With the NFL season coming to a close next week, we are adding an extra days NBA Preview and Betting Tips to the roster moving forward. From now on you’ll get your dose of NBA on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with ESPN Australia offering at least one games (most of the time two) on those days! We had a disappointing 1-2 day on Saturday to take our season tally to 39-27 on the season so far. I’ve got a good feeling about today, I think a 3-0 day is coming so check out the tips below for Tuesday, the 31st of January.
Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics (12pm AEDT)
The Pistons travel to Boston on Tuesday to take on the East’s 2nd place Celtics. The Celts have been on a handy run of late, winning their last three matches including a great home win over the Houston Rockets. The two teams have split their two games on the season so far, both winning their away leg of the fixture. Since a fairly decent start however, the Pistons have been one of the more average teams in the league at 21-26 on the season. With six players averaging double figures in points, you’d think the Pistons would have a fairly efficient offence, but their lack of real dominant scorer sees them ranked in 21st in offensive rating. Their star player, Andre Drummond, is a dominant defensive figure, but really struggles on the offensive end and help is needed.
The Celtics on the other hand have a fairly efficient team across the board. They rank 6th in offensive rating and 9th in defensive rating and have arguably the best 4th quarter player in the league in Isaiah Thomas to get it done in clutch time. Their one issue is their ability to rebound the ball. With Amir Johnson and Al Horford starting at the 4 and 5 positions, they are fairly undersized, and this could be a massive issue against the likes of Drummond, who averages a massive 13.6 rebounds per game. Boston’s health is also a bit of a concern, with Avery Bradley still out with an Achilles and Al Horford questionable for the clash, the Pistons could be on for an upset.
It looks as though the bookies have already taken this into account, with the Celtics starting a bit higher than I expected. It means the line has come into a low 5.5 which I’m happy taking in the Celtics favour.
TIP: Boston Celtics at the line (-5.5) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns (2.30pm AEDT)
The Grizzles are managing to hang around the Western Conference playoff picture as they normally do. They are exactly .500 since December 31st with some great wins. It seems they consistenyl beat teams they shouldn’t and regularly beat teams they should. In January alone they have wins against the Warriors, Houston, Toronto and two against Utah, who are all ranked in the top five of their respective conferences. They also have losses against Portland, Chicago and Orlando, so it’s safe to say they are a hard team to get a read on.
They come up against the Suns on Tuesday, who are pretty much only playing for a higher chance at securing the number one draft pick in this year’s draft. At 15-32 on the season, their highlights have been far and few between, however, the progress of young prospects like Devon Booker and Alex Len is promising for Phoenix fans. They find themselves in a state of limbo at the moment, paying all-star calibre guys who are in their prime like Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight $26 million between them but also concentrating heavily on the future, look for one of those two to be shipped off by seasons end.
Even with the home advantage, Phoenix don’t really have much to play for, however, they have been good at keeping games close, even if they have only managed 15 wins. They are 12th in the league against the spread at 24-21-2 and Memphis aren’t usually ones to blow teams out of the water. The bookies are once again onto the fact though, setting this line at just 3.5. I would have been comfortable taking the Suns if it stretched to 6 or 7 but at that margin you have to go with the pedigree of the Grizzles.
TIP: Memphis Grizzlies at the line (-3.5) - $1.95 at William Hill
Sacramento Kings at Philadelphia 76ers (10am AEDT)
The early game of the day features DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings travelling to Philadelphia to take on Joel Embiid and the 76ers. The Philadelphia run over the last few weeks has come out of absolutely no-where. They have won 10 of their last 14 games, a few of them without star Embiid, it’s safe to say he’s the turning point of this franchise though. They look to get back young Australian prospect Ben Simmons in the coming month as well, making them arguably the most exciting team in the league to watch. Embiid was unlucky not to get the all-star nod in his rookie season, averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks all in just 25 minutes of action per night.
They come up against a Sacramento team that, like a record on repeat, is struggling to find form once again. They have only won four of their last 13 games but come off a few good wins lately against the likes of the Cavs and Hornets. Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for the game at the moment, if he were to get up the battle between him and Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins will be the one to watch here, with Embiid’s minutes slowly on the rise, we should get an exciting contest out of two of the most dominant big men in the game.
The 76ers will be coming off a back to back after playing against Chicago last night. Embiid didn’t play in that game so I’m backing him to get up for this one. The Kings are on their 7th game of a brutal 8 game road trip, so don’t expect them to be in any better shape. Because of the injury concern, the Kings have opened as 2 point favourites, I’d almost be happy taking that without the star Sixer in the line-up, so if he plays its just bonus.
TIP: Philadelphia 76ers at the line (-2) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Note: Announced that Embiid will not be playing. Bet with caution.
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Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
