Los Angeles Lakers (14-20) at Miami Heat (17-17)
The Lakers finally ended a long losing streak after beating the Magic 129-110 on Wednesday. LeBron James led the Lakers with a team-high 28 pts and he'll be fired up to face his former team this Thursday. However, this is a back-to-back for the Lakers so LeBron can be a late out in these situations so monitor the lineups before tip-off. Los Angeles have 3 more road games left on this 5 game road trip so they'll be keen to keep the winning momentum going in Miami.
The Heat broke a 2-game losing streak with a close 3 pt win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday. Without Butler and Adebayo on the court, it was a team performance by the Heat that got the job done. For this matchup, both Butler and Adebayo are listed as questionable. If they do play, they'll get favourable matchups against a leaky Lakers defence that is giving up 126 pts in their last 5 alone.
This matchup sees a rematch of the 2020 "Bubble" NBA Finals and there are plenty of injury issues to look out for. Butler, Adebayo and LeBron are all questionable at this stage. However, LeBron would fancy taking on his former team and if he plays, the Lakers should be able to keep this one close.
Stadium Record
Miami are 6-4 in their last 10 at home. Los Angeles are 2-4 ATS at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Since the 2020 Finals, the head-to-head is locked at 5-5 in the last 10 meetings.
Best Bet
Los Angeles Lakers +7.0 = $1.91
Minnesota Timberwolves (16-18) at New Orleans Pelicans (21-12)
The Timberwolves 4 game road trip has started with back-to-back defeats and they'll look to respond against the Pelicans. They went down to the injury-riddled Heat on Tuesday in Miami by 3 pts. However, Anthony Edwards continued his strong season with 29 pts and Naz Reid added 21. With Towns on the sidelines, Reid will continue to get more minutes and he's playing well in his absence. Outside of Towns, the T-Wolves should go with the same starting 5.
The Pelicans are looking for a 4th straight victory on Thursday as they host the Timberwolves. They come off 20 pt thrashing of the Pacers on their home court, which was even more impressive considering Zion and Ingram were sidelined. Zion is probable for this matchup and should play. However, Ingram is still out with a toe injury. Despite injuries to their key players, the Pelicans are tough to beat at home with 9 wins in their last 10 and will be heavy favourites against the struggling T-Wolves.
The trend between these two sides has been high-scoring affairs and we like it here. The Over is 6-1 when the Pelicans are the home team in this matchup. New Orleans are 5-1 against the Over in their last 6 games as well. Minnesota are 4-2 against the Over on the road and have failed to cover in 5 of their last 6 away from Minnesota.
Stadium Record
New Orleans hold a 4-1 record in their last 5 home games. Minnesota holds a 4-1 ATS record at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Since 2019, the head-to-head record is square at 5-5.
Best Bet
Denver Nuggets (22-11) at Sacramento Kings (17-15)
The Nuggets face the Kings on a back-to-back and will be looking for a 6th straight win. Michael Porter Jr. led the Nuggets on Wednesday with 30 pts in great signs for Denver after an injury-interrupted season. Jamal Murray also added 25 pts but the Nuggets usually like to rest him on back-to-backs. Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown are questionable for this matchup as well. Gordon missed Wednesday's game and Brown injured his ankle. So monitor the team lineups before tip-off.
The Kings won't have to wait long for revenge against the Nuggets as they host Denver on a back-to-back this Thursday. De'Aaron Fox top-scored for the Kings on Wednesday with 26 and Kevin Huerter added 21 pts. But it's tough going for the Kings at the moment without Sabonis on the court as he's out with a thumb injury. They've also been on this homestand with just 1 win in 4 games and their defence has given up 119 pts in their last 5.
Having just beat the Kings by 7 pts on Wednesday, it's hard to see a different result in Thursday's matchup. The Kings are desperately missing Sabonis. Meanwhile, the Nuggets big three; Jokic, Murray and Porter Jr. are all in good form and should lead Denver to their 6th win on the trot.
Stadium Record
Sacramento are 6-4 in their last 10 at home. Denver are 3-0 at this venue this year.
Head to Head Record
The Nuggets defeated the Kings by 7 points (113-106) on Wednesday and hold a 7-3 record in the last 10.
Best Bet
