Another Thursday, another massive slate in the NBA. There are 13 games on the card and that gives us plenty of opportunity to strike some value. Jake Smit provides his best bets for the day here!
Also, sure to check out our NBA tips page regularly to find our best bets for multiple slates each week!
NBA Betting Tips: Thursday, 1st December
Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, 11am AEDT
Both considered Eastern Conference contenders, the 76ers and the Cavaliers will matchup for the first time this season on Thursday morning. The Cavs are currently slightly favoured in the H2H market at the time of writing ($1.60 vs $2.36).
The Sixers will be pleased with their impressive recent form despite being without at least one of their key players every night. They enter this slate having won seven of their last nine games, including three on the spin.
In contrast, the Cavs have lost two of their last three on their travels but will be returning to play in front of their home fans at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Thursday where they boast an elite 8-1 record.
These clubs played each other four times in the span of two months last season, with the Sixers coming away with a 4-0 sweep.
The Cavs are clearly a far better team this time around and are the deserving favourites on their home deck where they’ve been nearly unbeatable this campaign. Providing they play close to their best against the Sixers, they should be winning this one by 5+ points.
Cleveland Cavaliers -4
$1.90 (2 Units)
Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic
Amway Center, 11am AEDT
Meeting a rebuilding team in the Magic couldn’t have come at a better time for the Hawks who desperately need to find some winning form. The Hawks ($1.39) will travel to Orlando as the clear favourites against the Magic ($3).
Trae Young and co. enter this slate on a three-game losing streak, with two of those losses coming against decent Eastern Conference team (76ers, Heat), and the other coming against a horrible Rockets outfit.
On the other hand, losing won’t phase the Magic as they’re still in the very early stages of a complete rebuild. They’ve lost five in a row and seven of their last eight but would’ve still taken a lot of positives out of those performances.
The Hawks have already beaten the Magic once this season (108-98) and were victorious against them in both games at the Amway Center last campaign. Despite their poor form in the lead up, they should be winning this comfortably.
Atlanta Hawks -6
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves
Target Center, 12pm AEDT
Two familiar foes will do battle again on Thursday, with the Timberwolves hosting the Grizzlies at the Target Center. Due to recent dominance in the H2H, the Grizzlies will start as the favourites despite being the travelling team ($1.57 vs $2.40).
The Grizzlies have had to contend with continuous line-up changes in the early goings this season but have managed to stay afloat with a 12-8 record.
Ja Morant is expected to be available on Thursday after overcoming a couple of niggling injuries, while Desmond Bane will remain on the sidelines for the time being.
The Timberwolves have had rare fortunes with their health this season, although it hasn’t necessarily resulted in consistent performances. They enter this slate with a 10-11 record and have lost each of their last three games.
Despite adding a multi-time DPOY winner to their roster in Rudy Gobert, defence continues to be a big issue for the Timberwolves. I just can’t see them rising above their lopsided H2H record and defeating the Grizzlies on this occasion.
Memphis Grizzlies -3.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
