Tag: NBA Picks

Philadelphia 76ers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Philadelphia 76ers winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Philadelphia 76ers were sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-26 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the 76ers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Philadelphia 76ers season recap

The 76ers were 13 games above .500 when the NBA pressed the pause button on the regular season in mid-March, and it was a tale of two teams. The Sixers were unstoppable at the Wells Fargo Center, posting an NBA-best 29-2 home record. However, they were a complete and unmitigated disaster on the road, limping to a 10-24 mark, second-worst among all teams invited to the Orlando bubble. Only the Washington Wizards’ 8-24 record was worse on the road – at least among the 22 teams headed to Central Florida.

Philly won’t have its home fans to fall back on for energy, so it’s going to have to find a way to win in strange and unfriendly environs. On a positive note, the other teams won’t have their fans there, either, so it will be a true neutral-site feel where the most talented teams should stand out … and Philly certainly has plenty of talent.

The good news is that PG Ben Simmons (back) is expected to be healthy after suffering an injury in late February. If the season had proceeded regularly, his status for the playoffs would have been in question. But with the extra recovery time, he should be fine, and that’s a big boost for the Sixers. With a roster featuring a playoff-tested PF Al Horford, although his fit is still a bit of a question even now, along with C Joel Embiid, SF Tobias Harris and SG Josh Richardson, this team has the chance to make noise and plenty of it.

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Philadelphia 76ers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 9 at 10 a.m. ET.

The 76ERS (+2500) are listed with the eighth-best odds in the NBA to lift the championship hardware, the same odds as the Eastern Conference’s Miami Heat. Philly was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team before the pause, as it was unstoppable at home and a mess on the road. This team has the roster talent from top to bottom to make a run to a title, but will it? Cohesiveness is a big issue, but PHILLY (+2500) IS WORTH A SMALL-UNIT WAGER, as the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks could very well stumble in the East.

Philadelphia 76ers Eastern Conference odds

The 76ERS (+1000) are a rather attractive play with a chance to multiply your initial stake by 10 even if they just make the NBA Finals and flame out. After the Bucks (-159), who are the clear-cut favorite in the East, it is wide open. Why not the 76ers? They have plenty of inside presence and a roster built for the playoffs. They’re going to be healthy, and that’s a huge plus, obviously. Philly is a NICE VALUE at this price point.

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Boston Celtics NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Boston Celtics winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Boston Celtics were third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 43-21 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Celtics winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Boston Celtics season recap

The Celtics were one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference when play was suspended, sitting 22 games over .500. They weren’t all that hot heading into the break, though. They were only 5-5 in their last 10 games and 7-6 overall in the division.

Against the spread, Boston was excellent. It was 38-23-3 ATS before play was halted, including a stellar 20-10-2 ATS mark on the road. Of course, there will be no home-court advantage or road games with everything being played in Orlando.

Boston was led by SF Jayson Tatum, who was tops on the team in scoring (23.6 PPG) and second in rebounding (7.1 RPG). PG Kemba Walker has been the key to getting the offense in motion, though, averaging 21.8 PPG and 4.9 assists. SG Jaylen Brown and PF Gordon Hayward also chipped in as the third- and fourth-leading scorers, respectively.

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Boston Celtics NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 9 at 10:50 a.m. ET.

The Celtics currently have the fifth-best odds to win the NBA title this season, sitting at +2000 – behind the Los Angeles Lakers (+250), Milwaukee Bucks (+280), Los Angeles Clippers (+325) and Houston Rockets (+1200). Boston benefits from playing in the much more favorable Eastern Conference, with the biggest hurdle being Milwaukee.

With everyone healthy, Boston has a good chance to win the championship in this modified season. They don’t have a superstar like Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, but with four players who are capable of scoring 30 on any given night, the Celtics are as well-rounded as anyone.

The CELTICS are DEFINITELY WORTH A BET AT +2000.

Boston Celtics Eastern Conference odds

To no surprise, the Celtics have the second-best odds to win the East, behind only the Bucks. Milwaukee is the overwhelming favorite at -159, with the Boston sitting at +750 – Toronto is also +750.

It’s a safer bet than taking the Celtics to win the NBA Championship, but the reward is far lower, paying 7.5 to 1. That’s because if Boston were to reach the Finals, it would likely have to play the Lakers, Clippers or Rockets – all among the best in the NBA.

I would PASS on taking the Celtics to win the East, and instead, go for the bigger payoff, putting the money on them to win the NBA Finals.

