Tag: NBA betting odds lines against the spread over-under picks

Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Miami Heat (41-24) visit the Denver Nuggets (43-22) Saturday in the Orlando bubble for a 1:00 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Heat-Nuggets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Heat at Nuggets: Key Injuries

Nuggets

  • SG Will Barton (knee) questionable
  • SG Gary Harris Jr. (out) out
  • PG Jamal Murray (hamstring) questionable

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

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

Prediction

Heat 111, Nuggets 104

Moneyline (ML)

The Nuggets thumped the Heat, 109-89, in their first meeting this season back on Nov. 5. But, I give Miami the slight edge in this matchup because they are an elite offensive team and Denver is above-average at offense and defense but not elite at either.

The Heat have the best three-point percentage in the NBA, sixth-highest offensive rating and are third at both effective field goal % and free throw attempts per field goal attempts. Miami have aggressive playmakers that attack the basket  — SF Jimmy Butler — and snipers from deep— SF Duncan Robinson, SF Jae Crowder and SG Tyler Herro.

When it comes to defending the three, both teams are tied for eighth in opponent’s three-point %, but Denver gives up the 28th most threes per game. If they don’t close out better than that on Miami’s shooters, they are going to be buried by threes.

Injuries in Denver’s backcourt could be a factor as well. Both Murray and Barton are listed as questionable, and if they play how effective will they be and will they be on a minute-restriction? In the first Heat-Nuggets game this season, Murray led the Nuggets in points and in rebounds.

BET THE HEAT (-106) on the moneyline. New to sports betting? A $106 bet on Miami earns a profit of $100 if the Heat win outright.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS on an ATS wager in Heat-Nuggets, which has the Nuggets at -1 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

We are BETTING THE OVER 210.5 (-110). Our moneyline handicap mentions the Heat lighting it up from three and Miami’s Over/Under record is 39-25-1 this season. Also, the Heat-Nuggets is an early tip-off and their combined Over/Under record in day games is 9-4 this season.

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

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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. Toronto Raptors odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Los Angeles Lakers (50-14) will take on the Toronto Raptors (46-18) Saturday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Arena for an 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Lakers-Raptors NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Lakers vs. Raptors: Key injuries

Lakers:

  • PF Anthony Davis (eye) probable
  • SF LeBron James (groin) probable
  • PF Kyle Kuzma (ankle) probable
  • PG Rajon Rondo (thumb) out

Raptors:

  • SG Patrick McCaw (knee) doubtful
  • SF Oshae Brissett (knee) doubtful

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Lakers vs. Raptors: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Saturday at 8:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Lakers 111, Raptors 106

Moneyline (ML)

The LAKERS (-176) head into this game as favorites over the Raptors (+145) as these are two of the best teams in the NBA. This is a meaningful game for the Lakers, as one more win will clinch them the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles has been red-hot in the second half of the year. They have won 12 of their last 14 games dating back to before the interruption; however, they have struggled against the Raptors in recent history, losing 10-straight games to Toronto. Expect that to change Saturday as they are simply the more talented team.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Lakers to win returns a profit of $5.70.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The LAKERS -4 (-106) are two-basket favorites over the Raptors. Los Angeles hasn’t fared well against the spread when playing the Eastern Conference this season, failing to cover the line in 13 of their 23 matchups this season. Toronto, on the other hand, has more success against the West, going 13-10-1 ATS when facing the opposite conference this season. With this spread being so small, it’s not hard to see the Lakers covering if they end up winning the game.

Given the odds, the Lakers -4 (-106) is a better overall bet than the moneyline but expect the Raptors to keep this game close throughout.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for this interconference matchup is set at 217.5 points. While both offenses are incredibly talented and can score 120 or more points on any given night, these are two of the best defenses in the NBA. Both the Lakers and Raptors have allowed under 107 points per game this season as they each rank inside the top three in scoring defense.

Expect this game to be well played and for the scoring to be a bit lower than we saw during Friday’s slate of games. Take the UNDER 217.5 (-110) for this fantastic Saturday night contest.

