There are only three games on Thursday’s light NBA schedule, but that doesn’t mean we have few very intriguing matches.
Our Action Network analysts focused on two games: Miami Heat vs. Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, with the latter being part of TNT’s nationally televised doubleheader.
Take a look at the main moves below.
NBA Odds and Choices
Heat vs. Kings
Brandon Anderson: Jimmy Butler should be an All-Star.
Honestly, I really think that should be pretty obvious. We are only a few months away from Butler taking down multiple triples in LeBron James in the NBA finals. Do you remember how everyone agreed that Butler was a clear player in the top 10 in the MVP race?
This was literally like four months ago. And now Butler is so off the radar that people don’t even mention him as an All-Star possibility.
And for sure, Butler played only 16 games and that matters. However, Kevin Durant has played 19 games, and everyone is scoring him directly for the ASG starting lineup without a second thought. And they should. Durant should start the Star Game, but maybe Butler should start right next to him.
In 10 games since Butler returned from his long absence, he has averaged 21.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game. He made three double triples on that stretch, and was a few rebounds away and an assist to add three more to his resume. Gosh, do you think six almost triple-doubles over a 10 game span is good?
The NBA will announce its first All-Star Game games tonight, just before this game’s hints, and Butler will not be one of them. Hey, guess who’s really motivated by peculiar external factors? Jimmy Butler.
The Miami star took over the entire creation of the Heat and, as they struggle to find the attack, he has had at least eight assists in eight of his last 10 games. He surpassed that number in six of the last seven performances.
I think we’re going to have another triple-double tonight and another big game, plus a friendly reminder that this guy should be in the Star Game right next to the other stars that are announced.
I love it in more juice and would play it down for equal odds.
Nets vs. Lakers
Malik Smith: This game is a clash of teams at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of identity. The Lakers are built in their defense and have usually been a safe bet for the entire season (18-11 by Bet Labs). At the same time, the Nets avoid defense like the plague and have been the most profitable team in the NBA when it comes to hits (22-8) in total.
This game will essentially depend on who sets the pace. With Kevin Durant out due to a hamstring injury and Anthony Davis absent in the coming weeks, I hope LeBron James will avoid trying to get into a high-scoring game with James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
The Lakers’ defense is still at the top of the league with Davis off the field this season, and as far as we know that Harden and Irving can warm up, the Lakers have the ability to limit these guys to some extent when they are playing.
This game opened with 237.5 points and has since dropped to 232 or less in some books. I still think it’s a little too high and I’ll go back on this point.