Sunday's NBA Tips - Back Lakers and Bucks

Before we look at the pick of Sunday's action, in ESPN’s latest poll of NBA insiders for this season’s MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo does not appear a great bet for a three-peat.

Inside, it’s Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors who looks odds-on to earn his own third Most Valuable Player award, despite the often-overlooked excellence of Kevin Durant whose play in the absence of Kyrie Irving and the struggles of James Harden has kept the Brooklyn Nets as favourites for the title in NBA betting at 3.75. 

Extraordinary that one of the presumed contenders – the Dallas Mavericks – can now be backed at a lengthy 32. Potentially a steal if Luka Doncic can upgrade his conditioning and the Mavs opt for a mid-season shake-up by acquiring Goran Dragic and some high-calibre help.

But even with the Warriors excelling, and Klay Thompson due to make his comeback in the New Year, the Western Conference appears just as open as it did last season. And although the Dubs can be backed at a tempting 3.65, rivals like Dallas and the Phoenix Suns are very much in the mix. 

Milwaukee at New York (Sky Sports Arena, 5pm UK time)

With 11 wins in 13 games, the Milwaukee Bucks record bears a closer resemblance to that of a champion. 

But the reigning kings of the NBA have profited from a remarkably gentile schedule with just one of the opponents in their recent 8-game winning streak holding a record over .500. And the Bucks have begun a run of 13 nights where just one opponent – the surprising Cleveland Cavaliers – are net victors this term.

That helps Milwaukee as they cope without Brook Lopez and Donte DiVincenzo while still holding opponents to just 43% shooting from the field and averaging 110 points per game.

The Knicks are in the worst of all places: mediocrity. Although they are 7-6 against .500+ rivals, they are also a miserly 5-13 when conceding 100 points or more.

And since the bump of dropping seven out of ten early in the campaign, the champs have only scored below 100 twice and should have far too much offense in the Garden for the hosts to repel.

Tip: Take Milwaukee at -5.0 at 2.08

Lebron James will be aiming to help the Lakers beat Orlando

Orlando at Los Angeles

Anthony Davis said what the NBA world has been thinking on Thursday – that the Los Angeles Lakers need to be sharper against lower-ranked teams who are bringing their best with nothing to lose.

The LA Lakers are a mere 9-8 over rivals with losing records, boasting defeats to the woeful Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks and the abysmal Oklahoma City Thunder (twice!).

The Orlando Magic are putting up scant resistance, however. 3-21 when giving up 100 points, they possess the NBA’s worst points differential of -10.4.

And even though the Lakers have slid from first to 15^th in defensive rating, LeBron James is far from done and there is enough firepower there to put the home team out of reach by half-time.

Tip: Back the Lakers at -11.5 at 2.04

New Orleans at San Antonio

Two ragged squads but with the potential for surprises, the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans have taken better sides unawares in December.

The Spurs upset the odds by upsetting Golden State and Denver, while the Pels took out Dallas and the LA Clippers.

But while the Spurs are hanging on with 108 points per game, New Orleans can muster just 103. And with seven straight road reverses, is it only barely too soon to write off another year?

Tip: Go under 219.5 total points at 2