The Big Apple is buzzing once again as the New York Knicks have suddenly become the hottest team in the NBA with nine wins in a row.
The Knicks will now have their sights set on extending their winning streak to double digits as they welcome the struggling Phoenix Suns to Madison Square Garden.
Elsewhere, Anthony Davis and the Lakers look to snap their losing skid against the struggling Magic, while the Wizards will also be going for their ninth straight win against the Spurs.
Atlanta Hawks @ Detroit Pistons
The high-flying Hawks remain in contention for a top-four seed in the East after an impressive 111-104 win over the Bucks last night. That was despite the continued absence of star point guard Trae Young due to an ankle injury.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has been in excellent form of late, tied a season-high with 32 points and six 3-pointers.
The Hawks will like their chances of extending their winning streak against the Pistons, who remain in last place in the East after going 0-3 in their recent road trip.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Orlando Magic
Anthony Davis is taking some time to get back to his best. The superstar big man, who has just returned from a calf injury, scored just 21 total points on 7-of-29 shooting in his first two games back against the Mavericks. The Lakers lost both games and have now dropped three games in a row.
But the NBA 2021 betting odds will heavily favour Davis and the Lakers to end their skid against the struggling Magic. Orlando have lost four games in a row and 10 of their last 11 games. Meanwhile, they will also be without head coach Steve Clifford, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Betting Tip: LA Lakers Asian Handicap -9.50 @ 1.88
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are struggling. They have now lost a season-high four games in a row after back-to-back defeats to the Bucks. Granted, Joel Embiid missed the second of the two games due to a shoulder injury and remains questionable to play against OKC.
However, Philly may not need Embiid to beat the tanking Thunder, who have now lost their last 13 games in a row and 16 of their last 17 as they remain without young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
San Antonio Spurs @ Washington Wizards
The Wizards’ remarkable winning streak continued as they beat the Cavaliers last night, 119-110. It was Washington’s eighth straight victory, their longest win streak in 20 years.
Leading scorer Bradley Beal had another impressive night with 33 points, but he suffered an ankle injury late in the game, which could affect his availability for their matchup with San Antonio.
The Spurs are in the midst of their own hot run — 4-1 in their last five — with guards DeMar DeRozan and Derrick White leading the way.
Betting Tip: San Antonio Spurs Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.02
Phoenix Suns @ New York Knicks
The Knicks’ incredible winning streak is now up to nine games after they rocked the Raptors by 17 points. Julius Randle continues to make NBA 2021 highlights with 31 points, his sixth game of 30 or more points in his last seven. Of New York’s nine wins, eight have been by eight or more points, which is quite impressive.
They now face a matchup against the Suns, who are in the midst of just their second losing streak of the season after falling to the Celtics and then the Nets last night. Jae Crowder and Dario Saric both missed the Nets game due to injury, which has left the Suns shorthanded in the frontcourt.
Betting Tip: New York Knicks Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 2.00
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Toronto Raptors
The Raptors still have a shot at the play-in tournament after going on a four-game win streak, which was recently snapped by the Knicks.
Pascal Siakam has been playing like an All-Star this month (25.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG) while OG Anunoby has scored 22 or more points in three straight games.
The Raptors will look to keep their playoff hopes alive against the struggling Cavs, who have lost their last four games away from home.
Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat
The Heat’s hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament are still very much alive after going 4-1 in their last five games. Duncan Robinson led four Heat players with 20 or more points in their close win over the Bulls last time out. Goran Dragic and Tyler Herro are still out due to their respective injuries, though
The Bulls will look to bounce back as they get another shot at the Heat. Cody White erupted with 31 points while Nikola Vucevic had 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Bulls made a late comeback. However, leading scorer Zach LaVine will still be out as he remains in the league’s health and safety protocols.
Betting Tip: Miami Heat Asian Handicap -4.50 @ 1.94
Utah Jazz @ Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves seem to have the Jazz’s number. Minnesota beat Utah 101-96 the other day, the second time they’ve topped the No. 1 team in the league. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while rookie Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell both had 23 points.
Meanwhile, Bojan Bogdanovic had 30 points for the Jazz, who are still without All-Star Donovan Mitchell due to an ankle injury.
Betting Tip: Minnesota Timberwolves Asian Handicap +9.50 @ 2.02
LA Clippers @ New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans’ hopes of making the play-in tournament are fading quickly as they’ve gone just 1-5 in their last six games. Despite the brilliance of Zion Williamson, they are still unable to pick up wins, especially when the game gets close. Of their last five losses, three have been by five points or fewer.
The Clippers will look to capitalise on the Pelicans’ woes as they seek their fifth win in a row. The Clips have continued to reel off wins despite the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who remains sidelined due to a foot injury.
Paul George has been brilliant in carrying the load in Leonard’s absence. He has scored 32 or more points in seven of his last eight games.
Betting Tip: LA Clippers Asian Handicap -3.50 @ 1.88
Memphis Grizzlies @ Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray’s absence has hardly slowed Denver down. The Nuggets are 5-1 since Murray’s season-ending knee injury, thanks in large part to MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic and rising young star Michael Porter Jr. both playing well.
However, the Nuggets will have their hands full as they take on the Grizzlies, who are coming off back-to-back wins over the Blazers. Ja Morant starred with 61 points over the two games.
Morant also had 36 points and 12 assists as the Grizzlies pushed Denver to double overtime in their last meeting a few games ago. But the Nuggets still came out on top 139-137 thanks to Jokic’s 47 points.
Betting Tip: Denver Nuggets Asian Handicap -4.50 @ 1.88
Dallas Mavericks @ Sacramento Kings
The Kings lost their first game for the foreseeable future without point guard De’Aaron Fox (health and safety protocols) last night to the Warriors. Buddy Hield led the way with 25 points while rookie Tyrese Haliburton added 24 points and eight assists while starting at point guard, but it wasn’t enough as Curry and the Warriors won, 117-113.
The Kings will have another tough battle on their hands as they face the Mavericks, who have won three in a row, including back-to-back games against the Lakers. Kristaps Porzingis missed the second game against LA with an ankle sprain, but Dwight Powell had 25 points in his place.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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