The Scout: Saturday NBA Best Bets
Milwaukee Bucks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Second in the East, the Bucks (13-8) are going somewhat under the radar while Cleveland (10-12) remain in the playoff picture.
Giannis has looked to be in cruise control in recent games (and much of the season), with the Bucks blowing out opponents as they’ve made habit of for years now.
The Cavs have been a tricky opponent for even the very best teams in the league. Led by Collin Sexton (24 pgg) the Cavs have had back to back wins over the Nets and were competitive against the Lakers (108-115).
If the Cavs can keep this a ‘live’ game deep into the fourth, Giannis will see a spike in court time, and has the chance to comfortably clear 30 points.
Suggested Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo 30 Points+ @ $2.35*
Washington Wizards @ Miami Heat
The Wizards (5-13) are on the up with two wins in their last three games (including a win against the Heat) while Miami (7-14) are nothing close to the team we saw make the Finals last season.
Bradley Beal’s play has been sensational all season. He’ll likely be an All-Star starter and is getting solid backup from his mostly younger supporting cast.
Second year player Rui Hachimura is developing nicely and rookie Deni Avdija is shooting the three-ball at an elite clip. There’s also Russell Westbrook who can record a triple double on any given night.
Jimmy Butler has missed a long stretch of games, and it’s showing in his play. He doesn’t look near peak fitness which worries me against these Washington guards.
Suggested Bet: Washington (Head to Head) @ $3.20*
Boston Celtics @ LA Clippers
Boston (11-9) have gone 4-6 in their last 10 and are in need of a spark… something in the form of a marquee win over one of the league’s best.
The Clippers have been awesome, winning 11 of their last 13, sitting second in the West with the same record as the Lakers.
Through this stretch however, the Clippers haven’t played many of the NBA’s elite. They were disappointing late against Brooklyn two games ago, with blowout wins over the Knicks and Cavs either side of that.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown vs Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is a matchup made in NBA wing-heaven, and whoever can get the upper hand will go a long way (or all the way) to winning here.
Kemba Walker looks the x-factor with Patrick Beverley again likely to miss. The Clippers struggled to contain Kyrie earlier in the week, and I think Kemba raises the same problems for this LA team.
Suggested Bet: Boston (Head to Head) @ $2.90*
*Odds correct as at 2pm, 5th February 2021.
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