A huge day of NBA action as our analyst piles through a host of intriguing clashes between some of the biggest teams and names in the league.
Some outsiders who represent good value to get the juices flowing is the flavour of the day.
new york @ washington
february 13Th 11:00am
The Washington Wizards will be without star scorer Bradley Beal when it faces the New York Knicks at the Capital One Arena.
The Knicks come off narrow back-to-back defeats against the Miami Heat but a Beal-less Wizards is something forward Julius Randle and his squad will look to take full advantage of.
It’s the first time the Wizards will have to contend without Beal this season.
He has averaged 32.8 points and his omission leaves a big hole in the Wizards offense.
Russell Westbrook has only managed to score 19 points per game this season but has managed a tick over nine rebounds and eight assists, and he will have to be on his game if the Wizards are to be competitive.
Randle has been the standout for the Knicks this year.
Miami quelled him well on Monday but it’s hard to keep this big man down who has notched up 22 points per game and nearly 12 rebounds.
He will prove central to the winning chances of his squad tonight.
The last quarter in the loss to the Heat will need to be addressed tonight after squandering a six-point lead at the start of the fourth.
The Knicks could only manage 14 points in that final quarter after some poor shooting from the floor.
A lull in concentration by this Knicks team is unlikely to be fatal against a Washington Wizards team who were recently battered by Toronto in a 137-115 drubbing.
Without Beal, this Wizards team will struggle to contain the Knicks.
Suggested Bet: New York Knicks win $1.60
la clippers @ chicago
february 13th 12:00pm
After dismantling the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, the LA Clippers will move to the Windy City on Saturday, where they’ll finish their two-game road trip against the Chicago Bulls.
Leonard, will be licking his lips after he dropped 35 on Chicago last month. It was one of his best shooting performances of the season, as he connected on seven of his nine attempts from three-point range and went 14 from 22 attempted shots overall.
Zach LaVine is the main player the Clippers need to keep in their sights.
The 25-year-old shooting guard is averaging 28.2 points per game this season, and he’s been very efficient. He’s posting career-high shooting percentages across the board, along with a career-high 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
LaVine registered 45 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in his last meeting with the Clippers in early January, and that was with the Clippers at full health.
On Friday, LA will again be without Paul George, who has been one of its best players throughout the season.
If the Clippers are going to win this game, it’ll be because of its defense and ability to slow down a Chicago Bulls squad who will want to play with speed and flair.
The Bulls love to play fast and score quickly on the break which has served them well in their wins this season.
Expecting Leonard to have another big game against the Bulls and LaVine will go head to head with him.
Keep an eye on Lou Williams, who’s been in sparkling form over the last week and a half.
Suggested Bet: LA Clippers 7.5 to cover the line at $1.88
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Clippers to cover -7.5 line
Leg 2: Leonard over 30.5 points
Leg 3: Total points scored over 225.5
MEMPHIS @ LA LAKERS
february 13th 2:00PM
The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night from Staples Center.
The Lakers have been cruising along this season and have won nine of their last 11 after a long road trip. They are also looking for their seventh straight win of the season against the Grizzlies on Saturday afternoon.
Anthony Davis is still also a 50-50 battle to prove his fitness for this one after missing the last handful of games.
Led by LeBron James, the LA Lakers were able to come through three overtime games with three wins and continue to fight to retake their lead atop the Western Conference.
Against Charlotte on Wednesday, the Memphis Grizzlies were able to stop a losing run that had seen them drop outside the playoff hunt.
The Memphis Grizzlies will need another strong performance from all of their starters as the Lakers deep roster looks to claim their ninth home win this season.
As for the Grizzlies, they have struggled this season and come into this game with a 10 wins 10 loss record for the season
The Lakers have played in three-straight overtime games. Without knowing the status of Davis, there just isn’t enough value for the Lakers.
The total point scored over 220.5 looks like the smart play as both offenses are averaging over 110 points per game this season. Los Angeles has the fifth-ranked scoring offense at home this year, scoring nearly 118 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are allowing 110.9 points per game, which is good for 10th in the NBA. Both squads have an above-average defense, but the scoring shouldn’t be a problem for either team.
Look for each team to score into the well and truly into the 100 mark.
If Davis is out, the Grizzlies look like a good play as outsiders at a good price.
Suggested Bet: Memphis Grizzlies win at $3.80
