Category: NBA

Nuggets fans chant ‘Kobe’ after a pregame moment of silence for Kobe Bryant

The Nuggets honored Kobe Bryant on Sunday.

The entire sports world was shocked on Sunday by the news that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif — just outside Malibu. In all, five people died in the crash. Bryant was 41 years old.

Just as that news spread, the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets were taking the floor for pregame shootaround. Austin Rivers was visibly emotional just minutes before tipoff. Other NBA players and athletes reacted to the tragic news on social media.

Ahead of the game, which went on as scheduled, the Nuggets held a moment of silence for Bryant. The extended moment of silence was capped off by Nuggets fans chanting Kobe’s name at the Pepsi Center.

As of Sunday afternoon, the NBA hadn’t announced any plans to postpone games. The Lakers aren’t scheduled to play again until Tuesday.

You can read more from USA TODAY Sports.

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NBA world reacts to reports of Kobe Bryant’s shocking death after helicopter crash

He was 41.

The basketball world was hit with stunning news on Sunday when multiple outlets reported that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. Bryant was reportedly among the five people onboard the helicopter that crashed on a hillside near Malibu.

The LA County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that all five people onboard died in the crash, but the department did not state whether Bryant was onboard. Bryant was among fatalities, according to ABC7 in Los Angeles and Variety. the According to the TMZ report, Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, was not a passenger on the private helicopter.

Bryant had been in the news because LeBron James passed him Saturday night on the all-time NBA scoring list; Bryant sent a tweet congratulating LeBron at 10:39 p.m. Saturday night.

Kobe Bryant was 41 years old.

As news of the tragic crash hit social media, the sports world was understandably shocked by the reports.

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Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Boston Celtics (30-14) head down to the Big Easy to play the New Orleans Pelicans (17-29) in the Smoothie King Center at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. We analyze Celtics-Pelicans odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Celtics at Pelicans: Key injuries

CELTICS

  • PG Marcus Smart (hand) probable
  • SG Jaylen Brown (ankle) questionable
  • SG Jayson Tatum (groin) questionable
  • C Enes Kanter (hip) out
  • C Robert Williams III (hip) out

PELICANS

  • PG Jrue Holiday (knee) probable
  • SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
  • SF Darius Miller (Achilles) out

Celtics at Pelicans: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pelicans 118, Celtics 114

Moneyline (ML)

The Pelicans have suffered from inaccurate pricing because of Zion Williamson‘s debut with New Orleans losing both of his games outright and against the spread. And Boston has played really well of late, winning straight up and covering in its previous three games. But New Orleans is finally getting points and is the far healthier team: Zion has arrived and Boston has Brown, Tatum and Smart dinged up — whether they play is still up in the air but them being 100% is out of the question. This should allow Brandon Ingram and Zion to drive to the basket and space the court for JJ Redick (.465 3-point %) and E’Twaun Moore (.394 3-point %) to get some good looks.

BET PELICANS (pick ’em) to win outright. New to sports betting? Bet $75 to earn a $75 profit if the Pelicans win.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Truth be told you can find team-friendly trends for either team in this game but the Pelicans’ stuff pops out more. New Orleans is 9-1-1 against the spread in its last 11 games as an underdog and it generally steps up when rested two or more days: the Pelicans are 6-2 ATS in those spots. Also, the Pelicans are 8-4 ATS at home against above-.500 teams. More about that, New Orleans has played the toughest schedule in the NBA thus far while the Celtics have played the 28th-ranked schedule.

TAKE PELICANS +2.5 (-125) as insurance for our moneyline bet above. New to sports betting? Bet $125 on Pelicans to win outright or to lose by no more than 2 points to earn $100.

Over/Under (O/U)

I lean toward the Over 230.5 (-115) because the Over is 12-2 in Pelicans’ last 14 overall and the combined over/under record of the two teams is 46-44. But ultimately I will PASS THE TOTAL since the Under is 4-1 in Celtics’ last five games as a road favorite and they are allowing just 99 points per game on Sundays.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Kobe Bryant on LeBron James passing him: ‘Much respect to my brother’

Kobe Bryant was … gracious?

When LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard on Saturday night, it was fair to wonder: How is Kobe taking the news? After all, he’s one of the fiercest — and most vocal — competitors we’ve ever seen.

