Orlando and Minnesota start off the Saturday NBA preview.
As always, the BetDeluxe NBA has been hard at work and has found the bets you need to be with this weekend.
minnesota @ orlando
march 12th 11:00am
The Minnesota Timberwolves (38-29) head on the road to meet the Orlando Magic (17-50) in an inter-conference bout on Saturday morning from Amway Center.
The Timberwolves posted a home win against the Thunder in their previous action, while the Magic tallied up a road win over New Orleans last time out.
In what is the first game between these teams, the Timberwolves have been installed as the -6.5 favourites.
Minnesota’s offence should have no trouble posting a big score in this game given it is leading scoring per game in the NBA this season and that is where the Magic’s downfall comes to play.
Orlando is ranked 28th for points scored per game, and, while it has been okay defensively of late, the lack of scoring power is what is going to hurt here.
Timberwolves should collect the “W” as well as covering the spread.
Suggested Bet: Minnesota Timberwolves -6.5 at $1.92
la clippers @ atlanta
march 12th 12:30pm
The Los Angeles Clippers head out on a three-game road trip starting on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Clippers slashed a mini two-game slide in a 115-109 home win over the Wizards last time out to cover the 3.5 point spread, while the Hawks battled hard but eventually fell 124-115 against Milwaukee.
Overall, it’s been a bloody rough season for the Clippers due to injuries, but they have been so brave and resilient in the face of adversity.
Reggie Jackson has held the ship steady in time of needs and will play a pivotal role in this contest.
The veteran point guard has now hit 30 points in two out of his last four games and will attempt to match it with Trae Young who, despite having some huge games, has failed to really reach the heights of last season.
Every time you think the Clippers deserve to be underdogs and are written off, they come back to bite you.
Going to keep them safe here and take them to cover the spread.
Suggested Bet: LA Clippers +5.5 at $1.93
charlotte @ new orleans
march 12th 12:00pm
The Charlotte Hornets are on the road as they make the trip to face the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night.
Both teams will be fighting feverishly to stay in their respective playoff pictures and are looking to rebound off recent losses.
Charlotte comes in off a 115-101 home loss to Boston in their most recent contest, while New Orleans was dropped 108-102 at home by Orlando in their most recent outing.
The Hornets might have the slight advantage in this contest with CJ McCollum (COVID Protocols) and Brandon Ingram (hamstring) set to miss the contest.
Charlotte needs to tighten up defensively if it is to take a meaningful result out of this match.
They have constantly made bang average teams look like stars on the offensive end and it needs to stop if they wish to make the playoffs.
While the Pelicans will be without their two scoring machines, there is still a high possibility Jonas Valanciunas will have a big game inside the key.
New Orleans is where the money has to go.
Suggested Bet: New Orleans head to head at $2.02
new york @ memphis
march 12th 12:00pm
Four wins in a row are on offer for the New York Knicks when they travel over to Memphis to face Ja Morant and his Grizzlies.
The Knicks will need to get a serious wriggle on if they are to to put themselves in the post-season picture.
They are 12th in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, 10.5 games behind Cleveland for the final guaranteed playoff spot and 3.5 games behind Atlanta for the final spot in the play-in tournament field.
A match-up against Morant and crew will not exactly be easy pickings for the Nicks even if they come into this clash off a big win against Dallas.
This going to be a true test of the Knicks’ depth with injuries to Derrick Rose, Nerlens Noel, Cam Reddish and Obi Toppin.
New York, simply put, just does not have the weapons to run with Memphis offensively and Tom Thibodeau will need to produce a masterpiece on the defensive end given the plight of injuries his team is dealing with.
Morant to run amuck and lead Memphis to a home win.
Suggested Bet: Memphis Grizzlies -9.5 at $1.91
