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The Scout: Thursday NBA Tips

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Boston Celtics (17-5) @ Indiana Pacers (15-9)

Sitting 6th in the East, Indiana keep rolling thanks largely to a 9-3 home record.

The Pacers don’t play flashy basketball but they do all the fundamentals at a high level. They are a genuine, honest team which is no more evident than in their scoring averages – Brogdon (19ppg), TJ Warren (18ppg), Sabonis (18ppg) and Lamb (15ppg).

Boston are 2nd in the East behind a 17-5 record, but with all five losses coming on the road. Gordon Hayward is back from his hand injury (which is a big plus) but their weakness remains their lack of frontcourt talent.

Centres Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter have proven to struggle against the best big men in the league, and they are coming up against two of them here in Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner.

The Pacers’ big man duo and their spread of talent is enough for me to see them getting past their Eastern Conference rivals.

Suggested Bet: Indiana Win @ $1.82*

Los Angeles Lakers (21-3) @ Orlando Magic (11-12)

They have the best record in the league, but the Lakers haven’t been tested in their most recent games, with blowout wins against the Wolves, Blazers and Jazz.

Orlando have won four of their last five, with the sole loss coming at the hands of Milwaukee. They are 8-4 at home and will be desperate for a legitimate scalp here against the Lakers.

The Magic are allowing just 103 points per game (which ranks them third in the league), while their offense is seriously plucky; behind Evan Fournier’s 20ppg, with five other players averaging double-figure points.

These are two of the best defenses in the league which should keep things close, and give the Magic a good chance to pinch one here against the title favourites.

Suggested Bet: Orlando +6.5 (Line) @ $1.92*

Memphis Grizzlies (7-16) @ Phoenix Suns (11-12)

Off the back of a high tempo offense, the Phoenix Suns have averaged 121 points over their last four games.

Ricky Rubio has been the catalyst of this scoring burst, setting the pace and dishing out 51 assists in these four games.

Memphis are slumping, going 2-8 in their last 10. Ja Morant returned from injury last game and looked awesome, going for 26 points and 7 assists in a win over the Warriors.

Morant gives this Memphis squad an identity… at least offensively. Neither of these teams put much emphasis on the defensive end of the ball and I see this game being fast paced and high scoring.

Suggested Bet: Over 232.5 (Total Game Score) @ $1.93*

*Odds correct as at 8.20am, 11th December 2019.

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