What can we expect from Joel Embiid in his second game back this season against one of the league’s better defences in Orlando?
Best Bet
Brooklyn Nets @ New York Knicks (11:40am)
The move to New York has been incredible for KAT who is putting together a monster season so far, averaging 26.5 points per game.
Towns enters this clash with the Nets off the back of a 46-point outing against the Bulls, with the big man scoring 30+ points in four of his last five games – and in Thibs fashion, his minutes are through the roof.
Bigs are scoring at 12% above average against the Nets this season, so we should see another big outing from Karl-Anthony Towns.
SGM – KAT 25+ Points / KAT 12+ Rebounds / Claxton Under 9.5 Rebounds = $4.50
Next Best
Philadelphia 76ers @ Orlando Magic (11:10am)
If you watched Embiid first up you would have to agree this is a fairly high line for the big man. The former MVP really lacks match fitness and was on all haunches five minutes into the game.
It doesn’t help that the Magic is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, ranked 1 in the competition for opposition points per game only conceding 103.7.
Centres really struggle against Orlando – they are the most difficult team for big men to score against so far this season at 25% below average, while they also concede rebounds at 13% below average.
This screams a horror match-up for Embiid in his second game back, and with PG and the rookie McCain finding their feet, expect them to maintain the offensive load.
SGM – Magic / Embiid Under 24.5 Points / George 4+ Assists = $3.60
Value Bet
Phoenix Suns @ OKC Thunder (12:10pm)
He’s questionable to line-up, but if he does the Bosnian Beast might have a feast on the glass against this small-ball OKC Thunder outfit.
No Beal or Durant for Phoenix which means they may need the big man out there for an extended period of time against the Thunder, and when the Suns duo haven’t been on the floor this season Nurkic is averaging 16.8 rebounds per 36 minutes.
Coming off 11 rebounds against Sabonis and the Kings in just 21 minutes, Nurkic could potentially hit 16 rebounds in the same timeframe against OKC – Zubac had 14 rebounds against their small-ball two starts back, and even rookie Yves Missi had 10 in 26 minutes last start. 20 rebounds isn’t out of the question.
SGM – Williams 20+ Points / Dort 10+ Points / Nurkic 12+ Rebounds = $3.50
Saturday NBA Multi
Rockets / Thunder / Bulls +8.5 / Pacers
$5.67
