Friday Night NBA Excitement
Thursday night may have been a quiet night in the NBA, with just four games going, but there was plenty of great action to look out for. The Bulls showed that they have great strength this season, going to Toronto and defeating a buoyant Raptors team by a score of 93-100. The 76ers were no so successful on the road, losing 123-70 to the Mavericks. This was a massive margin of victory, and one which the Dallas faithful loved.
If that was a huge win for the Mavericks, there was a narrow win for the Grizzlies. They celebrated a 111-110 win over the Sacramento Kings, ensuring that Thursday night in the NBA served up something for everyone. The final game of the evening saw the Warriors grab a 107-99 win over the Nets.
Don’t forget to have a look at our free NBA tip of the day!
Cleveland Cavaliers @Boston Celtics
The Cavs come into this with a 3-3 record, not quite the Brave New Dawn that many were expecting or hoping for while the Celtics hold a 3-4 record. However, with a home win under their belt, the Cavs will be feeling a lot more confident and this game will also see David Blatt, coach of the Cavs, returning to Boston. With James picking up a triple-double (even though the NBA would later take away an assist leaving him with just 9) in that 118-111 win against the Pelicans on Monday, things may be starting to fall into place for the Cavaliers. James earned 32 points, 11 boards and 9 assists while Kyrie Irving helped himself to 32 points in the high scoring match.
The Celtics lost at home to the Thunder on Wednesday night although the 94-109 did at least see the bright spot of Rajon Rondo grabbing 20 points, a best for the team, and 12 assists. The Celtics couldn’t call on Marcus Thomson due to an ankle injury and it is likely that Marcus Smart will be absent for a few weeks. Dion Waiters could return against the Cavs though, which will be a welcome boost for the home side.
This is the game where the Cavs will need to step up and show their form if people are going to take them seriously this season and with this in mind, the Cavs at odds of 1.90 while sitting at -5.5 has to be seen as a good bet. If you are looking for the Over/Under market, Over 213.5 at odds of 1.90 has to be seen as a positive thing. Bet Now!
Charlotte Hornets @ Phoenix Suns
The Hornets are 3-5 while the Suns sit on a 5-3 record and you would think that there will be a 6th win of the campaign for the Phoenix side tonight.
Isaiah Thomas and Gerald Green are showing some good form and the home team will be looking to grab a sixth consecutive win over the Hornets, who will be looking to avoid yet another loss on the road. With Thomas and Green grabbing 49 points between them in the win over the Nets on Wednesday night, coming on the back of a 107-95 win over the Warriors, there is a bit of positivity about these players, and the Suns in general at the moment. This has to be seen as a good thing, and something which may well see the team coming into this match with a high level of confidence.
The Hornets are in the process of a four game road trek but given that they had already lost two of these games, including one to the previously winless Los Angeles Lakers, they may be looking to heading back to Charlotte as quickly as they can. When you think that the Hornets blew a 23 point lead in the game against Portland, this is definitely a grim state of affairs at the moment for the team.
Al Jefferson has been in fine form of late, hitting 20 points for 6 games in a row and Lance Stephenson has managed to contribute 50 rebounds in his last 4 games. The Hornets are likely to be without Marvin Williams due to tendonitis.
You have to fancy the Suns and odds of 1.90 for the Suns at -5 are well worth checking out. If you fancy the Over/Under market, odds of 1.90 for Over 202.5 points is the way to go. Bet Now!
Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks
The Heat are 5-3 and the Hawks are 4-3 so both teams have enjoyed some success this season.
The Heat have been helped by the great form of Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade while the success of the Hawks start to the season has been their solid defence. The Heat suffered a painful 81-75 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday, a points total that was the Heat’s lowest in a regular season home game since February 2010. The Hawks had a narrow 100-97 match against the Jazz on Wednesday night, and this may have been an indicator that the Atlanta side is starting to tighten up at the back. Kyle Korver was a big player on Wednesday, grabbing 17 points and 10 rebounds, and he will have to be on form if the Hawks want to taste success against Miami.
It is likely to be a close match but the odds of the Heat at 1.90 while standing at +2.5 are well worth checking out. Anyone keen to find the Over/Under market will find value in the Over 194 bet at odds of 1.90. Bet Now!
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