NBA Preview: Boxing Day Edition

3 years ago - Sportingbase

A day after an exciting day of Christmas action, it is time to focus on Boxing Day action. Here are three games worth placing a bet on.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Miami Heat–7:30 PM ET

This game features two teams with the same record. Both Minnesota and Miami are at 16 wins and 17 losses. However, it is the Timberwolves that have one of the game’s brightest stars in Anthony Edwards, who had 37 points in a 150-126 win over the Chicago Bulls just over a week ago. The Heat are on a two-game losing streak having lost 113-103 to the Bulls on December 20, and 111-108 to the Indiana Pacers on December 23.

Our Pick:

Minnesota seems to be playing with more energy at the moment. In addition to their 24-point win over Chicago on December 18, the Timberwolves had a solid 116-106 won over the Dallas Mavericks on December 19, which defied logic as it was on the second game of a back-to-back. The Timberwolves also beat the Heat 105-101 in their prior meeting this season on November 21. Even though Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns remains out with a right calf sprain, I still like Minnesota here at +4. I also like the under of 221.5. That line is 15.5 points more than the 206 points scored between Minnesota and Miami a month ago.

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Indiana Pacers @ New Orleans Pelicans–8 PM ET

Both of these teams are above .500. The Pelicans are at 20 wins and 12 losses, and only trail the Denver Nuggets by one game for first place in the Western Conference. The Pacers are at 17 wins and 16 losses, and are tied with the Atlanta Hawks for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Our Pick:

I liked the New Orleans Pelicans a lot at the beginning of the year. I like them even more now. Zion Williamson is becoming a superstar in the making (averaging 25.2 points per game). The Pelicans are worth taking at the 2.5 point spread because of their excellence this season at home, where they are 13-4 this year. The line is at 234.5. Take the over here as New Orleans has been involved in games with 240 or more points in their last three games.

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Charlotte Hornets @ Portland Trail Blazers–10 PM ET

The Trail Blazers are 17-16 and losers of three straight. They face a Hornets squad that is second worst in the East at nine wins and 24 losses.

Our Pick:

The Trail Blazers are the team to pick here. They are a 5.5 point favourite. In Portland’s last win over a weak NBA opponent at home, they defeated the Houston Rockets 107-95 on December 15. The line is 237.5 points, which seems outrageously high. Only one of Portland’s last four games, have teams combined to score 238 points or more.

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