The Miami Heat had no interest in playing basketball last night, and thankfully we took full advantage. We completed the 2-0 sweep thanks to Cleveland handling the Bucks and staying under the total. Thursday presents a five-game slate, including those same Raptors now hosting the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks have Jalen Brunson back, and they host the bottom-feeding Washington Wizards. We have two games, and we’re going to find the best NBA side and total for today.
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Best NBA Side Bet: Bulls-Raptors
Two things worked in Toronto’s favor last night that won’t be present today. Miami was completely disinterested in playing basketball and was also giving up a ridiculous shooting percentage of over 48% this year. Enter Chicago, who needs a win. The Bulls slowed down over their last 10 games — just 5-5 in that stretch — after a mini spark of success. They also look to get healthier tonight, with Ayo Dosunmu, Andre Drummond and Patrick Williams all trending towards playing.
It’s another letdown opportunity to play, except it’s the Raptors we are fading tonight. The Bulls are playing better or tougher on the defensive end than last night’s opponent, and Toronto failed to cover the last four games against Chicago with no rest. The team will start to feel the brunt of losing Pascal Siakam tonight as it faces a hungrier team. Role players can step in for short stints and fill voids, but tonight is too close to last night’s big win to keep that up.
Toronto isn’t good enough to keep any momentum going; it doesn’t even have an identity at this point. Chicago is one game with a healthier squad away from getting somewhat back on track. That will happen tonight. OddsShopper has a good play on the moneyline at -130 on DraftKings.
Best NBA Side Bet: Bulls -130 at DraftKings
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Best NBA Total Bet: Wizards-Knicks O/U 234
The Knicks got a major boost with Jalen Brunson returning, and he dropped 30 in the process. They hit the second leg of this back-to-back taking on one of the worst teams in the league. There’s going to be a natural letdown, going through the motions against a team they know they can beat. This isn’t any cautionary tale warning the Knicks of a looming upset, rather focusing on where the Knicks may regress then finding the best value spot.
Washington is scoring 115 points per game but is at the bottom of the league in giving up 125 a night. That’s pushing the total this high because the initial belief is the Knicks will hammer lowly Washington while the Wizards still get theirs. That’s problematic thinking because the best way for the Knicks to avoid any sleepwalk is on the defensive side. Good thing they have a coach who preaches defense.
Washington can stay in this game if it hits anywhere near its season average in scoring. The Knicks can still take this team lightly but walk away with a convincing home win — 108-88, or something to that effect. If the Knicks hold the Wizards below 100, there’s a significantly lesser chance in this coming anywhere near 234 total points. Washington won’t be able to keep up. Take the under.
Best NBA Total Bet: Wizards-Knicks Under 234 (-110 at FanDuel)
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