Category: NBA

Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Phoenix Suns (20-28) visit the Milwaukee Bucks (41-7) Sunday at Fiserv Forum for a 2 p.m. ET tip-off ahead of Super Bowl LIV in Miami (6:30 p.m. ET). We analyze the Suns-Bucks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Suns at Bucks: Key Injuries

Suns

  • C Aron Baynes (hip) out
  • SF Cameron Johnson (quad) out
  • SF Tyler Johnson (knee) probable
  • PF Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
  • PG Ricky Rubio (ankle) questionable
  • SF Dario Saric (ankle) out

Bucks

  • SF Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) questionable
  • PG George Hill (hamstring) out
  • PG Frank Mason (abdominal) out
  • SG Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) questionable

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

Suns at Bucks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bucks 126, Suns 94

Moneyline (ML)

If the Suns (+550) were healthy, I’d like them for the upset with Hill sidelined and Antetokounmpo at less than full health for the Bucks (-833), but injuries work both ways. The potential absence of Rubio is most notable for the visitors, as they could be without their leader in assists per game.

The money line will draw a PASS as the odds on the Bucks are just too chalky. Milwaukee is 9-1 across its last 10 games and 22-3 at home for the season. Phoenix is 5-5 across its last 10 outings and 11-11 on the road for the year. Both teams are coming off Friday losses, but the Bucks will avoid losing two straight games for the first time all season.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Back the BUCKS (-12.5, -110) while laying 12 points on home court. They’re 4-2 against the spread this season following a loss, winning by an average of 15.5 points per game and covering by 6.7 points in those situations.

Milwaukee is 26-22 ATS overall and 13-12 on home court, while routinely battling against double-digit spreads. The Suns are 24-23-1 ATS overall and 14-8 on the road, but they haven’t yet faced the league’s best team. The Bucks’ last four victories were each decided by a margin of at least 13 points.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bucks to win by 13 or more points returns a profit of $9.09.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 233.5 (-115) on a high projection. Milwaukee is 24-23-1 against the Over/Under on the season, while Phoenix is 25-23-0. The Bucks slip to just 2-3-1 against the O/U following a loss, as they tighten up defensively and play an average of 4.2 points per game below projections in those situations. Injuries are also affecting top scorers on both sides, and Milwaukee is unlikely to need to play many starters for much of the second half in this one.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 171-144

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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All-Star: The players with the most fan votes ever

A couple of things to consider: 1. The numbers are skewed towards modern-day players since it’s way easier to vote now than it was back in the day. 2. Some votes may be missing as the league has only released the full results since 2017. Before …

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A couple of things to consider:

1. The numbers are skewed towards modern-day players since it’s way easier to vote now than it was back in the day.

2. Some votes may be missing as the league has only released the full results since 2017. Before that, we only got the numbers of the players with the most votes by position.

Anyway, it’s safe to say that that the Top 3 players on the list are all Laker superstars. You can check the gallery above to see the whole thing.

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Steve Kerr gives update on Steph Curry’s recovery from hand injury

Steph Curry could be back on the floor for the Warriors in one month.

The Warriors are persevering through a lost season with both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson out of action, and it’s possible that Golden State may land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 Draft just one year after competing in the NBA Finals. The Warriors currently have the worst record in the league at 10-39, three games clear of the Knicks, Cavs and Hawks.

The original plan for the Warriors 2020 season, according to many experts, was for Curry and Draymond Green carrying Golden State to a mid-seed in the West, allowing Thompson to return from his ACL tear in time for a playoff push. Instead, the Warriors have zero chance to make the playoffs – but according to coach Steve Kerr, the team doesn’t plan to keep their stars off the floor and tank the rest of the year.

On Saturday, Kerr told reporters that he hopes Curry will be able to return to the floor in one month, after he undergoes another evaluation on his left hand. Curry broke his hand in a game against the Spurs on October 30th, but has been making progress in his recovery and joined the team for warmups on Friday.

Kerr said Curry will be re-evaluated on March 1st, and may be able to play around that time.

Via ESPN:

“He’s made some big strides. I guess the word is a month away from having another evaluation. We’re really hopeful that around that time he’ll be able to play. We’ll determine that around March 1. He needs to progress over the next month to lot of action, one-on-one, three-on-three, five-on five. That’s all part of the plan.”

