Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are set to face each other for the first time this season, and the meeting of the Eastern Conference’s top scorers are expected to deliver on-court fireworks and non-stop action.
Both players were absent due to injuries during the October clash between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors, so there are high hopes when the two teams meet again…this time at Scotiabank Arena and now with their biggest stars.
On the other NBA games, the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Detroit Pistons in the battle of the East and West. Meanwhile, it’s Utah versus the San Antonio in the West playoff chase and Charlotte against New York in the East.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Detroit Pistons (December 10, 04:30 GMT+8)
It’s a fight between some of the best big men in the league right now. Anthony Davis continues to lead the Pelicans as they try to turn their season around, while Andre Drummond has maintained his hot start to the year with his 18-15 (points-rebounds) average.
The Pels will find some hope from the fact that the Pistons are on a slump, having lost their past three matches since winning over reigning champions Golden State Warriors last week. However, Detroit will be happy to know that they’ll be facing an Alvin Gentry team that has been abysmal on the road (3-10 on away games), even losing to the likes of the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards.
Betting Tip: Detroit Pistons +1.00 @ 2.06.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Toronto Raptors (December 10, 07:00 GMT+8)
The two best teams in the East are geared to duke it out again, and this time, they’ll have their best players ready.
Milwaukee produced one of the best NBA 2018 highlights when they beat Toronto, 124-109, last October. Nonetheless, the fact that both teams were without Antetokounmpo and Leonard put some damper on what should have been an incredible matchup.
They are two of the most well-balanced teams in the league right now, and it’s interesting to note that they both rank in the top five offensively and top ten defensively.
Both squads, however, are coming off a defeat—Toronto losing to the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee bowing down to the Dubs—so it might come down on who wanted the win more. Playing at home should give the Raptors a slight advantage, though.
Betting Tip: Toronto Raptors -5.00 @ 2.02.
Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs (December 10, 08:00 GMT+8)
The 2018-19 season hasn’t been great for the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs, with both franchises out of the playoff picture contrary to the pre-NBA 2018 odds at SBOBET.
Utah (13-13) have the better record and will be more confident after beating the Spurs to the tune of 139-105 last week (behind Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert). Add to it that Quin Snyder’s men have won back-to-back matches—the other one against the Houston Rockets.
Nevertheless, the Spurs are always tough to beat at AT&T Center, and their record-breaking win over the Los Angeles Lakers should give DeMar DeRozan and Co. some much-needed momentum heading into this game.
Betting Tip: San Antonio Spurs +2.50 @ 2.02.
Charlotte Hornets @ New York Knicks (December 10, 08:30 GMT+8)
It’s all about Kemba Walker and his homecoming.
Kemba has elevated himself this year, and his return to New York to play his hometown team—the Knickerbockers—can be seen as an audition of sorts for the free agent to be in 2019.
“What kid doesn’t want to play in MSG? I’ve been fortunate enough to play there many, many times during my basketball career. Every chance I get to play there, I try to embrace it. I just love playing there,” Walker said recently via Marc Berman of The New York Post.
“I will always have an attachment to and a love of that city. That city made me who I am today.”
The Hornets point guard is averaging 25.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. He is also third in the NBA in plus-minus, making him a prime target for the Knicks who are in dire need of a floor general as Frank Ntilikina struggles.
New York have lost three straight already and seem to be a team fighting for the best lottery odds instead of the playoffs. They did beat the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Pelicans and Bucks over the past two weeks, but consistency remains a major issue.
Betting Tip: Charlotte Hornets -5.50 @ 1.92.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE BASKETBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
