Another day of NBA and another dose of previews and best bets to get the punting juices flowing.
The Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz headline what is a sensational day of basketball from the USA.
So sit back and syphon through the best bets and previews for the BetDeluxe NBA matches of the day.
houston @ philadelphia
february 18th 11:30am
The Philadelphia 76ers will welcome back Joel Embiid to the starting lineup when it faces the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Centre.
Embiid was a late withdrawal with a back complaint prior to the 76ers 134-123 defeat to inform team of the NBA the Utah Jazz.
While the 76ers cling on to top spot in the East with an 18-10 record, the Houston Rockets are out to arrest a six-game slide which has seen them drop to 14th place in the Western Conference with a 11-16 win-loss record.
This will be the maiden clash between both teams this season and it will be intriguing to see which team snaps their losing streak first. The Rockets face seven losses in a row if they can’t win tonight and the 76ers would face four slip ups.
Despite the loss to the Jazz, 76ers guard Ben Simmons produced a career best performance posting 42 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds as he tried to fill the Embiid void.
From a head to head perspective the 76ers and Rockets conceded near identical points but its the 76ers offence wherein lies the edge it has in this game.
A season average of 114.5 points per game for the 76ers compared to that of 109.2 points per game may just prove the difference.
The addition of Embiid will only strengthen the claims for Philadelphia here with the centre tallying up some incredible numbers this season to possibly lead the MVP race at this stage of the year.
Suggested Bet: Philadelphia to cover point spread -10.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Philadelphia 76ers to cover point spread
Leg 2: Total points scored under 227.5
Leg 3: Ben Simmons over 14.5 points scored
Combined odds = $5.25
PORTLAND @ NEW ORLEANS
february 18th 1:00pm
The Portland Trail Blazers venture over to the Smoothie King Arena today as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans in a Western Conference matchup.
Having both played yesterday, it will be interesting to see who jumps out of the blocks quickly here and takes the ascendancy.
Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson has been one of the best juvenile players in the league this season. Williamson is averaging 24.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and a steal in the 32.7 minutes he spends on the court.
He needs to keep improving his offensive game in order for his squad to serve it up to the Trail Blazers here.
Shooting at 60.7 percent from the floor, 30.8 percent from the three-point line, and 71.1 percent from the free-throw line, Williamson has led the line for the Pelicans this season but needs to take those numbers up a notch tonight.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been one of the lesser rated defenses in the league giving up 114.1 points per game, which is tied for 23rd in the NBA.
They allowed 123 points against Detroit on 45-of-84 (53.6 percent) from the floor, 17-of-35 (48.6 percent) from three point range. If the Pelicans can lower the amount of open looks they allow from beyond the arc, they will be an even better team.
Meanwhile, point guard Damian Lillard has been carrying the Portland Trail Blazers this season due to injuries to key players.
He is averaging 29.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and a steal in 35.8 minutes per game. Going at 44.7 percent from the floor, 38.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 93.4 percent on free throws he has been in career best shooting form this season. .
This shapes as a great spectacle with Lillard and WIlliamson going head to head.
Siding with the New Orleans Pelicans here who get back on their home deck after a tough four game road trip.
Suggested Bet: New Orleans Pelicans to cover -3.5 point spread at $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: New Orleans Pelicans head to head
Leg 2: D. Lillard to score under 29.5 points
Leg 3: Z. Williamson to score over 23.5 points
Combined odds = $4.60
UTAH @ LA CLIPPERS
february 18th 2:00PM
This is arguably one of the most anticipated games of the season to date with the high-flying Utah Jazz travelling to the Staples Centre to take on the Los Angeles Clippers in a one versus three Western Conference clash.
These teams meet for the second time this season after the Jazz won 106-100 in the last matchup on January 1.
Mike Conley led Utah with 33 points, and Paul George led LA with 25 points but both players are set to miss this match as are regular starters Kawhi Leondard and Nicholas Batum.
The LA Clippers’ morale seems to be at all-time highs after their backs against the wall win over the Miami Heat on Monday night.
Missing four starters (Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Patrick Beverley and Nicolas Batum), the Clippers were still able to defeat the Eastern Conference champions after a team effort from their bench unit led to a 125-118 victory.
Patrick Beverley has since been removed for the Clippers injury list and it will need his defensive presence to deal with MVP candidate Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell is averaging 24.2 points and 5.1 assists as the Jazz continue to make headlines for all the right reasons this season.
Jazz Center Rudy Gobert has been in impressive shot-blocking and rebounding form too.
With this in mind, the Jazz defenders have not been hesitant when it comes to staying home on three-point shooters, with the knowledge of Gobert protecting their bucket.
The Jazz ranks second in the league for opponent three-pointers attempted, and fifth in opponent three-point percentage.
It will be a battle to see who gets on top in the three-point department, with the Clippers having won quite a few games by outshooting opponents from beyond the arc.
An interesting contest ensues to see if Los Angeles can sustain its efficiency against this elite defense.
Good value in the Clippers to go all the way here even without a handful of star players.
Suggested Bet: Los Angeles Clippers head to head at $2.34
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: LA Clippers head to head
Leg 2: R Gobert over 9.5 rebounds
Leg 3: Total points scored under 227.5
Combined odds = $6
