The 2018-19 NBA season continues this Thursday, the 8th of November with a huge 10-game slate on offer! There are plenty of exciting games taking and place, which we’ve analysed and found some great value in. So without further ado, check out our previews and best bets for the big slate of games below. Good luck if following!
NBA Betting Tips Thursday 8th November
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks (11:40am AEDT)
The first game we’ve taken an interest to is the New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks match-up. The Knicks come into this one playing at the level just about everyone predicted they would be. They currently sit in 13th position in the Eastern Conference with a win-loss record of 3-8. Aside from Tim Hardaway Jr (23ppg), the Knicks have struggled to get consistent contributors on the offensive end. Enes Kanter (15pgp, 12rpg) has been solid without being great, while rookie guard Allonzo Trier (12ppg) is playing himself into some more minutes.
The Hawks return home after their 11-point road loss to the Hornets and will be playing their second game of a back-to-back, which they’ve struggled with recently, losing their last seven straight games on the second leg of a back-to-back. The Hawks are in 11th position in the Eastern Conference with a 3-7 record. Rookie sensation Trae Young (19ppg, 8apg) has impressed early, while 2017-18 bolter Taurean Prince (15ppg, 39%FG) will be looking to improve on his efficiency so that he can become a consistent second option for his team.
At first glance this one looks like a coin toss, but when you delve a little deeper and take into account everything at hand, the Knicks appear to be terrific value here. The inexperienced Hawks will have tired legs from their trip to Charlotte and will struggle to get up for this one, resulting in a rather comfortable win for the Knicks.
Chicago Bulls at New Orleans Pelicans (12:10pm AEDT)
Another game we like the look of is the Chicago Bulls at New Orleans Pelicans match-up. The Bulls are coming off an exhausting, yet exhilarating win over the Knicks on the road in their last time out. The one-point victory took their season tally to 3-8, which is good enough for 12th position in the Eastern Conference. Zach LaVine has been sensational all season for the Bulls, averaging 28 points per game and emerging as the early favourite for the Most Improved Player award.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans will be looking to get their season back on track after a strange drop-off from their early form. The Pels won their first four games in impressive fashion, but have since lost six on the spin to drop to 12th position in the Western Conference with a 4-6 record. The team physios would be working tirelessly to make sure superstar Anthony Davis (23ppg, 12rpg, 3bpg) is fit for this clash, with the teams recent drop in form most likely the result of his absences.
We expect the Pelicans to get back to winning ways with an emphatic victory of the Bulls here. The Pelicans have covered the spread at home in 12 of their last 13 games as favourites and have won 20 straight games when they’ve opened as favourites. We expect these trends to continue on Thursday.
Pelicans -9.5 Handicap
$1.87
Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers (12:10pm AEDT)
The third and final game that we’ve found value in is the Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers match-up. The 76ers have started off their season in strange fashion when you look at the contrasts between their home and away form. The Brett Brown coached Sixers have won all six of their home games, but lost all five of their away games, which has them at 6-5 and in fifth position in the Eastern Conference. Star centre Joel Embiid (28ppg, 13rpg) has looked like a lone wolf on the court at times, as reigning Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons (14ppg, 9rpg, 7apg) has struggled to reach the heights of his first season.
On the other hand, the Pacers have been solid and look to be a threat once again in the East. They’ve won the games they should and lost the games they probably should’ve lost on their way to a 7-4 start, which is enough for third position in the Eastern Conference. Victor Oladipo (23ppg, 7rpg) has started the season as he finished the last, although hasn’t had much of a consistent sidekick so far.
The away form of the 76ers makes them impossible to have here. They’ve been disgraceful in just about every performance, included the last where they were blown out of the water by a mediocre (at best) Nets team. We like the consistent Pacers to be too good over four quarters in this one.
Pacers -2.5 Handicap
$1.92
