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.
Trailblazers vs. Nets
18th November 2:00pM
With four wins from its past five games, Portland is sitting pretty atop the western conference rankings. It may not have the fanfare of some of its contemporaries, but it has the consistency and the evenness to continue to do damage.
Once so dependent on Damian Lillard, the Trailblazers have spread the load, and some big performances from Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe have them sitting much higher than many anticipated.
It is, of course, the complete opposite for the trainwreck Brooklyn team, whose season continues to plummet from bad to worse after a drubbing at the hands of Sacramento on Wednesday.
They conceded an astonishing 153 points to the Kings, with poor communication and collaboration the theme of the night. One of the few positives was Ben Simmons, who came off the bench to post his highest score in more than 500 days when he posted 11 points. But 11 points will not make much of a difference when the opposition is cracking 150, and the Blazers won’t be too fussed by any of that.
Suggested Bet: Portland win at $1.71
Kings vs. Spurs
18th November 2:00PM
What might have been dismissed as a meeting of two of the league’s also-rans now has an edge after Sacramento pulverised Brooklyn to win its fourth game straight.
The Kings are living up to their billing as one of the NBA’s potential most-improved teams this season and could well be in playoff contention before we know it.
Domantas Sabonis is in the top 10 on the list of rebounds per game, while an even mix of scorers makes them a difficult matchup.
The Spurs have played above expectations this season but have hit a bit of a slump after a solid start to the season. They’ve lost seven of their past eight games and are sorely missing point guard Tre Jones who is a chance to return here. If he can get things moving and spot up Jakob Poetl in the paint, they may have a chance, but it’s slim against a genuine in-form team of the league.
Suggested Bet: Sacramento to win at $1.34
LA Clippers vs. Pistons
18th November 2:30PM
It’s been a mixed bag for the Clippers this year after going into the season with talk of one of the title contenders. Persistent injury problems to Kawhi Leonard and a record just above .500 have meant more disappointment and frustration.
Leonard should be back in the line-up for this after missing several games through knee soreness. That will be welcome news for the team who go against a Pistons side at the bottom of the East, having won just one of their past seven games. Compounding Detroit’s woes is the news that centre Isaiah Stewart will miss two to three weeks through injury, joining Cade Cunningham on the sidelines. Expect LA to seize their chance and win comprehensively here.
Suggested Bet: Los Angeles Clippers to win at $1.17
