Every so often during the NBA season, you get given a real treat as a European fan. Normally, European fans have to make do with whatever the NBA gives them in the early window on a Sunday. Not this weekend.
Not only did we have early games on both Saturday and Sunday but the slate of games today is absolutely wonderful. Yes, some of the injury reports are a little worrying, but we are also welcoming back some big names as well, so it all evens out nicely.
We have three games in the early window and plenty of intriguing match-ups before one standout game in the late window for the night owls; read on to find what Peter Sharland is tipping.
NBA Acca tips
8:10pm Denver Nuggets @ Dallas Mavericks – PJ Washington, Over 17.5 points
8:10pm Milwaukee Bucks @ New York Knicks – Karl-Anthony Towns, Total points & rebounds, Over 37.5
8:40pm Sacramento Kings @ Chicago Bulls – Domantas Sabonis Total points & rebounds, Over 36.5
11:10pm Indiana Pacers @ Cleveland Cavaliers – Over 239 points
- An Acca with these bets pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
8:10pm – Denver Nuggets @ Dallas Mavericks – PJ Washington, Over 17.5 points
So this is the first of the two early games that has us a bit worried when it comes to injuries.
Luka Doncic remains out with a calf injury, and both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are on the Nuggets’ report as “questionable.” However, this still remains a really exciting match-up, given the way the Mavs have played without Luka recently.
Despite those performances, we are still vexed, though. Consider this the latest in a series of this column raging against the market-makers, young guard Jaden Hardy has had a great couple of games off the bench and he seemed a great bet to get into double figures, unfortunately he hasn’t had any markets created for him yet. It’s Payton Pritchard all over again.
So, instead, we’re going with Washington, who has gone over 20 points in both of his last two games and often tends to step up when one of the Mavs’ big stars is missing. He should see plenty of chances in this one.
8:10pm – Milwaukee Bucks @ New York Knicks – Karl-Anthony Towns, Total points & rebounds, Over 37.5
This injury report is even more terrifying! The Knicks are, of course, still without star center Mitchell Robinson after his ankle surgery in the offseason, but the Bucks have listed Khris Middleton, Damian Lillard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the injury report.
You’d expect at least one or two to play, but that’s still enough for us to want to lean Knicks with our bet, and we’re going with Towns.
His 13.9 rebounds per game this season is second only to Domantas Sabonis (more on him later), and the Bucks tend to lose the rebound battle to their opponents this year. So, for that reason, we’re going with Towns to have a big night and dominate at the rim whilst also getting some buckets along the way.
8:40pm – Sacramento Kings @ Chicago Bulls – Domantas Sabonis Total points & rebounds, Over 36.5
And yes, we’re doubling up here. Did you see what Sabonis did to the Celtics on Friday evening? 28 rebounds, 51 combined points, and rebounds. It was an astonishing performance that led to a brilliant team effort from the Kings, who were without De’Aaron Fox.
The star guard is expected to return in this one as the Kings look to push forward after the shocking firing of Mike Brown, but we’re still sticking with the hot hand and Sabonis. The Bulls are a solid team, but they’re a little beat up, and we can’t see them hanging with Sacramento here.
11:10pm – Indiana Pacers @ Cleveland Cavaliers – Over 239 points
Speaking of big names coming back, the Pacers have received a huge boost ahead of this one, with both Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner off the injury report. Will that be enough to stop the rampant Cavaliers? That might be an ask too far.
The Cavs have won 12 straight now and have just four losses on the year. For context, the worst team in the league, the Washington Wizards, have won six.
It’s been an incredible year from a Cleveland team that most had pegged as a fourth or fifth seed, maybe third if everything broke right. Even with Turner back, it’s hard to see the Pacers truly slowing down the Cavs (who’ve been held under 120 just once in their last five games), so we might see Indiana play more offensively to try and keep pace, hence why we like the over in this one.
NBA tips
Denver Nuggets @ Dallas Mavericks – PJ Washington, Over 17.5 points
Milwaukee Bucks @ New York Knicks – Karl-Anthony Towns, Total points & rebounds, Over 37.5
Sacramento Kings @ Chicago Bulls – Domantas Sabonis Total points & rebounds, Over 36.5
Indiana Pacers @ Cleveland Cavaliers – Over 239 points
- An Acca with these bets pays at approximately 11/1 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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