We have a monster 11-game slate of NBA action on this Thursday, with plenty of exciting matchups among them. Check out our best spread and player prop best from the key games here!
NBA Betting Tips: Thursday, 6th of January
Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards
Capital One Arena, 11am AEDT
The Rockets poor form from last year has continued into 2022 where they’re currently 0-3. They lost their most recent game against the 76ers by 20 points to make it eight straight defeats, seven of which have been by 10 or more points. The Rockets have also now lost 18 of their 21 games on the road this season, which is easily the worst in the NBA.
The Wizards were able to negotiate a three-point win in a shootout against the Hornets in their most recent outing. Kyle Kuzma continued his rare form with his fourth straight game of 22+ points, guiding the Wizards to their fourth win from seven games in what’s been an important stretch for them. They’re now into seventh spot in the East at 19-18.
These teams are yet to meet this season, but the Wizards will start as the clear favourites and deservingly so considering they’re in the far better form of the two. They’ve knocked over some quality teams in the last couple of weeks and should have no problem making light work of the lowly Rockets who have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games.
Washington Wizards -6.5
$1.89
Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks
Fiserv Forum, 12pm AEDT
The Raptors recently finished off their four-game homestand with a huge 129-104 win over the Spurs, making it eight wins from their last 12 games. It’s been an important stretch for the Raptors because not only has it brought their record back to an even 17-17, but it’s also given the team belief that they can push for a playoff berth this season.
The defending-champion Bucks put together an impressive six-game win streak and were extremely short-priced favourites to extend it to seven when they hosted the undermanned and inexperienced Pistons last time out, but somehow blew the opportunity as they Pistons caused one of the upsets of the season. That loss aside, the Bucks look to be getting better as the season progresses and are now only two games behind the #1 seed in the East.
Both teams enter this clash having won a lot more games than they’ve lost in recent weeks, setting up what will be an interesting matchup. It’s obvious to all that the Bucks are the superior outfit of the two, but the Raptors are in great form and are 1-0 up in the season series having defeated the Bucks by four points a month ago. We believe they should be able to keep it close enough to cover the big spread here.
Toronto Raptors +8.5
$1.90
Miami Heat at Portland Trail Blazers
Moda Center, 2pm AEDT
The Heat have chopped and changed their line-up just about more than any other teams this season, but have found a way to stay consistently competitive and enter this slate with the fourth best record in the East at 23-15. Most recently the Heat lost by seven points against arguably the best team in the competition in the Warriors, making it two losses in a row on the road.
The Trail Blazers got back on the winners list after four straight losses when defeating the Hawks by five points last start. They were without both star guards in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, but got a massive contribution from Anfernee Simons who poured in 43 points to go along with seven dimes. Despite that win, the Trail Blazers are 14-22 on the season and four games outside the top eight.
These teams are yet to play each other this season but will only meet twice in total due to being in opposing conferences. With that said, we believe the Heat should be the clear favourites in their first encounter considering their far better form in recent weeks and the season as a whole. We like them at even money odds here and are happy to back them in.
Player Props
11am Rockets at Wizards – Kyle Kuzma 33+ PRA $1.88 Sportsbet
11am Pistons at Hornets – Hamidou Diallo 17+ Points $2 TAB
11am Pistons at Hornets – Saddiq Bey 21+ Points $1.82 Sportsbet
11:30am Warriors at Mavericks – Andrew Wiggins 18+ Points $1.92 Picklebet
2pm Heat at Trail Blazers – Anfernee Simons 19+ Points $1.85 Picklebet
2pm Heat at Trail Blazers – Tyler Herro 24+ Points $1.91 Picklebet
2pm Hawks at Kings – Tyrese Halliburton 9+ Assists $1.81 Sportsbet
2pm Jazz at Nuggets – Nikola Jokic 14+ Rebounds $1.98 Sportsbet
