NBA Expert Tips and Best Bets | Jan 24

The NBA celebrates its greatest rivalries this week, combining the classic with the new. Thursday night will feature both, with the budding rivalry between the Bucks and the Heat followed by one of the greatest in all of sports, the Lakers versus the Celtics. We’re taking a look at three NBA predictions on some fantastic bets for these contests.

Bucks -1.5 |$1.91 @ Betfocus

The Heat announced Wednesday that star forward Jimmy Butler would be suspended two games for missing a team flight. Another blow for a Heat team that’s struggled to a .500 record while missing Butler and other key contributors for extended time.

The Bucks seem to have gotten it together after a dismal 2-8 start to the season. Milwaukee has won seven of their last eight and many of those convincingly. Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting up his usual MVP numbers, averaging 31.5-12-6, while Damian Lillard is settling into his second-banana role.

Here are some bonus NBA tips. Take the over on Giannis player prop bets! But for this matchup, with Butler out and the Bucks on a streak, Milwaukee should be the best bet to cover.

Anthony Davis Over Points+Rebounds |@ Playup

The Celtics are a true contender for the title again this year, while the Lakers are simply not at that level currently. That doesn’t matter when it comes to this rivalry, however. It’s still a big matchup for the players and the fans.

Still, the best bets to place on this Lakers squad have to do with their two superstars, Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

Davis has averaged 27.5 points and 11.8 rebounds against the Celtics in his career, both above his career averages. Look for Davis to try to be a force in this game, which would be a huge win for the Lakers if they can pull it off.

LeBron James Over Assists |@Betright

The second-best NBA expert picks for this game have to do with LeBron James, who may never cease to amaze. LeBron is 40 years old in his 22nd NBA season, yet he’s averaging 23.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 9 assists per game!

The points are the lowest he’s averaged since his rookie year but the assists are his third-most ever. In his last two games, he’s dished out 13 and 11. James hasn’t registered below eight assists since the turn of the new year.

Look for him to be the playmaker the Lakers desperately need as he tries to get the Lakers rolling in their first matchup against their archrivals this season.