The NBA continues this Tuesday, the 7th of March and after a disappointing Saturday in which we went 1-2, we’ll be hoping we can bounce back with a profitable day here. ESPN are back with another double-header for us featuring the Pacers travelling to Charlotte in the early game followed by the Clippers hosting the Celtics in the match-up of the day. We take a closer look at both games + more in our NBA Preview & Betting Tips for Tuesday, March 7th.
Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Hornets (12pm AEDT)
After a hot start to the season, the Hornets have dropped away mightily over the last few months. They now find themselves in 11th place in the East with a 27-35 record and have gone 3-3 since the All-Star break. Kemba Walker is still playing at an elite level, however, averaging 23 points and 5.5 assists per game. A win here would be massive as they try to claw back the 3 game deficit to the Pistons in 8th place.
The Pacers are 2-2 since the All-Star break. After having been in a host of trade rumours, star forward Paul George is back to his dominant best and is averaging 21 points and 6 rebounds on the season so far. Although the Pacers boast a better record, I think these two teams are evenly matched. Neither of them are exactly in the hottest form so it’s hard to trust them, however, the Pacers are on the road and will be playing their 2nd game of a back to back, so I’m happy to take the fresher legs of Charlotte with the home court advantage here.
TIP: Charlotte Hornets -3.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Clippers (2.30pm AEDT)
In the match of the day, the Celtics travel to LA to take on the Clippers from 2.30pm. Boston are coming off a brutal loss in Phoenix on Monday where a T/O by Isaiah Thomas and a buzzer beater from the Suns sank the Celts chances of winning their 3rd straight game. Boston still sick 2nd in the East by a nice 4 game buffer and after a win against the Cavaliers a few days ago, have their sights squarely set on the top seed.
Th Clippers are finally healthy. After getting Chris Paul back from injury shortly after the All-Star break, they haven’t exactly got the results they were after, but with some tough games against the Warriors, Spurs and Rockets mixed in there, they can’t be blamed. It’ll be another tough test Tuesday against the Celtics, but I think with the Celtics on the road and on the 2nd night of a tough back to back, the Clippers should take this one.
TIP: Clippers -4 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers (11.30am AEDT)
Miami were on the end of some good fortune on Sunday when they hosted a Cavaliers team sans LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. They ended up winning the game by a massive 28-point margin with Goran Dragic and Hasan Whiteside leading the charge. They won’t be so lucky this time around though, as the two Cleveland stars missed through rest and should be right to go in this one after a lengthy 2-day break.
You have to imagine the Cleveland team will be out for blood here after an embarrassing loss on Sunday. With their full complement of players in (besides Kevin Love) I can’t see a way in which they lose this game. It’s also a pretty high line, but I think a rested James and Irving will be enough to see them cover it.
TIP: Cleveland Cavaliers -8 - $1.95 at William Hill
