A bounce back 2-1 day on Thursday lifted our spirits after a few dreadful days lately, but we’ll be looking to go one better here as we preview the NBA action for Saturday, the 25th of March. ESPN just have the one televised game today so we’ll take a look at that as well as two more key matchups below.
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets (11am AEDT ESPN)
The Pelicans currently sit 4 games behind the 8th placed Portland Trailblazers in the West with just 11 games to play. While many fans hoped that the addition of DeMarcus Cousins would propel them into the playoffs this year, they’ll most likely have to wait until next season to see any post season action in NOLA. Losing 6 of their first 8 games post all-star break didn’t help their cause, and although they’ve fought back with 5 wins from their last 6 games, they are about to embark on a 3-game road trip that will surely put the final nail in their 2017 coffin.
Houston is the first of the road trip, followed by Denver and Utah, both of whom will be playing super hard as they are in playoff races. With Houston no danger of going up or down from their 3rd seed from here on out, you’d have to expect they will start resting key players soon, the question is trying to figure out which games they will do it in this far out from tip off. For the moment will assume James Harden and co. are playing and update you if anything changes.
The Pels have scored over 112 in 4 of their last 6 matches, and should put another big number on the board here given Houston’s lack of defence. The Rockets scoring capability is something that doesn’t need discussing, I like this one to go over.
TIP: Total points over 228.5 - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
Denver Nuggets at Indiana Pacers (10am AEDT)
Both in tight races for playoff positions, the Nuggets and Pacers will square off Saturday with plenty on the line. Indiana currently sit in a log jam of 6 Eastern Conference teams separated by just 3 games from positions 5th to 10th. With a 3-game home stand starting against the Nuggets followed by an extremely tough 3 game road trip to Memphis, Toronto and Cleveland, it’s crucial that the Pacers make the most of these games in Indiana if they want to secure a spot in the playoffs.
The Nuggets are in a similar position, currently 8th in the West, they’ll need to maintain their 2-game lead over the Blazers by securing a victory here. They’ll travel home for the next game but then embark on a 5-game road trip that will make or break their season. Denver star centre Nikola Jokic has been on an absolute tear of late, and is a candidate for All-NBA after averaging 16-10-5 on the season so far.
An extremely tough game to pick in my opinion. Both teams have so much on the line and will be fighting extremely hard with fully healthy rosters. These type of games have a tendency of going the way of the best player on the court, so I think with Paul George the Pacers should get it done at home.
TIP: Pacers to win - $1.81 at Unibet
Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors (1.30pm AEDT)
With top spot close to being wrapped up, we could see the Warriors take their foot off the pedal slightly here. Make no mistake, they will win this game, and probably fairly easily, but I think a 17 point opening line in this one is a little too high.
The Kings have been the worst team in the league since parting ways with DeMarcus Cousins but have only lost by over 17 points once since All-Star break. I think we see the Warriors cruise here and Sacramento cover a massive line.
TIP: Sacramento +17.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
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