10 games for this Saturday slate, highlighted by the 1v2 Western Conference matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns. Aside from this matchup, we will be looking at an early contest between the Toronto Raptors (13-12) and the Orlando Magic (6-20). We close out with a preview of another huge matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks (18-6) and the Dallas Mavericks (13-11).
2022-23 NBA Betting Tips: Saturday 10th December
Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic
Amway Center, 11:00am AEDT
Can’t say I’m a massive fan of betting the Magic in many situations, however at home here against the Raptors is a spot I like. The Magic have a tonne of young talent, however, still appear unable to put it all together in terms of results. However, at home they have been decent this season. In fact, when looking at this 7.5-point spread, the Magic have covered that number against some pretty decent teams at home, including the Celtics, Warriors, Kings, Mavericks, Suns, and the Bucks.
Conversely, the Raptors have been terrible on the road this season, currently sitting at 3 wins and 9 losses. They’ve had some poor losses amongst those 9, whilst also struggling to beat teams by 8+ on the road. These teams played less than a week ago in Toronto, with the Raptors winning 121-108, with garbage time points by the Magic making this closer. The Raptors totally shut down Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and if they can do that again, too good. I like the Magic, and don’t mind them on the money line at around $3.50.
Orlando Magic (+7.5)
$1.94 (2 Units)
Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans
Smoothie King Center, 12:30pm AEDT
The Suns come into this massive contest after back-to-back losses against the Mavericks (130-111) and Celtics (125-98). The losses themselves wouldn’t be of great concern to the Suns, but the way they lost will be. They now start a 4-game away stretch, where they take on the Pelicans twice in two nights, before heading to Houston and LA to take on the Clippers. The Suns will be desperate to start off on a winning note, and to do so they’ll have to snap a the 5-game winning streak by their opponents today.
The Pelicans have been sensational of late, surging to 1st place in the Western Conference on the back of said 5-game winning streak, whilst also claiming 10 of their past 12. Zion Williamson has been in beast mode in that stretch, averaging 31 points over his last 6 games.
Despite this streak from the Pelicans, I’m taking the Suns here. The Suns haven’t lost 3 in a row since the beginning of the 2020/21 season, and the loss of could prove costly. When these teams met earlier in the season, Ingram was out, and the Suns were able to win comfortably. The Suns need to get back on track, and what better way to do it then on the road at the number 1 team in the West.
Phoenix Suns H2H
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Milwaukee Bucks at Dallas Mavericks
American Airlines Center, 2:00pm AEDT
What a matchup we have to close the slate today, as the Milwaukee Bucks head to Dallas to take on the Mavericks. Two of the best players in the NBA will look to make a statement, with the Bucks’ Antetokounmpo and the Mavs Luka Doncic playing lights out of late.
The Bucks have won 6 of their past 7, with the ‘Greek Freak’ leading the way, averaging 35.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists during that span. Not one to be overshadowed, Doncic has led the Mavericks to a 4-1 record over their past 5 games, with the Slovenian averaging 32.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists in that span.
My numbers have these teams very close on a neutral, with the Bucks perhaps 0.5 point better than the Mavericks, but with home court tied in, I have to lean the Mavericks in this huge clash. The Mavericks always get up for the big games at home, with wins this season over the Grizzlies, Jazz, Nets, Blazers, Clippers, Nuggets, Warriors and Suns. There are not many bigger matchups than the Bucks, so I expect the Mavericks to be well up for this one.
Dallas Mavericks H2H
$2.01 (1.5 Units)
