NBA Games Betting Preview: Two Big Showdowns in the East
Celtics, Bucks Face Big Road Tests
The East’s Top Teams Prepare for Battle
The Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat will play host to the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks respectively on a day where all eyes will be in the East. Let’s take a look at our NBA Games Betting Preview guide to see the upcoming matchups on offer.
The Nets are 3.0-point underdogs at home to the Boston Celtics as they prepare for their first game without MVP-candidate Kevin Durant. Despite the rest advantage and having the Celtics play their second of a back-to-back things don’t look overly favorable for the Nets without their top scorer.
The Celtics were 103-92 winners in this arena at the beginning of last month and have now won eight straight games against the Nets, including their 4-0 playoff sweep in the opening round last season. The total for this one has been set at 227.5 points; a number they have cleared in just two of the last six meetings.
The Heat have opened as 2.5-point favorites for their home meeting with the Bucks, but that number could shift dramatically once we get official NBA injury report updates.
Milwaukee is on the second of a back-to-back and playing their third game in four nights, which is a spot where we’ve seen them sit Giannis Antetokounmpo and/or Jrue Holiday in the past. If both of their stars are available this number should move in favor of the Bucks given Miami is already without Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry.
That said, if either are out then expect the market to move again in favor of the the home side.
These two teams split their season series last year and have alternated regular season wins for nine straight games, with the Bucks running out 120-119 win in their most recent meeting. The home team won every meeting last season.
Mavs, Blazers Look to Respond
The Dallas Mavericks will play their second straight game in LA as they take on the Lakers.
The road team is -3.0 point favorites for this one despite missing some key rotation pieces once again. LeBron James is expected to return for the Lakers, who have won five of their last six games and are still one of the hottest ATS teams in the league at the moment.
‘Dallas ran out 124-115 winners on Christmas Day when these teams met and yet another high-scoring affair is expected with the full game total set at 229.5 points.’
The Trail Blazers will be hoping for some positive injury news as they play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Damian Lillard has been listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain and the team will hope he’s cleared to play as they aim to snap a four-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, Cleveland will be hoping to welcome back Ricky Rubio for his first game in over a year, with the Spanish point guard working his way back from an ACL injury. The Cavs have opened as 2.5-point favorites for this one and that number could move drastically in their direction if Lillard is forced to sit out.
Raptors Ready to Run it Back
The Toronto Raptors continue their home stand with a second straight meeting against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Raptors were lights out from beyond the arc last game and seem to have found their offense groove once again as they get some continuity in their lineups.
This game has opened at the same number it closed last time out, with Toronto instilled as 7.5-point favorites by bookmakers. The total has increased slightly to 231.5 points after the high-paced shootout last time around. The Raptors have won four straight home meetings with Charlotte and have covered the spread in their last two encounters with them.
The Philadelphia 76ers will look to continue their dominance when they host the OKC Thunder in the nights early tip-off.
‘The Sixers are 10.0-point favorites in this one and are 9-4 (69.2%) ATS in non-conference games so far this season.’
The total for this one is set at 231.0 points and the Thunder have gone Over their full game total in 63% of their non-conference games this season.
That’s all for today’s NBA matchups predictions. Be sure to check back tomorrow for a look at NBA games tomorrow spreads.
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