The All-Star weekend was a memorable experience for many basketball fans as rarely do you see your favourite hoops star let his guard down and smile with his fellow basketball players.
However, the break is gone and dealt with, and there’s only one thing that the league is now looking forward to: the NBA playoffs. There are only sixteen spots for the big dance, and the best basketball players in the world want to be a part of it.
Expect every team to step their games up as they try to make a push for playoff seeding. Of course, not everyone is aiming for the trophy, so don’t expect tight contests on all games.
Phoenix Suns @ Cleveland Cavaliers (February 22, 07:00 GMT+8)
There’s no way these two teams can ever hope to compete for playoff positions this season, but there should be no reason that this match will be a boring game for anyone who would consider watching and putting a punt between two of the league’s worst basketball teams.
Devin Booker is still struggling to pull his Suns out of misery, but he can at least excite the fans with his scoring and playmaking. Meanwhile, the Cavalier faithful will be praying to the basketball gods that Kevin Love will be able to play after being sidelined for quite a long time.
If Love does play (which is very much possible), the Suns are in for a long night.
Betting Tip: Cleveland Cavaliers -2.50 @ 1.98
Miami Heat @ Philadelphia 76ers (February 22, 07:00 GMT+8)
That Dwyane Wade–LeBron James alley-oop during the All-Star game reduced a lot of Heat fans to tears. It brought them back to a time when South Beach was the hotbed of winning basketball. Nowadays, the Heat are fighting tooth and nail to get into the playoffs.
While the squad looks like a hot mess, they do have good players in Justise Winslow and Goran Dragic. Wade is also playing out of his skin. However, I don’t think they have the roster necessary to take down a buffed-up Sixers squad.
I don’t think they can handle Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, and Tobias Harris for 48 minutes.
Betting Tip: Philadelphia 76ers -8.50 @ 1.86
Portland Trail Blazers @ Brooklyn Nets (February 22, 07:30 GMT+8)
The Nets and their fans are on a high after D’Angelo Russell becomes the first Net to make an All-Star appearance for the first time in five years. The guard is putting up a season to remember, getting 20.3 points and 6.6 assists in 58 starts.
Moreover, he is not the only one surprising the league. Rodions Kurucs surprised many in the Rising Stars Challenge with his quality of play in only 15 minutes of play. Spencer Dinwiddie‘s creative play off the bench is badly missed by the Nets, and Jarrett Allen has already made a lot of NBA 2019 highlights with his blocks.
However, I still think they are huge underdogs against the Blazers. While they are one of the more exciting teams to watch in the NBA, they are still a few pieces away from contending. I also think Portland have the experience to handle whatever Brooklyn throw their way.
Betting Tip: Portland Trail Blazers -1.50 @ 1.97
Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks (February 22, 08:00 GMT+8)
The Fiserv Forum will be filled to the brim with exciting basketball action when the Milwaukee Bucks welcome the Boston Celtics for the day’s marquee matchup.
Giannis Antetokounmpo easily was the most eye-catching player in the All-Star game, and his performance this season saw the NBA 2019 betting tips on the Bucks improve. However, the Celtics are still the biggest roadblock in the East.
Boston head coach Brad Stevens knows that his Celtics can end the season at the top of the East, but inconsistent performances reduced certainty to hope. If they lose to Milwaukee, their hopes will be further reduced to doubt.
At least, they can keep this contest interesting. I believe this match would end a one-possession game.
Betting Tip: Boston +5.50 @ 1.92
Sacramento Kings @ Golden StaWarrors (February 22, 10:30 GMT+8)
The Sacramento Kings have been playing great basketball so far this season. While they are still losing their regular-season series against neighbours Golden State, all of those games show encouraging signs for one of the most passionate fan bases in the entire association.
Golden State are also playing some fantastic basketball, but they are still in the process of fully incorporating DeMarcus Cousins to the lineup. While Stephen Curry and All-Star MVP Kevin Durant are more than enough to get the SBOBET basketball market betting, I still think the Kings can hang in there.
Betting Tip: Sacramento Kings +13.50 @ 1.92
Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Lakers (February 22, 10:30 GMT+8)
The Houston Rockets are still winning basketball games, but their most recent losses against teams with good big men (Oklahoma City and Minnesota) show just how much they miss Clint Capela. They should be more than happy that their star big is back after missing fifteen games.
With their roster almost back to full strength, there should be no reason the Rockets can overtake the Lakers in this game. LeBron is still LeBron, but the rest of the roster isn’t playing to his lofty standards.
I fully expect the Lakers to keep on dropping games, including this one. You know a team isn’t ready for prime time when they suffer a narrow defeat to a team that isn’t even in the playoff picture.
Betting Tip: Houston Rockets Draw No Bet @ 1.85
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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