NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | Feb 27

It’s a busy Thursday night in the NBA which means plenty of Friday afternoon action for us here in NZ. For those who want to start the weekend with a bang and bet on NBA, I’ve got three tips with great odds across NZ betting sites. Here’s how the Hornets, 76ers and Clippers can earn you a juicy return today.

Hornets -2 | $1.90 @ Betista

Indiana are in all sorts of trouble: 15-44, dead last in the East, and on a four-game home losing streak. Basically their entire core is injured, with Haliburton done for the year, Zubac, Nesmith and Toppin all out at the moment, and Siakam battling a wrist issue. 

Charlotte, on the other hand, are 7-3 in their last 10. They’ve covered the spread in each of their last five matches, in large part due to LaMelo, who averages 20.5 points and 6.3 assists over his last 10. 

Yes, backing teams on the road is a dangerous game, but in these circumstances, I’m happy to take the payout from Betista.

76ers -2 | $1.90 @ Betista

There’s a lot on the line in this clash when it comes to the Eastern Conference playoff race - Philly’s in sixth at 32-26 while Miami are eighth at 31-28. 

You’ll see some betting apps favouring the Heat in this clash. That’s because they won here last November, and have been averaging 120 per game this season. But I’m tipping the 76ers to cover the spread.

The reason being, I believe Philly have grown into their home ground this year and are now tough outs at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Maxey in particular comes alive with the fans behind him, and his average of 29.1 points per game should be the difference here.

Clippers ML | $1.90 @ Betista

This clash comes down to a match up for me. Minnesota are better on paper (36-23 compared to LA’s 27-30), but the Clippers have had their number lately.

They won their most recent meeting by a convincing 115-96, with Kawhi piling on a whopping 41 points. Sure, the Wolves will be wary of him this time around, but there’s not much I can see them doing to slow him down. 

The stats back this up. Of their last five meetings, Minnesota have covered the spread just once against the Clippers. Bookies have priced them wrong consistently, as they’ve gone 2-7 in their last nine against the spread. I won’t quite go for the spread here, but I’m happy to take Betista’s $1.90 moneyline on LA.