The Dallas Mavericks’ inability to get defensive stops, or to get clutch scoring from anyone not named Kyrie Irving or Luka Doncic, continues to plague the team. On Sunday, the Mavericks built a 27-point lead over the L.A. Lakers, but even though LeBron James left the game with a foot injury, the Lakers were able to erase the lead and get the win. A problem for the Mavericks is interior defense, as center Dwight Powell continues to struggle against even average opposition. This is an area that the team must solve if they want to get anywhere close to their Western Conference Finals run from last season. Going into Week 20, we have a couple of primo NBA betting picks for you to consider.
NBA News: Top Betting Picks ATS for Week 20
Miami Heat (+5.5) at Philadelphia 76ers (O/U 216.5)
When: Monday, February 27th
Where: Wells Fargo Center, PH
Time: 7:00 PM EST
TV: NBA TV
Miami (32-29) has not played the 76ers since they ousted them in six games in the playoffs last May. The Heat have dropped four in a row and are now 11 games back of Boston, in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Their last action came on Saturday, as they lost in embarrassing fashion in Charlotte, 108-103, shooting just 40% from the floor and losing the rebounding battle, 48-42. Tyler Herro was the team’s top scorer, knocking down seven three-pointers on the way to a 33-point game, and Jimmy Butler chipped 28 points and seven assists. Kevin Love had a double-double with 13 points and 13 boards, and Bam Adebayo had 14 points and six rebounds. Offense continues to be a problem for the Heat, though, as they are last in the league, scoring just 108.1 points per game. Team defense ranks second (108.6 points permitted per game), but the scoring needs to improve.
Philadelphia (39-20) is another team that let a big lead vanish on Sunday, as they were up 15 on Boston in the third quarter on Saturday before the Celtics roared back for the late win. Joel Embiid nailed a shot from 70 feet away that would have sent the game to overtime, but he released the ball just after the buzzer, and the Celtics held on for the 110-107 win. Embiid had had a huge night, with 41 points and a dozen boards, and James Harden had scored 21, but the inability to get stops plagued the 76ers. I would expect that they will have some frustrations to work out against Miami, after both Saturday’s loss and their playoff debacle against the Heat last year. Philadelphia to win and cover.
Boston Celtics (-2.5) at N.Y. Knicks (O/U 224.5)
When: Monday, February 27th
Where: Madison Square Garden, NY
Time: 7:30 PM EST
TV: NBA League Pass
Boston (44-17) will see the Knicks for the third time this season; the last time they met, the Knicks prevailed, 120-117. The Celtics lead the East and have the third-best team offense in points (118.1 per game), led by Jayson Tatum, who puts up 30.4 points per game and makes 46.1% of his shots. The team is sixth in three-point shooting (38%) and third in free-throw percentage (82.5%). On defense, they are eighth in fewest points permitted (112.1). They are sixth in rebounds (45.1 per game).
New York (35-27) routed the New Orleans Pelicans, 128-106, in their last game. They are still 9 ½ games behind Boston in the East, currently in sixth place. They are 14th in points socred per game (114.8), with Julius Randle leading the team in scoring (25.1 points per game). The Knicks do better when they attack the rim, as they are just 23rd in three-point shooting (34.7%). The defense is stingy in terms of opponent shooting percentage, ranking third at (45.5%). Jalen Brunson also continues to serve as a terrific creator on offense. Will the Celtics take the Knicks too easily after that big win over Philadelphia? Knicks to cover.
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