Philadelphia and Boston headline the BetDeluxe NBA preview on Wednesday.
The best bets ahead of another big day of matches in the USA.
boston @ philadelphia
february 16th 11:30am
Boston Celtics will travel to Well Fargo Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the newest addition to this Eastern Conference rivalry.
The Celtics are on a roll at the moment and boast the longest active winning streak in the NBA with eight-straight victories, while the 76ers have won their last two.
We already have some kind of guide between the two teams with the 76ers having won two of the three fixtures to date this season.
The form of Joel Embiid might just very well be enough to help the 76ers to victory in this game.
He had 25 points and 13 rebounds in the most recent victory over the Celtics back on January 15.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will try to combine, as they usually do, to give the Celtics the advantage.
The Celtics do boast one of the best defensive units in the league at the moment and with the 76ers missing Seth Curry, this potent Philly offence might just struggle to find a consistent way to the basket.
Going to side with the visitors to continue their brilliant streak.
Suggested Bet: Boston Celtics head to head at $1.87
cleveland @ atlanta
february 16th 11:30am
The Atlanta Hawks (26-30) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (35-22) on Wednesday in an Eastern Conference showdown.
These two teams have split the head-to-head games this season with the Cavs winning 101-95 as an eight-point dog on October 23, and the Hawks winning 121-118 as a two-point dog on New Year’s Eve.
Cleveland will be strengthened by the signing of Caris LeVert from the Indiana Pacers, while the return of Darius Garland is also another welcome addition for this game against the Hawks.
Atlanta will be looking to avoid a three-game losing streak, but will again be without John Collins.
The Hawks’ forte is in their offence.
Their three-point efficiency ranks third in the NBA with 37.3% accuracy, while averaging the ninth best score with 111.7 points-per-game.
Trae Young leads the Hawks with 27.6 points per game and 9.4 assists this season and if he can get his game going, the Hawks have to be a winning hope.
However, Cleveland has shown more than enough on the road to suggest it can get the “W” here.
Garland did not play in the three-point loss to Atlanta earlier this season and his presence will likely prove the difference here.
Suggested Bet: Cleveland -1.5 at $1.92
charlotte @ Minnesota
february 16th 12:00pm
The Charlotte Hornets take a road trip to Minneapolis before they return home to play the next three games.
The Hornets are currently going through their worst period of the NBA campaign having lost seven of their last eight.
Charlotte is gasping for air right now and looking for a way out of this rut and the Timberwolves are going to prove tough opposition.
Minnesota is in better form right now having won six of the past eight, which included a five-game winning run.
With their next four games at Target Center, it marks the perfect opportunity for the Timberwolves to entrench their playoffs spot in the Western Conference.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel for the Hornets given their run of seven wins in their last 10 away games as well their belting of the Timberwolves earlier this season.
Offensively, the Hornets are capable of outscoring anyone, which gives them a chance here.
Even though the Timberwolves deserve to be the favourites on recent form, from a betting perspective, the line does look a little overstated.
Suggested Bet: Charlotte Hornets +6.5 at $1.91
indiana @ milwaukee
february 16th 12:00pm
Milwaukee will be looking to make the most of its clash with a weakened Indiana Pacers when the two teams meet at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday afternoon.
Indiana has effectively put the white flag up on its season after trading away Caris LeVert to Cleveland, while Milwaukee strides towards a championship defence.
The Bucks have coughed up their last two fixtures thanks to an ankle injury sustained by Giannis and there is every chance he will return for this clash after being rested in the loss Portland on Tuesday.
Having lost its last six fixtures, Indiana will be looking towards the draft and developing its younger players.
If Giannis returns for this fixture, it could get ugly.
Regardless, Bucks’ management may decide to rest their star big man given how poorly Indiana is going at the moment.
They will not need him to be winning this contest.
Suggested Bet: Milwaukee Bucks -9.5 at $1.90
