The 2015-16 NBA regular season is coming to an end with 14 matches to take place on the final day of NBA action. We preview the two Australian televised ESPN matches with the Warriors chasing history with a 73-9 record up for grabs whilst the legend Kobe Bryant will be playing his last ever game in the NBA after a 20-year career with the Lakers. Continue reading for our NBA Thursday April 14th Preview and Betting Tips.
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Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors (Thursday 12.30pm AEDT)
The Warriors have an opportunity to break a 20-year-old record that was set by what many believe to be the best team in history the 95-96 Chicago Bulls that had Michael Jordan leading the way for them.
Stephen Curry has already had a record-breaking season and is considered a certainty to lift his second MVP trophy in as many years. However, he has had a lot of support, as this is a full team with a lot of depth that all play their part in the success of the side. It would be hard to think that they will have came all this way, played 81 games to fall one game short of greatness and we think they will come out firing against an injury ravaged Grizzlies side on their home court.
These two sides met last week and the Warriors were lucky to come away with a victory on the back of a few controversial calls. However, the Warriors will have had two days rest whilst they always lift to another level on home court. This partnered with the chance to go 73-9, we believe the Warriors will race to a big lead and manage to keep it throughout the entirety of the game.
TIP: Warriors -17 @ $1.91 with Sportsbet
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers (Thursday 12.30pm AEDT)
Kobe Bryant will be playing his final game in the NBA after a 20-year career that saw him win 5 championships and become one of the best players to ever play the game. It will a sad moment when the final buzzers sounds and he will no longer be a part of the Laker organisation. Coach Byron Scott has stated Bryant will play more minutes than he has all season and you can expect the former MVP to take a lot of shots during that time.
When the Lakers last met the Jazz it was a horrible night for them as they were handed their worst ever defeat in team history. We are expecting a close match this time around but the Jazz won’t be going easy as they have an opportunity to make the playoffs if they defeat the Lakers and the Rockets lose. This will mean the Jazz will be giving their everything to ensure they earn a victory and spoil the party for Brant and the Lakers and we are backing them to beat the line in this one.
TIP: Jazz -6.5 @ $1.91 with CrownBet
Sacramento Kings at Houston Rockets (Thursday 10am AEDT)
The Rockets are playing for a spot in the playoffs and if they get a victory they will book a spot as the 8th seed in the Western Conference and will take on the Golden State Warriors in the first round. It will be a rematch of the Western Conference finals from last season and we are backing it to happen, as the Rockets should win this match comfortably.
The Kings have had a tumultuous season and they will search for a better draft pick by hoping to lose this one and hope the Nuggets, Bucks or Knicks get a victory. To do this they won’t be playing DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo, Darren Collison, Marco Belinelli and Omri Cassipi.
James Harden has been carrying this side with massive numbers for the majority of the season but if they are going to be a serious contender in the playoffs they need everyone else on the team to step up, especially Dwight Howard. The Rockets will book a playoff spot with their third straight blow out victory.
TIP: Rockets -15 @ $1.95 with William Hill
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics (Thursday 10am AEDT)
These two sides have a lot to play for on the final day of the 2015-16 NBA season as the Celtics will be looking to move up the standings in the Eastern Conference with a victory whilst the Heat will lock up third spot with a win of their own.
The Heat have recently moved Hassan Whiteside back into the starting line up which is credit to the maturity the centre has shown since his meltdowns earlier in the season. Whiteside has been one of the most improved players over the last season and not only is a double double machine but he also locks down the paint and is a genuine shot blocker and is leading the league in that area.
Meanwhile the Celtics are on a bit of a slide at the wrong end of the season as they have suffered back-to-back losses. The side has still gone above expectations placed upon them at the start of the season and have earned plenty of big wins and they will be a real challenge for the Heat on this one, especially on their home court. The Heat are 20-20 on the road whilst the Celtics are 27-13 on their home court and managed to win 12 straight earlier in the season. We are backing the Celtics to return to winning ways in this one with a narrow victory against the Heat but they won’t clear the line.
TIP: Heat +6.5 @ $1.91 with Sportsbet
