MetroBet looks at the best bets on the hardwood for Thursday night.
Golden State Warriors (-10.5) at Washington Wizards
Moneyline: Warriors -510, Wizards +415
Betting Total: 235 points
Time (Eastern), TV: 8 p.m., TNT
As usual, the Golden State Warriors are in prime position to post the evening’s biggest blowout as they pay a visit to Capital One Arena to take on the Washington Wizards.
The Warriors, who have averaged 130 points over their last five games, continue to lead the league in points per game (118.7) as well as field goal percentage (48.9). Klay Thompson put on a shooting clinic against the Lakers on Monday night, hitting 10 of 11 from beyond the arc in a 44-point performance. Washington’s home offense is sneaky-good (117.1 points per game, sixth in the NBA), but if their defense can’t step up (113 points per game allowed, 23rd in the NBA), they won’t be able to stay within shouting distance of the reigning champs.
Oddsmakers can’t seem to set high enough totals for Golden State games, as they’ve gone Over in eight of their last 10. Meanwhile, the Over is 44-19 in the Wizards’ last 63 games on two day’s rest, per Covers.com.
Prediction: Warriors win, 136-112
The play: Warriors -10.5 and Warriors vs. Wizards Over 235 points Parlay (+264)
New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder (-12.5)
Moneyline: Pelicans +675, Thunder -870
Betting Total: 233.5 points
Time (Eastern), TV: 8 p.m.
Trends bettors are licking their chops as the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled to square off at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday night.
Per Covers.com, the Over is 7-2 in the last nine games in which New Orleans enters on no rest. Furthermore, the Over is 7-1 in the last eight Oklahoma City games, and 13-3 in their last 16 home games against a team with a winning percentage on the road of less than .400.
Anthony Davis is out with a hand injury, but New Orleans has scoring depth in the form of Jrue Holiday (20.8 points per game) and Julius Randle (20.1 points per game), among others. His absence on defense should aid an Oklahoma City team that scores it’s fair share of points (114 per game, seventh in the league) but doesn’t shoot all that well (45.74 shooting percentage, 17th in the league). The Thunder’s top scorers, Paul George (27 points per game) and Russell Westbrook (21.8 points per game), have been in peak form of late, averaging 29.8 and 24.8 points per game, respectively, over their last five tilts.
Prediction: Thunder win, 125-118
The play: Pelicans vs. Thunder Over 233.5 points
