Tag: NBA betting tips

San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers sports betting odds, picks and best bets

The Cleveland Cavaliers (18-45) wrap up a five-game homestand Sunday after a win over the Denver Nuggets in their last game. They host the San Antonio Spurs (26-35), who are wrapping up a three-game road trip. Tip-off is Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena.

We analyze the Spurs-Cavs 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.

Spurs at Cavs: Key injuries

Spurs

  • F LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) out
  • G Marco Belinelli (illness) out
  • C Jakob Poltl (knee) out
  • G Lonnie Walker (shin) out

Cavs

  • C Andre Drummond (calf) out
  • SG Darius Garland (groin) out
  • G Dante Exum (ankle) out
  • F Kevin Porter (concussion) out
  • F Dean Wade (ankle) questionable

Spurs at Cavs: 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 2:20 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Spurs 115, Cavs 112

Moneyline (ML)

San Antonio is favored Sunday at -189. They have struggled on the road this season, going 11-21. They are 4-3 when favored at home. Cleveland is 10-25. Cleveland is 9-19 as home underdogs.

San Antonio is without Aldridge, but don’t bet on the Cavs to win. Take the Spurs at -189.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on San Antonio returns a profit of $5.29.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Spurs are favored on the road at -4.5 (-115). San Antonio has struggled on the road straight up, but against the spread they are 15-16. The Cavs are 13-20-2 ATS at home. The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in their last six games and 10 of their last 12 overall.

Take the Cavs to cover the +4.5 (-106).

Over/Under (O/U)

The total is set at 224.5 points. The Spurs and Cavs both have had three of their last four games go Over. Cleveland is 20-15 O/U at home. The Spurs are 19-11-1 O/U on the road. Expect a lot of points and a close game. Take the OVER (-106).

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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Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets sports betting odds, picks and best bets

The Chicago Bulls (21-42) and Brooklyn Nets (28-34) will do battle at Barclays Center at 3 p.m. ET Sunday to kick off the day’s NBA slate. We analyze the Bulls-Nets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Bulls at Nets: Key injuries

Bulls

  • PG Ryan Arcidiacono (Achilles) questionable
  • PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
  • SF Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) out
  • PG Zach LaVine (quadriceps) questionable
  • PF Luke Kornet (ankle) out
  • PG Max Strus (knee) out

Nets

  • SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
  • PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
  • SG Garrett Temple (knee) out

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

Bulls at Nets: 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 11:35 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Nets 118, Bulls 109

Moneyline (ML)

The Nets (-239) are a bit too expensive on the moneyline. While they’re fully expected to win, you can’t risk so much for such little return. AVOID, and look to the spread.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The NETS (-6.5, even) have dominated this series, covering seven of the past nine meetings against the Bulls (+6.5, -121). Look for the good times to continue to roll for Brooklyn. They steamrolled San Antonio by a 139-120 count last time out, and they have covered three of the past four overall. The Nets hammered the Bulls 133-118 in this building on Jan. 31, covering a 5 1/2-point number, too.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 221.5 (even) is worth a small-unit play, although it might not be until the final ticks before it limps across the finish line. The over is 4-1 in Brooklyn’s past five outings, and the over has hit in each of the past five meetings in this series, including the past four battles at Barclays Center.

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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Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Portland Trail Blazers (28-36) host the Sacramento Kings (27-35) on Saturday in the second game of a back-to-back. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at the Moda Center. We analyze the Kings-Blazers 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.

Kings at Blazers: Key injuries

Kings

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

Blazers

  • C Jusuf Nurkic (leg) out
  • PF Zach Collins (shoulder) out
  • SG Rodney Hood (Achilles’) out

Kings at 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 3:00 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Kings 118, Trail Blazers 113

Moneyline (ML)

This is a pivotal game for Portland (-154) and Sacramento (+125) who are both 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8-seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Both enter their fourth meeting of the season looking to bounce back from disappointing losses. Portland holds a 2-1 season series lead this year.

The Trail Blazers lost, 127-117, to the Phoenix Suns on the road Friday. The Kings’ three-game winning streak came to an end on Thursday when they lost to the banged-up Philadelphia 76ers, 125-108, at home. Aside from their stinker at home last game, the Kings have been playing their best ball of the season. Post-All-Star Break, the Kings are 6-2 overall since February, outscoring opponents 114-111, and getting impressive victories against the Grizzlies (twice) and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Trail Blazers are only 3-5 post-All-Star Break, and they struggle in the second of back-to-backs going 3-7 in those games.

