It’s been another wild week in the NBA, from a stellar slate of games on Christmas Day to the surprise firing of Mike Brown by the Sacramento Kings.
This week’s Sunday slate is headlined by the Nets travelling south to face the Magic. When we look at Brooklyn they’ve clearly evened out to be closer to the team we envisaged, not in the worst team in the league debate (or close to it really) but probably not ready for the post-season and more a play-in team at best.
The Magic however, have been impressive. Even without star forward Paolo Banchero (who is reportedly close to returning to action) for the past couple of months they have remained by most measures a top-five unit on defense and they are in fourth place in the East. It’s a testament both to the players and head coach Jamahl Mosley about the culture they’ve built in Orlando and makes for an enticing proposition when Banchero is back.
Read on to see what Peter Sharland is tipping this week.
NBA tips
20:40: Brooklyn Nets @ Orlando Magic
Jalen Suggs over 22.5 points
23:10: Indiana Pacers @ Boston Celtics
Over 233.5 points
Monday 00:10: Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Isaiah Hartenstein 12+ rebounds
Jaren Jackson Jr 20+ points
Monday 01:10: San Antonio Spurs @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Victor Wembanyama over 24.5 points
Victor Wembanyama over 10.5 rebounds
- A Multi-Match Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 26/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
8:40pm: Brooklyn Nets @ Orlando Magic
Jalen Suggs over 22.5 points
After being clearly hampered by an ankle injury Jalen Suggs has returned strong in the past few games. Suggs has been one of the players to step up in the absence of Banchero and has clearly been thriving under the extra expectation that comes when you sign a big contract in the off-season.
The Nets are undeniably playing hard and for the most part they are keeping games relatively competitive but it’s hard to see them having a real answer for Suggs in this one.
11:10pm: Indiana Pacers @ Boston Celtics
Over 233.5 points
The Celtics bounced back from their close defeat to Philly on Christmas Day by blowing out the Pacers and now face the same team again as part of a back-to-back. For their part Indiana had been playing some good ball, beating the Suns and the Warriors as well as playing the Thunder close, so it is going to be interesting to see how they respond and what adjustments Rick Carlisle tries to make.
Because Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum keep flip-flopping between who will be the lead scorer we’re playing it a bit safer here and going for the over which is set at 233.5. That might feel a little high but it does feel as if these two teams have the potential for another high-scoring affair.
Monday 00:10: Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Isaiah Hartenstein 12+ rebounds
Jaren Jackson Jr 20+ points
The Grizzlies have scored a whopping 287 points over their past two games, blowing out Toronto and New Orleans. This comes after they put 144 on Golden State a week or so ago as well, clearly when Memphis gets hot they can get really hot. However this test will be completely different, this Oklahoma City unit is the best in the league and they are regularly keeping opponents under 110 or even 100.
So for this one we’re going with two players in fine form but playing it safe and going for bets that are just a smidge under their over/under figures. Hartenstein is at 12.5 rebounds and JJJ 22.5 points. We do ultimately like them both to hit these figures but we’re just hedging the bet here.
Monday 01:10: San Antonio Spurs @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Victor Wembanyama over 24.5 points
Victor Wembanyama over 10.5 rebounds
Wemby went viral yesterday when he posted on social media about playing chess in New York and actually rocked up to Washington Square Park to play against some fans. We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again, it increasingly feels like the future of this league is going to go as Wemby goes.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that on the court at the moment the former No. 1 overall pick is absolutely flying. He had a bit of a quieter night against the Nets but he shone on Christmas Day against the Knicks at MSG and although the Timberwolves are a solid defensive team we like Wembanyama to have another big night here.
NBA tips
20:40: Brooklyn Nets @ Orlando Magic
Jalen Suggs over 22.5 points
23:10: Indiana Pacers @ Boston Celtics
Over 233.5 points
Monday 00:10: Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Isaiah Hartenstein 12+ rebounds
Jaren Jackson Jr 20+ points
Monday 01:10: San Antonio Spurs @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Victor Wembanyama over 24.5 points
Victor Wembanyama over 10.5 rebounds
- A Multi-Match Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 26/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Read More
- Get the latest NBA Basketball odds on PaddyPower.com
- Basketball Betting Strategies: Three Tips for NBA Bettors
- How to bet on basketball: Your complete guide
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