Early NBA Betting Analysis for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

  • By Dan Besbris

    Last Updated on February 3, 2021 6:18 pm by Dan Besbris | Published: February 3, 2021

    I had the wild notion to flat bet all 6 games yesterday and went 3-3. Hah. Not about to do that on a 10-gamer, are we?

    #Pacers @ #Bucks (-8.5) (231.5)

    I handicapped this game last, interestingly, waiting on the Pacers to see how they looked against the Grizz. And they looked good. But this is certainly a larger test, and while I do think Indiana considers this a game to test their level of play, the Bucks are in ‘angry’ mode and I’m not sure I want to deal with that, even with such a big number on the board. Pass.

    #Sixers (-7) @ #Hornets (223.5)

    Joel Embiid is questionable but sounds like he’s likely to give it a go. The Hornets are hot again largely due to LaMelo Ball kicking it back into high gear, but could be without Rozier and PJ Washington. This will come down to the number, but I’m feeling like, absent some key angles, the line might be pretty tight.

    #Clippers (-9) @ #Cavaliers (219)

    This has the makings of a potential letdown spot or a potential anger-management spot for the Clips, depending on how their game with the Nets goes. The Cavs have been slumping a bit and Drummond and Nance are both questionable. Drummond, for all his warts, is one of the very rare spots the Cavs might have an edge. Not his offense, the glass. He’s pretty important for this handicap. After their loss last night, fading the Clippers is a bit of a scary proposition, but you can bet the Cavs will be more up for this game than LA, even off a defeat.

    #Wizards @ #Heat (-9.5) (227.5)

    Again, it’s important to know if Washington is still having fun or if the wheels came right back off. Keep a close watch on body language in the Wizards game against Portland and you’ll have an idea of what to expect here. Russell Westbrook may sit this out on the back-to-back, too. Confirmed: he’s out. And I actually don’t mind that, though the Wizards body language stinks and they can’t defend anything. If you think they can backdoor it, go for it, but that’s tough.

    #Mavericks (-2) @ #Hawks (223)

    Is someone out that I didn’t notice? How are the Mavs laying points on the road against a competent opponent with as poorly as they’ve played? This line feels insanely trappy but Dallas is also a pretty public team this year thanks to the Duka for MVP action. I feel like I need more info. Do we think the Hawks are in a letdown spot off their loss to the Lakers? I just don’t see it.

    #Rockets (-6.5) @ #Thunder (222.5)

    The Rockets are rolling and just obliterated Oklahoma City by many double digits two days back. No John Wall for this one, so that’s something, but the Thunder are spiraling and I have no idea if the revenge angle is worth enough to overcome the Rockets heater. We also learned later on that SGA is out, boosting the line up from 4ish to 7ish. I’d lean Thunder even with Houston playing well, as this has the makings of a ragged game where Houston moves in front by 10 and the Thunder lose by 5-6 at the end.

    #Knicks @ #Bulls (-2.5) (216.5)

    See, now this one feels different than the Rockets/Thunder rematch. These two teams are more evenly matched, and Chicago just outgunned New York in the first meeting. A split seems quite possible, and I feel pretty comfortable in suggesting the Knicks will do what they can to make Lauri Markkanen less cozy, earlier.

    #Wolves @ #Spurs (-8.5) (223.5)

    LaMarcus Aldridge is already out and that might actually help the Spurs since they can go younger and more athletic. Jakob Poeltl isn’t exactly a world-beater, but he’ll certainly rebound better than LMA. Still, the Spurs look unhappy right now and the Wolves seem a bit more pleased and competitive. I think I have to lean to Minnesota catching too many points off their grotesque run of both SU and ATS futility 2 weeks ago.

    #Suns (-3.5) @ #Pelicans (223.5)

    I’m not really sure how you back the Pels right now. They’re a bonafide mess, performing poorly in crunch time and lacking defensive identity. The Suns got the nice sweep over Dallas and seem to be gelling a bit under Chris Paul’s control. I see them getting better every week, but still with some big chemistry issues to work through.

    #Celtics (-2) @ #Kings (225)

    First game back home for Sacramento off a strong road trip. I love how well they’re playing but the starters went HUGE minutes on the road and this is a trademark egg-laying spot. Lean Celtics though they, too, had to play pretty heavy minutes in their last game just down I-80 last night. Maybe the Under is the play.

     

    February 3, 2021, 2:12 pm

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