Atlanta and Indiana get the show underway for Thursday NBA.
The BetDeluxe team of basketball masterminds has picked apart the best bets for what is a mammoth set of fixtures.
Atlanta @ Indiana
December 2nd 11:00am
The Indiana Pacers will host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday in an Eastern Conference showdown.
These teams have not faced each other yet this season as the Hawks will be looking to stay above .500 after having their seven-game winning streak snapped in a 99-90 loss to the New York Knicks on Saturday.
The Pacers are on a two-game losing streak and have lost three of their last four, so a change in fortune is needed to make an impact against the Hawks.
The shining light for Indiana might just be its positive 6-4 record against the spread at home, which improves to 4-2 when starting favourite on its home court.
Even with Trae Young in great shooting form from the field, the Hawks have still struggled to really gain any momentum this season and their 3-8 road record is not exactly endearing either.
Suggested Bets: Indiana Pacers -1 at $1.91
denver @ orlando
december 2nd 11:00am
Orlando takes on the status of underdog at home when it welcomes the Denver Nuggets to the Amway Center on Thursday morning.
The Magic, given their current form, should probably be much longer odds than what they currently are having only won the sole match at home and staring down the barrel of an eighth-straight loss if it cannot overcome the Nuggets.
Denver, meanwhile, graciously welcomed back its towering centre and reigning NBA MVP winner Nikola Jokic after missing him dearly over the last few fixtures.
His return should see a surge in form for the Nuggets as they look to usurp the 0.500 mark and the big, bustling centre from Serbia should have a big say in this game against a weak Orlando team.
Suggested Bet: Denver Nuggets -8.5 at $1.92
Minnesota @ Washington
december 2nd 11:00am
Bradley Beal and his Washington Wizards hit their home court of Capital One Arena when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a West versus East battle.
The Wizards have looked a genuine playoff team despite the recent slip up against San Antonio on Tuesday.
Washington currently sits in fourth spot of the Eastern Conference with a 13-8 record that has been underpinned by an impressive 7-2 tally at home.
Beal has been the catalyst with a 22.9 point-per-game average this season.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves found themselves on the positive side of the win-loss ledger as they improved to 11-10 following a dogged 100-98 win over Indiana on Monday.
Interestingly, the only game the Timberwolves played on the road as an underdog ended up in them covering the spread.
If that form is anything to go by, that might very well be the bet here.
It is going to be a hard task defeat the Wizards at home, as it has been for most opposition this season, but the line does look generous.
Suggested Bet: Minnesota +3.5 $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Minnesota +3.5
Leg 2: Total points scored under 214.5
Leg 3: B. Beal over 22.5 points
Combined odds = $6.25
philadelphia @ boston
december 2nd 11:30am
Boston takes to the floorboards of TD Garden when it prepares to face the Philadelphia 76ers in what shapes to be an integral clash of two teams on the precipice of a playoffs spot.
The 76ers are slowly trying to work themselves back to the team that almost went all the way last season as they welcome back Joel Embiid with open arms.
The Celtics, much like the 76ers, have fluctuated their form all season and are also easing Jaylen Brown into the fold after he recovered from injury.
Both teams bring in winning form to this game with the Celtics proving too strong for the Raptors, while Embiid and Seth Curry led the way in the 76ers’ win over Orlando.
As we delve deeper into the numbers, it just becomes a real headache of a game to pick.
The Celtics have almost split their form against the spread at home with a 4-5 record as home favourites, while the 76ers sit 4-4 against the spread when travelling as the underdogs.
In a flip of the coin game, we will go with the home-court advantage playing a big part here.
Suggested Bet: Boston Celtics -2.5 at $1.91
