MENU
Pro basketball calms down on Thursday before a wild stretch over the next three days, so for now NBA bettors can sit back, relax and focus on a light four game NBA schedule. It’s much like Tuesday, when the games seemed pretty obvious (we went 3-1 with our picks), as there appear to be four matchups with wide talent gaps.
It is always good to take a closer look at the matchups before firing away with bets, though, so let’s break down each contest and see which way you may want to lean tonight:
Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
This just the second meeting of the year between this rivals, as Boston edged out the Bulls in a fairly high-scoring affair in Boston about a month ago. We might see a little more defense this time around, as Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose are both healthy, while the Bulls tend to turn it up at the United Center (15-5 there this season). Boston is no slouch on the road, though, so while the Bulls should even the series up at home, expect a tight contest thoughout.
Pick: Bulls 102, Celtics 100
Atlanta Hawks @ Philadelphia 76ers
This game was over before it began when the Hawks blew the 76ers out of the water in mid-December, and even with this one in Philly it’s tough to imagine tonight’s outcome being much different. Atlanta has lost two straight but has been a strong 7-3 over their last 10 and could really use an easy game to get themselves back on track. Ish Smith has helped make Philly a more cohesive and competitive unit, but this is still a four-win team that can’t defend. It’s tough not to love the Hawks to cover a fairly weak -9.5 line tonight.
Pick: Hawks 116, Sixers 102
Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets
These two just got done with a thriller three days ago, which had James Harden leading his Rockets to a 2-point win in Utah. The Jazz are extremely under-manned at the moment, otherwise I might give them a shot at vengeance. In Houston without the likes of Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert and Alec Burks, however, the Jazz are likely to fall again.
Pick: Rockets 98, Jazz 92
Los Angeles Lakers @ Sacramento Kings
This feels like an easy call, but we still don’t know the status of Kobe Bryant, Rajon Rondo and Omri Casspir for this one. DeMarcus Cousins could easily run wild on the Lakers all by himself, but he should still have plenty of help via Rudy Gay and Darren Collison. If the Lakers actually gave youngsters Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell run they might be somewhat competitive, but it’s obvious they’re stuck in full blown tank mode. Their 4-18 road record and the 132-114 drubbing in their previous meeting with the Kings suggests they won’t get this one. I do expect a ton of points, though, so feel free to shoot for the Total tonight.
Pick: Kings 118, Lakers 106
