Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics (ESPN)
The Nets and Celtics open ESPN’s NBA Thursday card on a busy 14-game slate for the league (all times AEST).
Brooklyn are on a four-game win streak despite All-Star guard Kyrie Irving missing the last two weeks with a shoulder injury. However, those wins have come against Charlotte, Sacramento, New York and Cleveland.
Irving has been ruled out for the next two games meaning he won’t feature against his old side. Fair to say he would’ve got some response from the Boston fans at the TD Garden
Spencer Dinwiddie has been impressive in Irving’s absence, averaging 23.3 points and six assists over the last fortnight, including a game-winner to sink the Cavs. Jarret Allen was huge in that one too with 22 points, 21 rebounds, two steals and two blocks as DeAndre Jordan missed with an ankle problem. Jordan is questionable for this one.
The Celtics had been in a mini slump but got things back on track in a narrow 103-102 home win against the Kings on Tuesday, playing without Kemba Walker. Walker suffered a scary neck injury against the Nuggets last Friday but has cleared of any serious damage. He practiced on Wednesday and is probable for this one.
Boston’s 102.7 defensive rating ranks 5th in the NBA and they remain undefeated at home at 6-0.
Tip: Boston to win $1.36
Miami Heat at Houston Rockets
The Heat lock horns with the Rockets in an exciting inter-conference battle at the Toyota Centre.
Miami are flying with six wins from their last seven games to sit second in the East with a 12-4 record. Most recently they put away the Hornets at home 117-100 on Tuesday behind a massive outing from Bam Adebayo, posting 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
This is a revitalized Miami team behind a 102.6 defensive rating (ranked 2nd in the league) led by star forward Jimmy Butler. Butler is putting up 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists a contest and leads the league in steals at an average of 2.6. Rookies Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro have been revelations for Erik Spoelstra’s team.
However, the Heat are just 5-4 on the road this season and 4-3 against Western conference opponents.
The Rockets will be looking to break out of a slump, having dropped their last three to the Nuggets, Clippers and Mavericks. Denver may have created a blueprint of how to beat this team after successfully limiting James Harde with double teams at every opportunity. Harden looks set to have Butler trying to clamp him down in a tough matchup for the Beard.
Clint Capela has been a monster in recent times, averaging 16.8 points, 20.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over the last two weeks. The big man is questionable in this one with an illness.
Houston are still 6-2 at home and you can’t keep a good team down for too long.
Tip: Houston to win $1.43
LA Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN)
The Lakers are in New Orleans to close out the ESPN Thursday card.
LA are the form team of the competition right now, holding the best record in the league at 15-2 on the back of eight-straight wins. The Lakers’ 103.1 defensive rating ranks 7th in the NBA.
LeBron James is playing at an MVP level, averaging 25.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and a league-high 11 assists. Anthony Davis’ defensive stats (1.5 steals, 2.9 blocks) have been through the roof and the rest of Frank Vogel’s team are playing their role to perfection. Davis is set to receive a warm reception against his old fans at the Smoothie King Centre should he overcome a shoulder issue that’s been bothering him all season.
The Pelicans have been hampered with injuries to several key players all season, with Derrick Favours (back) and Josh Hart (knee) both questionable to return here. New Orleans have done well to be competitive in nearly all of their losses and are a much tougher unit at home.
Brandon Ingram is in the Most Improved Player of the Year award discussion, averaging career highs across the board (26.1 points, 2.6 triples, 7.2 rebounds, 77.5 free throw %). Expect he and fellow former Laker Lonzo Ball to come out fired up.
Tip: LA to win @ $1.37.
