Tag: Bradley Beal

An unhappy-looking Bradley Beal is a meme after back-to-back 50 point nights in losses

Poor Bradley Beal.

James Harden. Wilt Chamberlain. And now, Bradley Beal.

Those are the three names of players in NBA history who have scored 53-plus points in two consecutive games. Beal dropped 55 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday a day after his 53 against the Chicago Bulls. He also became the first player since Kobe Bryant to score 50-plus on consecutive days.

But, in both of those games, the Washington Wizards and their woeful defense — they give up 120.1 ppg this season, the worst mark in the league — lost. It’s led to all kinds of talk on Twitter about just how happy Beal might be when he gives that kind of effort in two losses, although he’s the same Bradley Beal who signed a massive extension with the Wiz in the offseason.

Fans and others have started using a shot of Beal looking REALLY unhappy in the game against the Bulls, and it’s becoming a meme:

[jwplayer vC4rGMiL-q2aasYxh]

Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Wizards odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Bucks at Wizards sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Milwaukee Bucks (48-8) kick off a back-to-back road trip as the best team in the NBA. They take on the Washington Wizards (20-35), who start a two-game homestand. Tipoff is Monday night at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.

We analyze the Bucks-Wizards 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.

Bucks at Wizards: Key injuries

Bucks

  • G Kyle Korver (back) out
  • C Brook Lopez (back) out

Wizards

  • G John Wall (Achilles) out

Bucks at Wizards: 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 Monday at 8:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bucks 125, Wizards 105

Moneyline (ML)

As one would expect, this game is overwhelmingly in favor of the Bucks, with a ridiculous line of -1112. They are the best team in basketball and have won two blowouts since the All-Star Break. They are 22-5 on the road this season and have won eight of their last nine away from Milwaukee.

Washington, though, can be tough at home, having gone 13-14. That said, there is no value in betting the money line in this game. PASS on it. The Bucks will win but you won’t win enough money for it to be worth it.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The line is set at 12.5 points. Milwaukee has covered the spread in every victory since January 24. The only two games they failed to cover were losses. The last time the Bucks and Wizards played in January, it was a 20-point win. The Bucks are 16-10 ATS on the road and 15-9 ATS as road favorites. Washington is 14-13 ATS at home but has not covered the spread in a loss since January 22.

Take the Bucks to cover tonight as they have been doing in wins at -12.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for tonight’s game is set at a very high 240.5 points. The two teams combined for 282 points in their last game a month ago. The Bucks average nearly 120 points per game and the Wizards are allowing an average of nearly 120 points per game. The Bucks are 1-1 O/U in games with a total of 240 points or more. They are down Brook Lopez, who is out with a back injury, but it will be more about Washington’s scoring than Milwaukee’s. The Bucks will keep the Wizards under 110 tonight.

Washington games hit the Over more than 59% of the time but are only 9-7 O/U as home underdogs. Milwaukee is 12-13-1 O/U on the road and 11-12-1 O/U when favored on the road.

The total is just too high tonight. Take the UNDER (-110).

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

Follow @senorjessroot 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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Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (14-40) will lock horns with the Washington Wizards (20-33) Friday at 7 p.m. ET at Verizon Center. We analyze the Cavaliers-Wizards 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.

Cavaliers at Wizards: Key injuries

Cavaliers

  • PF Kevin Love (Achilles) probable
  • SF Alfonzo McKinnie (foot) out
  • SG Dylan Windler (shin) out
  • C Ante Zizic (illness) probable

Wizards

  • C Thomas Bryant (foot) questionable
  • C Ian Mahinmi (foot) questionable
  • C Anzejs Pasecniks (hip) probable
  • PG John Wall (Achilles) out

Cavaliers at Wizards: 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 11:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Wizards 123, Cavaliers 115

Moneyline (ML)

The WIZARDS (-228) resume play after the All-Star break with a visit from the Cavaliers (+185), the team with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs are also under new leadership after head coach John Beilein stepped down, with J.B. Bickerstaff taking the reins in C-Town.

Each team has a victory against the other this season, with Washington picking up a 124-112 win in Cleveland in the latest battle on Jan. 23.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Wizards to win returns a profit of just $4.39.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The WIZARDS (-5.5, -115) covered against the Cavaliers (+5.5, -106), in the most recent meeting, and Washington is 8-3 ATS in the past 11 games at home. While the Cavs should have a little fire lit under them after the coaching regime change, the Wizards are just the better team and they’ll show it.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 235.5 (-110) is the way to go here, with or without Love on the floor for the Cavs. Defense isn’t a hallmark or either side, as the Cavaliers allow 115.0 points per game while ranking 30th in defensive field goal percentage. The Wizards cough up 119.8 PPG to rank 30th, and they’re 29th in defensive field goal %. Look for plenty of points and little resistance on the defensive end.

