NBA Sunday Recap Feb 7, 2022
The league's superstars stood the tallest
The NBA’s best shone brightest Sunday, where individual achievements-and wagering favorites-ruled the day.
Standing out was Denver’s Nikola Jokic, whose triple-double (27 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) sent the reeling Brooklyn Nets to their eighth loss in a row. Brooklyn’s without most of its starting roster, but Kyrie Irving gave the Nets a boost with 27 points. However, it wasn’t enough as Jovic and the Denver Nuggets put on a clinic to win, 124-104, and cover the -8 spread comfortably.
There was Joel Embiid, who continues to deliver for the Philadelphia 76ers. Embiid had 40 points and 10 rebounds in the 119-108 win over the Chicago Bulls, who are without Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine. The 76ers covered as -4 favorites and, after a combined 57 points in the fourth quarter, so did the over at 219½.
The sportsbook had the Minnesota Timberwolves at -12½, and they covered by the skin of their teeth, 118-105, against the Detroit Pistons. A 35-point final quarter from the Timberwolves sealed the deal, which was a welcome relief for those who gave the points. Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double as home side improved to 28-25.
Despite being down, 27-12, after the opening quarter, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers going away, 98-85, covering the -7 spread. The Pacers enhanced their reputation of blowing big leads. Indiana was seven points ahead after three quarters, but a 37-17 fourth-quarter advantage for the Cavaliers turned the game on its head.
Success for the Eastern Conference teams continued when the Boston Celtics covered–by 23½ points–against the Orlando Magic. Boston has been playing better over the last couple of weeks, and bettors have taken notice. The 215 total went under, with anemic Orlando on the short end of a lopsided 116-83 final score.
Betting online markets had the Dallas Mavericks as +1½ underdogs at home, but despite Luka Doncic sitting on the sidelines for 20 minutes, they prevailed, 103-94, over the Atlanta Hawks. Doncic’s five fouls midway through the third quarter forced his absence, but he returned to land a triple-double.
“There’s a bigger picture,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told ESPN. “It can happen in the playoffs, it can happen in Game 7. Everybody has to be ready. There’s no guarantee Luka’s not going to get four or five fouls. It was a teaching moment for our team.”
Champion Milwaukee has gone under the radar, but the Bucks made a statement in beating the Los Angeles Clippers, 137-113. NBA betting odds had the Bucks as -4½ favorites, which was covered easily. Jrue Holiday had 27 points and 13 assists as the 226½ total soared over by 23½ points.
It wasn’t the most anticipated game of the day, but the New Orleans Pelicans did the job done against the Houston Rockets. The Rockets have caused some popular teams some problems recently, but they were no match for the Pelicans. Houston failed to cover the +6½ spread after Brandon Ingram dropped 33 points. The teams conclude their home-and-home series Tuesday night in the Crescent City.
