[ad_1]
There are only three games remaining on Thursday, but it will be an exciting night as LeBron James speaks in a Lakers uniform for the first time in meaningful action. Here are the three best bets of the night.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "1. Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers (-3.0)"data-reactid =" 23 ">1. Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers (-3.0)
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "22:35 ET"data-reactid =" 24 ">22:35 ET
The rumor of the dead season around Los Angeles was palpable, which is not a surprise considering that the Lakers have signed a four-year contract at LeBron. But the Lakers have a lot to prove this season, and a failure to live up to their considerable hype is a major possibility. Meanwhile, the Blazers seem to be a forgotten West Conference team. Despite the fact that Portland won 49 games last season, it's not hard to find reporters who leave the Blazers out of the screenings for this year's playoffs, and they'll show their home membership. Last season, the Blazers played 28-13 in the game at Moda Center and 23-14-4 against the gap in those games. The Blazers are also generally known for their ability to score goals in basketball, but they hung their hat on their defense a year ago. Last season, Portland ranked sixth in the league for defensive efficiency, scoring only 105.5 points for 100 possessions. Los Angeles has all kinds of offensive strike forces, but this team did not play a lot together.
Portland striker Al-Farouq Aminu is a player to watch here. While Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are well-known names in Portland, Aminu will be the one to check LeBron on Thursday. Nobody on the planet is able to completely stop James, but Aminu has at least the length to force him to work hard. It should be pretty tight, but expect the Blazers to move away late.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The choice: Blazers -3.0 "data-reactid =" 27 ">The choice: Blazers -3.0
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "2. Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers (Total: 216.0)"data-reactid =" 28 ">2. Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers (Total: 216.0)
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "8:05 pm"data-reactid =" 29 ">8:05 pm
The 76ers were outright offensive at the opening of the season, bowing 105-87 in a game where they shot only 39.1% of the ground and 19.2% of the three against the Boston Celtics. Fortunately for the Sixers, they now face a Chicago Bulls team that may well be the worst defense in the league. In Zach LaVine and Jabari Parker, Chicago has two guys who will play big minutes, but only care about scoring basketball. That means Ben Simmons will have open lanes to get to the edge whenever he wants, and Markelle Fultz should be able to do the same. And when multiple players on the same team do not cover their tasks, shooters like JJ Redick and Landry Shamet will have the opportunity to break free for open looks. Because of the way the Bulls defend, the game will end up being a bit more open and faster than the Sixers prefer. This means that many points will be scored, the talented offensive Bulls also playing their part.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The choice: More than 216.0 "data-reactid =" 31 ">The choice: More than 216.0
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "3. Miami Heat at Washington Wizards (-5.0)"data-reactid =" 32 ">3. Miami Heat at Washington Wizards (-5.0)
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "8:05 pm"data-reactid =" 33 ">8:05 pm
The Wizards are consistently one of the toughest teams in the league, and the situation is no different this season. Washington has added Austin Rivers and Dwight Howard during the off-season, and these two enigmatic personalities are entering a locker room that has been split in recent years. Meanwhile, Miami continues to build one of the best team cultures in the NBA, and the Heat are about the same alignment as a year ago. The team just suffered a 104-101 loss to Orlando on Wednesday night, but the Heat will feel good about their chances on Thursday. One reason is that the team has totally dominated the Wizards in recent years. Dating from February 2016, Miami is 7-2 and 6-2-1 against Washington. The Heat are also 5-1-1 against the Wizards spread to the Verizon Center since March 2015. On top of all that, it's just too many points to give a Miami team capable of digging into the defensive end. The Heat were eighth in the league in terms of defensive efficiency last season and should be a little better this year as rim protector Hassan Whiteside focused on conditioning during the off season. Miami will keep this point tight, and it will not be surprising if it wins right away.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The choice: Heat +5.0 "data-reactid =" 35 ">The choice: Heat +5.0
Source link