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Look at Emmanuel Sanders’ custom cleats honoring Kobe Bryant

See Emmanuel Sanders’ custom Kobe Bryant cleats for the Super Bowl.

Kobe Bryant was an NBA icon in every aspect of the word and impacted the game of basketball in a way not many other athletes have over the span of two decades.

That’s not where his reach stopped, though.

Tributes have been pouring in for Bryant from all over the sports world, including football. During the biggest week of the league year, NFL players have been paying homage to Bryant since he passed away last week.

The latest player to show Bryant love from the football world is Emmanuel Sanders. Ahead of the 49ers Super Bowl appearance on Sunday, Sanders shared a pair of customized cleats with art honoring Bryant on them.

One shoe has a drawing of Bryant wearing a crown on on it and the other has both of Bryant’s numbers — 24 and 8 — on it. Aside from the great tribute this is from Sanders, these are just pretty dope cleats.

The artwork is fly and they also match the 49ers’ team colors, which means he should be able to wear them for the Super Bowl. Keep an eye out for them.

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Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Philadelphia 76ers (31-18) visit Beantown Saturday to play the Boston Celtics (32-15) at 8:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden. We analyze the 76ers-Celtics 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.

76ers at Celtics: Key injuries

76ers

  • C Joel Embiid (hand) available
  • C Al Horford (knee) available
  • SG Josh Richardson (hamstring) out

Celtics

  • C Enes Kanter (hip) out
  • PG Kemba Walker (knee) out
  • C Robert Williams III (hip) out

76ers at Celtics: 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 3:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

76ers 107, Celtics 104

Moneyline (ML)

Philadelphia (-110) has won and covered all three games against Boston (-110) so far this season, including a 109-98 victory keyed by a 32-18 fourth quarter by the  76ers. They have really struggled away from home this season, going 1-10 as an away underdog, but their one win was Dec. 12 against the Celtics.

The 76ers are slightly better than the Celtics in games bookmakers project will be close. Philadelphia is 4-3-1 when getting 1-2.5 points and Boston is 2-3 when laying between those numbers. Finally, the 76ers play a tad better against division rivals than the Celtics. Philadelphia is 9-3 and Boston has a 6-5 record against Atlantic Division teams.

BET 76ERS (-110).

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

No reason to fret about 1.5 points either way, in my opinion. Just stick with the 76ers’ moneyline bet and PASS on the spread.

Over/Under (O/U)

Both teams are elite defensively and play at a moderate tempo. Philadelphia is ranked third in defensive rating and 18th in Pace, while Boston is ranked fourth in defensive rating and 17th in Pace.

The Under is 5-0 in the Celtics’ last five games and 7-0 in the 76ers’ last seven games as an underdog. The absence of Walker puts the Celtics without their leading scorer. The way I see the game playing is Philadelphia keeping the pace slow and pounding the interior with its size advantage. Embiid and Horford can use their size to keep Celtics players out of the paint and run any 3-point shooters off the line.

TAKE UNDER 213.5 (-115).

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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Miami Heat at Orlando Magic odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Miami Heat at Orlando Magic sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Miami Heat (32-15) take an in-state road trip Saturday to play the Orlando Magic (21-27) at Amway Center at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze Heat-Magic 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.

Heat at Magic: Key injuries

Heat

  • PG Kendrick Nunn (Achilles) probable
  • SF Justise Winslow (back) out

Magic

  • SG Evan Fournier (back) questionable
  • SF Jonathan Issac (knee) out
  • PG D.J. Augustin (knee) out
  • PF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out

Heat at Magic: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Magic 102, Heat 97

Moneyline (ML)

The Heat (-128) have been up-and-down over the past four games—going 2-2 outright and 1-3 against the spread—and the Magic (+105) have been awful lately losing six out of eight games straight up and against the spread. Orlando is really well-rested with their last game being a 113-92 loss to the Heat Monday, and they have a 4-2 record when playing with a rest advantage. Conversely, the Heat are 5-8 with a minus-4.5 margin of victory when having a rest disadvantage.