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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Washington Wizards at New York Knicks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Washington Wizards at New York Knicks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Washington Wizards (19-33) visit the Big Apple to play the New York Knicks (17-37) Wednesday in Madison Square Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Wizards-Knicks 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.

Wizards at Knicks: Key injuries

Wizards

  • C Anzejs Pasecniks (hip) questionable
  • C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
  • PG John Wall (Achilles) out

Knicks

  • SG Allonzo Trier (illness) probable
  • C Mitchell Robinson (illness) probable
  • SF Moe Harkless (illness) probable
  • SG Damyean Dotson (illness) probable

Wizards 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 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Wizards 121, Knicks 112

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams are on a roll and are coming in with something to play for. Washington (+125) and New York (-149) have won four of there last six games, plus, the Wizards are now just three games behind the Orlando Magic for the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are six games behind Orlando, but what scares me about the Knicks side is this illness going around the locker room.

Four Knicks players are listed as probable heading into Wednesday’s game. Robinson is the heart of the Knicks defense and if he cannot play, expect the Wizards’ fifth-ranked scoring offense to get a bunch of easy buckets. Also, the Knicks opponents have the highest 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA, which is great for Washington who has the 11th best 3-point percentage. 

BET WIZARDS +120. 

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Wizards’ performance on zero days of rest is the answer to this game’s biggest question, which is “how will Washington hold up in the second game of a back-to-back?” Well, the Wizards are 5-1 against the spread in the second game of back-to-backs with a pus-10.2 ATS margin.

Also, the Wizards are 6-2 ATS when playing with any sort of rest disadvantage. Washington has played well when visiting the Big Apple, going 9-2 ATS in the last 11 games in New York. 

Grab some insurance and BET WIZARDS +2.5 (-106) to stay within 2 points in a loss or win outright.

Over/Under (O/U)

I am very confident Washington will have success against New York’s defense, but can the Knicks keep up the scoring against the Wizards? I’d say, yes. Washington is the lowest rated defensive team in the NBA and gives up the most points per game.

The Knicks get the most offensive rebounds in the NBA and the Wizards have the second-lowest defensive rebounding rate. Finally, Washington has a 5-1 Over/Under record, with a plus-12.8 ATS margin, in games with no rest. 

BET OVER 230.5 (-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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Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Chicago Bulls (19-35) visit the nation’s capital to play the Washington Wizards (18-33) at Capital One Arena Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze Bulls-Wizards 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.

Bulls at Wizards: Key injuries

Bulls

  • SG Denzel Valentine (hamstring) doubtful
  • SG Tomas Satoransky (ankle) probable
  • SG Zach LaVine (neck) probable
  • PF Daniel Gafford (ankle) probable
  • PG Ryan Arcidiacono (elbow) probable
  • PF Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) out
  • C Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) out
  • SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out
  • PG Kris Dunn (knee) out

Wizards

  • C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
  • PG John Wall (Achilles) out

Bulls at Wizards: 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

Wizards 119, Bulls 113

Moneyline (ML)

The Bulls beat the Wizards in both meetings earlier this season—110-109 in overtime (Dec. 18) and 115-106 (Jan. 15)—extending their current win streak over the Wizards to four games. This Chicago team is a different team than the one that beat Washington just under a month ago. Every Bulls starter from that game is on today’s injury report and two of them are already ruled out against the Wizards. Looking at the Chicago injury report, there is no way I’d recommend betting Bulls (+120) to pull off a small upset. I also am not endorsing a wager on the Wizards (-143) because laying $143 to earn a profit of $100 on a side in a game BetMGM thinks will be close is not good value.

PASS ON THE MONEYLINE. 

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Bulls are 6-0 against the spread in the last six meetings in Washington, but the Wizards should have more success with its fifth highest-scoring offense going against Chicago’s 12th-ranked scoring defense. The Bulls have the fifth-lowest scoring offense and go up against Washington’s last-ranked scoring defense. Chicago has given up 115 or more points in their last five games (all of which were straight-up losses and four were ATS losses) and Washington has scored 113-plus in eight of its last nine games.

Ultimately, this comes down to Chicago’s health concerns. I got tired while typing up the Bulls’ injury report, I should have just copied and pasted it into this post. It was while typing that I decided to buck all the recent Bull-Wizards trends and BET WIZARDS -2.5 (-110) to win by at least 3 points. 

