It kicks off tonight and I have had a stab at predicting the rankings for each team in each conference.
Without having at this weeks odds:
These are my stabs for Western Conference top 8 seeds (in order):
In the Eastern conference:
after a deep think I should probably swap Utah with Houston. I dont think Houston are going to be any good this season, in fact dont be surprised if Harden joins Brooklyn midway during the season.
NBA Rookie of the Year 2020-21
LaMelo Ball 5.00
Toppin 6.50
Anthony Edwards 7.50
Wiseman 8
Killian Hayes 9.50
Avdija 11.00
Haliburton 18
Patrick Williams 21
Bol Bol, Cole Anthony, Quickley, Okoro 23
Maxey 34
Pokusevski, Malachi Flynn, Bey, Maledon 41
Vassell, McDaniels, Kira Lewis Jr, Okongwu 51
Nesmith, Josh Green, Okeke, Bane, Jalen Smith, Achiuwa 61
Campazzo, Tyrell Terry, Hampton, Pritchard, Stewart 101
Bolmaro, Mannion, Nnaji 151.00
I don’t think Melo should be favourite if we are basing it on what we have seen from pre season games or what he did last year in the NBL. Think the ROY will be a more tighter contest this season.
Odds for the opening Round
Golden State 3.90 v 1.33 Brooklyn
Clippers 2.44 v 1.68 Lakers
James Harden reportedly threw a ball at rookie Jae’Sean Tate (played with Sydney Kings last season in the NBL) in one of the preseason practices. Rockets locker room is not in a good place right now
NBA Tuesday (23/12/20):
Charlotte 1.75 v 2.30 Cleveland
Miami 1.55 v 2.76 Orlando
Knicks 4 v 1.32 Pacers
Wizards 3.65 v 1.37 76ers
Bucks 1.64 v 2.50 Boston
Pelicans 2.58 v 1.59 Raptors
Atlanta 1.87 v 2.12 Bulls
Pistons 2.88 v 1.51 Timberwolves
Thunder 3.70 v 1.35 Rockets
Spurs 2.32 v 1.74 Memphis
Kings 4.10 v 1.30 Nuggets
Utah 2.04 v 1.93 Portland
Dallas 2.02 v 1.95 Phoenix
here are my picks for tomorrow:
LA Clippers -2.5
Jamal Murray isn’t going to go 1 for 9 Friday like he did in the season-opening overtime loss to Sacramento on Wednesday, but I like the Clippers’ revamped roster with Serge Ibaka, Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard. LA played a day earlier so the travel and altitude shouldn’t be an issue. This is the ultimate revenge spot for Paul George and the Clips. Look for them to control the boards and cover.
Brooklyn -3 (handicap)- suggested play is to even take a risk any take up to -5 handicap
The Nets steamrolled the Warriors in their season opener with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving looking extremely impressive in the process. They have a very deep and talented roster behind those two, as well, which is going to make them a tough team to beat when they are all healthy. As impressive as the Celtics looked in a win over the Bucks on Wednesday, I still like the Nets’ chances to cover this small number.
New Orleans +4.5 handicap
This line is a bit surprising given how both teams fared in their season openers. The Pelicans pulled off an impressive win against the Raptors, while the Heat fell to the Magic. Losing Jrue Holiday is significant, but Eric Bledsoe is certainly a capable replacement. The Pelicans also upgraded at center by adding Steven Adams. This has the makings of a close battle, so give me the points.
the 5 games on Christmas Day:
Pelicans 2.58 v 1.63 Heat
Warriors 6 v 1.19 Bucks
Dallas 3.30 v 1.42 Lakers
Brooklyn 1.68 v 2.44 Celtics
Clippers 1.75 v 2.32 Nuggets
NBA Boxing Day :
Atlanta 2.12 v 1.86 Memphis
Cleveland 2.16 v 1.83 Detroit
OKC 2.38 v 1.69 Charlotte
Orlando 2.18 v 1.79 Washington
76ers 1.29 v 4.20 New York
Pacers 1.55 v 2.78 Chicago
Toronto 1.83 v 2.04 Spurs
Minnesota 3.75 v 1.28 Utah
Phoenix 1.63 v 2.50 Sacramento
NBA 27/12/20 Sunday
Dallas 3 v 1.49 Clippers
Nets 1.19 v 5.90 Hornets
Magic 1.95 v 2 Wizards
Spurs 3 v 1.47 Pelicans
Bucks 1.11 v 9.20 New York
76ers 1.37 v 3.65 Cavaliers
Celtics 1.76 v 2.24 Pacers
Warriors 1.62 v 2.54 Bulls
Suns 1.73 v 2.32 Kings
Timberwolves 6.20 v 1.18 Lakers
a couple of plays for me:
Celtics -2.0 handicap
I’m not reading too much into the Celtics being destroyed by the Nets on Christmas Day. Brooklyn is probably the best team in the East. Boston will look to rebound against the 2-0 Pacers, who have taken care of business against inferior foes in the Knicks and Bulls. This will be their first significant test, and it comes in the second game of a back-to-back set. That’s not an ideal situation, so I’ll take the Celtics to cover this small line.
New Orleans -5.0
The Spurs will be playing the second game of a back-to-back after hosting the Raptors on Saturday. Meanwhile the Pelicans return home and will be anxious to bounce back from a Christmas Day loss at Miami.
Taking Phoenix +3.5 at the spread, and a bit of 2.44 on the MoneyLine
The Jazz handled the Suns twice in the preseason, but I like Phoenix in this spot after Chris Paul and Devin Booker barely were needed in a rout of the Pelicans on Tuesday. This is a deep and versatile Suns squad that continues to get undervalued. Phoenix has covered 11 of its last 12 versus winning teams, while Utah is 3-10-1 ATS in its last 14 home games. Grab the points but don’t be surprised by an outright upset.
James Harden officially off to Brooklyn Nets now
The Pelicans enter this game healthy and having won four straight. While they did just play on Tuesday, some of their key players were able to log reduced minutes because they blew out the Rockets. Meanwhile, the Bulls have lost six of their last eight and currently are without Wendell Carter Jr. (quadriceps), Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) and Otto Porter Jr. (back). A blowout could be in the making here.
Taking the Pelicans at the -2.5 Handicap here
3 Matches in the NBA on Thursday 18th Feb 2021
Toronto 3.75 v 1.35 Milwaukee
Brooklyn 2.32 v 1.74 LA Lakers
Miami 2.00 v 1.99 Sacramento
i think the Kings are a good bet today, think the back to back game for Miami will come back and bite them on this Western Conference swing.
Lakers v Utah Jazz on 24th Feb 2021 is the pick of the game tomorrow for me
These are the PointsBet spreads
Total Game Points: 218-222
Donovan Mitchell points: 24-25.5
LeBron James points: 29-30.5
Game Time to 10 points:142-152 seconds
Rudy Gobert Rebounds: 13-14 Rebounds
