Sports

The Scout: Thursday NBA Best Bets

Indiana Pacers @ Cleveland Cavaliers

The Pacers (15-18) have fallen to 9th in the Eastern Conference off the back of four consecutive losses while Cleveland (14-21) have won four straight of their own.

Andre Drummond has been put on ice while the Cavs shop him around, opening the door for Jarrett Allen to flourish as the starting centre. Allen has been huge over his last 10 games, averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks per game on 65% shooting.

Allen’s continued improvement and the continued breakout of Collin Sexton (23 ppg, including 39 last game) has me leaning to the Cavs in this one.

Suggested Bet: Cleveland (Head to Head) @ $3*


Brooklyn Nets @ Houston Rockets

Two teams at opposite ends of the form-spectrum; the Rockets (11-22) who have lost 12 in a row and Brooklyn (23-13) who have won nine of their last 10.

James Harden will be the story here as he returns to Houston for the first time since forcing his way out last year. He returns in great form, with averages of 27 points, 10 assists and 9.6 rebounds from his last 10 games.

Harden is a threat from anywhere on the court and leads the league with 11 assists per game. He has seven triple-doubles for the season and I see him stuffing the stat sheet here against his old team.

Suggested Bet: James Harden to Record a Triple-Double 


OKC Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks (17-16) are heating up having won eight of their last ten games while the Thunder (14-20) are slowly but surely sliding down the seedings in the West.

Luka Doncic didn’t start the season at all well but has played himself into shape and into MVP form. In his last 10 games he is averaging 31 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds on 52% shooting.

Luka’s cross-over stepback is now falling making the Slovenian near-impossible to guard. He’s scored 30+ in four of his last seven and I think he goes big here against the Thunder.

Suggested Bet: Luka Doncic to Score 35+ Points

*Odds correct as at 2pm, 3rd March 2021.

Market Market