Sports

The Scout: Friday NBA Best Bets

Detroit Pistons @ Charlotte Hornets

The Pistons (10-26) are the worst team in the Eastern Conference and look to be in full blown tank-mode while the Hornets (17-18) are 7th in the East and looking good for a playoff spot.

The Pistons have given up on the Blake Griffin experiment and will be looking to create an identity and a pecking order through the rest of the season. The Hornets however know who they are, playing fast and shooting a lot of threes.

Charlotte, led by ROTY standout LaMelo Ball,  Gordon Hayward (21 ppg) and Terry Rozier (20ppg) should simply too good and too hungry here against the sliding Pistons.

Suggested Bet: Charlotte 11+ (Margin) @ $2.85*


Philadelphia 76ers @ Chicago Bulls

The Philadelphia 76ers (24-12) are on top of the Eastern Conference while the Chicago Bulls (16-18) look like a Play-In team.

The 76ers will be without their two superstars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons which puts a lot on the shoulders of Tobias Harris, Seth Curry and co.

Chicago have made it clear that they want to see postseason action. This roster won’t be blown up this season and any Zach LaVine trade rumours have been quashed.

Brooklyn aside, there’s not a team in the league that can properly compete without their two best players. The best teams (like Philly) are usually top heavy, and I don’t think what remains for the 76ers is enough to keep up with the Bulls.

Suggested Bet: Chicago 11+ (Margin) @ $4*


Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trail Blazers

The Suns (24-11) are one of the hottest teams in the NBA winning seven of their last eight, up against Portland (21-14) who have won their last three.

This is a big game, and when that’s the case the man that comes to mind is Damian Lillard, fresh off his 32 points in the All-Star game (whatever that’s worth).

Lillard is averaging 29.8 points this season and has hit the 35 point mark twice in his last four games, including 44 against Sacramento pre-All-Star break. I’m expecting Dame to go large again here.

Suggested Bet: Damian Lillard 35+ Points @ $2.32*

*Odds correct as at 2pm, 11th March 2021.

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