The NBA slate for Thursday features just four games but there are some postseason contenders in action — such as the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards. Many teams will also be back in action for the second consecutive night.
The Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers will return to the court after playing on Wednesday night. Will this impact their play and make them good teams to fade? Here are three potential bets that should be looked into on Thursday night.
New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets
The Knicks remain a favorite in this game but the line is beginning to come down a bit. It has crept under five after opening up around seven. New York will be without RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin as they remain out due to health and safety protocols. Houston saw many big players miss Wednesday’s game, such as Eric Gordon, Jalen, Green, and Christian Wood.
Gordon is supposed to return for the second game of a back-to-back. The loss of Wood is a tough one to overcome for Houston. He does plenty on both ends of the floor for the Rockets.
These two teams met before and it was a seven-point win for the Knicks. This was a game where both Wood and Green were able to get comfortable early. It will be difficult without them.
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The Knicks are not playing good ball recently. They have struggled in recent weeks as their offseason move do not seem to be panning out. Regardless, they are facing a depleted Rockets’ team that was not that good to begin with. If the Knicks lose this one, there will be some real panic in the Big Apple.
As the line continues to go down, jump on the Knicks. This is a game where they can win by double-digits.
Pick: Knicks -4.5
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets had just eight players on Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors. It was an overtime victory for the Nets and Kevin Durant proved that he is the best of the best with a triple-double. David Duke and Kessler Edwards stepped up with double-doubles as well.
This matchup will be about the same against the Sixers. The Nets will have nine players available after signing Langston Galloway to a 10-day hardship exception contract.
It will not be easy for the Nets but they proved that they can win games led by Durant. The Sixers are not playing their best ball as they take the short trip to the Barclays Center.
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The Sixers are playing on back-to-back nights after being defeated by the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Philadelphia has not performed well in these games going 1-2 on the season and allowing 114.4 points per game. They are the more healthy team coming into this game but that does not always mean that it will go their way.
The Nets still have the best player on the floor and this is why they are a favorite at home. Despite the COVID protocols, the Nets remain a threat because of Durant. He can defend home court in this one.
Pick: Nets -1.5
Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers
The Pistons have not played since losing to the Nets on Sunday. They were supposed to be in action on Tuesday but a matchup with the Chicago Bulls was postponed. Now, they will travel to take on the Pacers in a Central Division matchup.
Cade Cunningham is beginning to come into his own for the Pistons. This is what was expected when he was taken with the first-overall pick in this year’s draft.
Detroit is not scoring much, just 99.7 points a night, but that is beginning to increase with the ability of their young star. Jerami Grant continues to score at a high rate with 20.1 points per game. This has not turned into wins but that was expected of the Pacers this season.
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This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Pacers. They are 3-2 in this type of situation this season and are scoring 103.2 points per game/. The Pacers are scoring 107.8 points per night overall. This is a difficult pick straight up despite the poor performance from the Pistons this season. With the total set at a low number by NBA standards, this might be the direction to lean.
Both the Pistons and Pacers have struggled at times but are beginning to at least put the ball in the basket a bit. With neither side being reliable, take the over and hope for some points.