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Miami Heat NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Miami Heat winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Miami Heat were fourth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 41-24 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Heat winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Miami Heat season recap

The Heat sat atop the Southeast Division when play was paused. They were likely going to be in good shape as far as home-court advantage was concerned in at least a round or two of the playoffs.

Miami featured a sparkling 27-5 record at home, the third-best mark in all of the NBA. But now, there will be no home-court advantage as the 22 teams will be playing in the O-Town bubble. So, the absence of Miami’s raucous fans at the American Airlines Arena will be sorely missed for the Heaters.

Miami was also fourth in the Eastern Conference in terms of point differential, posting 112.2 points per game offensively, while yielding 108.9 defensively. That was good for a plus-3.3 differential, eighth-best overall in the league, too.

PF Bam Adebayo and SF Jimmy Butler proved to be quite a nice, and unexpected, one-two punch for Miami. Add in the fact that this team is deep with young talent in the form of SF Derrick Jones Jr. and SGs Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson, and the Heat are a bit of a wild card in the East. They also have playoff-tested SG Andre Iguodala, added at the trade deadline, to give the younger players guidance and leadership.

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Miami Heat NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m. ET.

The Heat (+2500) are listed with the eighth-best odds in the NBA to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat definitely have a strong corps of young players, but the lack of playoff experience will work against them. However, the fact that NBA players are creatures of habit, and some of the veterans on others teams might be thrown off their game from the unconventional restart and strange situation might negate some of that newness. Still, it’s best to AVOID betting on Miami winning it all.

Miami Heat Eastern Conference odds

The HEAT (+1000) have rather short odds in the East, which is considered wide open after the heavily favored Milwaukee Bucks (-159). If the favorite should stumble, then why not the Heat? They have a good mix of rookies and veterans, and the leadership of Iguodala will be beneficial. The HEAT (+1000) ARE WORTH A SMALL-UNIT PLAY, just don’t get carried away.

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Toronto Raptors NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Toronto Raptors winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Toronto Raptors were second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 46-18 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Raptors winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Toronto Raptors season recap

The Raptors were cruising through the regular season in defense of the franchise’s first NBA Championship title, won a year ago. The free-agent loss of SF Kawhi Leonard was hardly noticeable as the Raptors were 23-9 at home and also 23-9 on the road. They were 8-4 in the Atlantic Division and 30-10 in the Eastern Conference with a point differential of plus-6.5, ranking second in the conference.

Toronto was also dominant from a betting perspective. The Raps were 35-28-1 against the spread at the time play was paused. They covered the spread by a league-best 3.3 points per game (PPG). While averaging 113.0 PPG with 106.5 PPG against, the Raptors were 34-29-1 against the Over/Under, but covered the number by just 0.1 PPG.

PF Pascal Siakam made the biggest improvements in the post-Leonard world. He was averaging a career-best 23.6 PPG in his fourth NBA season. Five other players – PG Kyle Lowry, SG Fred VanVleet, SG Norman Powell, C Serge Ibaka and SF OG Anunoby – also averaged double digits. Ibaka led the way with 8.3 rebounds per game.

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Toronto Raptors NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 8 at 6 a.m. ET.

Despite winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2018-19 and sitting second in the Eastern Conference through 64 games played this season, the Raptors share the sixth-best 2019-20 championship odds with the Denver Nuggets at +2200. A $10 bet on the Raptors to go back-to-back would return a profit of $220 while the same wager on the Los Angeles Lakers (+250) – the favorite – would fetch a profit of just $25.

The value is right for the RAPTORS (+2200) to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship with the third-best odds of all remaining Eastern Conference teams.

Toronto Raptors Eastern Conference odds

The Raptors are +750 to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year. The Milwaukee Bucks are the conference favorites at a lowly -159 and the Boston Celtics share the +750 odds.

A $10 bet here on the Raptors would only result in a profit of $75, but bettors should jump at this bet. Back the RAPTORS (+750) to win the Eastern Conference as the best value bet on the board.

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NBA Eastern Conference odds, picks and best bets

Looking at the betting odds to win the NBA’s Eastern Conference, with NBA futures picks and best bets.

The NBA will return later this summer with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds to win the Eastern Conference once play resumes and make our NBA futures picks and best bets.

NBA Eastern Conference picks: Favorite

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

If you are looking for a favorite, look no further than the Milwaukee Bucks, who are by far the betting favorite at -159. They were a freakishly good team before the season’s stoppage and no longer have Kawhi Leonard in the conference to stop them from getting to the NBA Finals.

The Toronto Raptors were on a four-game winning streak and playing good basketball in pursuit of their second straight NBA title, but it would be almost foolish to put your money on anyone other than Milwaukee.

