Another ESPN double-header this Thursday, the 23rd of March for us to sink our teeth into as the Hawks play the Wizards in the early game followed by the Knicks at the Jazz. We preview both games plus the clash between the Cavs and Nuggets in our NBA Preview and Betting Tips below.
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards (11am AEDT)
These two teams have developed quite the rivalry over the last decade. Often occupying the middle placings of the Eastern Conference table, however, Washington looks to have taken the next step this year and currently sit 3rd in the East just 2 games behind the Celtics. They had a massive sniff at the 2nd seed but have lost 4 of their last 5 games and now get another hard test in the Hawks. A positive for the Wizards is a clean bill of health while the Hawks are battling some injury woes with Paul Millsap and Kent Bazemore currently sidelined.
It’ll be tough without their number 1 guy in Paul Millsap, especially away from home at Washington, where the Wizards have an impressive 27-10 record this season. Without Millsap it’s hard to see the Hawks being able to score enough to stay with the Wizards here. The line is a little too high for my liking, however, so we’ll go with Wizards to lead at HT/FT.
TIP: Washington HT/FT - $1.65 at TopBetta
New York Knicks at Utah Jazz (1.30pm AEDT)
The Knicks suffered another loss on Tuesday to the Clippers to make it just one win from their last 6 games. The game marked the first of a tough 4 game road trip which will see them play at Utah followed by Portland and San Antonio. The Knicks haven’t travelled well at all this year with just a 11-25 away record and a bet for them to go 0-4 on this road trip given their current situation would have been a good one in my opinion.
Well out of the playoff picture with only 12 games to go, the Knicks will most likely be trying to tank games the rest of the season and could even put some of their stars on ice. The Jazz are still in a massive fight for the 4th seed in the West with the Clippers. The Jazz won’t leave anything to chance here and should shut down the Knicks at home but the line it a little too large for me as the Jazz usually keep the scores relatively low with solid defence.
TIP: New York +10.5 - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Cleveland Cavaliers at Denver Nuggets (12pm AEDT)
The remaining 12 games for the Nuggest are crucial as they are in a fight for the 8th and final seed in the West with the Blazers. Currently one game ahead of Portland, Denver’s run after the Cleveland game gets a little easier in terms of strength of opponent, however, they do have a 5 game road trip to endure, so this Cavs game could be super important.
After a shaky stretch post all-star game, the Cavs look to be back on track having won 4 of their last 6 games. Kevin Love returned recently from a knee injury but the Cavs will likely be without recruit Kyle Korver for the tilt. Both teams have shown proficiency in offence this year, with the Nuggets particularly putting up some massive scores. The total is large, but given the Nuggets and Rockets put up a whopping 249 on Tuesday, we think they can cover here.
TIP: Total Points OVER 228.5 - $1.91 at Ladbrokes
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