The Scout: Thursday NBA Tips

Posted on March 4, 2020 | Posted by The Scout

Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat

The Heat have won three in a row including a massive win over Milwaukee in which they provided a blueprint to slowing down Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Orlando are 7^th in the East but have lost two straight, most recently a 23 point blowout loss at Portland.

Miami’s home record reads an impressive 26 wins and four losses. The additions of Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder have added depth and defensive versatility to the roster, with Crowder coming off his best game of the season (18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists).

No player in the NBA has done a better job of curtailing Giannis than Bam Adebayo last game. The Greek Freak was kept to just 13 points and Bam looks set to turn his attention now to Orlando’s most consistent offensive weapon, Nikola Vucevic.

Miami’s three point threats of Nunn, Robinson and Crowder and the defensive impact of Bam and Jimmy Butler should be enough for a big Heat win here.

Suggested Bet: Miami 11+ (Margin)

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Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers

Giannis and the Bucks suffered a rare defeat in Miami, but still boast the best record in the NBA (52-9) and sit nine games clear on top of the Eastern Conference.

Indiana continue to fly under the radar. 4^th in the East (37-24), they’ve won six of their last seven matches with Victor Oladipo gradually improving.

This is a potential playoffs matchup and as such I expect a higher level of intensity. Like Miami, Indiana have some good bigs to throw at Giannis; namely Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner.

The Bucks haven’t lost back to back games all season, but the Pacers shape as a dangerous opponent. Malcolm Brogdon should have a few tricks to use against his former team, and I’m expecting the Pacers to keep this one close.

 Suggested Bet: Indiana +8.5 (Pick Your Own Line) @ $2.27*

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Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks

The Knicks have won two in a row including their best game of the season against the red hot Houston Rockets.

Utah have gone cold, winning just two of their last six, with these coming against the lowly Cavaliers and Wizards. The Mike Conley trade isn’t looking great with the Jazz still searching for ideal lineups and rotations.

Number three draft pick, RJ Barrett is coming off potentially the best game of his career; 27 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds against the Rockets on 55% shooting. He is exactly the type of big bodied guard that can trouble the Jazz.

Utah are vulnerable at present, relying on individual performances to get them over the line. It’s always fraught with danger backing the Knicks, but I think they get the win here at the Garden.

Suggested Bet: New York Win @ $3.50*

*Odds correct as at 9.20am, 4th March 2020.

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