Kobe isn’t always congratulatory when it comes to his competition, but he and LeBron seem to have grown to like each other. So the former Lakers star gave a shoutout on Twitter to the current Lakers star: “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother.”

James passed Bryant’s career total of 33,643 points during the Lakers’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers. James is now third behind Karl Malone (36,928) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38387).

Here’s what LeBron said after the game, via ESPN:

“It’s just too much. It’s too much. The story is too much,” James said of Bryant. “It doesn’t make sense. Just to make a long story short, now I’m here in a Lakers uniform, in Philadelphia, where he’s from. The first time I ever met him, gave me his shoes on All-Star Weekend. It’s surreal. It doesn’t make no sense, but the universe just puts things in your life. And I guess when you live in the right way, when you just give it everything to whatever you’re doing, things happen organically.

“And it’s not supposed to make sense, but it just happens. And I’m happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant, one of the all-time greatest basketball players to ever play, one of the all-time greatest Lakers. The man has two jerseys hanging up in Staples Center. It’s just crazy.”

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Indiana Pacers at Portland Trail Blazers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Indiana Pacers at Portland Trail Blazers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Indiana Pacers (30-16) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (19-27) Sunday at the Moda Center for a 9 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Pacers-Trail Blazers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Pacers at Trail Blazers: Key Injuries

Pacers

  • PG Malcolm Brogdon (concussion) out
  • PF TJ Leaf (knee) questionable
  • SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
  • SF JaKarr Sampson (ankle) questionable

Trail Blazers

  • C Zach Collins (shoulder) out
  • SF Rodney Hood (Achilles) out
  • PF Skal Labissiere (knee) out
  • C Jusuf Nurkic (leg) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Pacers at Trail Blazers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12;35 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pacers 116, Trail Blazers 111

Moneyline (ML)

Take the value with the PACERS (+110) at plus-money. They’ve won two in a row and are fifth in the Eastern Conference. They’re 8-2 across their last 10 games and 13-11 on the road for the season. The Blazers (-134) are 11th in the Western Conference. They’re 10-11 at home for the season and 4-6 across their last 10 games.

The Pacers beat the Golden State Warriors 129-118 Friday and are 3-1 heading into the final game of a five-game road swing through the West. The Blazers were handed a 133-125 loss by the Dallas Mavericks Thursday.

Every $10 bet on the Pacers ML will profit $11 if they win.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PACERS (+2.5, -115) can also be backed on the spread with 2 points of insurance in the event of a loss. Pass on this bet if the line drops to +2 or +1.5, but catching 2.5 points keeps them in a one-possession game.

Indiana is 26-19-1 against the spread overall and 14-10 ATS on the road. Portland is just 16-28-2 ATS overall and 6-13-2 ATS on home court.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 220.5 (-106). The Pacers have topped 110 points in four of their last five games, while the Blazers have topped 110 in five of their last six games. The Pacers allow just 106.4 points per game for the season, but they’ve given up 110 or more in three of their last five games.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 155-130

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Houston Rockets (28-16) head to the Mile High City to play the Denver Nuggets (31-14) at 3:30 p.m. ET at Pepsi Center.  We analyze Rockets-Nuggets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Rockets at Nuggets: Key injuries

Rockets

  • SG James Harden (thigh) questionable
  • SG Gerald Green (foot) out
  • C Nene Hilario (groin) out

Nuggets

  • PF Mason Plumlee (foot) out
  • PF Paul Millsap (knee) out
  • PG Jamal Murray (ankle) out
  • C Bol Bol (foot) out

Rockets at Nuggets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Nuggets 125, Rockets 113

Moneyline (ML)

Consistency hasn’t been a thing with the Rockets or Nuggets recently;  Houston has won its last two games after losing four straight and Denver is 2-2 in its last four games. If Harden misses Sunday’s game, then who will buffer PG Russell Westbrook from another terrible outing in Denver? Westbrook has lost his last five games and scored fewer than 15 points in each of his last four games in Denver. Then again, it’s been Westbrook who has been pulling his end recently compared to a slumping Harden. The Beard is averaging 23 points per game on a .333 field goal percentage and .136 3-point success rate over his last five games.

