After a long week without competitive basketball, the NBA is finally back tonight. The second half (final third?) of this season should present a lot of fascinating questions for every team in the league. It should also present us with many opportunities to make shrewd bets and plenty of money.
We can and will start with the NBA’s Thursday night slate, dearest readers.
There are a bunch of marquee matchups tonight (including the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns), and there should be a ton of high-level basketball with everyone mostly rested and refreshed. (Note: An all-time great has the Los Angeles Lakers on his plate, too.)
What more can you ask for?
Here’s a little roadmap on a few bets that’ll help you cash in on the NBA’s official return from its midseason vacation.
1
Luka Dončić OVER 49.5 total points, rebounds, and assists vs. Phoenix Suns
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There might not be a more heated player rivalry in today’s NBA than Luka Dončić vs. Devin Booker. Every time the Mavericks square off against the Suns, these two superstars clearly take their one-on-one battle very seriously. It’s been that way since the Mavericks defeated (and humbled) the Suns during the 2022 playoffs, and I highly doubt it will change any time soon.
With all of that said, while I also love how Booker will probably perform on a national NBA on TNT stage, I think Dončić is much more liable to go off. Dončić is averaging 42 points, seven rebounds, and over 11 assists in two matchups against Phoenix this season.
I see no reason to expect any less of a stat line against a team and rival he loves embarrassing.
2
Steph Curry OVER 5.5 threes vs. Los Angeles Lakers
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LeBron James will unfortunately sit out this marquee matchup between all-time greats with an ankle injury. That shouldn’t change or stop Steph Curry from putting on an absolute marvel of a show at home.
As the Warriors have started to gain steam, so has Curry. The greatest shooter ever has made at least six 3-pointers in six of his last 10 games. The Lakers have the NBA’s 21st-ranked three-point defense, surrendering 37.2 percent every night. And now, without James, they’ll be without one of their best defenders. Oof.
Chef Curry is about to have a field day.
3
Oklahoma City Thunder (-115) over the Los Angeles Clippers
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In a potential playoff preview, two of the West’s finest teams, the Thunder and Clippers, square off in a vital game for postseason seeding on Thursday.
Usually, I would probably give the edge to the Clippers. I like their experience, and I think, at this juncture, Kawhi Leonard is a much more complete best player on a championship contender compared to the still-growing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
However, it’s unclear what kind of shape Leonard will be in. He strained an adductor just before the All-Star break, and those kinds of injuries, especially at his age of 32, can linger. Leonard is listed as questionable on the Clippers’ injury report, so even if he does play, I highly doubt he’ll be in peak form. That gives a significant edge to the Thunder, as Leonard is the straw that stirs Los Angeles’ drink.
With both teams otherwise rested and refreshed, give me a comfortable Thunder win straight up.
