NBA betting tips: Grizzlies to stifle LA Lakers, Boston Celtics clash with Warriors
We are massive fans of US sports here at Sports News Blitz, and have added George Dempsey to the editorial team so he can pick out some NBA betting tips each week.
George is a sports writer who focuses on football, NBA, NFL and more. He has nearly 15 years of experience in the betting industry including working for Tipstrr, SBC, private clients, and syndicates - so knows what he’s talking about.
Let’s get on with it shall we…
Action-packed month
November is an action-packed month on the hardcourt, with the NBA Cup flanked by Turkey Day (Thanksgiving) later this month and a couple of choc-full fixture lists, starting with Wednesday’s hump day schedule.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the early pacesetters with eight wins from eight so far, while the Thunder are rumbling on out West with a perfect 7-0 record.
The rebuilding Golden State Warriors have gone under the radar at 6-1, with Steph Curry and co set to face Jayson Tatum’s Boston Celtics, who are sitting pretty at 7-1, on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers do battle with the injury-hit Memphis Grizzlies, and Miami Heat face the red-hot Phoenix Suns in a cross-Conference clash.
READ MORE: Bronny James scores first NBA points in Cleveland as father LeBron watches on
Boston Celtics @ Golden State Warriors
There’s no doubt this is the headline on Wednesday night. Without a doubt the best team in the NBA over the past 24 months, the Celtics face the Warriors.
Steph Curry may be the only big name left in the hosts’ ranks, but a solid team effort on defence has carried them to a 6-1 start.
Their 102.1 rating is bettered only by the indescribably mean OKC Thunder defence, with the next best, the Orlando Magic, way behind them at 107.5.
Still, the Celtics aren’t bad. They’re holding teams to 108.5ppg on home court, and outscoring teams by double digits across the season.
On the other hand, let’s acknowledge they’ve played an easy schedule. The combined record of the teams they’ve played is 17-34. They’ve only played losing teams.
Part of that is down to the fact few teams in the Eastern Conference have found their feet early on, yet they’ve still only gone 5-3 ATS.
Another notable trend is we’ve seen six games assigned a total in the 230 to 235-point range, with five of those dipping under.
The Warriors don’t win this game by playing at pace and allowing the Celtics to find space on the floor. Both sides rank in the middle of the pack for pace, and the visitors will be happy to slow this one down and disrupt Boston’s rhythm when necessary.
Suggested bets: Warriors +7.5 / Under 230.5 points
LA Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies
James and Co reeled off three wins to start the season, but we weren’t buying what they were selling. Since then, they’ve fallen to 4-3, most recently losing 115-103 to the Pistons.
Memphis were terrible last season due to injuries alone and they’ve been priced as a terrible team this season. Injuries again are a factor, as they sit at 4-4 on the season.
Those factors combined mean the bookmakers continue to price them as a team that aren’t that capable, but this is a potentially top defence going up against a poor defence.
The Lakers are allowing 122.67ppg in road contests, whilst Memphis, who can certainly score with Ja Morant back on the floor, are allowing 113.75 at home.
The Lakers are not a team that fares well as an underdog, as evidenced by a 15-21 record when the opposition was favoured last season.
We also have to remember just how much better the Lakers were on defence when Jarred Vanderbilt arrived, so his absence is also a consideration.
Suggested bet: Memphis Grizzlies -1
