NBA Tuesday Games and Odds: Nuggets, Blazers Headline Slate
Top Teams in Action on Four-Game Slate
Denver Looks to Stay Hot at Home
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Portland Trail Blazers in the marquee game of the night as the two division rivals meet for a fourth time this season. Let’s take a look at the NBA Tuesday Games and Odds to see what value lays ahead for bettors.
The Nuggets have won 13 straight on their home floor, going 9-4 against-the-spread (ATS) in the process. One of those wins included a 120-107 win over the Blazers as 6.0-point favorites in late December.
Portland are 7.0-point underdogs for this one as they continue a tough stretch of games that has seen them play 10 of their last 15 games on the road. The NBA games schedule hasn’t been kind to the Blazers, who have currently had the toughest Strength of Schedule so far this season, which speaks volumes to their improvements that they’re still able to sit in the play-in spots in a log-jammed Western Conference.
The Nuggets currently lead the season series 2-1 and have won four straight home encounters with the Blazers. In their three meetings this season they’ve averaged 116 points per game. The full game total for this one has been set at 234.5 points – a number that they’ve cleared in three of the last four times they’ve faced off.
Clippers Try to Stay the Course
The LA Clippers will look to build some momentum as they look to avenge last months loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Clippers will play the last of their five-game home stand hoping to have turned a corner after a dismal fortnight prior saw them drop six straight games. There’s been some bad losses for the Clippers this season but it’s hard to argue against their loss in Philadelphia being the worst of the bunch so far.
The 76ers rallied from 20-point down in the first half to secure a 119-114 win as they managed to cover the -3.5-point spread.
Paul George returned to practise yesterday and has officially been listed as questionable for tonight’s game. George’s presence plays a huge role in helping this offense reach its true potential, with the team being +8.0 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the floor.
They are also +6.7% on their effective field goal average. with that difference ranking in the 100th percentile for player impacts on the season. The market opened with the Clippers as marginal 1.0-point favorites but that number will move a couple points in either direction when we get final confirmation on PG’s availability.
Bucks, Nets Back in Action
The Milwaukee Bucks will hope to get Giannis Antetokounmpo back when they play host to the Toronto Raptors.
Both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back, with both securing outright wins and covers yesterday. This will also be the third game in four nights for both teams.
Milwaukee has opened as 5.5-point favorites, which does suggest that Antetokounmpo should be cleared to return after being questionable in the lead up to last night games against Indiana.
Neither team is required to submit an injury report until later in the day and with both coaches prone to resting players in these situations this market is likely to move heavily in the lead up to tip-off.
The shorthanded Bucks pulled off an incredible 104-101 OT win in Toronto earlier in the month as Giannis finished with 30 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists that night. The market is likely to push towards Milwaukee and if Toronto does decide to rest starters an early entry on the Bucks should provide some excellent closing line value.
The Brooklyn Nets will head on the road to San Antonio to start a five-game road trip as they try to find consistency in the absence of Kevin Durant.
The Nets have lost back-to-back games since losing Durant and coach Jacques Vaughn will hope to get a response from his team after poor fourth quarter showings against Boston and OKC respectively. The road team has opened as 6.0-point favorites in this one, with the total set at 235.0 points.
Home underdogs continue to be a hot commodity in the league however, and there’s fair optimism to believe the Spurs can keep this one close. That said, the Nets were 139-103 winners when these teams met in Brooklyn at the beginning of the month.
That’s all for our NBA Tuesday Games and Odds preview. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more NBA picks.
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