Week two of the fresh NBA season continues on Saturday with a tasty seven-game slate. As always, we bring you our best spread and player prop bets for the day right here!
NBA Betting Tips: Saturday, 30th of October
Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat
FTX Arena, 10:30am AEDT
The Hornets have made a surprisingly good start to the season with wins in four of their first five games. Their best win to date came on the road against the Nets in their third game, while their only loss was in overtime against the Celtics earlier in the week. Miles Bridges is enjoying a monster start to his campaign and is now one of the leaders in the MIP market.
Miami made a couple of solid moves in the off-season to try and get themselves back in championship contention and it looks to be paying off early with wins in three of their four games. Likewise, their only loss to date came in overtime when they travelled to Indiana in their second game of the season.
Both teams will feel as though they’re in good form coming into this clash, which should make for an entertaining game. However, the Hornets have had a relatively soft draw so far this season and haven’t come up against a defence as stingy as the Heat’s. We expect them to struggle to find their rhythm and for the home side to cover the spread in a good win.
Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers
Moda Center, 1pm AEDT
The Clippers had a game to forget last time out against the Cavaliers where they shot just 35.6% from the field and put up 79 points, which is the lowest of any team so far this season. As disappointing of a result that it was, it came as no big surprise to us considering the lack of firepower they have on their roster without Kawhi Leonard’s availability.
The Trail Blazers have had mixed results so far this season and come into Saturday’s clash with a 2-2 record. They were impressive last start against a young but talented Grizzlies outfit who they defeated by 20 points, which was the perfect way to bounce back from the drubbing they copped against the Clippers the game prior.
The Clippers got the jump on the Trail Blazers when they met at Staples Center last week in a game that turned into an extremely one-sided affair. That, however, is the only win the Clippers have had from four games this season and we can’t see them repeating that performance on the road against a Trail Blazers outfit that are more talented and whom will be out for revenge.
Portland Trail Blazers -2.5
$1.90
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers
Staples Center, 1:30pm AEDT
Cleveland won ugly against the Clippers on Thursday in a game that onlookers will be quick to forget. Despite being the big underdogs, the young Cavaliers were able to keep the Clippers to just 79 points in their 13-point win, making it three straight games where they’ve kept their opponents under 100 points and less than 41% shooting from the field.
The Lakers have had a rough start to the season despite having what looked like a soft draw early on. Their last start loss against the Thunder really summed up their early season form in a nutshell, as they coughed up a 22-point quarter time lead to lose by eight points and have their start point guard in Russell Westbrook get ejected.
After missing the last two games through injury, it’s expected that LeBron James will return to play against his old team. As a result, the Lakers are set to start at around 8.5-point favourites, which we simply don’t agree with. The Cavaliers, although very young and inexperienced, have been one of the best defensive teams in the league in the early part of the season and will be full of confidence. We expect them to continue to fight and push the Lakers all the way here.
Cleveland Cavaliers +8.5
$1.90
Player Props
10am Magic at Raptors – Franz Wagner 12+ Points ($2 TAB), 15+ Points ($3.75 Sportsbet)
10am Magic at Raptors – OG Anunoby 20+ Points ($2.20 TAB)
10:30am Pacers at Nets – Joe Harris 15+ Points ($2.85 Sportsbet)
11am Kings at Pelicans – Harrison Barnes 20+ Points ($2.45 TAB)
11am Kings at Pelicans – Nickeil Alexander-Walker 25+ PRA ($1.90 TAB)
11am Kings at Pelicans – Brandon Ingram 25+ Points ($1.90 TAB)
1pm Clippers at Trail Blazers – CJ McCollum+ Points ($2.10 Sportsbet)