SPRINKLE a little on the KINGS (+125) on the moneyline. New to sports betting? Bet $100 on Kings (+125) and earn a $115 profit if they upset the Blazers.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

I LIKE the KINGS +3.5 (-115) for insurance on our moneyline wager. Sacramento has covered six of their past eight games, and Portland is just 3-7 against the spread over their last 10. The Kings are better against the spread on the road than the Blazers are at home. Sacramento is 20-12 ATS in away games, and are 10-5 ATS versus losing teams on the road, compared to Portland who is 12-16-2 ATS at home. Sacramento is 9-4 ATS when they are a small dog (1-2.5 points) and Portland is 3-3 ATS when favored that many points.

New to sports betting? Bet $230 on the Kings +3.5 (-115) to earn a profit of $200 if they win outright or lose by two or fewer points.

Over/Under (O/U)

It’s a slight lean to the OVER 229.5 (-115) for me because of a few trends and both teams having below-average defenses. Three of the last four Kings-Blazers games have gone Over the projected total. The Kings are ranked 19th in defensive rating, and the Blazers are ranked 27th. Sacramento has an 11-5 Over/Under record when playing with a rest advantage and Portland is 6-4 O/U when playing with no rest days. I only slightly lean Over because I don’t generally play game totals, and the Under is 18-6 in the last 24 meetings in Portland.

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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Atlanta Hawks at Memphis Grizzlies odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Hawks-Grizzlies sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Memphis Grizzlies (31-32) return home from a three-game trip, still in the midst of the playoff race. They host the lowly Atlanta Hawks (19-45) Saturday for an 8 p.m. ET tip FedExForum.

We analyze the Hawks-Grizzlies 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.

Hawks at Grizzlies: Key injuries

Hawks

  • G DeAndre’ Bembry (abdominal) questionable
  • C Clint Capela (foot) out
  • G Trae Young (flu) questionable
  • F Skal Labissiere (knee) out

Grizzlies

  • G Grayson Allen (hip) out
  • F Brandon Clarke (quad) out
  • C Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out
  • F Justice Winslow (back) out

Hawks at Grizzlies: 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 2:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Grizzlies 115, Hawks 101

Moneyline (ML)

The Grizzlies (-278) are favored despite closing out their three-game trip Friday night with a 121-96 loss at Dallas. The Hawks (+220) also lost Friday, 118-112 at Washington with All-Star guard Trae Young out with the flu. Memphis is 17-14 at home this season, while the Hawks are a league-worst 6-26 on the road and on a six-game skid away from home. Playing possibly without their top scorer in Young and facing a Grizzlies team currently in eighth place in the Western Conference, it is a tall task to expect the Hawks to get a road upset. If Memphis has been good at one thing this season, it is taking care of business as a home favorite (10-3 in that scenario).

This is an easy choice. Take the GRIZZLIES -278. It is easy money, although it isn’t a big payout.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Memphis returns a profit of $3.60.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Grizzlies, currently favored by 6.5 in this one, are 3-1 ATS in their last four games. The Hawks are 4-4 ATS in their last eight. With both teams playing the second half of a back-to-back, the Grizzlies are 6-3 ATS in such games, the Hawks 3-8. Memphis is 9-4 ATS when favored at home.

Again, this seems like a slam dunk. GRIZZLIES -6.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The total is set at 232.5. Each of Memphis’ last five games have hit the Under, as have seven of the Grizzlies’ last eight and 10 of their last 12. But when playing on no rest, Memphis is 6-3 O/U and Atlanta is 8-3 O/U. Ultimately, if Young doesn’t play, I don’t see how the Hawks can generate that many points. Take UNDER 232.5 (-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 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 Detroit Pistons odds, picks and best bets

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

The Utah Jazz (40-22) continue the road trip against the Detroit Pistons (20-43) Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena. We analyze the Jazz-Pistons 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 Pistons: Key injuries

Jazz

  • PG Mike Conley (rest) probable

Pistons

  • PG Bruce Brown (knee) probable
  • PF Blake Griffin (knee) out
  • SG Luke Kennard (knee) out
  • PG Brandon Knight (knee) probable
  • PG Derrick Rose (ankle) out

