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The Scout: Thursday NBA Best Bets

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Detroit Pistons @ Atlanta Hawks

Detroit (3-10) have not been playing as bad as their record suggests, with tough recent matchups against the Heat, Jazz, Bucks, Suns and Celtics.

Atlanta (6-7) looked one of the big improvers after a hot start to the season, but injuries and poor form have halted things.

The Pistons are getting serious production from Jerami Grant who came to them wanting to be the number one option. His self-belief has payed off, with the former Nugget averaging a team-high 24 points, shooting 39% from three-point-land.

Alongside Grant, Detroit have veterans like Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose who both have the ability to pose problems for Atlanta.

The Pistons’ three wins this season have come against Miami, Phoenix and Boston. There are worrying signs for Atlanta and I think the price on offer for Detroit is too good to ignore.

Suggested Bet: Detroit (Head to Head) @ $2.85*

Memphis Grizzlies @ Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers (8-6) have been ravaged by injury, losing their leading scorer, CJ McCollum, and starting centre, Jusuf Nurkic.

Meanwhile, Memphis (7-6) is on a five game winning streak, with Ja Morant back from injury and showing no ill effects.

Damian Lillard will be called upon to carry an incredible offensive load in this game, with Carmelo Anthony (12.2 ppg) likely to become the new number two option.

Carmelo’s role has been to offer instant offense off the bench. He may be shifted to the starting lineup, but either way we can expect a sharp spike in his current 24.9 minutes per game.

Melo has scored 15 points or more in four games already this season and should be exceeding the mark again here.

Suggested Bet: Carmelo Anthony 15+ Points @ $2.10*

Sacramento Kings @ LA Clippers

Sacramento (5-9) have lost three straight including their most recent clash with New Orleans that saw De’Aaron Fox go for 43 points and 13 assists.

The Clippers (10-4) are comfortably rolling through the regular season, showing more intent than the same stage of last season.

Despite the losing streak, the Kings have been competitive in all but their blowout loss to the Clippers over the weekend.

With the compressed NBA schedule, we’ve seen a lot of teams play twice with short turnarounds like this. More often we’re seeing a team that has been smashed having a hugely improved output in the return fixture.

I’m expecting the Fox-led Kings to show a lot more than they did five days ago.

Suggested Bet: Sacramento +10.5 (Line) @ $1.87*

*Odds correct as at 2pm, 20th January 2020.

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