Best NBA Bets for Lakers vs. 76ers and Bucks vs. Trail Blazers
Los Angeles Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers Betting Analysis
After listening to BetUS hoops handicapper Sean dissect this East Coast/West Coast matchup and determine the 76ers are worthy of inclusion in one of his NBA picks and predictions tonight, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that Philly is a live home dog in this spot.
These teams have met only once this season, back on November 8th, when the Lakers claimed a 116-106 decision and covered the number as 7 ½ point home chalk. However, the venue has shifted to the Wells Fargo Center, and the Sixers could be riffing off that dominating Eagles victory in the AFC Championship only two days ago. Sure, different sports but the same town, and winning is contagious, so don’t discount it.
Nevertheless, there’s more to it than that, and I will point to Philly’s stunning 132-129 upset of the Cavaliers on Friday followed by an impressive 12-point win over the Bulls on Saturday. The Sixers have had three days to rest for Showtime coming to the City of Brotherly Love, and we should note the Lakers are not only on the third leg of a six-game road trip but are on the second leg of back-to-backs after defeating the Hornets in Charlotte last night.
The Lakers will come outgassed, and the Sixers have strung together a pair of impressive wins. Yes, the 76ers are still racked by injuries, but they have Kyle Lowry back, while the Lakers could be without the services of power forward Rui Hachimura, who missed last night’s game with a calf injury.
Let’s watch the Sixers keep this one within the margins and back them in our NBA picks today.
Pick: 76ers +5 ½ (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks vs Portland Trail Blazers Betting Analysis
It’s always good when the moon and stars align and two of our resident BetUS cappers are on the same side in their NBA spread picks. In this case, both Alex and Sean are betting on the Trail Blazers getting points at home, and it’s not difficult to see why.
The last three times these teams have tipped off against each other, Portland has covered the number in all three as double-digit dogs and won the last two straight up, including a 105-102 victory over the Bucks as 11 ½ point underdogs in Milwaukee on January 4th.
The Trail Blazers are a dog that bites back at home, having gone 11-8 against the number this year as home hounds, and are getting the Bucks on the second leg of back-to-back contests after Milwaukee defeated the lowly Jazz, 125-110, in Utah last night.
If you don’t think Portland coach Chauncey Billups will be managing the minutes of his two major stars, Giannis and Damian Lillard, who logged 37 and 41 minutes last night, respectively, then you don’t know today’s NBA.
