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The Scout: NBA Best Bets

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers

Phoenix have been red hot since the season return, winning their opening two matches and keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.

The Clippers have split their opening two games, and will be using the seeding games as an opportunity to find much-needed rhythm between their stars and closing lineups.

The Suns look hungry for the 8th seed in the Western Conference, and have a young star in Deandre Ayton who is still looking to announce himself as a serious player in the league. They looked down and out against Dallas but rallied, erasing a double-digit deficit.

There has been the opposite feel about the Clippers who aren’t showing much urgency; and why should they? Having already qualified for the playoffs, the Clippers are just working through their gears, all without key role players Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell.

The Suns have shown they are not just making up the numbers. Devin Booker is averaging 28.5 points per game since the restart, and I think he can keep up this play and get the Suns a marquee scalp in the bubble.

Suggested Bet: Phoenix (Head to Head) @ $4.20*

Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat

Both sides in this matchup have gone 1-1 in the bubble, with Boston going down to Milwaukee and Miami losing to Toronto.

Jayson Tatum finished the opening game with 5 points on 2 of 18 shots, but bounced back emphatically with 34 points in the Celtics’ win over Portland.

As good as they have been, what Miami lack is multiple players capable of scoring 20+ on a given night. Jimmy Butler is their go to scorer and he will have his hands full here against the young, long perimeter players from Boston.

The Heat come into this match on a back-to-back which would be a concern during a normal season. I think the impact of this will be even greater in the bubble.

Suggested Bet: Boston -3.5 (Line) @ $1.86*

Houston Rockets vs Portland Trail Blazers

It’s business as usual for the Rockets, winning both of their matches off the back of their star backcourt and a huge number of three point attempts.

Portland haven’t had the (re)start many had expected, going 1-1 in two games, needing overtime to get past Memphis in the win.

The Rockets are all-in on small ball basketball, with no starter standing more than 6 foot 7. Portland will be looking to exploit this on both ends of the floor by utilizing the size of big men Jusuf Nukric, Zach Collins and Hassan Whiteside.

Portland are possibly the best team equipped to trade blows with the Rockets. Dame Lillard and CJ McCollum are more than capable of holding their own in this matchup, and I think the Portland frontcourt gives them the edge.

Suggested Bet: Portland (Head to Head) @ $2.60*

*Odds correct as at 11am, 4th August 2020.

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