Kick off another jam-packed NBA Saturday with our tips and best bets as Ryan Cook zeroes in on three games, including a huge cross-conference showdown between the Grizzlies and Cavs.
Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics
9:10am, Kaseya Garden
Another day, another long list of names on the injury report for Boston. After losing to the Thunder on Thursday, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown remain day to day with respective ailments, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies from installing the Celtics as firm –7.5 favourites. With those names potentially out, you might be tempted to play on Miami, but keep in mind the Heat have lost nine of their last 10 to Boston and currently find themselves in the middle of a five-game losing skid. For the Celtics, this is the first half of a back to back before traveling to Brooklyn on Sunday. Since November, they’ve won eight of their 10 games in this spot and have covered in three of their last five.
Tip: Back the Celtics to Cover the Line (-7.5 Points)
Memphis Grizzlies vs Cleveland Cavaliers
10:10am, FedEx Forum
These games against non-conference opponents have been incredibly profitable when it comes to betting the Cavs this year. Kenny Atkinson’s side has covered in 14 from 20 so far, not to be outdone by Memphis, who have gone 17-8 overall. Jaren Jackson Jr’s absence hurts Memphis, but it’s balanced out by Donovan Mitchell missing this game with a groin injury. These two sides have seen over 76% of their games against non-conference foes fall Over the Total this year, so with those two key names missing, I think a high-scoring game is the way to play it.
Tip: Over 244.5 Total Points
Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers
11:30am, Ball Arena
The Lakers were blown out by the Bucks last night in Milwaukee, setting up a difficult road trip on short rest in Denver on Saturday. Los Angeles has been a profitable team to bet on in the second game of a back to back, but as well know, the Nuggets have held their number for the better part of two seasons now. To their credit, the Lakers won 123-100 when these two sides met last month in a rare off night from big man Nikola Jokic. At home again though with LeBron already ruled out, this shapes as a tough assignment for the visitors.
Tip: Back the Nuggets to Cover the Line