The cream of the crop is taking to the court in a jam-packed slate of NBA this Wednesday. BetDeluxe profiles all five games.
Cavaliers vs. Heat
1st February 11:00am
Cleveland claimed their second big scalp in eight days when they routed the LA Clippers 122-99. The Cavs – who have won three of the past five – backed up their victory over the Bucks with a dominant display against a Clippers side on the backup and missing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Donovan Mitchell returned to the Cavs’ line-up after missing two with a groin issue, while Cedi Osman was the standout with 7/7 from beyond the arc and a match-high 29 points.
They’ll face a Heat side who snapped a three-game winning streak with a 122-117 loss to the Hornets. Since missing the Celtics game, Jimmy Butler has returned with scores of 28 and 29.
Cleveland has the best home record in the East at 21-5 and will be looking to extend that and cement fifth spot on the table.
Suggested Bet: Cleveland to win at $1.48
Knicks vs. Lakers
1st February 11:30AM
Sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks will be looking to validate market support and cement their spot in the playoff picture.
They’re coming off a 122-115 loss to the Nets on Sunday but will be buoyed by the consistently high-class performances of Jalen Brunson (26 points) and Julius Randle (19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.)
The Lakers will be in the second half of a back-to-back double after playing the Nets on Tuesday.
They’ve won two of their last three against the Knicks, but the two teams are currently operating at two different levels.
Suggested Bet: Half-Time/Full-Time – New York/New York at $2.30
Bulls vs. Clippers
1st February 12PM
The Clippers will be looking to bounce back against the Bulls after their blowout loss to the Cavaliers.
While missing Leonard and George, the Clippers were at sea without their two stars. Brandon Boston Jr. did his utmost off the bench with 24, but they’ll certainly welcome back George and his 23.5 points, six rebounds and 5.3 assists a game.
It won’t be easy against a Bulls unit charging towards a playoff spot with four wins from their past six games. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine dropped 32 each in the Bulls’ 128-109 win over the Magic on Sunday, with DeMar averaging 29 in his five games since returning from injury.
It’s hard to see the Clippers dropping another one, but a lot will depend on the inclusions of Leonard and George.
Suggested Bet: LA Clippers to win at $1.62
Bucks vs. Hornets
1st February 12PM
Giannis is back, and it couldn’t be much scarier for opposition teams.
The Greek Freak has led the Bucks to four consecutive wins since returning to the line-up, including a 50-point massacre of the Pelicans on Monday. The former MVP was unstoppable in his side’s 135-110 demolition job, and he now has consecutive scores of 29, 33, 41 and 50.
To their credit, the East’s 14th-placed Hornets have won two games on the trot following their 122-117 triumph over the Heat. Terry Rozier stood out with 31 points, seven assists and six boards.
As much as we love the Hornets’ current form, the Bucks should be too strong in this one.
Suggested Bet: Half-Time/Full-Time – Milwaukee/Milwaukee at $1.42
Nuggets vs. Pelicans
1st February 2PM
The Denver Nuggets will be looking to end a two-game losing streak when they clash with the Pelicans in the late game.
Although still sitting comfortably atop the Western Conference, the Nuggets had no answer for Joel Embiid (47 points and 18 rebounds) in their 126-119 loss. Nikola Jokic fought valiantly with 24 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, while Jamal Murray scored 22.
The Pelicans have their own concerns after proving no match for the Bucks and going down 135-110. The positive to come out of the game was that seven players scored in double figures.
Suggested Bet: Denver to win at $1.29
