Anything can and has happened so far this NBA season. BetDeluxe looks at four key games to see where the next surprise is coming from.
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies
16th November 11:30AM
New Orleans had one of the great get-out-of-jail games over the weekend, with Houston completely throwing away its lead to hand the Pelicans a win.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram led the way, but bench player Jose Alvarado stepped up to secure the win late.
The Pelicans find themselves mid-range in the west and have all the potential in the world, but they can’t afford another slow start against Memphis this week.
Ja Morant is in a purple patch of form and is one of the toughest match-ups getting around, while Desmond Baine is a more than capable support act, lifting his performance this season to be right in contention for a potential All-Star birth. Grizzlies to take this.
Suggested Bet: Memphis to win at $2.12
Mavericks vs. Clippers
16th November 12:30PM
Dallas could easily be dismissed as a one-man show this year, and why not when that one-man is the unbeatable Luca Doncic? Doncic is having the best season of his glittering, young career and is a key reason the Mavs sit near the top of the table.
But while he is the primary playmaker for his team, his teammates are increasing their roles and playing deciding factors in several tight games they have had so far. Spencer Dinwiddie and Christian Wood are providing plenty of headaches and will be trouble once again here. They are coming up against a team they have caused a few headaches for in recent times in the LA Clippers, and there is no reason that can’t be repeated here.
Paul George has led the team relatively well this season, but the lack of continuity from Kawhi Leonard continues to be a significant issue. The Clippers haven’t been terrible, but they have been below their best this season and are unlikely to turn it around against the Mavs.
Suggested Bet: Dallas -6.5 at $1.84
Jazz vs. Knicks
16th November 1:00PM
Utah remains a surprise packet of season 2022-23, sitting atop the western conference despite losing some big names since last year.
The recent loss to Philadelphia put them in their place a little, and the next month will be a real litmus test for them. Lauri Markannen has been an unlikely hero for the Jazz in the first part of the season, as has Malik Beasley.
The Knicks have been perennial cellar-dwellers for years now, and this season looks no different. Their record sits around .500 so far, and the odd glimpse of promise quickly returns to earth. They play a free-flowing brand of basketball that often results in some high-scoring games but unfortunately, their defence lets that be the case both ways.
Expect Cam Reddish and Julius Randle to be tallying them up on the scorer’s table, but it would be a stretch to think those efforts are guaranteed to bring a win.
Suggested Bet: Utah -4 at $1.92
Kings vs. Nets
16th November 2:00PM
This is a contrasting tale of reputations and scrutiny, with the underperforming Nets up against the promising but off-the-radar Kings.
Brooklyn suffered the ignominy of a loss to the lowly Lakers recently. Ben Simmons has missed a chunk of games lately with a knee injury, his new setback. This again leaves too much to Kevin Durant, who also has to deal with Kyrie Irving still serving a suspension. Things aren’t going swimmingly in Brooklyn, and the confidence booster they need may not be on the way here.
Sacramento has won its last three games, most recently toppling the once-invincible Golden State. They’ve got a 6-6 record, with some expecting them to break into the playoffs finally. To do that, they need continued improvement from De’Aron Fox, while Domantas Sabonis is simply dominating on the boards, collecting 22 rebounds against the Warriors. They should continue their winning ways here.
Suggested Bet: Same game multi
Leg 1: Sacramento -1.5
Leg 2: Total score over 224.5
Total: $3.60
