Another tough day in NBA betting tips on Saturday as we lost two and had one push in our three game preview. We'll look to bounce back this week as we take a look at some of the key matchups in the four game slate this Tuesday, the 26th of March including a big matchup between the Nets and Blazers in Portland.
NBA Betting Tips Tuesday 26th March
Philadelphia 76ers at Orlando Magic (10am AEDT)
The76ers suffered a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks away from home on Sunday to snap their six game winning streak. They'll look to bounce back on Tuesday as they face off against the Magic in Orlando from 10am. The 76ers have been one of the best teams in the entire NBA since the All-Star break, maintaining a 10-5 record over that period.
The Magic currently sit just one game outside of the Eastern Conference playoffs and will be looking to force their way in over their remaining eight games in the regular season. They have won their last four games in a row, all over sub .500 teams, but their road gets tougher starting Tuesday with games against the 76ers, Heat, Pistons, Pacers, Raptors and Celtics included in their last eight.
Tough game to call here, the Magic have looked good over their last four games but the quality of opponent doesn't say much. They have beaten the Cavaliers, Hawks, Pelicans and Grizzlies over that stretch and will have a much tougher proposition here. With a completely full strength line-up, we expect the 76ers to be too good here.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies (11am AEDT)
The Thunder have won just four of their last 10 games and have slid to 6th place in the Western Conference. Fourth place and eighth place are currently seperated by just three games, so they'll need to keep winning to ensure they don't drop any further in the standings. The Thunder are now at full strength after battling injuries throughout the season and should look to make a run at the top four throughout their final nine games of the season.
The Grizzlies won't be able to land the maximum percentage chance at the No.1 pick in the draft, but they are still in a fight for seedings in the draft lottery. With a 29-44 record, if the season finished today, they would currently have the 7th best chance at landing the No.1 pick, which they will be looking to improve over their last 9 games.
The Thunder start as 5.5 point favourites on the road, which we think is a little low given that the Grizzlies will be without a host of players in Noah, Bradley, Miles, Jackson, Anderson and Brooks and that they don't have much to play for. They have lost their last two games in a row by an average of 8.5 points and should lose this one at home.
Brooklyn Nets at Portland Trail Blazers (1pm AEDT)
The Portland Trail Blazers have won their last three games on the spin and seven of their last 10 to jump to fourth in the Western Conference standings. They now have a full two game lead over the Clippers in fifth place and look the goods to remain in the top four with a relatively easy run home including games against the Bulls, Hawks, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Lakers and Kings.
The Nets sit just 2.5 games clear inside the Eastern Conference top eight but have one of the toughest schedules in teh NBA to close out the season. They'll be on the road against Portland Tuesday followed by games against the 76ers, Celtics, Bucks x2, Raptors, Pacers and Heat.
The Nets have to make something happen over the last few weeks of the regular season, which will be tough given their run home. They start as 6.5 point underdogs here, which we like considering it's do or die for them now.
