NBA action continues on Thursday with a big nine game slate. We had a rare tough day at the office last time out with our NBA betting tips, but we’re confident we will bounce back in a big way on Thursday. Check out our best plays from some of the feature games on the slate and good luck to everyone following!
NBA Betting Tips Thursday March 5th
OKC Thunder @ Detroit Pistons
11:10am AEDT
The Thunder come into this off a loss against the Clippers on Wednesday, which was their second poor loss on the spin. It’s certainly not time for panic stations however, as both losses have come against highly regarded teams that will be right in the thick of it in the playoffs. It is important for the Thunder to get back onto the winners list to avoid slipping down the order in the West where they currently sit in sixth spot.
The Pistons were unable to back up their surprise win against the Suns when they took on the in-form Kings last start. They were right in the game until the final minute, but eventually the cream rose to the top and the Pistons fell by six points. That loss was their eighth from their past nine games and saw their overall record fall to 20-42.
The Thunder are by far the better team in this matchup and are the deserving favourites. They many come into this on a two game losing streak, but that should only make them hungrier to put in a good performance against a poor Pistons outfit. We expect this to be an easy kill for the Thunder here.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Brooklyn Nets
11:40am AEDT
The Grizzlies mini slump that saw them lose five straight games has certainly come to an end. The five game losing streak probably looks a bit worse than it actually was considering three of the losses were against title contenders and the other two were against the in-form Kings. Regardless, the Grizzlies have responded with a huge win over the Lakers before absolutely crushing the Hawks last start by 39 points on the road.
The Nets managed to find their way back into their contest last start against the Celtics, despite trailing by 17 points at three quarter time. Caris LeVert put in a Herculean performance with 37 points in the fourth quarter and OT alone to finish the night with 51 and lead his side to a thrilling win. That win snapped a four game losing streak and will hopefully see them build some much needed momentum to finish the regular season.
LeVert and the Nets were sensational on Wednesday, there’s no doubt about that; however, it will require a superhuman effort to back it up the next day against the raging Grizzlies who are as hungry as ever. We just don’t see how the undermanned Nets will be able to come out with the required energy to match it with the fast-paced Grizzlies on the second night of a back to back, so we’ll be taking the away side here.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Dallas Mavericks
1:40pm AEDT
The Pelicans need to be nearly perfect from here to make the playoffs and their task was made just that little bit more difficult with their surprise loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday. They were the short-odds favourites to continue their strong form with another win, but it wasn’t to be as they gave up 139 points on their home deck. The Timberwolves are now four games behind the eighth seed with a 26-35 record.
The Mavericks were also shock losers in their most recent game where they went down to the lowly Bulls by two points on the road. The Mavs were without Kristaps Porzingis and Seth Curry who combined for 65 against the Timberwolves the day prior, which probably cost them in the end. That loss keeps the Mavs in seventh place in the West standings with an overall record of 37-25.
Both of these clubs will be hungry to get back on the winners list after disappointing losses last time out. However, only one will be able to do so and we believe it will be the Pelicans. The Mavs just have too many injury concerns for our liking and the athleticism of the Pelicans could really hurt them. We’re happy to take the Pels to cause a mini upset on the road at great odds.
New Orleans Pelicans
$2.35