There are a few other reasons why this is a good spot for the Magic. Miami is 5-5 overall as an away favorite with a minus-4.7 ATS margin. Also, Miami has a 1-2-1 ATS record when laying 1-2.5 points and Orlando is 4-0 ATS when getting 1-2.5 points. The Heat are 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings with Orlando and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games as a road favorite. I’m applying all of these ATS trends to my Heat-Magic moneyline handicap because the number is so short (+/- 1.5 points) that they can be used in a game BetMGM is essentially calling a coin flip.

BET MAGIC (+105) on the moneyline.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

There isn’t much value in the line either way so I’ll PASS on the AGAINST THE SPREAD wager in Heat-Magic. I’ll waive the Magic +1.5 (-106) as insurance and just predict the straight-up upset.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings and Orlando has the highest percentage of Unders thus far with a 19-27-2 O/U record. Plus, the Magic have a 7-16-1 O/U record as a home team, including a 2-6-1 O/U record as a home dog.

The under very much correlates with the Magic winning outright as Miami’s defense matches up well against Orlando’s offense. The Magic are ranked 29th and 28th in field-goal percentage and 3-point %, going against a Heat team ranked seventh in opponent FG% and first in opponent 3-point percentage.

BET UNDER 207.5 (-110).

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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Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and tips.

On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers (36-11) will travel to the Golden 1 Center to take on the Sacramento Kings (18-30). Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. E.T. We analyze the Lakers-Kings 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.

Lakers at Kings: Key injuries

Lakers:

  • C JaVale McGee (illness) probable
  • PF DeMarcus Cousins (knee) out
  • PF Anthony Davis (gluteus) questionable
  • SG Alex Caruso (neck) questionable

Kings:

  • PF Richaun Holmes (shoulder) out
  • PF Marvin Bagley III (foot) out

Lakers at Kings: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:00 p.m. E.T.

Prediction

Kings 117, Lakers 110

Moneyline (ML)

After an emotional game on Friday night, the Lakers (-278) are slight moneyline favorites over the KINGS (+220) in Sacramento. The Kings have actually had a lot of success against the Lakers at home, winning eight of their last 11 meetings. With the Lakers playing in a back-to-back on the road, take the value of the Kings on Saturday night. PF Anthony Davis (gluteus) had a monster game last night, and it’s possible they rest him on the back end of the back-to-back.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Lakers (-6.5) open this contest as a 6.5-point favorite over the KINGS (+6.5). Los Angeles has struggled against the spread, as of late, failing to cover in four of their last five games. Sacramento hasn’t been much better, going just 6-14 in their previous 20 games against the spread. But given the short turnaround for the Lakers, and having to travel, take the Kings and the points at home on Saturday night.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for this Western Conference matchup is set at 226.5 points, which feels about right as the Lakers’ defense has struggled over the last few weeks. On Friday night, Los Angeles allowed 127 points to the Trail Blazers. Expect this to be a high-scoring game with the OVER hitting in Sacramento.

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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Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Utah Jazz (32-16) and Portland Trail Blazers (22-27) will tip it up at 10:30 p.m. ET at Moda Center. We analyze the Jazz-Trail Blazers 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.

Jazz at Trail Blazers: Key injuries

Jazz

  • C Tony Bradley (knee) questionable

Trail Blazers

  • SF Carmelo Anthony (personal) questionable
  • PF Zach Collins (shoulder) out
  • SG Rodney Hood (Achilles’) out
  • PF Skal Labissiere (knee) out
  • C Jusuf Nurkic (leg) out

Jazz 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 12:00 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Jazz 121, Trail Blazers 113

Moneyline (ML)

The Jazz (-250) are facing a Trail Blazers (+200) that fought through an emotional night, topping the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center Friday in their first game since the death of Kobe Bryant. Now, the Blazers must return to Rip City and bring it again versus a difficult Western Conference foe. Utah will cost you more than twice your return, so look to the spread instead. AVOID.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The JAZZ (-6.5, -110) are No. 1 in the NBA in three-point percentage (38.6), and they’re fifth in the league in field-goal percentage (47.4), too. Surprisingly, that equates to just 111.2 points per game (PPG), ranking a rather middling 16th. However, that combination of shooting and strong defense (6th in scoring D – 106.7 PPG) will be enough to overcome the Blazers (+6.5, -110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER (109.5) is worth a small-unit wager. The over is 6-1 in Utah’s past seven on the road and 7-3 in the past 10 overall. The over is also 6-2 in the past eight at home for Portland against teams with a winning road record, and the over is 16-6 in the past 22 meetings in this series in Rip City.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI 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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Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Dallas Mavericks (29-19) host the Atlanta Hawks (13-36) Saturday at American Airlines Center for an 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Hawks-Mavericks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Hawks at Mavericks: Key Injuries