Expect Denver to bring its Sunday Best against a Rockets team that generally ends its week in some sort of basketball hangover. The Nuggets are 7-2 in Sunday games with a plus-7.2 margin of victory, while Houston is 0-3 this season on Sundays with a minus-18.2 margin of victory. It has given up a whopping 131 PPG in those outings. Bet NUGGETS (-121) on the moneyline. New to sports betting? Bet $121 on the Nuggets to earn a profit of $100 if the Nuggets win outright.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS on an against the spread wager. A tad nitty of a play here, sure, but I don’t want to mess with the Nuggets (-1.5, -106) because we are paying only slightly more to take them on the moneyline and I’d rather just make that bet then fret the 1.5 points.

Over/Under (O/U)

Look to the officiating crew for the handicap on our total in this game. It’s a nationally televised game and I anticipate more whistles, more instant replay, and more meddling from the officials. The crew assigned to Rockets-Nuggets makes me LOVE the OVER 227.5 (-106); the referee crew’s Over/Under record on the season is 66-32 in all games and 14-8-2 in Rockets games this season. In addition, the average total of games officiated by this crew is 229.4 points and don’t forget about the Rockets’ Sunday split above—131 PPG given up!

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Atlanta Hawks (11-35) host the Washington Wizards (15-29) Sunday in a battle of the 15th- and 11th-place teams in the Eastern Conference, respectively. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. We analyze the Wizards-Hawks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Wizards at Hawks: Key Injuries

Wizards

  • PF Rui Hachimura (groin) out
  • SF Garrison Mathews (ankle) out
  • C Moritz Wagner (ankle) out
  • PG John Wall (Achilles) out

Hawks

  • SG DeAndre Bembry (hand) doubtful
  • C Alex Len (hip) out
  • PF Jabari Parker (shoulder) out
  • PF Chandler Parsons (concussion) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Wizards at Hawks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Hawks 116, Wizards 110

Moneyline (ML)

Take the HAWKS (-115) as a rare favorite at home. They’re just 3-7 across their last 10 games and 6-16 at home for the season, but the Wizards (-106) are 6-18 on the road. Washington is 5-5 across its last 10 games and is coming off a 124-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday. Atlanta took an ugly 140-111 at the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday.

The two sides have met just once this season, with Washington earning a 111-101 home win Jan. 10. PF John Collins has stepped up of late for the Hawks, and the Wizards don’t have a frontcourt presence capable of shutting him down with Hachimura and Wagner out. Look for Collins to be the difference Sunday evening.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The better play is to back the HAWKS (-1.5, -106) to win by at least 2 points. A $10 bet on the Hawks to cover the small spread would profit $9.43, while the same bet on the moneyline fetches a profit of $8.70.

The Hawks are just 21-25 against the spread overall, but they’re 13-9 ATS at home. The Wiz are 22-21-1 ATS overall and 12-11-1 ATS on the road.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 238.5 (+105) on the highest point projection of Sunday’s NBA slate. The first head-to-head meeting of the year had a total of just 212 points scored. Both teams have played to the Over more often this season, but I’m chasing the plus-money on an inflated number.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 155-130

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Brooklyn Nets (19-25) and New York Knicks (12-34) renew acquaintances at Madison Square Garden Sunday evening for a 6 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Nets-Knicks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Nets at Knicks: Key Injuries

Nets

  • C DeAndre Jordan (finger) questionable
  • SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out

Knicks

  • SG RJ Barrett (ankle) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Nets at Knicks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Nets 108, Knicks 103

Moneyline (ML)

The NETS (+100) are the pick despite playing the second half of a back-to-back. Brooklyn beat the Detroit Pistons 121-111 in overtime Saturday to snap a five-game losing skid. The Knicks (-121) have lost two in a row and five of six, including a 118-112 home loss to the Toronto Raptors Friday. The Nets are 3-7 over their last 10 games, the Knicks are 2-8 across their last 10.

Brooklyn is 8-13 on the road, while New York is 6-17 at home. The Knicks have also been unable to gain an edge with a rest advantage this season, they’re just 2-11 in those situations. The Nets are 3-4 with a disadvantage. Brooklyn is up 2-1 in the head-to-head season series between the Atlantic Division rivals. They won 113-109 Oct. 25 and 103-101 Nov. 24. The Knicks rebounded with a 94-82 home win Dec. 26.

