We hit on just one of three betting tips in the NBA on Thursday to mark the first losing day we have had in some time. We’ll look to bounce back this Saturday, the 23rd or March as we take a look at some of the key matchups in the seven game slate.
NBA Betting Tips Saturday 23rd of March
Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors (10.30am AEDT)
The Thunder and Raptors met on Thursday in OKC as the Raptors claimed a fantastic nine point win on the road. The two teams will face off again, this time in Toronto, on Saturday from 10.30am. The Raptors are still chasing down the Milwaukee Bucks, currently sitting just two games behind the Eastern Conference leaders.
The Thunder sit in a tight four way tie with the Spurs, Jazz and Clippers, all locked with a 42-30 record. The top spot amongst these four teams will be a coveted one, as it will mean avoiding the Warriors, Nuggets and Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were locked in a defensive duel on Thursday, scoring just 19 and 22 points respectively, well down on their season averages. As two of the best wing defences in the league, we think they’ll both be down on scoring output again on Saturday.
Kawhi Leonard UNDER 27.5 points
$1.83
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets (11am AEDT)
The Spurs 9 game-winning streak was snapped at home on Thursday as they went down to the Miami Heat by five points. The streak, however, cemented a place in the playoffs for the Spurs, a record setting 22nd straight appearance in the playoffs. They’ll face off against Texan rivals in the Houston Rockets this Saturday as they look to get back on the winners list.
The Rockets have won eight of their last 10 games and look like one of the most in form teams in the league now that Chris Paul, Clint Capella and co. have returned from injury. High lines, however, have meant the Rockets have covered the spread in just three of their last seven games and they’ll start as six point favourites at home on Saturday.
While the Spurs have been almost unstoppable at home throughout the season so far, they have struggled on the road at just 13-22 straight up and 16-18-1 against the spread. The Rockets have a 19-16-1 record against the spread, at home, and should cover here.
Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks (11.30am AEDT)
The Heat captured a fantastic win on the road over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday and now sit 1.5 games clear of the Orlando Magic in the top eight of the Eastern Conference. The Heat will need to make the most of their next week as they face off against the Wizards, Magic, Mavericks and Knicks before embarking on a tough six game stretch to close out the season. They’ll need to get past the Bucks on Saturday first though, who represent one of the toughest challenges in all of basketball.
The Bucks went into semi cruise control as they seem to have the top spot in the Eastern Conference rapped up, however, a late charge from the Raptors mean they sit just two games clear of Toronto with 11 games still to play. They’ll need to continue to defend their home court if they wish to finish with the top seed, starting with the Heat on Saturday.
The Bucks start as massive ten-point favourites at home, which we think is a little high, given they were handled comfortably by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. Granted, Giannis Antetokounmpo and a few other key players were out for the Bucks, however, the Heat showed heart on the road against the Spurs and have plenty to play for.
