Thursday’s four-game NBA slate is a lot less than we have been used to lately. Not to worry, there’s plenty of action to break down. Tonight’s national-TV doubleheader will be handled by TNT, featuring the Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks & Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers.
Last night, I went 1-3 to bring my season-long record to 93-59-2 (61.2%). Here are three more free NBA picks to get things right before the week.
Table of contents
- Golden State Warriors (-7) at Cleveland Cavaliers – Total: 224
- Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns (-12) – Total: 233.5
- Boston Celtics (-6) at Los Angeles Lakers – Total: 212
Golden State Warriors (-7) at Cleveland Cavaliers – Total: 224
GS: back-end b2b (@OKC yesterday), 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6, 5 in 7
CLE: back-end b2b (@CHA yesterday)
This is going to be a tough night for both teams, but certainly a bit more with the Warriors. While both teams are playing their second game in as many nights, Golden State will also be playing a long string that goes back to five games in seven days. This isn’t a great situation for the Warriors, who are 4-8 ATS on the back-end of B2B sets.
The Cavaliers looked pretty good last night, winning outright in Charlotte. Prior to last night’s game, Cleveland had a full two days off. This just seems like too many points for the Warriors to cover. I’m rolling with the underdog Cavs getting a ton of points at home.
Betting Pick: Cavaliers (+7)
Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns (-12) – Total: 233.5
SAC: back-end b2b (vs WSH yesterday), 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6
PHX: 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6 (all at home)
I feel like the Suns come out and take care of business quick against the Kings tonight. Sacramento is playing its second game in as many nights, and it also finds itself on a string of four games in six days.
Phoenix is the best ATS team in the NBA this season, covering 64.8% of its games. Against common opponents, the Suns are 21-11 ATS against Western Conference teams while the Kings are 11-15 ATS. In addition, Phoenix has been strong at home, going 20-10 ATS and 18-8 ATS as a home favorite. There’s a reason why the number is so high here, and the Suns will take care of it.
Betting Pick: Suns (-12)
Boston Celtics (-6) at Los Angeles Lakers – Total: 212
BOS: normal rest
LAL: 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6
The over on 212 points seems like suspicious low-hanging fruit, but I’m going to grab it anyways. After all, five of the last six meetings between the teams have gone over the total. It’s also worth noting that four of the last five Lakers’ games have gone over the total, and two of the last three Celtics’ games have done the same.
Of course, the Lakers’ roster is much different without LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But things have been looking up lately, as some of these talented NBA players are now starting to gel with one another.
Betting Pick: Over 212 points
