The NBA continues on Tuesday with an eight-game slate on the cards. We broke even at 6/12 with our plays last week, taking our season record to 42-25. We’re hoping get back to our best form this week, starting with some great plays on Tuesday. Check them out below and good luck if following!
NBA Betting Tips: Tuesday, 9th of February
Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls
United Center, 12pm AEDT
Washington Wizards kicked off their road trip with a determined win over the Heat, but were then blown out by them a couple of days later before going down big again in their most recent outing against the Hornets. The Wizards are now 5-15 on the season which is the second worst record in the east.
Chicago Bulls were big 26-point winners in their recent game against the Magic, which they will hope can wrestle back some momentum in their season after losing 5/6 games prior. The Bulls are now 9-13 and just half a game outside the eighth seed in the east.
Neither side is expected to make the playoffs this season, but the Bulls certainly have the best chance of the two. The Bulls have already beaten the Wizards twice this season, both of which were on the road, so getting them at home here should only increase their chances of getting another win.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
American Airlines Center, 12:30pm AEDT
Minnesota Timberwolves couldn’t secure consecutive wins in consecutive days against the Thunder, splitting them to take their season record to a dismal 6-17, which is the worst in the west by 3.5 games. They’ve had some tough luck with injuries to KAT, but they still should be winning more games with the talent they have.
Dallas Mavericks come into this off a much-needed win over the Warriors, which was a great response after getting blown out by then a couple of days prior. The Mavericks have now won 2/3 after dropping six on the spin, which has moved their record to 14th in the west.
As it currently stands, this is a battle between the #14 and #15 in the west. The Timberwolves probably aren’t a surprise, but the Mavericks certainly are when you consider the stars they have at their disposal. Getting back that winning feeling back might be just what they needed to kickstart their season and they have a fantastic opportunity to do just that against the lowly Timberwolves.
Kristaps Porzingis now has a handful of games under his belt after coming back from injury and you can tell he’s starting to get his legs back. If there was ever a game for him to explode, then it’s this one against a Timberwolves outfit with no legit rim protection.
Prop: Porzingis O21.5 Points ($1.90)
Dallas Mavericks -9.5
$1.98
OKC Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers
Staples Center, 2pm AEDT
OKC Thunder continue to remind everyone that they’re a genuine winning threat against any team that doesn’t bring 100% intensity. They were winners against the Timberwolves last start, which was their fourth win from seven games and increased their record to 10-12.
Los Angeles Lakers needed double overtime to secure the home win against the lowly Pistons last time out. It was a gentle reminder to the champs that they can’t take their foot off the gas, even against the #30 team in the league. The Lakers have now won four games on the spin and currently sit in second spot in the west at 18-6.
The Lakers are by far the better of these two clubs and start as the overwhelming favourites as a result. With that said, the Lakers have the tendency to play lackadaisical at times against teams they don’t see as a genuine threat. Giving up 12.5 points against a Thunder outfit that usually gives 110% is just too many in our opinion.
There’s no doubting that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA and is already an All-Star calibre player. He went into beast mode in Thunder’s most recent outing with a line of 31/9/7 and we expect him to have another big game with Thunder having so many outs.
Prop: SGA O33.5 PRA ($1.87)