With the All-Star break in the rear-view mirror, we have hit the home stretch in the NBA regular season, with just over 6 weeks remaining. With most teams figured out at this point between the haves, have nots, and tankers, the rest of this season could throw out some lopsided matches.
Today, we get a nice little 8-game slate in the Association, highlighted by several Eastern Conference teams battling it out for playoff positions, as well as a massive Pacific Division showdown between the Kings and Clippers. We will take a look at 3 games where we find value below, previewing each before offering up our best NBA bets for today.
2022-23 NBA Betting Tips: Saturday 25th February
New York Knicks at Washington Wizards
Capital One Arena, 11:00am AEDT
The bottom half of the Eastern Conference playoff picture is tight, with teams 6 through 10 covered by just 4 games. And whilst every game down the stretch is going to be important for these teams, the matchups played out against one another are going to mean that little bit more.
Today, the Knicks travel to the Capital to take on the Wizards. Both teams came into the All-Star break in good form, with the Knicks winning 5 of their last 7, and the Wizards winning 4 of 5 before the week off. With both teams in good form, potential injuries to meaningful contributors to both teams may decide who gets the win here.
The Knicks will be without Mitchell Robinson and Evan Fournier, however the biggest concern for either team is the availability of star Wizards’ guard, Bradley Beal. Beal has missed 21 of the 58 Wizards games this season, and is currently listed as questionable with a knee complaint. If Beal misses, the Wizards will struggle.
I’ve been a big fan betting the Knicks this season, and I will continue doing so when I see value. They are a very good road team, and the Wizards home record (14-12) isn’t exactly earth-shattering. Knicks to cause the minor upset here.
New York Knicks
$2.10 (2 Units)
Charlotte Hornets at Minnesota Timberwolves
Target Center, 12:00pm AEDT
The Hornets currently hold the 4th-worst record in the NBA, just 1.5-games ahead of the 2nd and 3rd worst records in the NBA. Why is this important? Well, a drop from the 4th worst record to the 3rd worst record is a 1.5% increase in the team’s chances at the number 1 overall pick next season. Why is this important? Because the consensus number 1 overall pick next season is Victor Wembanyama, the most highly rated prospect coming into the NBA since LeBron James.
What does all this mean for this game, and betting Hornets’ games moving forward? I believe it means the Hornets are a fade for the remainder of the season. Yes, they’ll be competitive in games, more-so at home, however they have blowout potential in every game going forward. Today they take on the Timberwolves in Minnesota, in a one-game road trip, before heading home for 4-straight games. The potential of a no-show from the Hornets here is high.
The Timberwolves will need to play their part, and I trust them enough in their current form to get the job done here relatively comfortably against the Hornets. They head west for a 4-game road trip after this game, so the possibility exists that they take the foot off the gas late, but I believe they’ll have a big enough lead to still cover. Wolves first half is also a consideration in this one.
Timberwolves (-7)
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Clippers
Crypto.com Arena, 2:30pm AEDT
The Kings come into this one off the back of a win yesterday over a depleted Trail Blazers’ squad, and today get their chance to solidify their spot atop the Pacific Division. They take on the Clippers, who suddenly can seem to rely on their two superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George playing more than two games in a row together.
The Clippers were risking a spot in the play-in tournament not all that long ago now, but with some solid play leading into the All-Star break, they are on the precipice of a Division title and a top 3 seed in the west, with a win here today putting them only ½ a game back on the Kings.
Whilst I love what the Kings have done this season, I have reservations they can get it done down the stretch. This matchup will be particularly difficult, coming off a game yesterday and having to back up today. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Kings go with the Clippers for 2, maybe even 3 quarters in this one, but I just feel the Clippers will get the down the stretch.
With a relatively large spread, this will be a small play, but I like the Clippers to make a statement here in the battle for the Pacific Division.
LA Clippers (-6.5)
$1.88 (1.5 Units)