They are the favorite for a reason. Take the BUCKS at –159.

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NBA Western Conference picks: Contender

After the Bucks, you have the Boston Celtics and Raptors at +750 and the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers at +1000.

Miami plays great team basketball. Philly is unstoppable at home but can’t win on the road for some reason. Boston and Toronto are almost identical statistically.

Given their championship run from a year ago, the best bet among the contenders are the RAPTORS at +750.

NBA Eastern Conference picks: Long shot

Only two teams have odds of at least  +10000 to win the Eastern Conference — the Orlando Magic (+10000) and the Washington Wizards (+20000). If John Wall were going to return for the Wizards, then they might be a fun team to bet on. However, even though Bradley Beal is exciting if you must pick a longshot, go with the MAGIC at +10000. After all, Washington is 16 games under .500.

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NBA Western Conference odds, picks and best bets

Looking at the betting odds to win the NBA’s Western Conference, with NBA futures picks and best bets.

The NBA will return later this summer with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds to win the Western Conference once play resumes and make our NBA futures picks and best bets.

NBA Western Conference picks: Favorite

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 8 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

In this shortened run to the championship, experience matters. Two players you can count on are Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James and Los Angeles Clippers SF Kawhi Leonard, as both have led multiple championship runs, so the real favorites are the betting favorites — the L.A. Lakers at +125 and the L.A. Clippers at +175.

The Houston Rockets (+700) just can’t be trusted in the postseason and the Denver Nuggets (+1200) aren’t proven enough to bet on.

Between the Clippers and the Lakers, the Lakers are the best bet. They have LeBron and PF Anthony Davis. The time off will allow James, once he is back in shape, to play at his highest level for the entire postseason. The favorite is and should be the LAKERS at +125.

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NBA Western Conference picks: Contender

After the Lakers, the obvious contenders are the Clippers, as already stated; however, if you are looking to the middle-tier teams, you have to look at the Rockets at +700. Their playoff failures are well documented but they are the most talented team of the contenders not in L.A. Between Gs James Harden and Russell Westbrook, they have the two best players on the court against any team except the Lakers or Clippers, and they are pretty much on par with the top duoes from both those teams.

If you aren’t going with the Lakers or Clippers, the ROCKETS at +700 are the best choice.

NBA Western Conference picks: Long shot

Of the teams with odds greater than +10000, you have to look at only two teams. The first are the Portland Trail Blazers at +15000 because of their backcourt combo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Then you have to look at the New Orleans Pelicans because of SF Zion Williamson. His impact since returning from injury has been great. No team is a real good bet to take the conference title outside of L.A., but if you are looking for a long shot, look at those two teams for a huge payout. Take the BLAZERS at +15000 or the PELICANS at +30000.

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Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Milwaukee Bucks winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Milwaukee Bucks were first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 53-12 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Bucks winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. later this summer.

Milwaukee Bucks season recap

The Bucks had the best record in the entire NBA at 53-12 when play was suspended. They were No. 1 in points per game (118.6) and had the league’s fifth-best defense, allowing 107.4 points per contest.

The Bucks were led by 2018-2019 MVP PF Giannis Antetokunmpo, who was in the lead to win the MVP again this season. Antetokunmpo was averaging a career-high 29.6 points per game to go along with 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists in just 30.9 minutes per game. Despite a late-season surge by Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James, Antetokumpo was pretty clearly the best player in the NBA this season and should take home his second-straight MVP award.

The Bucks were also getting elite play out of their other role players this season, such as PG George Hill, C Brook Lopez and SG Donte DiVincenzo. Combined with the always stellar play of SF Khris Middleton, it’s not hard to see why this team lost just 12 games so far this season.

Overall, the Bucks have the most well-rounded roster in the NBA with shooting, defense and length all over the court. Despite not having home-court advantage, it would be a shock not to see this team in the NBA Finals in Orlando.

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Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 8, at 11 a.m. ET.

Despite having the best record in the NBA, the Bucks (+280) are not the favorites to win the championship this season. Instead, that honor belongs to the Lakers (+250), who beat the Bucks shortly before the season was suspended.

At +280, the Bucks are a fantastic bet to win the NBA Championship for all of the reasons listed above. They have a tremendous overall roster and a superstar reaching the peak of his powers in likely another MVP season. At nearly 3-1 odds, strongly consider betting on the BUCKS (+280) to take home the 2019-2020 NBA Championship in Orlando.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bucks to win the NBA Championship would return a profit of $28.

Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference odds

If you aren’t entirely sold on the Bucks to win this year’s NBA Championship, consider betting on them to reach the NBA Finals. Currently, their odds to win the Eastern Conference sit at -159. They are, by far, the favorite with the next closest team being the Boston Celtics (+750).

There just isn’t anybody that can match up with their size and speed and their 34-5 record against the Eastern Conference proves that. While certainly, anything is possible in Orlando, expect the Bucks to come out of the conference reasonably easily.

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Could Kevin Durant return this season after NBA coronavirus delay?

NBA coronavirus delay could mean injured players impact 2020 NBA playoffs, including Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets.

With the sports world on hold and sports fans left to choose from old highlights, documentaries and video games, bettors may look as this new window of downtime as an opportunity to beef up on research. And rest assured, the most astute of gamblers are already looking ahead to what the landscape may look like when sports do return.

With that in mind, here’s a look at some key NBA players who were injured when play was suspended and could return when play resumes — and alter both scoreboards and oddsboards.

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday, March 16 at 2:20 a.m. ET.

Kevin Durant, F, Brooklyn Nets

Injury (date): Torn Achilles (June 10, 2019)

Original prognosis: Start for 2020-21 season

Current playoff position: 7th in East (30-34)

Current odds: +4900 to win East; +10000 to win championship

Looking ahead: On March 10 — or a day before the NBA announced the season’s postponement — video surfaced of Durant driving from beyond the top of the 3-point line, blowing by a defender and slamming it home. While the expectation has always been Durant would return next season, if the postseason is pushed back into the middle of summer, getting Durant back could make the Nets a contender in the Eastern Conference. It’s enough of a possibility that some sportsbooks have reportedly taken down NBA futures bets in large part because of fear of a flood of Nets bets.

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

John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards

Injury (date): Torn Achilles (January/February 2019)

Original prognosis: 12 months

Current playoff position: 9th in East (24-40; 5.5 games out of playoff spot)

Current odds: +10000 to win East; +25000 to win championship

Looking ahead: Wall hasn’t played since Dec. 26, 2018, having first undergone surgery on a nagging Achilles injury, then developing an infection in the area before rupturing his Achilles in a fall at his home. The five-time All-Star turns 30 in September, so age and rust aren’t on his side. But since the postponement, Wizards fans have been buzzing about Wall’s potential return. Plus, we’re beyond the original timetable for his return. The ultimate question may not be time but rather, even if Wall can come back when the season resumes, are the Wizards too far out of it to take the risk?

Jusuf Nurkic, C, Portland Trail Blazers

Injury (date): Compound factures of leg (March 25, 2019)

Original prognosis: Return March 15, 2020

Current playoff position: 9th in West (29-37; 3.5 games out of playoff spot)

Current odds: +5000 to win West; +20000 to win championship

Looking ahead: The timing actually worked out against Nurkic and the Blazers, as the big man was ready to return just a few days before the NBA suspended the season — and the G League season (Nurkic was expected to get some work in the G League first). With a playoff spot within reach and the banged-up Damian Lillard now getting some time to rest, the Blazers could be primed for a late-season run. Of course, in the West, squeaking into the playoffs means an early date with the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers.

Mar 25, 2019; Portland, OR; Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic is wheeled off the court after injuring his leg vs. the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen – USA TODAY Sports)

Andre Roberson, G/F, Oklahoma City Thunder

Injury (date): Ruptured patellar tendon (Jan. 27, 2018)

Original prognosis: Likely out for season

Current playoff position: 5th in West (40-24)

Current odds: +3500 to win West; +10000 to win championship

Looking ahead: As long as Durant and Nurkic have been out, they have nothing on Roberson (who was injured while playing alongside Russell Westbrook). Roberson’s specialty is on the defensive end, as evidenced by his 2017 All-Defensive Team selection. In late February, Roberson rejoined the team to do individual work. Coach Billy Donovan at the time admitted the team was looking at the possibility of Roberson playing this season. The extra time can only make that more possible. If he does make it back, expect him to guard the likes of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

DeMarcus Cousins, C, free agent

Injury (date): Torn ACL (Aug. 12, 2019)

Original prognosis: Start of next season

Current playoff position: N/A

Current odds: N/A

Looking ahead: After Durant, Cousins may be the biggest wild card on this list — if for no other reason he will have his pick of playoff teams to join should he return. Cousins injured his knee shortly after signing with the Lakers in the offseason but before he ever played in a game. With the emergence of Dwight Howard and the addition of Markieff Morris last month, the Lakers cut Cousins. But the big man has been attending Lakers games and there is no shortage of speculation he could be back with the Lakers for the playoffs … giving them a frontcourt of Cousins, Howard, Anthony Davis and JaVale McGee.

