Top NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (1/5)
Here are our top NBA bets for Thursday’s slate of games.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
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Top NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (01/05)
Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks (+2.5 | O/U 230)
The Celtics were just embarrassed by the Thunder, and have dropped the first two games of a four-game Western Conference road trip. It is natural to expect the NBA’s best team to bounce back tonight, but in truth, the Celtics have given no indication that we should back them. Over their past ten games, Boston is:
- 5-5 SU
- 3-6-1 ATS
- 1-4 SU on the Road
- 0-4-1 ATS on the Road
Too, over this same stretch of ten games, the Celtics’ Net Rating has dropped to a middling 14th, and their rating on the road has plummeted to 28th in the Association. In contrast, the Mavericks have won seven straight, their Net Rating at home is among the best in the NBA, and Luka Doncic has supplanted Boston’s own Jayson Tatum as the MVP frontrunner.
At year’s end, the Celtics will likely own the distinction of being the better of the two teams. But for now, that claim belongs to the Mavericks, and it is incorrect to have them as an underdog on their home court.
Bet: Mavericks +2.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets (-4.5 | O/U 225.5)
This number initially opened with Denver as a six-point favorite, and although the early line movement in Los Angeles’ direction is a slight concern, we feel this number is too good to pass on with the Nuggets.
Denver has won ten of thirteen, and eight straight at home in their climb atop the Western Conference standings. The advanced stats endorse the Nuggets’ streak, as well, placing them among the NBA’s elite over the past month, and for the season. Further, Los Angeles hasn’t been particularly impressive on the road, and there is a chance Paul George sits the front-end of a back-to-back do to ‘injury.’ The veteran forward has been the Clippers’ most crucial player on the season, and if he does indeed sit, expect this number to quickly move. If not, it’s still a fair price to back the West’s top seed.
Bet: Nuggets -4.5 (-110)
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