals from the weekend’s activities.
Even with Porzingus in the side, the Knicks were already one of the worst road teams this season. Their away record of 7-22 is the third worst in the league and without their star Latvian, we really cant see them being competitive here.
TIP: Philadelphia at the line – Price not yet available
Los Angeles Clippers at Brooklyn Nets (11.30am AEDT)
The Clippers continue their road-trip Tuesday as they face the Nets in Brooklyn from 11.30am. The 7-game road-trip, which luckily for the Clippers, will be broken up by the all-star break, should define their season as they look to still push for the Western Conference playoffs without Blake Griffin. They were able to capture a great win over Griffin and his new team, the Pistons, on Saturday before going down to the 76ers on Sunday to snap a 3-game winning streak.
Despite not having their 2018 draft pick, the Nets have gone into a tank like spiral over the last month of play. They have won just one of their last 10 games and are currently on a five game losing streak. They’ll be without key players Chris LaVert and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the clash against the Clippers, leaving them desperately undermanned.
The Clippers are playing some great basketball since the departure of Blake Griffin, and the return of Danilo Gallinari from injury came at the perfect time as the Italian has provided some desperately needed offence along with the newly acquired Tobias Harris. With all of their key players fit and firing on this road trip, they should be too strong for the Nets here.
TIP: LA Clippers -4.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors (2.30pm AEDT)
The Suns will embark on a tough two game road trip before their all-star break as they travel to Golden State to take on the Warriors on Tuesday followed by a game in Utah on Thursday. They seem to have flicked the tank switch over the last month, winning just three of their last 18 games as they look to secure a decent draft pick heading into the offseason.
The Warriors hit a bit of a road bump as they lost three in four to the Jazz, Nuggets and Thunder but have bounced back in their last two games with impressive wins over the Mavericks and Spurs. Draymond Green is doubtful for the game against the Suns but we doubt that’ll be a massive issue for the title favourites.
With the Warriors seeming to have bounced back from a mini slump and the Suns in full blown tank mode, we can’t see a way in which Phoenix even stay competitive here. They are still without guard Devin Booker due to a hip injury, and away from home they have a 9-18 record this season. No value in the win markets so we’ll take Kevin Durant to record 10+ rebounds and the Warriors to win as Green is out.
TIP: Kevin Durant 10+ rebounds & Warriors win - $5 at Sportsbet
