NBA Preview January 7th

 

Current Bank: 105.8 Units (+5.80 U) Max outlay on any event is 5 units.

 

Houston Rockets v Indiana Pacers

11:05 am 7 January AEST

 An interesting matchup on what otherwise isn’t a fantastic slate of Thursday NBA action. The Pacers return home after a tough on the road overtime win against the Pelicans and so far this season have quietly been going about their business with a 5-2 record. The return of Sabonis this year after an injury plagued bubble has been a god send and he has quickly become a problem for opposition teams who struggle to contain the scoring big man, something the Rockets seriously lack. Victor Oladipo has also become (so far at least) a reliable scorer this season while the same can be said for Brogdon whos output has definitely increased. Myles Turner should have a field day competing against a hobbled Boogie Cousins whos minutes are stretched and is constantly finding himself in foul trouble so far this year.

The Rockets on face value look to have a nice team on paper but they look to have issues off the court that seem to be impacting the output on court. James Harden clearly doesn’t want to be there and after taking a game off against the Kings looked injured and disinterested against Dallas, while the aforementioned Cousins keeps finding himself in foul trouble and also doesn’t look healthy this early on. John Wall and Christian Wood are keeping this team from bursting at the seems, but they look to have a bit of a match up nightmare against the Pacers here who’s mix of scoring big men and guards who not only are capable of scoring big, but playing very solid defence too (something the Kings didn’t do whatsoever against Houston) should play very well for the Pacers in this spot.

The Pacers opened up a -1.5 favourite and that has moved to -2 flat now. Still think that is a very favourable line and will be happy to side with the Pacers today.

 

BACK: Indiana Pacers -2.0 at $1.90 for 2.40 units.

 

Boston Celtics v Miami Heat

11:35 am 7 January AEST

 

This is the one game tomorrow all NBA fans will be tuning in for. Two beasts of the East meet in what should be a tough slog and likely low scoring affair. The record of the Heat isn’t too impressive at 3-3. But they looked back to their scintillating best against the Thunder and staying at home look ready to go on a bit of a winning run to even out that ledger.

Miami play tough defence and shoot very well from 3pt range, a deadly combination which got them to the Finals last year. Jimmy Butler returned to form last game and was helped out by a good team display with a range of players making their shots as well as closing down the opposition Thunder. This is obviously a massive leap in class but their were fantastic signs the Heat are back in business from now. Adebayo looks to have a fantastic matchup against the Celtics bigs in Theis, Thompson or Ojeleye. None of the three can guard him for a full 48 minutes, expecting Adebayo to have a massive offensively efficient game here.

The Celtics look to not have Marcus Smart in this match up who is so important from 3pt range and to their overall team depth, which is now reliant on star Jayson Tatum to have an incredible game to secure a victory here. The Heat aren’t reliant on anyone. They have talent spread across the roster and look in this spot early in the year to have too many guns for this Celtics team.

 

BACK: Miami Heat -2.5 at $1.90 for 2 units.