Best NBA Games to Bet During the Week
Best NBA Games to Bet During the Week
The NBA All-Star game has come and gone, and it was another exciting week in Cleveland, Ohio. There were a couple of All-Star players that missed the game due to injury, but there was still a floor full of talented basketball players. Players will still have a few days of a break before the action will resume on Thursday. Here are four of the best NBA games to bet during the week as the push to the playoffs in the NBA really starts to heat up.
See all our NBA Odds and NBA Futures here
Thursday: Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks
The first game to bet this week takes place on Thursday night and is a matchup between two playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference. The 28-30 Atlanta Hawks visit the 38-21 Chicago Bulls, but there isn’t a ton of separation between the teams.
Atlanta is led by Trae Young, and he has the ability to completely take over a game when he is shooting the basketball well. The Hawks have struggled to get stops on the defensive end at times, and that is the biggest reason that they are under the .500 mark.
Chicago has been the biggest surprise in the league this season, and they just continue to win games. DeMar DeRozan might be the MVP at this point of the season, and he has been on a remarkable run of late.
The Bulls are still missing a number of key pieces, but it hasn’t impacted their play up to this point. Atlanta should catch the Bulls with a few players out, and that will keep this game closer than one might expect.
Even if this game is close for a time, don’t expect it to end that way. Bet on the Chicago Bulls over the Atlanta Hawks.
Thursday: Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets
Two of the top teams in the East meet up on Thursday night when the Brooklyn Nets host the Boston Celtics. Both teams have had some struggles at times, but you can expect each team to be in the mix to win the conference once the playoffs begin.
Brooklyn is still missing Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving won’t be suiting up for this game since it is at home. The Nets have been able to win games without their stars this season, but this is a game that is going to be a challenge.
The Nets are really going to have to play great defense if they plan on winning this game as they don’t have the ability to outscore the Celtics. Playing at home will help, but the Nets are also playing a loaded team.
Boston has really turned things around after a slow start, and it is Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way. Tatum and Brown are capable of combining for more than 50 points on any given night, and they should have a big game in this one.
Take the Boston Celtics in this game as they pick up an impressive win on the road.
Friday: Los Angeles Lakers vs. LA Clippers
The two teams in Los Angeles will meet up on Friday night, and the Lakers will have the distinction of being the home team in this game. Both the Lakers and Clippers are desperately needing wins as each team is in danger of missing out on the playoffs in the Western Conference.
The Clippers have been the better team this season, but they are still under the .500 mark. LA doesn’t have Paul George or Kawhi Leonard on the floor, and finding enough scoring has been an issue at times.
Los Angeles will be without Anthony Davis for the foreseeable future, and that will put even more pressure on LeBron James. James is scoring more than 29 points per game this season, but he is going to need some help.
This should be another tight game, but don’t expect LeBron to let his team lose. Take the Los Angeles Lakers over the LA Clippers in this showdown.
Saturday: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards
It’s fitting that the All-Star Game was in Cleveland this year because the Cavaliers have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA. While most teams are winning games with perimeter scoring, the Cavaliers are a team that is loaded with big men.
The Washington Wizards are coming into the second half of the season with a record of 27-31, and that will give them a chance to reach the postseason. Washington will have to play the rest of the season without Bradley Beal, and that is going to make things much more difficult.
This is a game that should be tight for most of it, but Cleveland is one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs have to keep winning games if they want to stay near the top of the East, and they can’t afford to let this game slip away. This is a game that presents a good betting opportunity, and picking the Cleveland Cavaliers is the best way to go.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
