Feb. 12 NBA – Latest Betting News and Tips
Here’s what’s buzzing in the NBA, plus key betting trends to watch!
Mavericks Making Unpopular Trade Worse
Everyone had an opinion on Dallas trading Luka Doncic. Few thought it was a good idea and most thought it was stupid.
Instead of trying to convince people of something they don’t want to believe, the Mavericks organization has done what powerful people and
institutions do today, they doubled down.
Accusing Doncic of various behaviors, they deemed poor won’t change public opinion. Nor will kicking fans out of a home game for holding signs or mouthing words on the big screen – “Fire Nico” – the general manager.
Putting a team on the floor that can again play for an NBA championship, will alter public sentiment. With Anthony Davis out for an undetermined time after 31 minutes in a Mavs uniform, some might channel former player Rasheed Wallace, who famously said: “Ball Don’t Lie”.
The odds of Dallas winning the NBA have tumbled to +3,500.
What Teams Are Happy or Sad for the All-Star Break? Sad – Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic and his Denver teammates probably won’t mind a few days off, or will they? The Nuggets are surging having won seven in a row, 11 of 14, and 15 of 18 (10-8 ATS). The only not-so-great stretch was a five-game road trip in which they were 2-3 and 0-5 ATS.
As we’ve mentioned here before, when Denver’s regular starting five is healthy, it’s one of the best four units in the league and if they can reach a total of eight reliable players, they can make another run at a second NBA title.
Players like the rest, but even they would admit (you know coach Mike Malone would prefer to skip the break), they’d rather keep playing with the rhythm they’re in. The big change is the defense has picked up, moving up to #11, after being stuck in the mid to upper teens most of the season. Denver is just two back of Memphis for the West’s second-seed.
Happy – New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans would probably just be happy to have their season end at the All-Star break. The Pelicans are in the midst of a nine-game
losing streak (2-6-1 ATS), they have the worst record in the Western Conference at 12-41 and have earned it with the poorest point differential at -9.3 per game.
The future isn’t bright with the trading of Brandon Ingram, the continued uncertainty of Zion Williamson being on the floor enough because of injury, and his seeming distrust of the New Orleans organization.
At 21-31-1 ATS, basketball bettors are not lining up to plunk their money down to back the Pelicans and chances are they will only become larger underdogs moving forward.
Crazy Trend of the Week!
If you have followed the NBA over the last several years, two words you wouldn’t use in the same sentence when talking about the Hornets are “defense” and “Charlotte”. For several seasons, this organization was similar to Atlanta, trying to outscore opponents rather than out-defend them.
These days, the Hornets’ offense doesn’t have much sting, ranked #28 in scoring a year ago and are in the same position right now. The organization under first-year coach Charles Lee has decided to take a more defensive approach for what seems like an endless rebuild and they have jumped to #11 in points allowed from #22 last season.
Part of this is designed by controlling the tempo and this has led Charlotte to become the top UNDER bet in the NBA at 31-18-2.
Betting Second Half Lines
Betting second halves of NBA games is still done, but it’s lost luster with the general public because first-half wagers are more popular along with player props, but which can be done before the game.
Betting second halves has mostly to do with the outcome of the first half, how different the score of the game is compared to the original odds, and determining what team will play better or worse over the last two quarters. Because of time constraints and varied starting times, this needs quick decision-making.
A few weeks ago, we told you right here Houston, Memphis, and Milwaukee were the Top 3 teams to bet on for the first half.
If you think about it, teams that are consistent winners might have a bad game or a bad half but don’t fall into many lulls other than on the occasional road trip. With that in mind, seeing these teams as the second, third, and fourth-best bets for second-half betting is probably not a major surprise.
>Memphis 32-19-2 ATS
>Houston 32-19-2 ATS
>Cleveland 32-19-2 ATS
These clubs know how to win as they’ve proven this season they can close out contests.
But who is the best squad to back right now for second half wagers? It’s those pesky Hornets again!
>Charlotte 34-15-2 ATS
Whether Charlotte is down big or smaller at halftime, they finish playing the right way and compete, which is a tribute to Coach Lee. This is something every NBA bettor should start following if you are not.
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