The big NBA slates continue as we head into the final couple of days of 2021. Here, we bring you our best spread and player prop bets from the nine-game schedule on Thursday!
NBA Betting Tips: Thursday, 30th of December
Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 11am AEDT
The Hornets finished off their tough six-game road trip with a win over the Nuggets and were able to back it up at home with an easy win over the Rockets last time out. This mini two-game run has seen the Hornets go back over .500 for the season at 18-17, which is currently good enough for the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Pacers have shown some improvement in recent weeks but weren’t able to get over the line against the more talented Bulls last time out. That loss came after a solid win at home against the Rockets, which made it five wins from their last six games in front of their home fans. The Pacers are now 14-20 on the year and three games behind the #8 seed in the East.
These teams have already played each other twice this season and both games have gone down to the wire. The Hornets came out victorious on both occasions, winning by one point in their first clash and three points in their second meeting. The Hornets are also in the better form of the two leading into their game on Thursday and there’s no reason why they won’t win once again at good odds.
Charlotte Hornets H2H
$2.20
Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies
FedExForum, 12pm AEDT
The Lakers were finally able to get back on the winners list last start when they defeated the lowly Rockets by nine points. That win snapped a five-game losing streak where they lost by an average margin of just over 15 points. The Lakers are now 17-18 on the season and will continue to be without superstar Anthony Davis who has been sidelined by injury.
The Grizzlies recorded one of the best wins of their campaign to date in their most recent outing away to the Suns. They won their seventh game from their last 10 games and also dealt the Suns consecutive losses for the first time this season. Now at 21-14 through 35 games, the Grizzlies are fourth in the West standings and have the sixth best record in the NBA.
These teams have met twice so far this season and enter this clash with series tied at one win apiece, with both teams winning on their home deck. The Grizzlies won their most recent meeting by 13 points just over a fortnight ago and with the form they’re currently in, we have them repeating the dose with a big victory on Thursday.
Memphis Grizzlies -4.5
$1.89
Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings
Golden 1 Center, 2:30pm AEDT
The Mavericks were too good for the Trail Blazers in their most recent outing as they poured in 132 points to win by 15. It was a much-needed win for the Mavs who had lost four of their last five coming in, all of which have been without superstar Luka Doncic who continues to miss through injury. They’re now 16-17 on the season and are in eighth spot in the West.
The Kings were unconvincing winners at home against the undermanned and lowly Thunder in the first leg of their home back-to-back on Wednesday. That win snapped a three-game losing streak, two of which were on their home deck against the Grizzlies and the Clippers. The Kings are now 14-21 on the season and will see their playoff hopes slip away unless they can find their best form sooner rather than later.
Both of these teams come into this clash off last start wins, but the Mavs win was by far the more impressive of the two. Even without Luka Doncic suiting up, they should prove to be too good for the inconsistent Kings in our opinion. In this even money contest, backing the away side to get the job done looks to be the play here.
Dallas Mavericks H2H
$1.82
Player Props
11am Hornets at Pacers – Mason Plumlee 3+ Assists $2.40 TAB
12pm Lakers at Grizzlies – Ja Morant 7+ Assists $1.79 Sportsbet
1pm Thunder at Suns – Devin Booker 25+ Points $1.95 Sportsbet
2pm Jazz at Trail Blazers – Royce O’Neale 6+ Assists $2.20 TAB
2pm Jazz at Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard 29+ Points $1.87 Sportsbet
2:30pm Mavericks at Kings – Jalen Brunson 8+ Assists $1.89 Sportsbet
