The Scout: NBA Best Bets
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics (Game 2)
The Heat are on top of their game and playing with an unrivaled confidence and swagger. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are leading from the front, but its the likes of Jae Crowder, Goran Dragic and Tyler Herro elevating this team into championship contention.
There wasn’t much more the Boston starters could’ve done in Game 1. Jayson Tatum had 30 points and 14 rebounds, Marcus Smart went for 26, and Kemba and Jaylen Brown both played well. The bench however remains a concern, contributing just 18 points – 11 of those from Brad Wanamaker.
Miami are undoubtedly deeper than the Celtics. Rookie Tyler Herro (off the bench) was just one assist shy of a triple double in Game 1 and personifies this Miami team. He is fearless and wants the pressure that comes with playoff basketball.
Boston didn’t have an answer for Bam in Game 1 and I think that will be a common theme throughout this series. Miami have won nine of their 10 playoff games and I think they should be favourites here in Game 2.
Suggested Bet: Miami (Head to Head) @ $2.18*
Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers (Game 1)
No one would’ve been watching Game 7 between the Nuggets and Clippers closer than LeBron James. He will now enter this series well rested, and with an exact plan on how to approach this Nuggets team.
The Lakers offense (led by LeBron) will be a different beast for the Nuggets to handle. LeBron is way too big and powerful for any of the Nuggets’ guards while Anthony Davis, on paper, is the perfect player to take Nikola Jokic out of his comfort zone on the defensive end.
The Lakers are at their best when LeBron is playing like a freight train and I think that’s exactly how we’ll see him this series. LA lost both Game 1’s against Portland and Houston so I think they’ll be ready to make a statement here.
Suggested Bet: Los Angeles -7.5 (Line) @ $1.97*
*Odds correct as at 9am, 17th September 2020.
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