What a week it has been in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors Green and Durant drama, followed by King James passing Wilt Chamberlain for fifth place on the all-time scoring list. We’ve now got an action-packed Saturday on our hands with a big eight-game slate set to play out. As usual, we’ve provided previews and betting tips for the three best value games of the day. Good luck to all following!
NBA Betting Tips Saturday 17th November
Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics (11am AEDT)
The Raptors come into this one in a little bit of a funk after such a terrific start to the season. And when I say a ‘little bit’ I mean it, because despite their back-to-back home losses to the Pelicans and Pistons, they’re still in first position in the Eastern Conference standings with a 12-3 record.
On the other hand, the Celtics have grinded their way up the Eastern Conference standings to now sit in fourth position with an 8-6 record. It hasn’t quite been the start they’d hoped for, as they were the favourites to win the East coming into the season, but with the depth of their roster and the even spread of talent, they’ll be pretty confident they will continue to get better as the season progresses.
It should be a great game between two potential finalists in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors definitely started the season off better, but have looked shaky this week and will be tested once more at the Garden. The Garden was a fortress last season for the C’s and to get them at even odds here is terrific value.
Utah Jazz at Philadelphia 76ers (11am AEDT)
The Jazz are coming off one of the most humiliating defeats in franchise history on Thursday, losing to the Mavericks by a whopping 50 points. It was such an uncharacteristic performance from the Jazz who pride themselves on being one of the elite defensive teams in the NBA. Their pride will be tested on Saturday when they travel to take on the 76ers.
The 76ers are one of the most intriguing and watchable teams in the league at the moment with the addition of superstar Jimmy Butler. Butler’s first game with his new team wasn’t a disaster, but it didn’t quite go to plan as the Sixers fell to the Magic on the road. That loss took their season record to 9-7, which has them in fifth position in the Eastern Conference standings.
Both these teams have been struggling to score the ball lately and have started the season off poorly. However, both will be desperate to get a win on the board and will be locked in defensively. Notoriously, these sides have played low scoring games and we see this one following suit.
Under 215.5 Total Points
$2.07
Portland Trail Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves (12pm AEDT)
The Blazers come into this one off a disappointing loss to the Lakers on Thursday, where they just couldn’t find an answer for King James on the defensive end. Despite the loss, the Lakers have still had a great start to the season and currently sit in second position in the Western Conference with a 10-4 record.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are trying to get their season back on track after all the Jimmy Butler drama, and got off to a good start on Thursday when they defeated the Pelicans by seven points. Even though they won they’re still in second last position in the West at 6-9.
There’s no doubting that the Timberwolves lost a great player in Jimmy Butler. However, we feel that the players they got in return (Covington + Saric) more than make up for his departure. They’re now deeper and have more shooting, which should free up Wiggins and Towns on offence. We feel like they’re great value at home here.
Timberwolves to Win
$1.97
