Sports

The Scout: Thursday NBA Tips

Chicago Bulls (10-19) @ Washington Wizards (8-17)

11th plays 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls have been a disappointment to this point of the season while the Wizards may be exceeding expectations.

The Wizards snapped a four game losing streak last match with a 133-119 win on the road at Detroit. Although Washington are losing a lot of games, they are scoring en masse, currently fourth in the league in points per game.

The Wizards are (if nothing else) entertaining. They shoot threes at a high percentage (37.5%), all the while allowing their opponents to do as they please on the other end. Their 122.2 points allowed per game is the fourth highest mark in the NBA.

Chicago won’t find much defensive resistance in this match, which should suit the likes of Lauri Markkanen and Zach LaVine, who is averaging 29ppg in his last four games.

Suggested Bet: Over 231.5 (Game Total) @ $1.90*


Memphis Grizzlies (10-17) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (12-14)

The Thunder have won four of six with Chris Paul coming off his best game for the season; 30 points to go with 10 rebounds and 8 assists against the Bulls.

Ja Morant has returned seamlessly from injury, and the Grizzlies have won their last two games. Morant’s 18.8 points and 6.5 assists per game see him as the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.

The Grizzlies just played their most impressive game of the season, a 118-111 win over the Heat. The starting lineup for Memphis is tall and versatile, with every member of the starting five making a three in that game, and Jaren Jackson Jr making five of them!

The Grizzlies have enough weapons, all playing well, to give them more than a decent chance of pinching a road win here.

Suggested Bet: Memphis Win @ $3.10*


Boston Celtics (17-7) @ Dallas Mavericks (18-8)

Boston will be looking to avoid notching three straight losses for the first time this season.

The Mavericks had a marquee win on Tuesday, taking care of the red hot Bucks without their superstar Luka Doncic. In his absence it was Kristaps Porzingis that stepped up, going for 26 points and 12 rebounds.

The Celtics are a very well-rounded team, led by point guard Kemba Walker (36.5ppg last two games) with multiple players that can hurt you on a given night.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens will have looked deeply into how the Luka-less Mavs were able to upset the Bucks. He has enough weapons, particularly defensively, to throw at this Dallas offense, and I think the full impact of Luka’s injury will be on display here.

Suggested Bet: Boston -2.5 (Line) @ $1.96*

*Odds correct as at 9am, 18th December 2019.

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