NBA Best Bets Today, 2/5: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
Meatloaf is back on the NBA best bets menu everyone! And it is about time. 1.15 units were added to the bankroll, and how sweet it is to remember, ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’. Kawhi Leonard earned his fifth rebound early in the third quarter, securing the double unit bet of the night.
However, the Lakers destroyed the Clippers and put more separation in their rankings. Initially it didn’t look like Meatloaf was going to be offered, but for the second straight game, Vucevic’s rebounds have increased after the game concludes.
If you look at google statistics, it shows that he only earned 10 rebounds in his last two games… but google is not the official stat recorder of the NBA. The Well provided once again, and fortune is on the side of Fantasy Alarm NBA best bets.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 2/5
There are eleven NBA games today, and most of the Association is playing. There are two nationally televised matches on ESPN, and one of our NBA best bets will feature the later match between the New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets.
The Bet of the Night comes from an earlier match.
Wizards vs. Nets Prediction: Nic Claxton Over 8.5 Rebounds (+105 on Bet365) *Bet of the Night
The Brooklyn Nets host the Washington Wizards at the Barclays Center, in what is a match from the cellar of the Eastern Conference. Neither the Wizards nor the Nets are currently in the play-in nor the playoffs.
The Wizards are on the hottest streak of the season, they have won two in a row and that must have upset management. They traded away Kyle Kuzma for Khris Middelton, plus another player swap, and draft picks. Now they will be shorthanded against the Nets on the road.
For that reason, a bold Bet of the Night is put forth on Nic Claxton, Brooklyn’s starting center. The Wizards are already the worst rebounding team in the Association, allowing 56.8 per game. Now they are without Kyle Kuzma, who was averaging 5.8 rebounds per game, and had 7 or more rebounds in six of the Wizards last ten games.
This is bold because Claxton’s rebounding numbers have significantly dropped this season. After 9.2 and 9.9 rebound per game averages the past two seasons, he is averaging just 7.5 per game.
There are reasons for optimism in the Betting Bungalow, and roster availability is on our side. Noah Clowney and Cameron Johnson are currently listed as out, and the Wizards will be without starting center Alex Sarr, in addition to Marvin Bagley, and Saddiq Bey.
As risky as it seems, put a unit on Nic Claxton to earn over 8.5 rebounds at plus odds.
Pelicans vs. Nuggets Prediction: Yves Missi Under 7.5 Rebounds (-140 on Bet365)
The Denver Nuggets are rolling and these two teams played each other two days ago. The Nuggets won that match, and had control for most of the game. The same outcome is unlikely, but the spread is set at -10.5 in favor of the Nuggets.
Yves Missi is a young rookie, earning valuable experience for the New Orleans Pelicans. He should play over thirty minutes once again, and he should go under 7.5 rebounds as well. Missi played thirty-four minutes on Monday but could only muster six rebounds.
Nikola Jokic and company are great rebounders. In fact, Denver allows the third fewest rebounds to opposing teams (50.2 per game) and Missi could have issues improving on his numbers from Monday. Aaron Gordon is listed as day to day, and should he officially return, Missi’s line could drop.
Missi is a good, raw talent and is averaging 8.1 rebounds per game. However he has only recorded eight or more rebounds in one of his last four games, and twice in the Pelicans last ten matches. Put a unit on the under as Missi could have issues with the reigning MVP.
NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 2/5
Dare the NBA best bets Betting Bungalow put a wager on The Well in the second of back-to-back matches?
The short answer is yes.
Bulls vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Nikola Vucevic Over 1.5 Threes Made (+100 on Bet365)
The Well, Nikola Vucevic, has provided from the graveyard in his last mentions. Perhaps someone, or something, more powerful is taking notice of the column because that is extremely rare. As in getting struck by lightning twice, sort of rare.
That might detour lesser bettors, but the Betting Bungalow is for the bold. Vucevic is the man, and when watching the game tape, his role has once again changed. Vucevic has returned to a higher volume of three-point attempts. This is partially due to Zach Lavine being traded and will continue going forward.
He attempted five threes yesterday, and helped the Chicago Bulls upset the Miami Heat. Now the Bulls are on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Bulls and Timberwolves both have better records on the road, than they do at home. This match is at the Target Center, and Vucevic will be battling future Hall of Fame member Rudy Gobert.
He may not earn over 10.5 rebounds against Gobert, and he will have issues scoring around the rim as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year makes everyone hesitant. Instead look for him to attempt several threes, where Gobert is not as great as a defender.
Vucevic has attempted 11 threes in his last two matches and made six of them. This was the original bet on The Well, and we have returned to it at even odds. Put a unit for Vucevic to keep providing.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.