The NBA is back with a two game slate for opening night. What better way to start the season than the defending Champs taking on the team that has been put together to stop them, followed by a Western Conference thriller.
New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics (10:30am)
Best Bet
The 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics will look to kick off their title defence at TD Garden against The Knicks. Whilst Boston made almost no changes to the team who hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy in June, the same can’t be said for New York. The Knicks have made massive changes headlined by the signings of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns.
New teams can take time to gel and I expect some teething issues to begin this season. The Knicks also start the season with injury concerns that will affect their already lean roster. Coach Thibodeau is renowned for playing his starters for excessive minutes and with injuries to minor role players, I’m expecting to see the starting five all get around 35 minutes each. Whilst fatigue wont be a factor this early in the season, it will be a very unfamiliar line up for New York fans.
For Boston it will be business as usual with the only notable absentee being Kristaps Porzingis who is rehabbing from a minor surgery in the off season. Jayson Tatum should have something to prove after copping a lot of heat for his championship celebrations, followed by his notable benching in the USA Olympic campaign. The Celtics will raise banner 18 into the rafters and give each player their championship ring, I see them getting straight back to business and winning comfortably at home.
SGM – Boston win/ Mcbride 2+ 3 Pointers /Hart under 8.5Pts = $4.20
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Lakers (1:00pm)
Best Bet
Anthony Davis had a night to remember in his last pre season hit-out against Phoenix. He finished the night with 35 points on 28 shots at 50%. Notably AD left 5 free throws at the charity stripe, meaning he could have had 40!
Davis loves playing Minnesota and has consistent numbers to prove it. Over his last 6 appearances against the Wolves, AD has averaged 28.5PPG. Although that clears his points line by 4 it also includes a game where he managed 4 points in 12 minutes before leaving the game through injury. Removing that game bumps his last 5 starts to an impressive 33.4PPG!
Whilst the probability of injury is higher than most players, these numbers are too great to ignore. AD looked youthful in pre season and on the verge of another big year. Look for Davis to feast on Rudy Gobert and the Wolves once again.
SGM – Davis 20+ Points/DiVincenzo 10+ Points/Edwards Over 4.5 Rebounds = $3.20
Multi
Celtics Win
Timberwolves Win
$2.67