Jazz at Pistons: 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 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Jazz 113, Pistons 108

Moneyline (ML)

The Jazz (-358) are extremely expensive in this game, a continuation of their road trip. This game might be a lot closer than most think, although the Pistons (+275) are also a risky play at home based on their overall body of work this season. Jazz point guard Mike Conley played last night, and he has not been playing in back-to-back slates. The team said they expect him to play tonight, but they’d see how he felt when he woke up Saturday morning. The best course of action is to AVOID, and look to the line.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jazz to win outright would return a profit of $2.79.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PISTONS (+7.5, 100) are actually a solid 4-1 ATS across the past five outings while going 4-1 in the past five as an underdog. The Pistons are also 4-0 ATS in the past four on two days of rest. For the Jazz (-7.5, -121), they’re 1-4 ATS in the past five as a road favorite, 1-5-1 ATS in the past seven overall and 2-11-2 ATS in the previous 13 overall as a fave.

Over/Under (O/U)

Sometimes trends are made to be broken. The series trends suggest a slam-dunk under play. However, the OVER 214.5 (-106) is the way to go in this one. The over has hit in nine of the past 12 for Utah on the road, while going 8-2 in the past 10 as a road favorite. The over is also 21-7 in the past 28 for the Pistons at LCA, while going 12-3 in the past 15 at home against teams with a winning road mark.

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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Houston Rockets at Charlotte Hornets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Houston Rockets at Charlotte Hornets sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Charlotte Hornets (21-41) host the Houston Rockets (39-22) on Saturday at the Spectrum Center for a 5 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Rockets-Hornets 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 Hornets: Key injuries

Rockets

  • SG Eric Gordon (knee) out
  • PG Russell Westbrook (rest) out

Hornets

  • SG Malik Monk (suspension) out

Rockets at Hornets: 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 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Rockets 110, Hornets 105

Moneyline (ML)

The Rockets (-334) got rolled by the Los Angeles Clippers, 120-105,  Thursday night. It was their second straight loss after winning their previous six games. The Hornets (+260) dropped their past three games, but they covered all of them, losing two by one possession and the other was a single-digit loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

But we have to PASS THE MONEYLINE because the value isn’t there on either side. The Rockets have beaten the Hornets in 18 of their last 20 meetings, including seven a row. If the Hornets were a (+350) or up underdog, I’d consider betting them straight up. Earlier this season, Russell Westbrook missed the first game, and they still cruised to a 125-110 win. The difference this time is they are playing at home and, since Westbrook is scheduled to miss this game too, I’m predicting a close Houston win. 

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Hornets +7.5 (-106) are better than the Rockets -7.5 (-115) against the spread on the season (32-30 ATS) and recently (5-0 ATS in their last five games). Houston is just 1-4 ATS in its last five games and 29-32 ATS on the season. Plus they are just 14-17 ATS on the road and 7-11 ATS when visiting sub .500 teams. Furthermore, the Rockets are 5-7 ATS when laying 7.5-9.5 points while Charlotte is 5-3 ATS when getting that many points. 

I LIKE the HORNETS +7.5 (-106). New to sports betting? Bet $115 on the Hornets -7.5 and earn a $94.34 profit if they win or lose by less than seven points.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Rockets-Hornets game going UNDER 220.5 (100) is the likeliest outcome if Charlotte banks a W in our ATS handicap. The Hornets have a 2-8 Over/Under record in their past 10 games.  Houston has an 8-13 O/U record as an away favorite and Charlotte is 11-13 O/U as a home dog. Sunday is the worst day of the week for the Rockets and Hornets offense, which average 112.5 points per game (Houston) and 96.6 PPG (Charlotte). 

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 New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Miami Heat at New Orleans Pelicans sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Miami Heat (40-22) head to the Big Easy on Friday to play the New Orleans Pelicans (26-36) in the Smoothie King Center at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Heat-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.

Heat at Pelicans: Key injuries

Heat

  • SG Tyler Herro (ankle) out
  • PF Meyers Leonard (ankle) out

Pelicans

  • SG Kenrich Williams (back) probable
  • SG J.J. Redick (hamstring) out
  • SF Darius Miller (Achilles) out

Heat 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 Friday at 5:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pelicans 120, Heat 116

Moneyline (ML)

These teams head into Friday’s game playing in different forms. The Heat (+105) won the last four of their recently concluded five-game homestand, while the Pelicans (-125) have lost three in a row and four out of their last five games. Miami tore up New Orleans 109-94 in their first game on Nov. 16 but the Pelicans were without Zion Williamson, their leading assist man in Lonzo Ball and their leading scorer in Brandon Ingram.

