Saturday Night NBA

By Divol

Milwaukee Bucks v Sacramento Kings



20th December 01:35 GMT

Bucks have a decent ATS record of 15 - 9, a decent home record of 9 - 4 but somehow I'm not yet convinced. Bucks had a lot of very close games. In fact, their three last games ended with two going to OT and one they lost by only 3 points. They struggled in four of their five last home wins and Kings are the kind of team that can give them trouble. Young, motivated, shoots the ball well. They actually similar teams, just Kings shoot the ball better, while Bucks play better D, though not by much. This should be high scoring, close game and I won't rule out third home game in a row for the Bucks to go to OT.



That leads me to three bets:

Kings +6.5 - 1.92 - 3 units play - Expekt

Kings to win - 3.4 - 0.5 units play - William Hill

Over 207 points, 1.93 odds - 3 units play - Betsson


Orlando Magic v Portland Trailblazers



20th December 00:05 GMT

Last season both teams beat each other on the road, so I doubt that Magic will be anything but focused here, especially after the beating they got in Miami they will be looking to rebound quickly. Both teams have big look ahead. But while Orlando will have a day off before playing Utah that won them at home, despite trailing by 15 points, Portland will play B2B in Miami tomorrow, the same team they lost to at home just two weeks ago.

Portland 4 games in 5 days with a very short roster, playing in Orlando, Miami, Dallas and San Antonio. Four very tough matches, four rivals and four games they can easily lose. They need to pick their games carefully here, otherwise, their last trips script will happen again. Good games, only one win though.  Add to that the fact that Portland needs to watch for fouls with their roster and Orlando can easily win this one by 20+ points.



Pick: Magic -8.5, 1.98 odds - 3.5 units play - Unibet


Chicago Bulls v Atlanta Hawks



20th December 01:05 GMT

I think the total here is way off. For this total to win at least one of teams needs to score 100+ points, something that I really not sure will happen. Bulls really tightened their defense and if in a game against GSW the score was 187 points, after OT (!!!). I really don't know why I didn't take the Under bet against Lakers and Knicks, but better late than never.

Two teams with solid defense, both want to win, both can easily stop their opponent Under 90 points. 93 - 86 is a score that sounds about right for me, more than 15 points lower than the Total set.



Pick: Under 196.5, 1.91 odds, 3 units play - Jetbull.