We have hit on 5/6 NBA betting tips this week and we'll be looking to continue our hot run as we preivew some of the key games of the day in Saturday'sseven game slate! The day is headlined by a couple of interesting clashes, with the Thunder hosting the Heat from 12pm followed by the Mavericks and Blazers squaring off from 1.30pm.
NBA Betting Tips Saturday 18th of January
Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers (11am AEDT)
The 76ers have been struggling of late, winning just four of their last six games. They recently lost away games to the Mavericks and Pacers before returning home on Thursday to beat the Nets. They’ll be keen to secure another home win against the Bulls on Saturday before embarking on a three game road trip.
Star centre Joel Embiid has been out with a finger injury for the last four Philadelphia games and will remain on the sidelines for the next few, at least. Without Embiid, the 76ers really lack a go to scoring option, and in their last four games in particular, it’s been Tobias Harris who has gotten a considerable bump in usage.
Through the opening 38 games of the season, Harris averged just over34 minutes and 15 shot attempts per game, ad in the last four without Embiid in the line-up that number has jumped to 36 minutes and almost 19 shot attempts per game. Like the look of the Harris overs here.
Tobias Harris Over 20.5 Points
$1.85
Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder (12pm AEDT)
The Thunder have been playing out of their skin of late, winning seven of their last 10 games to climb to 7th in the Western Conference. They have been the best team in the entire NBA against the spread, racking up a 27-14 record in that category.
They host another team who has been dominant against the spread this year in the Miami Heat. The head are 23-16-1 ATS this season but have struggled a big on the road. They are 18-1 straight up at home but just 10-11 on the road, and currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference.
This is an even money game according to the bookies, however, we're happy to give the Thunder the nod here. They have beaten the Heat in six out of their last seven matchups and are a strong home team.
Portland Trail Blazers at Dallas Mavericks (1.30pm AEDT)
The Dallas Mavericks have won their last three games on the trot and should be buoyed by the return of star centre Kristaps Porzingus back into the line-up on Saturday against the Blazers. The Latvian seven-footer has missed the last nine games for the Mavericks, in which they went just 5-4 after starting the season with a 21-11 record.
Portland have been battling injuries throughout the season so far and currently sit 10th in the Western Conference with an 18-24 record. They have won their last two games on the trot but have really struggled on the road this season, winning just 9 of 23 games away from the Moda Center.
The Mavericks start as favourties here and we have to side with them at home. They are back at full health and star point guard Luka Doncic has been playing at an elite level. Look for them to claim a pretty comfortable win at home.
Dallas Mavericks -5.5
$1.93
