There are just 16 days left in the regular season in the NBA. Usually we have a lot more excitement and drama regarding who is in and who is out of the playoffs, but there has been a clear pecking order of teams since the All-Star Break. We have known who the playoff teams will be for a while now, and we are starting to get a pretty clear picture of the seeding too. There is still a lot to be determined during this time, but there is certainly value if you know where to look.
NBA Opening Lines at BookMaker.eu
Orlando Magic +2 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers have not been a good road team this year. Philadelphia is 18-17 on the road, and the 76ers just lost a very winnable road game against Atlanta on Saturday. They are very likely to be the No. 3 seed, so there isn’t as much of a motivating factor for them here as there is for Orlando.
Orlando’s playoff hopes are on the line at the moment. The team is just a game behind Miami for the Southeast Division title and a postseason berth, and the Magic have been playing great basketball. They have won four straight at home, winning three of those four games by double digits.
Nikola Vucevic has been great during this run. Vucevic is averaging a double-double this season, and he can get Joel Embiid into bad positions.
Oklahoma City Thunder -5.5 at Memphis Grizzlies
This is likely to be the most popular play of the day, but it doesn’t mean it’s the wrong choice. Oklahoma City is slumping, posting a 4-6 record in its last 10 games. That has led to the Thunder taking a tumble down the Western Conference standings, and now they need to start winning to avoid very unfavorable match-ups in the first round of the playoffs.
Memphis has been a tough team to beat all season, and the Grizz are still trying hard. They are 6-6 over their last 12 with multiple wins at home over playoff teams, but this is a Thunder team that has had two days of rest following their win over the Raptors in Toronto.
Injuries are one of the main reasons why I like Oklahoma City here. The Thunder have their full contingent available, while the Grizzlies don’t have Dillon Brooks, CJ Miles, Avery Bradley, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Kyle Anderson. They might be without Joakim Noah too, and this team could be ready to pack it in with so many guys banged up.
Under 217.5 in Utah vs Phoenix
Both prior meetings between these teams went under this number, and I think it’s very likely we see a similar game. Utah has the best defense in the NBA with Rudy Gobert patrolling the paint and not allowing easy buckets, and he will be able to shut down DeAndre Ayton.
Phoenix seems like its ready to call it a year. In their last three games, the Suns have scored 101, 98, and 103 points, and they played mediocre defenses in each of those games.
Portland Trail Blazers -6.5 vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are ready to be home. Brooklyn has been on an extended two-week road trip, and this will be their sixth game since heading out on the West Coast. They have had plenty of rest along the way, but the rigors of the road eventually wear on you, and Portland should get the better of them even without CJ McCollum.
Portland has won four straight home games, and this is its last home game before heading on a road trip of its own. Damian Lillard has been insane lately, and the Blazers know they need another win since they have just three home games left after this one.
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