With All Star Game around the corner the NBA season is starting to get serious.
The BetDeluxe Basketball experts have examined the action to provide you with the best bets ahead of a jam packed Saturday of hooping.
Oklahoma City @ charlotte
january 22nd 11:00am
League Pass darlings, the Hornets, host the perpetually tanking Thunder.
Australian rookie Josh Giddey continues to impress for OKC but he will have his hands full against fellow NBL alumni LaMelo Ball.
The Thunder have actually performed well against teams with a winning record this year, going 5-1 in their last 6 road games against quality opposition.
At the $1.22 price for Charlotte H2H there’s just no value to be had but we feel like both teams are already looking ahead to the break, and potentially their Friday night plans.
Smart play here is the unders which has hit in 5 of their last 6 meetings.
Suggested Bet: Under 221 @ $1.92
LA Lakers @ orlando
january 22ND 11:00AM
A battle between arguably the most famous team in the league and the least favourite, but both from lovely climates.
The King, LeBron James, is putting together yet another masterpiece of a season, having 30 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in another disappointing loss for the Lakers.
Meanwhile Orlando have lost 16 of their last 18 and are sole owners of the worst record in the league.
The Magic can’t buy a win but neither can the Lakers, with rumours swirling about the imminent firing of coach Frank Vogel.
This has got all the makings of a “get right” game for the Lakers but there’s not much value at $1.42.
We’re going totals again and suggesting taking the overs – neither of these teams play any defense.
Suggested Bet: Over 221 @ $1.90
brooklyn @ san antonio
january 22ND 12:30pm
It’s the showdown all of Australia have been looking forward to as Olympic heroes Patty Mills and Jock Landale come face to face.
Luckily for the Nets this is an away game so Kyrie Irving will be in the lineup to provide much needed assistance to James Harden and the rest of Steve Nash’s squad.
The Spurs have managed to stay in contention for a play-in spot due largely to incredibly efficient shooting and the emergence of Dejounte Murray leading the team in both points (19.1pg) and assists (8.8pg).
Even without Durant though, this Nets team is about winning championships, not developing youth.
Expect the Spurs to be competent throughout but this should be a James Harden masterclass in game management.
Suggested Bet: Brooklyn -2.5 @ $1.88
memphis @ denver
january 22ND 1:00pm
The Grizz look to bounce back after losing to the World Champion Milwaukee Bucks, as they face MVP Nikola Jokic and the nuggets.
Overall the Grizzlies have had a fantastic season so far, catapulting themselves into the elite of the West behind Ja Morant’s 24.4 points and some incredible depth – shout out my boy Brandon Clarke.
For the Mile-High-City it’s been a much more difficult season. Long term injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr have left all the heavy lifting to their Serbian superstar. All credit to Jokic, he’s putting in another all time season, exemplified by the massive 49 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists he put up against the Clippers in the last Nuggets game.
Even with Jokic in this form we can’t see the Nuggets matching it with the Grizzlies. Denver want to run up and down, evidenced by the overs cashing in 4 of their last 5 games, but Memphis are slow paced and relentless.
Winners of 9 out of their last 11 ATS and 12 of their last 14 ATS while playing away, expect Ja Morant and co to control this game throughout.
Suggested Bet: Memphis +4 @ 1.91