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

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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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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Memphis Grizzlies (32-33) meet the Portland Trail Blazers (29-37) Friday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Arena in Orlando, Fla., for a 4 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Grizzlies-Trail Blazers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers: Key Injuries

Grizzlies

  • PF Justise Winslow (hip) out
  • PG Tyus Jones (knee) out

Trail Blazers

  • G Jaylen Adams (back) questionable
  • SF Trevor Ariza (personal) out
  • SG Rodney Hood (Achilles) out
  • PF Caleb Swanigan (personal) out

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Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Grizzlies 116, Blazers 111

Moneyline (ML)

This is pretty much a playoff game for the Trail Blazers, who are 3½ games back of the Grizzlies for the 8-seed in the Western Conference with only an eight-game NBA restart schedule to make it up.

While the return of C Jusuf Nurkic could play a major role for the Blazers, Memphis’ starting center Jonas Valančiūnas has gotten the better of Nurkic in their seven head-to-head meetings, going 6-1. Valančiūnas averages 13.4 points per game on .594 field-goal percentage compared to Nurkic, who averages 10.1 PPG on .429 field-goal percentage, according to landofbasketball.com.

The Grizzlies play a better brand of basketball as well. Memphis is ranked fifth in passes made, third in assists per game and fourth in assist created points. Portland is last in each of these stats.

Granted the Trail Blazers have been without Nurkic, but the Grizzlies do a better job on the glass. The Grizzlies have a +1.7 rebound per game differential whereas Portland has a -2.0 rebound per game differential.

I LIKE GRIZZLIES (+135) on the moneyline.

New to sports betting? A $100 bet on the Grizzlies (+135) returns a profit of $135 if Memphis beats Portland.

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Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

We LOVE the GRIZZLIES (+3, -110) for insurance on our moneyline play. On the first night of the NBA restart, both the Jazz-Pelicans and Clippers-Lakers were decided by two points so that’s a mini-bubble trend we can monitor.

More importantly, a lot of betting trends line up nicely for Memphis in this matchup. The Grizzlies are better against bookmakers’ expectations:  Memphis has a 34-30-1 ATS record in the regular season while the Trail Blazers are 27-32-2 ATS.

Memphis is 20-14 ATS vs. sub-.500 teams; Portland is just 15-19-1. Furthermore, the Grizzlies are 4-2 ATS when getting 1-2.5 points, while Portland is 2-3 ATS when favored by 1-2.5 points.

Over/Under (O/U)

I am going to PASS on the O/U 223.5. My heart tells me this goes Over because of Memphis’ weak 3-point defense and Portland’s 3-point prowess. However, both games on Thursday went below the projected total and it occurred to me that maybe there’s some rust that needs to be knocked off by every team.

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 on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

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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Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Phoenix Suns (26-39) face the Washington Wizards (24-40) Friday at the VISA Athletic Center in Orlando, Fla. for a 4 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Suns-Wizards NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Suns vs. Wizards: Key injuries

Suns

  • G Jalen Lecque (not with team) out
  • G/F Kelly Oubre (knee) out

Wizards

  • G Garrison Mathews (personal) out

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Suns vs. Wizards: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 4:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Suns 117, Wizards 112

Moneyline (ML)

The SUNS (-295) are heavy favorites. They have looked good in their tune-up games. Both teams are the longest shots to play into a play-in series to get to the postseason, but the Suns are taking the approach that they can do it. Washington (+230) won the season’s first head-to-head matchup 140-132 at Phoenix, but here the Suns will come out on top. Take the SUNS (-295).

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Suns returns a profit of just $3.39 if they win. A $10 bet on the Wizards returns a profit of $23 if they pull off the upset.

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Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Suns (-7, -110) were not favored in many games before the season was suspended and were not a good bet, going 10-18 ATS. The Wizards, as underdogs, went 24-22-2 ATS. In both teams’ first game that counts in this NBA return, it will be close. Take the WIZARDS (+7, -110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The O/U is 224.5 points. Before the season was suspended, both teams were more likely than not to have a game hit the Over. Washington posted a 37-26-1 O/U record for the sixth-highest Over percentage in the league. Phoenix was just above 50 percent with a 33-32 O/U mark. Take OVER 224.5 (-110).

