The New York Knicks are still the toast of the NBA. They keep on reeling off big wins and have solidified their place as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, their three-game win streak will be under threat as they visit MVP favourite Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Denver will be looking to bounce back after having their five-game win streak snapped by the Lakers.
Elsewhere, the streaking Suns take on the high-flying Hawks, while the unstoppable Russell Westbrook will lead the Wizards against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks.
So read on below for SBOTOP’s preview of another stacked NBA slate.
Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic
The Celtics still can’t quite get their act together. They lost at home to the Blazers last time out and are back down to seventh in the East after going just 3-5 in their last eight games.
Boston will now take on the Magic, who have won back-to-back games for the first time in a month after beating the Grizzlies and Pistons. Head coach Steve Clifford will be back on the sideline after his recent Covid absence.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown has been ruled out after a collision with Jayson Tatum. But Tatum and point guard Kemba Walker, who has missed the last four games with an oblique injury, both practised and look set to play.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Cleveland Cavaliers
The Blazers’ recent four-game road win streak finally came to an end as they fell to the Hawks. That was despite 33 points from Damian Lillard, the most points he has scored in over a month.
But the Blazers will like their chances of bouncing back right away as they take on struggling Cleveland. The Cavs are coming off a tough overtime loss to the Suns last night, their seventh defeat in a row and 10th in their last 11 games.
Betting Tip: Portland Trail Blazers Asian Handicap -10.50 @ 1.89
Phoenix Suns @ Atlanta Hawks
The Suns extended their win streak to five in a row with a gutsy victory against the Cavs last night. They remain in a tie with the Jazz for the best record in the league. Devin Booker has been on fire of late, with five 30-plus-point games in his last six.
Phoenix will be put to the test as they take on the Hawks, who have picked up back-to-back wins over the Bulls and Blazers. Trae Young has topped 30 points in two of his first three games since returning from an ankle sprain, while Bogdan Bogdanovic has continued his impressive play of late.
Betting Tip: Atlanta Hawks Asian Handicap +2.50 @ 1.94
Sacramento Kings @ Indiana Pacers
The Kings extended their winning run to three games after edging out the struggling Thunder last night. That was despite missing key guards De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, who had some promising NBA 2021 updates on his knee injury but will still likely miss the rest of the season.
Sacramento will look to keep their win streak going against a Pacers team that’s lost three of their last four. That includes a remarkable 154-141 defeat to the Wizards last time out. The Pacers defence has struggled mightily, surrendering over 130 points in all three of those defeats.
Betting Tip: Indiana Pacers Asian Handicap -6.50 @ 1.96
Philadelphia 76ers @ Houston Rockets
The Sixers have solidified their hold on the No. 1 seed in the East thanks to a five-game win streak. Unsurprisingly, that run has coincided with their star trio of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris all returning after their recent absences.
The NBA 2021 betting odds will have the Sixers as massive favourites to push their streak up to six games when they take on the Rockets, who have lost their last two games against the Warriors and Knicks by a total of 51 points.
Washington Wizards @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Wizards are ending the season strong and look set to take part in the East play-in tournament. Russell Westbrook — who had an amazing 21-rebound, 24-assist game last time out — has been instrumental in their resurgence.
Westbrook will now lead the Wiz against the Bucks, who are coming off back-to-back huge wins over the Brooklyn Nets. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo came up big in both games as he totalled 85 points, including 36 in last night’s win.
Betting Tip: Washington Wizards Asian Handicap +8.50 @ 1.90
Memphis Grizzlies @ Minnesota Timberwolves
The Grizzlies have once again been one of the biggest surprises of the season, but they are suddenly going in the wrong direction. They’ve lost four of their last five games and have dropped back down to .500.
And they could have even more problems when they take on the feisty Timberwolves. Minnesota lost a close one in overtime to the Pelicans last time out, but they had won their previous four games, including two in a row against the league-leading Jazz.
Betting Tip: Memphis Grizzlies -3.50 Asian Handicap @ 1.91
New York Knicks @ Denver Nuggets
The Knicks are for real and they just keep on winning. They picked up their third win in a row — and 12th in their last 13 — against the Grizzlies. Of those 12 wins, eight have been by double digits. Newly named East Player of the Month Julius Randle continues to amaze with his all-around play.
But New York will face a tough test in the Nuggets, who are still going strong despite the loss of Jamal Murray. They saw their five-game win streak snapped by the Lakers but are still 9-2 since losing Murray thanks to the fine form of MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.
Betting Tip: Denver Nuggets Asian Handicap -3.50 @ 1.93
San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz
The Jazz have recovered from their recent swoon to pick up back-to-back wins over the Raptors and Spurs at home. With stars Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley still out, Bojan Bogdanovic and Rudy Gobert combined for 49 points in their win over San Antonio.
That loss was the Spurs’ fourth in a row, although three have come by just five points or fewer. The losing skid has coincided with the loss of Derrick White, who has been one of their key players this season.
Betting Tip: San Antonio Spurs Asian Handicap +7.50 @ 1.92
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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