Over/Under (O/U)

The Bulls and Wizards’ combined Over/Under record is 59-45-1, and their recent games have been high scoring as well. Chicago’s last seven games have all gone Over and Washington’s projected game totals have gone Over in seven of their last nine outings. While I like the Wizards to score against an average Bulls defense, everyone scores on Washington’s NBA worst defense. Expect a somewhat entertaining back and forth shootout from the East’s current 9-and 10-seeds.

TAKE OVER 229.5 (-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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With trade deadline looming, Alec Burks drops 30 vs. Wizards in Golden State 125-117 road win

Alec Burks 30-point scoring effort leads the Warriors to their first back-to-back road wins of the 2019-20 season.

Winning has been a limited occurrence for the Golden State Warriors in the 2019-20 season, even more, narrow has been their ability to win in bunches. However, during the Warriors five-game east coast road trip, Golden State has netted two-straight wins for only the second time this season.

The Warriors went wire-to-wire in Washington, winning 125-117. Golden State sealed back-to-back road wins for the first time in the 2019-20 season.

The Warriors were without their leading scorer D’Angelo Russell, but a veteran swingman stepped up to carry Golden State. Alex Burks tallied 30 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, adding five 3-pointers. Washington was Burks’s second 30-point scoring night on the season for Golden State.

Behind Burks, Glenn Robinson III and Draymond Green filled the gaps. Robinson III added 22 points while Green cracked another near triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

The Warriors travel to face the Nets in the final game of their road trip for homecoming night for Russell, who spent two seasons in Brooklyn. A win in Brooklyn will seal a winning road-trip for Golden State before heading back to San Francisco.

Sharing the rock

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Warriors racked up 39 total assists behind Draymond Green’s game-high 16. The Warriors doubled-down against the Washington Wizards, dropping 31 dimes.

The Warriors ball movement set up several open looks for the Warriors, resulting in scoring from up and down the roster. Six different members of Golden State scored in double figures in Washington, on 49.4 % shooting from the field.

Real deal Bradley Beal

Since being snubbed from the 2020 All-Star game, Bradley Beal has been on a warpath throughout the NBA. Beal has netted 34 or more points in Washington’s last six games, registering three wins in that span.

Against Golden State, the former Florida Gator didn’t slow down, tallying 43 points on 15-of-30 shooting. Beal added three 3-pointers and six assists, but it wasn’t enough against the Warriors

NBA Player Prop Bet Payday: DeRozan motivated to ball in hometown LA  

Highlighting Monday’s best NBA player props with odds, analysis and picks.

The NBA’s post-Super Bowl Monday 10-game slate eases our disappointment of no more football. Aside from the games and totals themselves, bettors can find a ton of profitable NBA player props in tonight’s action.

Below are some NBA player props you should check out.

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last Monday updated at 3:30 p.m. ET.

DeRozan motivated to ball in hometown LA  

(Photo credit: Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports)

DeMar DeRozan was born and raised in Los Angeles, so you know the recent passing of Kobe Bryant is on the front of his mind when his San Antonio Spurs visit the Clippers. BetMGM’s 24.5 point projection of DeRozan is puzzling because Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are listed as active but I think it’s explained with the motivational factor. DeRozan has played well recently, averaging 32.7 points per game over his last three and has really impressed in recent visits to Los Angeles. He has scored 25+ points in every game at Staples Center since joining the San Antonio Spurs. Plus DeRozan has performed better than his averages against Leonard in their 13 head-to-head meetings:

[protected-iframe id=”f1f323744fa60a1ad95837e3cfb8dca3-159279292-75965725″ info=”https://widgets.sports-reference.com/wg.fcgi?css=1&site=bbr&url=%2Fplay-index%2Fh2h_finder.cgi%3Frequest%3D1%26player_id1_hint%3DDeMar%2BDeRozan%26player_id1_select%3DDeMar%2BDeRozan%26player_id1%3Dderozde01%26player_id2_select%3DKawhi%2BLeonard%26player_id2%3Dleonaka01%26idx%3Dplayers&div=div_stats” ]

As you see, his per-game total of 21.3 on .500 field-goal percentage is better than his career average of 20 points per game on .457 FG%. Let’s lean into BetMGM’s bloated projection and BET DeROZAN OVER 24.5 (-112).

Place a legal sports bet on these NBA prop bets or other games at BetMGM.

Beal will get buckets versus Warriors 

( Photo credit: Jeremy Brevard – USA TODAY Sports)

Bradley Beal should be motivated by his All-Star snub and continue his current hot streak in Washington when his Wizards host the Golden State Warriors. He’s has scored 34+ points in each of his last six games and has 16 games above 31 points. Also, the Warriors give up the second-most points per game to shooting guards in the NBA (behind the Wizards, actually). This helps our case for Beal’s Over because both backcourts are primed to go back and forth tonight.

