The NBA is back in action after a week off for the All-Star break. We finished off our pre-break with two wins from our three bets, which we’ll look to build on in the first day of the second half of the season. There’s a decent six game slate on the first game back, which we’ve analysed closely to come up with our three best bets of the day. Check them out below and good luck to everyone following!
NBA Betting Tips Friday 22nd February
Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks (12pm AEDT)
The first game of the day that we’re making a play on is the Eastern Conference heavyweight battle between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. The season series is currently tied at 1-1, although both games have been played at the TD Garden in Boston.
The Celtics have had a mixed season to date, with plenty of long winning streaks among a few unexpected losing streaks. They come into this game with seven wins from their last 10 and will be looking to improve on their ordinary 14-13 road record.
On the other hand, the Bucks have enjoyed one of their best regular seasons in franchise history to date. They lead the NBA with an overall record of 43-14 and have the second best home record at 23-5. They’ll be looking for more of the same in the second half of the season.
The Bucks enter this game as pretty clear favourites, which we absolutely agree with. They’ve been by far the better team this season, especially on their home court at Fiserv Forum. We expect Giannis to continue his terrific season with a big performance against a Celtics unit that struggles to defend athletic big men in the paint.
Milwaukee Bucks -5.5
$1.94
Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors (2:30pm AEDT)
Second up for the day we’re looking at the Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors march-up. The Warriors will be looking to sweep the season series against the Kings with a win at Oracle Arena. Don’t count out the kings, though, as all three losses to the Warriors have been by five points or less.
The Kings will be looking to make a playoff push as we approach the final portion of the season. They’ve been good enough throughout the first half of the season to give themselves a chance, as they currently sit in ninth spot and one game behind the Clippers in eighth.
Meanwhile, the Warriors will be hoping to improve on their pre All-Star break form that had them leap into first spot in the Western Conference standings. It hasn’t been the smoothest of seasons for the back-to-back defending champs, but recent signs point to them being the team to beat once again.
We expect it to take a couple of games post All-Star break for the Warriors to fully hit their straps. They had a lot of their roster competing over the weekend whom will likely still be in holiday mode for this game. We’re confident the Kings can cover the spread and post a similar result to their three earlier meetings with the Warriors this season.
Sacramento Kings +11.5
$1.92
Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Lakers (2:30pm AEDT)
The third and final game of the day we’ve taken a keen interest in is the Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers match-up. The Rockets currently lead the season series 3-0 and can close out a four game season sweep with a win here.
The Rockets come into this game with two losses in their last three in what has been a pretty lacklustre season for them so far. Other than James Harden (who has been exceptional), there just hasn’t been enough consistent performances from their players, which is why they’re amongst a whole bunch of teams in the West fighting for a playoff spot.
The Lakers season also hasn’t quite gone to plan at this point in time. They’re currently at a game under .500 and need to win at least around 70 of their remaining games to clinch a playoff berth. The good news for them is that LeBron James is back fit and healthy and ready to put the team on his back.
We expect a much stronger and consistent Lakers team in the post All-Star stretch of the season. They’re almost back to full health and are continually gelling better as a team. We like them here first up at home at really nice odds to beat an undermanned and inconsistent Rockets outfit.
Los Angeles Lakers +2.5
$1.95