The narrative all season long about the Heat is they are an awesome home team but struggle on the road. The Heat have a 13-18 road record and are just 6-10 straight up as a road underdog. Miami scores 8.6 fewer points, and allows 6.7 more points, per game on the road. 

Thus, take the PELICANS (-125) on the moneyline.

New to sports betting? A successful $125 bet on the Pelicans to win outright would return a $100 profit. 

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Back to the home/road splits narrative, Miami bullies bad teams at home, but not so much on the road. The Heat are 5-10 against the spread against teams below .500. New Orleans gets up for quality opponents at home, going 9-7 ATS against winning teams.

However, with the spread just 1.5 (Heat +1.5, -106/Pelicans -1.5, -115) PASS ON THE SPREAD and just stick with our moneyline wager.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Heat have the highest percentage of Overs in the NBA and the Pelicans are seventh. Miami has an 8-1 Over/Under record in their last nine overall and the Over has cashed in the last three New Orleans games. When playing nonconference opponents, the Heat and the Pelicans have a combined O/U record of 28-19. New Orleans is 13-7 O/U when favored at home and Miami is 9-7 O/U as a road dog.

I slightly LEAN OVER 233.5 (-106) because the last three Heat-Pelicans games have gone Under and the market is leaning Under (-115) hence the higher vig.

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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Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Indiana Pacers (37-25) head to the Windy City Friday to play the Chicago Bulls (21-41) at the United Center at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pacers-Bulls 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.

Pacers at Bulls: Key injuries

Pacers

  • PG Malcolm Brogdon (hip) doubtful
  • SG Victor Oladipo (knee) questionable
  • SG Jeremy Lamb (knee) out
  • SF T.J. Warren (leg) questionable
  • SF Doug McDermott (foot) questionable
  • PF JaKarr Sampson (hip) questionable

Bulls

  • PG Zach LaVine (quadricep) out
  • PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
  • PF Luke Kornet (ankle) out
  • SF Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) out

Pacers at Bulls: 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 Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pacers 105, Bulls 103

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams are coming off road losses on Wednesday — the Pacers (-154) falling 119-100 at Milwaukee on Wednesday and the Bulls (+125) going down in Minnesota 115-108. Indiana has won and covered all three games this season against the Bulls, but this is a rare game this season in which Chicago could be healthier its opponent (though both teams could be without their leading scorers in Warren and LaVine). As much as I’d like to take the home dog here, the Bulls are just 3-12 straight up when getting points at home, losing by an average of 8.4 points. If the Bulls’ moneyline was +150 or above, I’d be more into it. Also, the Pacers are 12-5 with a 5.1-point average margin of victory when laying points on the road.

PASS ON THE MONEYLINE. 

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

This is always an overly simple thing to say, but please monitor the injury report for this one. If the Pacers are down three starters, the Bulls are very appealing. Currently, I’m saying bet BULLS +3.5 (-115) because of the Pacers’ injury woes and their in-division struggles against the spread. Despite their three straight covers against the Bulls, the Pacers are just 5-7-2 ATS with a -3.9 ATS margin vs. division foes this season. Also, Chicago is 7-7 ATS against Central Division opponents.

Over/Under (O/U)

This is a case of an elite offense (Indiana) going up against a poor defense (Chicago). The Pacers rank seventh in opponents’ points per game and eighth in opponent’s field goal percentage, while the Bulls are 25th in PPG and 24th in FG%. Since both teams could be without their leading scores, I LEAN UNDER 211.5 (-115). It’s only a lean because I am nervous that all the Pacers’ injuries could affect their defense as much as their offense and their combined Over/Under record is 65-58-1.

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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Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards odds, picks and best bets

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

The Atlanta Hawks (19-44) visit the nation’s capital Friday to play the Washington Wizards (22-39) at the Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Hawks-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.

