We are well into the new NBA season now and there are a few surprises in the current standings. Here, we’ll look to take advantage of the value in the markets as we preview the upcoming games and provide our NBA betting tips for Thursday, 2nd November!
2017-18 NBA Preview & Betting Tips for Thursday, 2nd November
Indiana Pacers At Cleveland Cavaliers (10:00am AEST)
The Indiana Pacers have enjoyed a solid start to the season and hold a 4-3 record through seven games. However, they will face a much greater challenge than they did in their latest 101-83 win over the Kings, when they travel to face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. The Pacers look to have won the Oladipo & Sabonis for Paul George trade, with both recruits putting up great numbers in the early part of the season. If the Pacers can continue their current form, then they should challenge the Cavs right up until the final buzzer in this one.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have endured a less than ideal start to the season and come into this duel with a 3-4 record. After an abundance of changes to the Cavs roster in the offseason the continuity in their play just isn’t there at the moment. Coach Tyron Lue will no doubt be feeling the pressure after a lacklustre 22-point loss to the Pelicans in their last outing and will be desperate for a win here.
Although we do see the Cavaliers as the most likely victors in this contest, we feel the 11-point head start that the bookies have given the Pacers is a generous one. The Pacers are a good chance to cover the line here.
TIP: Indiana Pacers at the line (+11) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Houston Rockets At New York Knicks (11:00pm AEST)
The Houston Rockets enter this game at 5-3 and with a good chance at grabbing a road win at Madison Square Garden. A Ben Simmons masterclass handed the Rockets a loss to the 76ers in their last game, which featured a lack of ball movement and attacking options on offense for the Rockets. With their focus clearly on the defensive side this season, they have struggled to find their offensive flow that they were renowned for in their 2016-17 campaign. With a roster filled with shooters, Houston are currently 15th in the league for points per 100 possessions, which will be causing Coach Mike D’Antoni plenty of headaches.
The New York Knicks have had a mixed bag of results to start the season and come into this contest at 3-3. Like the Rockets, the Knicks struggles have mainly been on the offensive end. With the exception of star forward Kristaps Porzingis, who has tallied 30+ points on five occasions, the Knicks haven’t been able to find a reliable scoring threat. They are ranked 20th in the league for points scored per 100 possessions and will need to get more guys in double figures if they’re to continue to be competitive this season.
With both teams struggling to find their rhythm on the offensive end, we feel like this game has all the makings of a tight low-scoring contest. We are confident that this one goes under the total points.
TIP: Total Points Under (212.5) - $1.90 at CrownBet
Dallas Mavericks At Los Angeles Clippers (1:30pm AEST)
It seems that Dallas Mavericks fans are going to be in for a long season after a disappointing 1-7 start. After eight games the Mavs are 28th in the league for possessions per game and 23rd in the league for scoring per 100 possessions. It’s fair enough if Mavs Head Coach Rick Carlisle feels that he doesn’t have the players to run a fast pace on offense, however, the fact that they are still 23rd in the league in generating scores off possessions is still a major issue. Harrison Barnes is struggling with the heavy reliance on offense, as he’s averaging a mediocre 16.6 points per game on 38% shooting from the field.
After a red-hot start to the season, the Los Angeles Clippers have come back down to earth with consecutive losses to the Pistons and Warriors giving them a 4-2 record. Blake Griffin (23.3ppg, 8.5rpg, 4.3apg) has cooled off a bit after an enormous start, although Danilo Gallinari (14.2ppg, 5rpg) has started to find his rhythm. The Clippers are also a team that likes to take their time getting into their offensive sets, which is highlighted by their 17th in the league ranking for possessions per game.
This matchup involves two of the more patient teams in the league on offense, which should result in a low-scoring game.
TIP: Total Points Under (204.5) - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
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