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Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Denver Nuggets (43-21) visit the Big D on Wednesday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off against the Dallas Mavericks (39-27) at the American Airlines Center. We analyze the Nuggets-Mavericks 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.

Mavericks at Nuggets: Key injuries

Mavericks

  • PF Kristaps Porzingis (knee) out
  • SG Seth Curry (ankle) out
  • SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (illness) probable
  • C Willie Cauley-Stein (illness) probable
  • PG Jalen Brunson (shoulder) out
  • PF Dwight Powell (Achilles) out

Nuggets

  •  C Bol Bol (foot) out

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

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Nuggets 122, Mavericks 104

Moneyline (ML)

These teams have played twice already this season and each game has been decided by a possession with the Nuggets the most recent meeting, 107-106, Jan. 8. The Mavericks were without defensive anchor, Kristaps Porzingis, and Nikola Jokic took advantage to the tune of 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting. That’s a bad sign for Dallas with Porzingis out again Wednesday. In their first meeting Oct. 29, Dallas had nine players score double figures (none more than 14) en route to a 109-106 victory in Denver.

The Nuggets are far healthier at the moment — no one from the Nuggets’ regular rotation is out — and beside the injuries above, the Mavericks have seen Luka Doncic miss games recently. Denver gives up the fourth-fewest points per game to point guards and Doncic has scored 21.5 PPG in four career games against the Nuggets. Doncic has needed to work for his 20+ points, shooting just .392 from the field and .200 from 3-point land against Denver.

I LIKE the NUGGETS -143.

New to sports betting? Bet $143 on the Nuggets -143 and earn a $100 profit if they beat the Mavericks.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Since I like the Nuggets on the moneyline, I’ll LEAN toward the NUGGETS -2.5 (-110). It should be an either-or situation in terms of which bet to play; I don’t think you should bet both the moneyline and spread.

Anywho, somehow Dallas is worse ATS at home versus winning teams (3-9) then Denver is on the road against winning teams (5-7-1). The Mavericks lost straight up and against the spread in both games they were home dogs in but the Nuggets is only 7-10-1 ATS as a road favorite this season. The standout trend for me in the Mavericks-Nuggets matchup is Denver’s 6-3 ATS record when laying 1-2.5 points and Dallas’ 1-5 ATS mark when getting that many points. 

Over/Under (O/U)

Denver likes to slow the game down and play through their All-Star big man, Jokic. The Nuggets are ranked 29th in pace of play, which is the main reason their offense is ranked just 20th in points per game. However, they are seventh in offensive rating and sixth in field-goal percentage, and I think they’ll execute against the Mavericks, pushing the game OVER 220.5 (-106).

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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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Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Jazz at Thunder NBA matchup, with NBA betting odds, picks and best bets

The Utah Jazz (41-23) will travel to the Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24) as these teams battle for the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Tipoff for this game is set for 8 p.m. ET Wednesday. We analyze the Jazz-Thunder sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Jazz at Thunder: Key injuries

Thunder:

  • SF Andre Roberson (knee) out
  • SF Darius Bazley (thumb) out

Jazz:

  • C Rudy Gobert (illness) questionable
  • PG Emmanuel Mudiay (illness) questionable

Jazz at Thunder: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:50 p.m. ET.

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

Prediction

Thunder 115, Jazz 112

Moneyline (ML)

The THUNDER (-154) are in the middle of a hot streak as they have won 15 of their last 20 games and eight of their previous 10 contests. They have also won 18 of their last 19 regular-season home games against the Jazz. It’s a tough matchup for Utah (+130), so take the THUNDER TO WIN at home.

New to sports betting? A successful $10 bet on the Thunder to win would return a profit of $6.49.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

While the THUNDER (-2.5, -115) have been dominant over the last month in straight up, their record against the spread hasn’t been great. OKC has covered just twice in their last seven games and they’ve only covered three times in their last nine home contests. But the Jazz (+2.5, -106) haven’t been much better as they have only covered in two of their last 10 games. Given how small this spread is, don’t be afraid to pick the THUNDER TO WIN and for the THUNDER TO COVER in Oklahoma City.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for this Western Conference matchup is set at 217.5 points, and that feels far too low despite how well each team has played on defense this season. While it’s true that both sides rank inside of the top 10 in scoring defense, each team is also averaging better than 110 points per game. Don’t expect this to be a high-scoring game, but take the OVER 217.5 (-115) to hit on Wednesday night.

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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