Los Angeles Clippers (17-17) at Boston Celtics (16-18)
The Clippers are 1-4 in their last 5 games and will look to get back on track in this road matchup with the Celtics. Obviously, it's tough times without the injured Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. However, Marcus Morris returned in their loss against the Nets and posted 24 points. He also played for Boston in his career so this will be another opportunity to get one up on his former team.
Boston are without Jayson Tatum and have lost their last 2 games on the trot. However, they have led in both losses and will look to improve on their 4th quarter efforts. With no Tatum, Jaylen Brown will be the key as he gets a usage boost and they'll be hoping he can produce. Payton Pritchard has also been playing well and will be important if Marcus Smart can't return from illness.
Both teams have been ravaged by injury/covid protocols and that should see a close contest between two similar teams. At the moment, the Celtics are favourites mainly because of home-court advantage but they just haven't been playing well, not to mention the loss of Tatum. So we like the Clippers to cover.
Stadium Record
The Celtics are 9-3 in their last 12 home games. Los Angeles has lost 4 of their last 6 in Boston.
Head to Head Record
In the first meeting of the season, the Clippers won a close contest 114-111.
Best Bet
Los Angeles Clippers +5.5 = $1.94
Atlanta Hawks (15-18) at Chicago Bulls (21-10)
Atlanta are 1-4 in their last 5 games as injury/covid protocols have impacted their starting lineup. However, they got Trae Young back last game against this Bulls team and he'll need to have a huge game with the likes of Collins/Bogdanovic on the sidelines. Cam Reddish has also stepped up in the absence of their stars so he'll need to continue that form on Thursday.
The Bulls are aiming for a 5th straight win and a back to back victory over the Hawks, on their home court this time. They beat the Hawks 130-118 in their latest game as their big three trio of LeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic dominated. They combined for 89 points in the win and will look to continue their form in this matchup. Vucevic has been on-fire with an average of 19 pts and 12 rebounds in this 4 game winning streak.
The Bulls just beat the Hawks by 12 pts on the road and they've been a strong home team, having covered in 4 of their last 5 in Chicago. The Hawks just have too many players out to compete with the likes of Vucevic/LaVine/DeRozan.
Stadium Record
Chicago has covered in 4 of their last 5 at home. The Hawks are 3-2 in Chicago since 2019.
Head to Head Record
The two sides met a few days ago in Atlanta and the Bulls won 130-118. Since 2019, the head to head is square at 5-5.
Best Bet
Utah Jazz (24-9) at Portland Trail Blazers (13-20)
The Jazz head to Portland on the back of a 4 game winning streak. Without Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz put the Spurs away 110-104 as Jordan Clarkson top-scored with 23 pts. They'll be without Mitchell for this matchup so Conley/Clarkson will continue to get a boost in usage.
Portland's defence has been poor in back to back losses against the Mavericks and Pelicans as they've allowed an average of 113 pts. That included 132 pts against Dallas who were without Doncic. With the likes of McCollum and Nurkic, it's tough-going for Portland at the moment so Lillard will need to have a huge game.
It's difficult to see the Trail Blazers causing an upset with their defensive issues and weakened starting lineup. While the Jazz are without Mitchell, they should be too strong defensively with Gobert in the front court.
Stadium Record
Portland has lost 7 of their last 8 at home. The Jazz are 4-10 at this venue in their last 14.
Head to Head Record
Utah smashed the Trail Blazers 129-107 in late November and the Jazz have won 6 of the last 10 meetings.
Best Bet
