NBA betting tips: New York Knicks to silence Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks to expose Orlando Magic
With the halfway point of the regular NBA season fast approaching, the action is heating up as potential finalists begin to break away from the stragglers.
This weekend sees a number of the league’s hottest teams collide in what are sure to be some epic encounters.
First up in this week’s betting preview, we take a look at a potential Finals preview as the Knicks welcome the Thunder to the Big Apple. Following that, we make the short trip down to Orlando where the Magic host the Bucks.
Sports News Blitz writer George Dempsey is here with another round of NBA betting tips.
Oklahoma City Thunder at New York Knicks
The Thunder’s 15-game winning streak ended on Wednesday when the Cleveland Cavaliers offence pulled away in the closing minutes to secure a 129-122 triumph.
With both sides having won at least 30 of their opening 35 games – the first time since the early 1970s that two teams have achieved such a feat – the game was hyped as a probable NBA Finals preview.
Unfortunately, Oklahoma just could not stick the landing.
Although New York sit 8.5 games back in the Eastern Conference standings, they are also a potential finalist come the end of the season.
The Knicks will be hoping that Karl-Anthony Towns, currently listed as questionable alongside Jalen Brunson, pulls through to start against the Thunder after the big man scored 27 points and 13 rebounds in a 112-98 win over the Toronto Raptors two days ago.
That said, it finished 117-107 to Oklahoma the last time these two sides met in a game where the Knicks surrendered a 15-point lead in a fourth-quarter collapse.
As a result, the Knicks will be eyeing revenge come Friday night and, with Madison Square Garden rocking accordingly, that should be enough to keep this one close.
Suggested bet: New York Knicks +3
Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic
The Magic are having a solid season at 22-17, but regular injuries have prevented them from keeping pace with the three teams above them in the Eastern Conference.
On the other hand, the Bucks have finally found their feet to compile a 19-16 record after making a dreadful 2-9 start to the campaign.
The Milwaukee franchise also beat the Thunder 97-81 to win the NBA Cup last month.
Injuries have been a problem of late, though, with both Damien Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo listed as questionable for Friday’s game.
That is likely a precautionary measure but, if push comes to shove, the Bucks are more than capable of winning without them on the court.
It is worth remembering that the Wisconsin side beat the Magic by five during that run to the NBA Cup title.
This time, Orlando must contend with the additional burden of playing back-to-back, having lost 104-89 to the Minnesota Timberwolves last night.
With Milwaukee well-rested on the back of beating an in-form San Antonio Spurs team 121-105 on Thursday, it feels as if everything is set up nicely for a Bucks cover here.
Even if Paolo Banchero returns for Orlando, that is unlikely to change.
Suggested bet: Milwaukee Bucks -5