Also, I love the idea of getting reduced vig to BET BEAL OVER 30.5 (-106) points scored.

Simmons’ Super Bowl Hangover in Miami  

(Photo credit: Steve Mitchell – USA TODAY Sports)

Check out social media and/or the U.S. tabloids and you’ll see Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons hanging with beau Kendall Jenner at last night’s Super Bowl LIV. Can he get up the next day against a quality defensive opponent in Miami? There’s a chance the Miami nightlife could slow him down as much as the Heat themselves.

Miami allows the second-fewest points per game and the third-fewest fantasy points per game to point guards. Also, in Simmons’ career in Miami, he’s never scored more than his BetMGM projected total of 17.5 and has only eclipsed that total in three of 10 overall games against Miami. Furthermore, an opposing starting point guard hasn’t scored more than 16 in any of the last 10 games against the Heat.

BET UNDER SIMMONS 17.5 (-134). 

Want some action on these NBA prop bets? 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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Bradley Beal now has best scoring average of any All-Star snub ever

Washington Wizards superstar wing Bradley Beal was considered by many to be the most notable omission from the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.

Washington Wizards superstar wing Bradley Beal was considered by many to be the most notable omission from the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.

Beal, 26, received All-Star honors the last couple of seasons and, after signing a massive contract extension October, is now scoring more than when he represented the Eastern Conference in 2019 (25.1 ppg) and 2018 (23.6 ppg) as well.

Considering that Beal is such a prolific scorer and the All-Star Game often rewards the players best at getting the ball in the bucket, it was a surprise to see that the former No. 3 overall pick was not included in the exhibition.

But when putting his 2019-20 season in context, it raises even more eyebrows for the decision. Beal, averaging a career-best 28.8 points per game, is scoring more than any other All-Star snub in NBA history.

This reality is what caused Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein to release a heated statement about the omission (via Washington Post):

“It’s unprecedented for a player to have the type of season that Brad is having to not be in the all-star game. And I think the Eastern Conference coaches, I think they’ve sent a horrible message. I think the Eastern Conference coaches have become robotic in thinking they just have to reward players that are on the winningest teams.”

Only three other qualified players who have averaged at least 28.0 points per game (World B. Free, Tiny Archibald and Purvis Short) were not selected to the All-Star Game. Similarly, the last time a player averaged at least 27.0 points per game in a season and did not make the All-Star Game was in 1984-85.

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Kyrie Irving suffers knee sprain against Wizards

Kyrie Irving had to leave Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards early due to an injury.

In the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards, Kyrie Irving was forced to exit early. He suffered a right knee sprain and was ruled out after he went to the locker room.

Irving injured his knee when he got tangled up with Bradley Beal.

As the two fought for the ball at the free-throw line after Irving grabbed a rebound, the Brooklyn Nets point guard’s right leg got caught under the Wizards guard’s body. Irving stayed on the ground for a while, but was able to get up and go to the locker room under his own power. However, he was unable to return.

Irving followed up his 54-point performance in Friday’s win over the Chicago Bulls with an 11-point game against the Wizards in Washington D.C. The Nets point guard went 5-for-12 from the floor (1-for-5 from 3-point territory). He had four rebounds, four assists and committed six turnovers.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Irving will undergo an MRI on Sunday.

Nets expect Bradley Beal to be locked in for Saturday’s matchup

Like Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie, Bradley Beal didn’t receive an Al-Star Game nod. That only makes Wizards guard harder to deal with.

Just like Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal was not named an NBA All-Star this season. He finished behind Irving in the fan vote, but the other players across the league voted Beal as the second-best guard in the league.

But when Beal wasn’t named a starter, it was up to the NBA head coaches to put him in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. They didn’t vote him in, as Toronto’s Kyle Lowry and Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons were named the two reserve guards, and the rest of the Eastern Conference reserve slots were filled with forwards.

Beal has voiced his displeasure with the selection process. He also responded with a 34-point game on Thursday. Irving expects Beal will try to do much of the same in Washington’s trip to Brooklyn on Saturday:

We’re gonna have to go make a push against Brad Beal. Even though we know he shoulda been an All-Star and he’s pissed off. I know how he’s going to come out tomorrow. It’s just something we gotta be prepared for.

Dinwiddie also anticipates a big night out of Beal:

For sure. He’s an All-Star snub. But, then again, we got an All-Star snub ourselves.

Dinwiddie then clarified:

It was Kyrie, relax. I wasn’t talking about myself.

RELATED: Spencer Dinwiddie compares NBA All-Star selection process to US economy