[ad_1]
There are only three games in Thursday’s NBA lightweight schedule, but that doesn’t mean we’re running out of some very intriguing showdowns.
Our Action Network analysts honed their skills over two games: Miami Heat vs. Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, the latter of which was part of TNT’s double national television program.
Take a look at their top games below.
NBA odds and picks
Heat against kings
Brandon Anderson: Jimmy Butler should be an All-Star.
Honestly, I really think this should be pretty obvious. We’re only a few months away from Butler dropping several triple-doubles on LeBron James in the NBA Finals. Remember how everyone agreed that Butler was one of the top 10 players in the MVP race?
It was literally four months ago. And now, Butler is so far off the radar that people don’t even mention him as an All-Star possibility.
And of course Butler only played 16 games and that’s important. However, Kevin Durant has played 19 games and everyone is signing him straight into the ASG starting lineup without thinking twice. And they should. Durant should start the All-Star Game, but maybe Butler should start right next to him.
In 10 games since Butler returned from his long absence, he’s averaging 21.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game. He had three triple doubles in that streak, and he was down a few rebounds and one assist to add three more to his resume. Gee, do you think six near-triple-doubles in 10 games is good?
The NBA will announce its All-Star Game pitchers tonight, shortly before that game, and Butler won’t be one of them. Hey, guess who’s really motivated by some weird outside factors? Jimmy Butler.
The Miami star has taken over all creation for the Heat, and as they struggle to find offense, he has had at least eight assists in eight of his last 10 games. He’s topped that number in six of his last seven appearances.
I think we’ll have another triple-double tonight and yet another big game, plus a friendly reminder that this guy should be in the All-Star Game right next to the other superstars that are being announced.
I love it more juice and would play a tie.
Nets vs Lakers
Malik Smith: This game is a showdown of teams on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of identity. The Lakers are built on their defense and have generally been a safe bet all season (18-11 by Bet Labs). At the same time, the Nets are avoiding defense like the plague and have been the most profitable team in the NBA when it comes to aggregate (22-8).
This game will basically depend on who dictates the pace. With Kevin Durant out due to a hamstring injury and Anthony Davis gone for the next few weeks, I expect LeBron James to avoid trying to get into a high-scoring game with James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
The Lakers’ defense is still leading the league with Davis off the ground this season, and as far as we know Harden and Irving can get hot, the Lakers have the ability to limit these guys to some extent when they’re on. .
This game opened at 237.5 points and has since come down to 232 or less in some books. I still think it’s a bit too high and will support the underside at this location.
[ad_2]
Source link