Hawks at Wizards: Key injuries

Hawks

  • PG Trae Young (illness) questionable
  • C Dewayne Dedmon (elbow) probable
  • PF Bruno Fernando (shin) probable
  • C Clint Capela (heel) out
  • SF Cam Reddish (back) out
  • PF Skal Labissiere (knee) out
  • SG DeAndre’ Bembry (abdominal) out

Wizards

  • PG Ish Smith (hamstring) out
  • PG John Wall (Achilles’) out

Hawks 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 1:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Wizards 128, Hawks 104

Moneyline (ML)

Trae Young (illness) hitting the injury report is concerning for anyone looking to back Atlanta (+145) since they are 2-4 straight up in games without Young. The Hawks won the last meeting against the Wizards (-176), 152-133 Jan 26, but that was keyed by Young’s 45 points and 14 assists. The season series is split 1-1, and these two teams have alternated wins and covers in each of their last 10 meetings.

The Hawks are an abysmal 14-29 with a minus-7 average margin of victory, and the Wizards are a decent 18-20. I have more faith in Washington’s ability to bounce back than an Atlanta team that has the worst road record in the NBA (6-25) and is only 2-9 in Friday games. But, we are going to PASS ON THE STEEP MONEYLINE in favor of a line wager.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Washington enters today’s game with at least a fighting chance at earning a playoff berth while the Hawks are the second-worst team in the East. The Hawks were routed in its last game, 127-88, by the Memphis Grizzlies Monday as was Washington by the Portland Trail Blazers, 125-104, Wednesday. Many of the Hawks cited effort as the reason for the beating, and it should certainly be a question mark with nothing to play for a banged-up roster.

The Wizards -3.5 (-110) are 16-13 ATS at home and 8-10 ATS at home versus losing teams. Atlanta is a poor 10-18 ATS on the road and 4-11 ATS on the road versus losing teams. Definitely monitor the injury report up until game time, but based on the current info, WIZARDS -3.5 (-110) is the sharp play. 

Over/Under (O/U)

It’s rare to see a total as high as 245.5, but the last Hawks-Wizards meeting was one of the highest-scoring games in the NBA this season. Both have a propensity to play in shootouts:  Atlanta and Washington have the fourth- and fifth-highest Over percentage in the NBA. But a Young-less Hawks team is a lot less offensively productive. Atlanta has gone Under the projected total in each of the six games Young has missed. 

BET UNDER 245.5 (-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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Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Blazers at Suns NBA matchup, with NBA betting, picks and best bets.

The Phoenix Suns (24-38) play the fifth game in their six-game homestand Friday night when they play the Portland Trail Blazers (28-35) for the third time this season. Tip-off at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix is set for 9 p.m. ET.

We analyze the Blazers-Suns odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

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Blazers at Suns: Key injuries

Blazers

  • F Zach Collins (shoulder) out
  • F Rodney Hood (Achilles) out
  • C Jusuf Nurkic (leg) out

Suns

  • C Deandre Ayton (ankle) doubtful
  • F Cam Johnson (illness) out
  • F Frank Kaminsky (knee) out
  • F Kelly Oubre (knee) out

Blazers at Suns: 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 Friday at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Blazers 115, Suns 109

Moneyline (ML)

Portland enters this game as the favorite at -162. The Blazers have won two straight games and remain in the thick of the fight for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Suns, meanwhile, have lost all four games in their current homestand and continue to be hit by injuries to key players. After losing Oubre — likely the rest of the season — Ayton injured his ankle. Phoenix has struggled all season at home, going 11-22 so far. Portland has the same record on the road.

But a deeper look shows the Suns have been able to build early; they just let them slip away in the second half. Plus, Portland is only 4-4 this season when favored on the road. Nonetheless, don’t expect the Suns to pull out of their funk now. Take the BLAZERS -162.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Portland returns a profit of $6.17.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Portland is favored at -3.5 points (-110). While the Blazers have covered the spread in three of their last four games they failed to cover the previous five. They are only 14-19 ATS on the road, but Phoenix is only 11-21-1 ATS at home. Both teams fail to cover more often than they do cover in their current status — home underdog / road favorite. But for Phoenix — already lacking offensive weapons — losing its defensive cog in the middle in Ayton is tough. Expect the Blazers to not only win, but take PORTLAND -3.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The total is set very high at 231.5 points. Their last two matchups this season have totaled 221 and 238 points — both failing to hit the total. With the Suns 17-15 O/U at home and the Blazers 17-16 O/U on the road, I would expect the same. Take UNDER 231.5 (-115).

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