There's only four games on the NBA slate tonight and just like yesterday this will be a tough slate to navigate. The Lakers and Clippers are both on the road tonight in games vs Eastern Conference teams, while our National Television games feature four teams from the Western Conference. Since it is a short slate I will give my opinions on all four games.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets (-5) Total: 229
The Trail Blazers and the Rockets have both been disappointing to start the season. Houston has dealt with COVID issues and the James Harden trade, and the Trail Blazers are beat up yet again due to injuries. To their credit, Houston has played better as of late; winners of their last three games and they have covered the number in all of them.
The Trail Blazers have lost three straight games ATS, with one straight up loss versus the Knicks during the stretch. Houston opened up as a two-point favorite in this contest, news of the Blazers injuries has public bettors backing the Rockets pushing the number all the up to 5. I'm not comfortable laying points with this Rockets team, coupled with the fact that the Blazers are 4-2 ATS on the road this season, I'm going to fade the public and catch the points with Portland.
The Pick:
BET PORTLAND vs. HOUSTON at DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Miami Heat (-4.5) Total 213.5
The Miami Heat could have Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic, and Duncan Robinson all back on the court tonight, and boy do they need them. The Heat have lost four games in a row and are currently five games under .500. The Clippers, however, are the team in trouble this evening with both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George out for Los Angeles.
Public bettors are down on Miami right now. Even with the Clippers missing two of their main players, over 60% of spread tickets are backing the Clippers. This now makes them a trendy underdog, and you know what we do with trendy underdogs – we fade them. If the Miami Heat do not get Jimmy Butler confirmed back tonight do not lay the number with them. Instead, bet the under which has dropped three points from the opening line.
The Pick: