We’ve had a couple of winning days in a row now and will look to keep the momentum rolling. There’s a massive 13-game slate set to play out this Thursday with some tasty games on the cards. As usual, we present previews and betting tips for the three best value games of the day. Good luck to all following!
NBA Betting Tips Thursday 22nd November
New Orleans Pelicans at Philadelphia 76ers (11am AEDT)
Like many teams, the Pelicans have struggled with consistency to start the season. They began the year with a four game winning streak, only to lose each of their next six, but have now recovered to win six of their last seven. These streaks have equated to a 10-7 record, which has the Pelicans in seventh position in the Western Conference standings. Anthony Davis continues to shine for the Pelicans and has recently been named the Western Conference Player of the Week. Davis is averaging 28 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and just under three blocks per game.
The 76ers have also had their struggles with consistency. Their win over Phoenix on Tuesday was the first time for the season that they’ve been able to string three consecutive victories together. However, most, well pretty much all of their struggles have come on the road. Amazingly, the Sixers have a perfect 9-0 record at home, but have won just three of their 10 road games thus far. Luckily for them they’ll be facing the in-form Pelicans on their home deck on Thursday.
This one looms as the match of the day in our eyes, but we can see the Sixers being too strong. It’s hard to knock their form at home that will only get stronger with the addition of Jimmy Butler. The Pelicans are 2-6 on the road this season and will have to find their best to stick with the Sixers here.
76ers -3.5 Handicap
$1.93
Toronto Raptors at Atlanta Hawks (11:30am AEDT)
The Raptors managed to weather a second half onslaught from the Magic on Wednesday to notch their second win on the spin, thanks to a Danny Green middie at the buzzer. The win took their season record to 14-4, which is the best mark in the competition. They’ll now travel to Atlanta to take on their Eastern Conference rivals in the Hawks. The Raptors have been one of the better teams on the road this season, winning seven of their nine games thus far.
The Hawks were in their last game up to their eye balls against the Clippers on Tuesday. They led for the majority of the game, but were unable to make any plays in the clutch to defend home-court. Unfortunately, the Hawks now find themselves in an eight-game losing streak, which is the worst mark of any team in the league this season. Their overall record now stands at 3-14, which is the second worst in the association. A positive sign for the Hawks was the most recent outing from Trae Young, who tallied a league high 17 assists to go with 25 points. He’s now averaging 16.8 points and 8.3 assists on the season.
We’re surprised to see the Raptors handicap set in single figures in this one, even with Kawhi Leonard expected to sit. The Raptors don’t mind playing abroad and should be far too strong for the Hawks, who we see as the weakest team in the league this season.
Raptors -6.5 Handicap
$1.92
Sacramento Kings at Utah Jazz (1pm AEDT)
The Kings have been one of, if not the most surprising team in the competition this season. Although largely inexperienced, the Kings have been able to grind out wins against quality opposition in the early stages of the season. Their most recent victim was the Thunder, who came into the game as the hottest team in the competition. That win took their season tally to a positive 9-8, which has them in 10th position in the Western Conference.
While the Kings have been one of the more exciting teams in the league, the Jazz have been one of the more disappointing. They were predicted by many to be a top four team in the West this season, but poor form currently has them down in 12th position in the standings with an 8-9 record. 2017-18 Rookie of the Year runner-up Donovan Mitchell still hasn’t found his rhythm, which has left the Jazz searching for answers on the offensive end. They’ll be looking to kickstart their season with a win at home against a quality outfit in the Kings on Thursday.
The Bookies have given the Kings a near double-digit head-start in this one, which to us is one of the most surprising spreads of the season. We could understand the Jazz going in as slight favourites due to home-court advantage, but +9? We just can’t have that.