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

Follow @senorjessroot on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

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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Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Boston Celtics (43-21) will take on the Milwaukee Bucks (53-12) Friday at the HP Field House in Orlando, Fla., for a 6:30 p.m. ET tip-off (on ESPN). We analyze the Celtics-Bucks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Celtics vs. Bucks: Key injuries

Bucks

  • PG Eric Bledsoe (conditioning) out
  • SG Pat Connaughton (conditioning) out
  • G Frank Mason (back) probable
  • PF Marvin Williams (groin) doubtful

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Celtics vs. Bucks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bucks 115, Celtics 110

Moneyline (ML)

The Bucks (-209) open their first game of the NBA restart as big favorites. While it’s tough to make too many conclusions based on what happened months ago, the Bucks are just a bad matchup for the Celtics. Milwaukee has won five of its last six games against Boston, but will be without starting guard Eric Bledsoe. If you are going to bet on the moneyline here, take the Bucks. However, the better value will be on the point spread.

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Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The BUCKS are 5-point favorites (-110), which feels about right considering this will be the first game for each team in four months. While the Bucks struggled against the spread in their last five games (1-4 ATS) before the season was suspended, that was during a time period when SF Giannis Antetokounmpo was injured. He’s healthy now and Boston doesn’t have anyone who can match up with him in this contest. Milwaukee is the far better team here and should have no problem covering. TAKE THE BUCKS -5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The O/U total is 218.5 with both sides at -110 odds, but that feels low considering how dominant each offense has been this season. Both the Bucks and the Celtics rank in the top 11 scoring averages with Milwaukee leading the league at 118.6 PPG – Boston averages 113.0 PPG. Expect the first game back to be a tad sloppy, but for the OVER 218.5 to ultimately 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 on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

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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Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Orlando Magic (30-35) run with the Brooklyn Nets (30-34) Friday at the HP Field House in Orlando, Fla., for a 2:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Magic-Nets NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Magic vs. Nets: Key injuries

Magic

  • SF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
  • PF Aaron Gordon (groin) probable
  • SF Jonathan Isaac (knee) questionable
  • SF Wesley Iwundu (concussion) doubtful

Nets

  • PF Michael Beasley (COVID-19) out
  • PF Wilson Chandler (COVID-19) opted out
  • PF Nicolas Claxton (shoulder) out
  • SF Spencer Dinwiddie (COVID-19) opted out
  • PF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
  • PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
  • C DeAndre Jordan (COVID-19) opted out
  • SF Taurean Prince (COVID-19) opted out

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

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 4:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Magic 121, Nets 102

Moneyline (ML)

The Magic (-286) aren’t a great value on the moneyline, as you have to risk nearly three times your potential return. The Nets (+230), on the other hand, are huge underdogs and look attractive on paper. But they’ll essentially be fielding a team resembling more of a G-League roster as several players have opted out after dealing with coronavirus. Even up until last week they had just one player on the active roster taller than 6-feet-9 before plugging holes with a bunch of lanky retreads.

This is an important game in the Eastern Conference standings with Orlando just a half-game back of the Nets for the seventh seed. Brooklyn could fall completely out of the picture after the COVID-19 absolutely gutted their roster.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Magic returns a profit of just $3.50 if they win. A $10 bet on the Nets returns a profit of $23 if they pull off the upset.

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Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The MAGIC (-7, -110) should feel comfortable since they didn’t have to travel very far from their home arena, although they’re now relegated to the bubble just like everyone else. Still, the lack of travel and relatively decent health as opposed to the Nets (+7, -110) makes Orlando a strong ATS play. Even before the Nets turned up shorthanded, they were 0-4 ATS in the previous four meetings with the Magic. BACK THE BOYS FROM O-TOWN.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 211.5 (-110) is a strong play in this one. Defense shouldn’t be particularly strong on either side of the floor. Orlando was coughing up 107.3 points per game through their first 65, and Brooklyn was allowing 111.4 PPG through 64, and that was with a full roster. Only one other Eastern Conference team, the Washington Wizards, allowed more and gained entry into the bubble. Look for some run and gun, especially from Orlando.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

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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