Hawks

  • SG Deandre’ Bembry (hand) out
  • PF Bruno Fernando (calf) questionable
  • SF De’Andre Hunter (ankle) questionable
  • C Alex Len (hip) out
  • PF Jabari Parker (shoulder) out
  • SF Chandler Parsons (concussion) out

Mavericks

  • SG Luka Doncic (ankle) out
  • C Dwight Powell (Achilles) out

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

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

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Mavericks 120, Hawks 118

Moneyline (ML)

The MAVERICKS (-200) enter Saturday having lost two straight games, falling 133-104 to the Phoenix Suns Tuesday and 128-121 to the Houston Rockets Friday. They’re one game into what’s expected to be at least a six-game absence for their MVP contender in Doncic. The Mavs are an unimpressive 13-12 on home court for the season, but they’re still the easy choice Saturday against the Hawks (+165).

Atlanta is coming off an impressive 127-117 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday, but it is just 5-20 on the road and has  won two straight games just twice all season.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Take the HAWKS (+4.5, -106) on the spread to help hedge against the pick of the Mavs on the moneyline. Atlanta will need to stay within 4 points in a loss or win outright for an ATS bet to cash.

The Hawks are 23-26 against the spread overall and 8-17 on the road, but the Mavs are just 9-15-1 ATS at home. The hosts are also just 3-3-1 ATS when playing the second half of a back-to-back. Atlanta is 8-1 ATS when playing with a rest advantage over its opponent.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 236.5 (-121). The Mavericks are shorthanded and on the second half of a back-to-back, providing a scoring boost for a Hawks team averaging 109.2 points per game on the season. The Mavs managed to score 121 points Friday without Doncic in the lineup, as PF Kristaps Porzingis stepped up with 35 points in the loss.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 170-140

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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Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Clippers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Clippers NBA matchup, with NBA betting odds, picks and best bets.

The Minnesota Timberwolves (15-32) and Los Angeles Clippers (33-15) will square off at 3:30 p.m. ET inside Staples Center in L.A. Saturday. We analyze the Timberwolves-Clippers 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.

Timberwolves at Clippers: Key injuries

Timberwolves

  • SG Allen Crabbe (knee) out
  • SF Jake Layman (toe) out

Clippers

  • SF Kawhi Leonard (back) questionable
  • PG Derrick Walton Jr. (elbow) questionable

Timberwolves at Clippers: 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 Saturday at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Clippers 123, Timberwolves 107

Moneyline (ML)

The Clippers (-625) will cost you more than six times your potential return on investment. That’s just way too expensive, even if L.A. is a near-certainly to top the Timberwolves (+425). AVOID.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

These two teams have something in common — they each lost to the Sacramento Kings in their most recent outing. The CLIPPERS (-10.5, -106) should bounce back against the lowly Timberwolves (+10.5, -115), a team reeling after blowing a 17-point lead in the final three minutes against Sacramento, being forced to overtime on a controversial bucket at the buzzer that should have counted, and then losing a rough one.

The T-Wolves are just 8-20-1 ATS over their past 29 games overall, and 0-4 ATS in their last four against winning teams. While the Clips are 1-5 ATS in the past six against teams with a winning percentage under .400, they’re 22-7 ATS in the past 29 after a straight-up loss.

Over/Under (O/U)

As of 9:30 a.m. ET, the over/under for this game has not been posted. However, the approach to this bet should remain the same regardless of the posted total: the over is the play as long as Leonard is in the lineup. If he is held out of action — and he could potentially sit with a weak opponent on the schedule — then the under would be the lean. The Over is 12-3 in the last 15 meetings at Staples, and 7-1 in the previous eight battles overall.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI 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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