The NBA seeding games in the Orlando bubble are over halfway done as teams are slowly securing their places for the playoffs. The Portland Trail Blazers are one such team that’s closing in on at least a play-in spot.
The Blazers missed their chance to seal that spot after a heart-breaking defeat yesterday, but they will get an opportunity to redeem themselves when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers, who have once again lost All-Star Ben Simmons for the remainder of the season.
SBOBET takes a closer look at all seven games in Sunday’s schedule as the playoffs creep ever closer.
Washington Wizards vs Oklahoma City Thunder
The have had quite a roller-coaster ride of late. After thumping the West-leading Lakers by 19 points, they went out and lost by 29 points to a Grizzlies team that had previously gone winless in the bubble.
But Chris Paul and the Thunder should be ready to bounce back, and they couldn’t have asked for a much better matchup to do so as they take on the struggling Wizards. Washington have been the worst team in the bubble, losing all five of their games by nine or more points.
Betting Tip: Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -9.50 @ 1.86
Memphis Grizzlies vs Toronto Raptors
The Raptors’ unbeaten run in the bubble finally came to an end as they were blown out by the Boston Celtics by 22 points. The Raptors’ offence was completely shut down by Boston’s defence; they shot just 43 per cent from the floor and 10-of-38 on 3-pointers.
The defending champions will be eager to get back to winning ways against the Grizzlies, who only just got their first win in the bubble. With young big man Jaren Jackson Jr. out injured, the Raptors big men should have their way in the paint. Marc Gasol, in particular, will be fired up to face his former team for the first time since being traded last season.
Betting Tip: Toronto Raptors Asian Handicap -6.50 @ 1.92
San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans
The NBA 2020 odds for either the Spurs or the Pelicans making it to the playoffs aren’t great, but both young teams will still be aiming to end their respective seasons on a high.
The Pelicans picked up a much-needed win against the Wizards despite being without star rookie Zion Williamson, who was rested. Zion has scored 23.5 points in his last two games and should be completely ready to face the Spurs.
San Antonio snapped their recent two-game losing skid as they beat a short-handed Jazz team that was without stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
Betting Tip: San Antonio Spurs Asian Handicap +3.00 @ 1.97
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics
Despite losing their last three games, the Magic have clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Magic’s offence, which began the restart on fire, has cooled off significantly of late. They hardly broke 100 points in recent losses to the Raptors and 76ers, who were without injured star Ben Simmons.
The Magic don’t have much left to play for, which should benefit the Celtics. Boston are coming off back-to-back blowout wins over the Nets and Raptors as they are slowly ramping up their play head of the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Portland Trail Blazers
The 76ers got their first win after the disatrous NBA 2020 news that Ben Simmons will likely miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury. But despite 23 points each from Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris, their offence still struggled against the Magic. They shot just 41 per cent and went 8-of-29 on 3-pointers.
Simmons’ defence will also be missed as the Sixers take on the Blazers. Portland will be desperate to bounce back after a tough loss to the Clippers as they missed their chance to clinch a spot in a play-in tournament. Damian Lillard, in particular, will be eager to make up for missing two key free throws late in the game, which led to mocking from some Clippers players.
Betting Tip: Portland Trail Blazers Asian Handicap -3.00 @ 2.00
Houston Rockets vs Sacramento Kings
The Rockets improved to 4-1 inside the bubble as they topped the Lakers by 16. With superstars LeBron James and Russell Westbrook both out, James Harden starred with 39 points and 12 assists to lead the Rockets.
Westbrook should return to the Rockets’ line-up to take on the Kings, who have struggled mightily in the bubble. They lost by 13 points to the Nets last time out as they dropped to 1-4 in Orlando and are close to elimination from playoff contention. They will be eager to end their season on a high, but they don’t have the firepower to hang with the full-strength Rockets.
Brooklyn Nets vs LA Clippers
The Clippers are so good they could still beat the in-form Blazers without Kawhi Leonard, who was rested for the game. The likes of Landry Shamet, Marcus Morris, and Reggie Jackson were able to step up offensively as the Clippers are looking to get completely healthy ahead of the playoffs.
Even if they do decide to rest a few more players, they should still have enough weapons against the Nets, who don’t have much left to play for after clinching their playoff spot after beating the Kings.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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