The first week of the new NBA season is done and dusted and the league standings are starting to take a familiar shape. Here, we’ll put forward our value picks for the upcoming games as we showcase our NBA betting tips for Thursday, 26th October!
2017-18 NBA Preview & Betting Tips for Thursday, 26th October
San Antonio Spurs At Miami Heat (11:00am AEST)
Despite being without MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard and veteran Tony Parker, the San Antonio Spurs have had a great start to the new season and come into this matchup with a 3-0 record. With Leonard and Parker out San Antonio has relied more on LaMarcus Aldridge, and the All-Star power forward has more than delivered, posting averages of 24.3 points and 9.3 rebounds thus far. Aldridge will look to continue his hot from in this one, and will likely have a favourable matchup with Heat centre Hassan Whiteside expected to miss another game with bone bruising on his left knee.
The Miami Heat have enjoyed a solid start to the season and enter this game with a satisfying 2-1 record, albeit with both wins coming against low quality opposition. Wednesday’s match will be their first test of the season against a genuine contender when they take on an evergreen Spurs outfit. In addition to Whiteside’s injury problems, starting guards Goran Dragic (quad bruise) and Dion Waiters (ankle) are also hurting.
Simply put, we expect the Greg Popovich coached Spurs to be far too strong for the heat in this one. The Spurs have a smorgasbord of talent in their roster and are able to cover the absences of star players, whereas the Heat lack the depth to cover the loss of Whiteside in the front court. Expect Aldridge to have a field day and the Spurs should cover the line here.
TIP: San Antonio Spurs at the line (-3.5) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
Value Tip: LaMarcus Aldridge to score 22+ points and Spurs to win - $3.25 at Ladbrokes
Washington Wizards At Los Angeles Lakers (1:30pm AEST)
The Washington Wizards (3-0) remain the only team in the Eastern Conference with a perfect record. Although they are yet to face a championship calibre team, a win here would have them start the season 4-0 for the first time since 1974. They are averaging an impressive 115 points per game, on the back of hot starts for trio John Wall (24ppg, 10apg), Bradley Beal (23.3ppg) and Otto Porter (18.3ppg, 9.0rpg). The Wizards managed to get the job done in Denver on Tuesday, despite John Wall managing to find the bottom of the net on just 3 of 13 attempts. We are expecting a big bounce back game from him in this one, as he is set to face off against rookie Lonzo Ball.
The Los Angeles Lakers come into this game with 1 win from their 3 games in the new season, with their only win coming against the diabolic Phoenix Suns. The Lakers lost their last home game by 7 points to the Pelicans, where Lonzo Ball was one of four starters who failed to notch double figures in points. Jordan Clarkson (24 points) and Kyle Kuzma (20) provided scoring options off the bench, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made a promising debut, finishing with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
Although Lonzo Ball is 6’6, he lacks the speed and experience to handle John Wall. The Lakers have allowed their opponents to score 17.8 fast break points per 100 possessions, making them one of the worst transition defences in the league. This one has all the makings of a big game for John Wall and the Wizards.
TIP: Washington Wizards as the line (-6) - $1.91 at CrownBet
Value Tip: John Wall 30+ points and Wizards to win - $4.50 at Sportsbet
Memphis Grizzlies At Dallas Mavericks (11:30am AEST)
The Memphis Grizzlies come into this duel as the inform team of the league after claiming impressive victories against the Warriors, Rockets and Pelicans, to boast a 3-0 record to start the season. The Grizzlies have managed to score a lot easier than in recent years, thanks to numerous guys giving quality minutes off the bench to assist key players Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Gasol has poured in 24.7 points a game along with 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, Conley has put up 18 points and 4.7 assists, and Jarell Martin has been efficient since stepping in to the starting unit for the injured JaMychal Green.
The Dallas Mavericks remain the only winless Western Conference team after a 0-4 start to the season. It looks like a long season ahead for the Mavs if they are unable to address their offensive struggles. Although they have six players averaging double-digit point tallies, Harrison Barnes is leading the way with a mediocre 16.3 points per game. Rookie Denis Smith Jr has been a major focus on offense, but has managed just 13 points per game, while future Hall of Fame inductee Dirk Nowitzki is averaging a worrying 8.3 points per game on 30.2% shooting.
We feel that the Grizzlies will stay undefeated and the Mavericks with remain winless at the conclusion of this one. If the Grizzlies bring their early season form then Gasol & Co. will simply be too strong here. We see them winning and covering the line.
TIP: Memphis Grizzlies at the line (-5) - $1.95 at Sportsbet
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