Another ESPN double-header this Thursday, the 16th of March in the NBA with the Blazers taking on the Spurs followed by the Clippers hosting the Bucks. We preview both games plus another key matchup in our NBA Preview and Betting Tips. We went 1-1-1 in our last edition on Tuesday so we’ll be hoping to improve on that today.
Portland Trailblazers at San Antonio Spurs (11am AEDT)
The Spurs were able to overcome injuries to Tony Parker and LaMarcus Aldridge on Tuesday to claim an 8-point win over the Hawks. Kawhi Leonard is making his case for MVP honours as the star small forward has carried the team to a 9-1 record post All-Star break. The Spurs now just trail the Warriors by one game at the top of the West and look the much better team on form. The first seed is arguably theirs to lose now with Golden State star Kevin Durant most likely out for a few more weeks at least.
The Trailblazers are pushing for a playoff berth after going 6-4 since the All-Star break and trailing the Nuggets for the 8th seed by 3 games. They’ll have a difficult matchup Thursday, however, as star point guard Damian Lillard is most likely going to cop the unlucky job of being guarded by Leonard. It’s amazing how much influence he has on both ends of the floor, if an opponent is too heavily dependent on one wing or guard player for offence, you can almost write them off against the Spurs because Kawhi is just that good at shutting down the opponent’s best player.
I think that’s what will happen here and the Spurs will continue their ridiculous run as they keep Portland to a low total.
TIP: Total points UNDER 210.5 - $1.95 at bet365
Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Clippers (1.30pm AEDT)
The Clippers suffered a hard-fought loss at the Jazz on Tuesday in a likely 1st round playoff preview. LA have managed to scrap through one of the hardest stretches of schedule post All-Star break, playing Golden State, Houston, San Antonio, Boston, Memphis and Utah all in the last few weeks. Their rode will get a bit easier now and they should capitalise on it and look to snatch the 4th seed in the West off the Jazz.
The Grizzlies snapped Milwaukee’s 6 game win streak on Tuesday with a massive 20-point win in Memphis. It was the first of a 6-game road trip for the Bucks that includes games against the Clippers, Warriors and Blazers. It’s a tough stretch for Milwaukee and I think they’ll look to pick and choose their matches along the way.
After the Bucks defeated the Clippers in Milwaukee earlier this month, the line has come in for this game to just 8, which I think the Clippers should cover at home.
TIP: Los Angeles Clippers -8 - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics (10.30am AEDT)
By their standards, the Timberwolves have been on a tear since the All-Star break, and are charging up on the 8th seeded Nuggets in the West. They are 6-3 in that stretch with Karl-Anthony Towns proving why he’s arguably the most sought after talent in the league. The big man is averaging 24.5 points and 12.3 rebounds a game, which spells danger for the undersized Celtics.
The Celtics leading rebounder on the year so far is Al Horford with just 6.6 per game. While they have been getting better at crashing the boards and rebounding by committee, there’s still a massive problem when they come up against the monsters in the league such as Towns or DeMarcus Cousins.
Look for Towns to control the glass here and breeze past his player performance line with Sportsbet.
TIP: Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 13.5 rebounds - $1.80 at Sportsbet
_ _ _
Always Gamble Responsibly.
