NBA Action Takes Off Again
There may have been no NBA action on Thursday due to the Thanksgiving in America but the biggest basketball league in the world is ready to go once again on Friday the 28th of November. While Thursday may have been a great time for Americans to stop and give thanks, it gave the rest of us time to take stock and look at the initial standings in the NBA.
In the Eastern Conference, Toronto are the team that are tearing it up. They are clear leaders in the Atlantic Division with a record of 13-2. This is the same division where the Philadelphia 76ers are in, holding a 0-15 record at the moment.
In the Central Division, Chicago hold a 9-6 record while Milwaukee are tucked in just behind them on a 9-7 record. Detroit languish at the foot of the Division with a 3-12 record. In the Southeast Division, Washington lead the way with a 9-5 record while the Hornets have a 4-012 record.
In the Western Conference, there are a couple of teams showing strong form. In the Northwest Division, the Trail Blazers are blazing a trail with a 12-3 record, and Minnesota lag behind with a 3-10 record. In the Pacific Division, The Golden State Warriors hold a 12-2 record while the Lakers have a 3-12 record. In the Southwest Division, Memphis hold a 13-2 record with Houston just behind them with a 12-3 record. New Orleans prop up that division with a 7-5 record.
There is still plenty to play for and the Friday night games will generate some excitement and brilliant basketball betting opportunities.
Dallas Mavericks @ Toronto Raptors
Both teams are in good form at the moment, the Mavericks holding an 11-5 record so far, with a 4-3 record away from home, while the Raptors hold a 13-2 record, with a 9-1 standing at home. The Raptors also have a 6 game winning streak behind them, something they will be keen to extend on their home turf.
Dallas are averaging 109.3 points per game, leading the league in scoring, and they will pose problems for the Raptors in this match. Both teams won their last game with the Mavericks edging the Knicks by a score of 109-102, even if it did require OT to grab the win. The Raptors defeated the Hawks by 115-126 in Atlanta. Lou Williams grabbed 22 points in 26 minutes in that match, putting his former team to the sword in style.
Both teams have minor injury concerns to worry about with Dallas probably being without Raymond Felton and keeping a close eye on Jameer Nelson. The Raptors may well be missing Tyler Hansborough and James Johnson is requiring close attention.
Taking the Raptors at odds of 1.90 with a -4 handicap is likely to see you get a decent return for your bet. Bet Now!
New Orleans Pelicans @ Atlanta Hawks
Both of these teams hold a 7-6 record coming into this game, so it may well be a close one. The Pelicans are 3-4 away from home while the Hawks are 5-2 at home. Both teams lost their last match, so they will also both be looking to bounce back in this one.
The Pelicans slipped to defeat at home to Sacramento, losing by 89-99 while the Hawks lost against the Raptors, slipping 115-126.
Anthony Davis has been in excellent form for the Pelicans so far this season but they will need to get him more involved than he was against the Kings in that defeat. That aside though, Davis has shown excellent form but there is a need for the team to bring him into play when they can. Tyreke Evans offered 22 points for the Pelicans in that match, so it is not just Davis that needs to step up here. Even though the Hawks lost last time out, Jeff Teague grabbed 24 points and Al Horford offered up 23 points, so they also have players that know how to score.
The Pelicans could well be without Omer Asik and Eric Gordon for this match while the Hawks are monitoring Thabo Sefolosha on a day to day basis.
Taking the Hawks at 1.90 with a handicap of -2.5 should provide you with an interest in this game, so if you are looking to place a bet, this could be a great starting point. Bet Now!
Memphis Grizzlies @ Portland Trail Blazers
This is a game between two teams that won an awful lot of games this season. The Grizzlies hold a 13-2 record, including a 5-2 record away from home, while the Trail Blazers stand on a 12-3 record, including a 8-1 home record. The Trail Blazers also hold the longest winning streak in the NBA at the moment, standing on 9 games. If they want to break into double figures, they will need to break down the Grizzlies.
This won’t be easy, they are playing a team who are tied for the best record in the league and the Trail Blazers had to rally to win their last game. They were trailing by 11 points at half-time against the Hornets, eventually winning by 105-97. Wesley Matthews offered up 28 points, with 20 coming in the final 24 minutes. Marc Gasol is leading the Grizzlies on points this season and if the Trail Blazers run is going to be halted, it is likely that he will be the man that has a very big say on how this encounter pans out.
Both teams have a relatively clean bill of health coming in to this game. The Trail Blazers have no significant injury worries while the Grizzlies only have concerns over the fitness of Nick Calathes. Reaching double figures on a winning streak is a big task, and you can bet the Grizzlies will push Portland all the way.
This is why taking the Grizzlies with a +3.5 start at odds of 1.90 could ensure that you are involved in the action until the final seconds. Bet Now!
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