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Andre Snellings, ESPN
We’ve got an intriguing lineup of games tonight, featuring two exciting rematches from earlier this season. Last week, the Philadelphia 76ers secured a seven-point victory over the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, while the San Antonio Spurs staged a remarkable 20-point comeback to snatch a win from the Phoenix Suns in their previous encounter.
What’s more, we have four of the last five (and five of the last seven) No. 1 overall NBA draft picks showcasing their skills on the court tonight.
Now let’s delve deeper into these four games and uncover some betting opportunities for the night.
Snellings’ Top Picks for Thursday
Suns -8.0 over Spurs. The Suns and Spurs delivered a captivating game earlier this week, with the Spurs mounting a 20-point comeback in the fourth quarter to hand the Suns a surprising defeat. However, it seemed that the Suns had eased up on their dominance, underestimating the feisty young Spurs team coached by Gregg Popovich, who always keep fighting until the end. The frustration and disbelief on Kevin Durant’s face when Keldon Johnson stole the ball from him and secured the game-winning score perfectly encapsulated the outcome. I don’t think Durant or the Suns will repeat the same mistake on Thursday. I believe they will come out strong and maintain their momentum to secure a double-digit victory in this unexpected revenge game.
Scottie Barnes over 31.5 total points + assists + rebounds. As predicted, Barnes has been shouldering a significant load, and he’s making the most of this opportunity. In his past four games, Barnes has averaged 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, with a PAR (Points + Assists + Rebounds) of at least 34 in each game. This includes his performance against the 76ers last week, where he recorded 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz over 221.5 points. In the early stages of this season, the Jazz are averaging 114.6 points per game but conceding 118.6 points per game, which is the sixth-highest in the NBA. On the other hand, the Magic have one of the stingiest defenses, allowing the second-fewest points per game while scoring relatively low. Given the Jazz’s style of play, which heavily relies on their shooters to stretch the floor, I anticipate them dictating the pace of this matchup, creating difficulties for the Magic’s defense. In fact, according to ESPN analytics, the projected combined score for this game is 230.3 points, further supporting the likelihood of surpassing the set over/under line.
Paolo Banchero over 16.5 points. I have a hunch that Banchero is due for a breakout performance. Despite averaging 20.0 points per game in his Rookie of the Year campaign last season, Banchero has started this season relatively slowly, only managing 12.5 points per game in the first four games. However, in his previous outing, he recorded a season-high 15 points, and in the upcoming game, he’ll be up against Jazz forwards Lauri Markkanen and John Collins, who aren’t particularly strong defenders. I have already placed my bet on Banchero surpassing this points threshold, and I believe his scoring resurgence will contribute to an overall high-scoring game.
Tonight’s Lines and BPI Predictions
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics
Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Records (Against the Spread)
Raptors: 2-3 (3-2-0)
76ers: 2-1 (3-0-0)
Line: 76ers (-8.5) Total: 215.5
BPI Projection: 76ers (78.2%)
Money Line: Raptors (260), 76ers (-375)
Injury Report:
Raptors: Christian Koloko, (GTD – Illness); Precious Achiuwa, (GTD – Groin)
76ers: no reported injuries
Note: BPI numbers account for ruled-out players but assume GTD players will participate
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