Take the value with the playoff team at even-money.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Nets to win outright returns a profit of $10.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

While the moneyline is the preferred play with a greater profit margin, double down on the NETS (+2.5, -125) with 2 points of insurance in the event of a loss. If the line moves to +2 or +1.5 this would be a pass, but the full 2 points of insurance are nice to have.

The Knicks are 24-22 against the spread overall and 12-11 at home, but they’re used to being sizable underdogs, even at MSG. They’re just 2-3 ATS as a home favorite, showing the rarity of Sunday’s situation. The Nets are 19-25 ATS overall and 8-13 on the road. They’re 2-3 straight up and ATS on the second half of a back-to-back.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 222.5 (-106). All three head-to-head meetings fell short of Sunday’s projection this season. The Nets are 1-4 against the Over/Under when on the second half of a back-to-back.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 155-130

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Los Angeles Clippers vs Orlando Magic odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Los Angeles Clippers at Orlando Magic sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Los Angeles Clippers (32-14) travel to the Amway Center to take on the Orlando Magic (21-25) Sunday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET. We analyze the Clippers-Magic sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Clippers vs. Magic: Key injuries

Clippers:

  • PF Paul George (hamstring) out
  • PF Patrick Patterson (ankle) questionable
  • PG Patrick Beverley (groin) questionable

Magic:

  • PG D.J. Augustin (knee) out
  • PF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
  • PF Jonathan Isaac (knee) out

Clippers vs. Magic: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Clippers 116, Magic 106

Moneyline (ML)

The CLIPPERS (-182) are only slight moneyline favorites. That is somewhat surprising as the Clippers have won five of their last six games and are an incredible 10-0 against the Magic in their last 10 meetings. Orlando has lost four of its last five games as well, making this an easy bet on Los Angeles.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Somehow, the CLIPPERS (-4.5, –106) are just favored by 4.5 points. While Orlando has won 13 of its 23 games at home, this is just too big of a talent mismatch despite Paul George not suiting up for the Clippers. Orlando’s 29th-ranked offense shouldn’t be able to keep up with Los Angeles, which should allow the Clippers to cover with ease.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for this matchup is set at 218.5 points, which feels a bit too low considering how well the Clippers have played on offense this season. They are averaging nearly 115.7 points per game despite missing key contributors for big portions of the season. While the Magic do have the league’s No.1 ranked defense, expect this game to reach the 220 mark and for the OVER (-106) to hit.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Toronto Raptors at San Antonio Spurs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Toronto Raptors at San Antonio Spurs sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Toronto Raptors (31-14) visit DeMar DeRozan and the San Antonio Spurs (20-24) Sunday at AT&T Center. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET. We analyze the Raptors-Spurs sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Raptors at Spurs: Key Injuries

Raptors

  • PF Dewan Hernandez (ankle) out
  • SG Patrick McCaw (nose) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Raptors at Spurs: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Raptors 118, Spurs 108

Moneyline (ML)

DeRozan and the Spurs got the better of the Raptors in Toronto Jan. 12, as the former Raptors All-Star dropped 25 points with four assists in a 105-104 win. Since that loss, TORONTO (-143) has run off six consecutive wins, including four on the road. San Antonio (+120) isn’t quite tempting enough following a 103-99 home loss to the Phoenix Suns Friday.

San Antonio, ninth in the Western Conference, is 12-11 at home for the season. Toronto is 15-7 on the road and is tied for second in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are 21-4 straight up when playing on equal rest as their opponent. The Spurs are 10-15 in those situations.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Raps to win returns a profit of $6.99.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Get better value on the RAPTORS (-2.5, -115) by backing them to win by at least 3 points. Toronto is 25-20 against the spread overall and 11-11 on the road. San Antonio (+2.5, -106) is just 18-25-1 ATS overall and 7-16 at home. Each of the Raptors’ last six wins was by 5 points or more.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Spurs are 27-17 against the Over/Under on the season and top the projected totals by an average of 4.6 points per game. The Raptors are 23-21-1 against the O/U and top the line by just 0.5 PPG.

Take the OVER 219.5 (-125). The first meeting of the season fell well short of this number, but the Raptors topped Sunday’s line in five of their last six wins while scoring at least 122 points in four of the six.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 155-130

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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