The Scout: Saturday NBA Tips

Posted on February 12, 2021February 12, 2021 | Posted by The Scout

New Orleans Pelicans @ Dallas Mavericks

The Pelicans (11-13) have won four of their last five and come up against Dallas (12-14) who have won three straight. You get the feeling that only one of these teams will feature in the playoffs so this could be a big game.

Both of these teams are gifted offensively, but not so much on the less glamorous end of the floor. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are both averaging 23 points per game for the Pelicans, while it’s the Luka show for Dallas.

That man Luka is coming off a triple double against the Hawks – a game that saw the Mavs score 37 points in the final quarter en route to a one point victory.

During their three-game winning straight the Mavericks are scoring 126 points on average, while allowing 123. I think we see something similar here.

Suggested Bet: Over 233.5 (Game Total) @ $1.90*

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Milwaukee Bucks @ Utah Jazz

The Bucks (16-9) are on a roll winning five of their last six, cementing themselves second in the East.

The Jazz (20-5) are the form team in all of basketball losing just once in their last 14 games.

Both sides may be without their starting point guards with Jrue Holiday and Mike Conley questionable. The Bucks will look to bring in sharpshooter Brynn Forbes while the Jazz will again start Joe Ingles.

Giannis Antetokoumpo is a nightmare matchup for most teams in the NBA and Utah, despite their elite defense, is not immune. Rudy Gobert can meet him at the rim, but they don’t have anyone capable of stopping him from getting there.

Milwaukee live and die by the three, and I think behind Giannis’ drive-and-kick play, they can shoot their way to victory here.

Suggested Bet: Milwaukee (Head to Head) @ $1.95

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Cleveland Cavaliers @ Portland Trail Blazers

How things have changed for Cleveland who have now lost five straight, including their last-up 38 point belting at the hands of Denver.

The injury-riddled Blazers have won three of their last four and are getting used to life without CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic. They’re back in familiar territory, mid-table in the West.

Portland have moved Gary Trent Jr to the starting lineup and he has taken the opportunity with both hands. Trent Jr is a pure scorer with a dangerous three point stroke, averaging 21 points while shooting 45% from deep in his last four games.

The Cavs are currently starting both Jarrett Allen and Andre Drummond. Their roster is a bit of a mess and they’ve lost four of their last five by 10+.

Suggested Bet: Portland 11+ (Margin) @ $3.30*

*Odds correct as at 10.30am, 12th February 2020.

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