Things continue to get spicier in the NBA with the postseason just around the corner. And speaking of which, today’s Best Games To Bet On will feature a number of playoff-seeking teams.
First off, it’ll be the Washington Wizards (37-40), who are 3.5 games behind the Pistons for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, looking to take care of business when the lottery-bound Brooklyn Nets (21-56) pay them a visit at the Verizon Center.
Later on, fans better buckle up for an even better showdown in Texas, wherein the James Harden-led Houston Rockets (38-39) collide with the Dallas Mavericks (39-38) for the fourth and final time this season. Do you think “The Bearded One” can carry the Rockets to the much-needed victory? Or will the Mavs impose their will at home?
Let’s now take a quick look at these two crucial games. Meanwhile, you can also check out our preview of the final regular-season bout between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers.
[sc:NBA250 ]With the Brooklyn Nets, who are 1-9 SU and 2-8 ATS in its last 10 road games, shutting down their top point-getters in Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young for the rest of the season, the Washington Wizards should be able to have an easy time in getting the win here.
The Wizards beat the Nets in their first regular-season meeting on December 26, during which the pair of John Wall and Marcin Gortat scored 22 and 25 points, respectively, to capture the dominant 111-96 victory. These two, along with Bradley Beal, are in line for another strong outing, as they’re set to test again a mediocre Brooklyn defense that’s giving up 105.3 points per contest this season (23rd in the league).
Also, Wall and co. are coming off a tough five-point loss to the Clippers on Sunday night. But even so, it’s really hard to see them lose this one especially at their own home floor, where Washington has won seven of its past three games (6-4 ATS).
In case it’s still not obvious, the Houston Rockets, who have gone 4-6 SU and ATS in their previous 10 road games, are going to need James Harden to have another huge performance in this all-important matchup with the Dallas Mavericks.
Harden, the league’s second-leading scorer (28.7 PPG) this season, heads into this game fresh off a 41-point effort in the much-needed win over the Thunder on Sunday night. That victory kept them just one game short of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. But it’s worth noting that the Mavericks have been playing solid defense in the past four games, allowing just 86.9 points per contest. They also went 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in that stretch.
Writer’s Prediction
James Harden’s 30-point effort goes to waste, as the Mavericks escape with the 105-101 victory.
