NBA Betting Trends – Three To Watch This Week In The NBA
Online betting players are getting ready for the stretch run in the NBA as teams are jockeying for the best possible spot in the playoffs, and all six of these teams are in the thick of the postseason hunt. Beginning in the Eastern Conference, Chicago heads to Atlanta to avenge losing a big lead at the beginning of the month, while Orlando travels to New York and finally, Denver hosts San Antonio in a Western Conference tilt.
(All numbers as of Monday, March 21st)
Bulls Hawks Betting – Tuesday, 8:00 PM ET
The Hawks should be the NBA betting favorites at home on Tuesday in an Eastern Conference showdown, as they have won their last six games at Philips Arena against the Bulls, posting a 5-1 ATS mark. In the last meeting on March 2nd, the Hawks were down by 19 to the Bulls late in the first half before roaring back for an 83-80 win, so Chicago won’t want to let that get away from them again. The Bulls have been on a roll, and they had an eight-game winning streak snapped in Indiana on Friday. They’ll host Sacramento on Monday, which could give the Hawks a slight advantage. However, it won’t be by much as the Bulls are 13-5 SU in the second half of back-to-back games this year. We also think the Bulls will blow out the Kings on Monday, which will allow them to rest their starters for the Hawks, and Derrick Rose is coming off a 42-point performance against the Pacers. Rose has shot 31.1% from the field against the Hawks, but he’ll be better on Tuesday night.
Betting Edge: Chicago Bulls
Magic Knicks Betting – Wednesday, 8:00 PM ET
The Knicks should be the NBA betting favorites at Madison Square Garden, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Magic as the favorites on the road. Orlando is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five trips to the Garden, although this is their first time in New York since a 114-102 win in November 2009. It’s a big week for the Knicks, who had lost two straight heading into Monday’s visit from Boston, and it appears the honeymoon is over in the Big Apple after a good start to the Carmelo Anthony era as Amare Stoudemire has complained that Anthony (without naming him) holds onto the ball too long. The Magic had won two straight before playing in Cleveland on Monday, so they should be well rested and coming off another victory. The Magic are 13-20-1 ATS on the road this season, while the Knicks are 17-15-1 ATS at home, and they’ll be hoping that Orlando is favored because New York is 24-8-1 ATS as an underdog.
Betting Edge: New York Knicks
Spurs Nuggets Betting – Wednesday, 10:30 PM ET
In the other big matchup on Friday, the Spurs could be a slight NBA betting underdog on the road in Denver, where they are 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS. Even though they are 27-7 SU at home, the Nuggets are 17-15-2 ATS at the Pepsi Center, and the Spurs are 22-11-1 ATS on the road, so the line won’t be that big. This will be the first of a three-game road trip for the Spurs after hosting Golden State on Monday, while the Nuggets will be in the second of a four-game homestand, and this will be their toughest game as they have Toronto, Washington and Sacramento as well. This is San Antonio’s first game against the Nuggets since Denver got rid of Anthony and Chauncey Billups, and this is a matchup of the best offense in the West (Denver) against one of the best defenses (San Antonio). The problem is, the Spurs can also score and the Nuggets still aren’t that great defensively, although it’s good to see that Denver is playing well without Anthony. However, we’re going with San Antonio as they will always keep it close on the road in your sports betting book.
Betting Edge: San Antonio Spurs
