NBA tips: back Boston on handicap, and go low on Kings/Nets points

Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics

(Sunday, 7pm GMT) 

Some trades significantly re-write the NBA betting odds. Others are nice handiwork without shifting the needle.

The Celtics’ acquisition of Derrick White and Daniel Thies falls neatly in the latter category. Good complementary pieces around Boston’s stars. Not enough to improve on what the markets presently feel is just a 5% chance of winning the Eastern Conference.

Perhaps a decent punt given the wild nature of the East at present – one where its  favourites have lost ten games in a row and where the Cs have won seven on the bounce and gone 9-1 over their last ten.

Only good enough for seventh in the Conference and a play-in spot despite a mind-blowingly good points differential of +19.5 in that spell, holding opponents to an average of 93.5 points per contest.

Their Sunday guests, the Atlanta Hawks, have cooled off after a seven-game streak of victories, losing four of their last six while ceding 112.5 points per, including a 136-121 drop against San Antonio on Friday. 

Still in the play-in hunt, but with a tough ten-game stretch ahead and John Collins sidelined by a foot strain, they make wish they had dealt better as a lengthy 3.3 to repeat last month’s 108-92 triumph over the Celtics. 

Tip: Take Boston on a handicap of -6 against Atlanta at 1.91

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Indiana Pacers

(Sunday 8pm, GMT)

Indiana’s own trade frenzy looks a long-term play but is set to inflict short-term pain. Jettisoning Donatas Sabonis and Caris LeVert for Lottery picks, Tyrese Haliburton and marginal throw-ins is the NBA equivalent of a white flag. 

19-38 and in a race for the bottom, the mast was already hoisted, and with five straight losses and ample injuries among those who remain, the slide can only accelerate.

Minnesota won 100-98 when they last faced the Pacers but are 5-2 over their previous seven games, despite successive reverses to the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings. The T-Wolves are sixth in the NBA in scoring with 112.9 points per game and a perfect 24-0 when they exceed their opponent’s field goal percentage.

It makes the guests solid look on a handicap of -6.5 at 1.98 and they could be a team to watch post-All Star. 

Tip: Lay off over 236.5 total points in Minnesota – Indiana at 2.16

Sacramento Kings @ Brooklyn Nets

(Monday, 12.30am GMT)

Goodbye James Harden. Hello Ben Simmons. But when?

The Nets’ 11-game losing streak cries of a team needing extra help – especially at home where Kyrie Irving will again be missing when the Kings come into town on Sunday night.

It remains unknown however when Simmons will be physically and mentally ready to resume his career following his self-imposed spell in the deep freeze in Philadelphia. 

That Brooklyn remains 2.94 favourite for the East seems hard to justify. Certainly, the Nets will improve when Kevin Durant returns but he has remained tight-lipped on when. Minus any of a new Big Three, it hands the revamped Kings an opportunity to match their 121-101 beating of the Nets of eleven days ago.

Defensively, the visitors can only improve. But given that the Nets have averaged a pitiful 101.7 points over their past three home games on a horrific –17 differential, Sacramento should not need to toil.

They look in the right place at the right time to capitalise after their new-look crew ending a 12-game losing run on the road in D.C on Saturday.

Tip: Go under 210 total points in Sacramento-Brooklyn

Recommended bets:

Take Boston on a handicap of -6 against Atlanta at 1.91

Lay off over 236.5 total points in Minnesota – Indiana at 2.16

Go under 210 total points in Sacramento-Brooklyn