Kyrie Irving returned to the court for the Brooklyn Nets after serving an eight-game ban that stemmed from his social media posts supporting a movie and book that dealt with antisemitic themes. He returned on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies, putting up 14 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes in a 127-115 victory. With Irving back on the floor, and with Ben Simmons finding his game again, the Nets look primed to shoot up the East standings. Let’s look at some promising NBA betting matchups as we move into Week 6 of the 2022-23 NBA regular season.
NBA News: Betting Preview for Week 6
→ Monday, November 21
Portland Trail Blazers (+10.5) at Milwaukee Bucks (O/U 214.5)
(8:00 pm ET)
The Trail Blazers roared out to win its first four games and post a 9-3 record through 12. However, they then dropped three of four, including two losses at home to the Nets and the Jazz. They also lost Damian Lillard with a grade 1 calf strain on Sunday. He had missed four games with the injury already but then returned for the Jazz game. He had to leave the game in the second half, though, after re-aggravating the injury. Lillard missed most of the 2021-22 season with an abdominal injury, but he had been averaging 27.6 points and seven assists per game going into the game with Utah.
This news means that Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant will have to take on more of the offensive load. Simons is putting up 22.5 points per game this season after inking a $100 million deal in the offseason. In March, he dropped 31 on Milwaukee in a game that Lillard had to miss. Grant scores 19.7 points per game; however, Milwaukee has the fourth-best defense in the NBA right now in terms of points permitted, so both will need to work hard to get points.
The Bucks started hot, building a 9-0 record. However, since then, they have dropped four of six to fall to 11-4. They fell to the 76ers in Philadelphia on Friday, losing 110-102. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a solid night with 25 points, 14 boards and four assists, but he clanked 11 of his 15 free-throw attempts, making it three straight games in which his percentage from the charity stripe was poor, posting a combined 19 of 44 mark. The Bucks are not shooting as well as a team, either, as they have made just 42.6% of their shots overall and 34.1% of its three-point attempts in their last six games. Khris Middleton will miss Monday’s game, as will Wesley Matthews. Portland to cover.
Utah Jazz (+3.5) at L.A. Clippers (O/U 223.5)
(10:30 pm ET)
The Jazz and Clippers meet for the second time in 2022-23. The Jazz won on the road, 110-102, entering as 3 ½-point underdogs back on November 6. Utah will not have Rudy Gay (hand), and Mike Conley remains questionable (knee). The Clippers will not have Luke Kennard (calf) and Paul George (knee) is questionable.
The Jazz ended a three-game skid by taking down Phoenix at home, 134-133, on Friday. Then they went to Portland and beat the Trail Blazers, 118-113, as 4 ½-point road underdogs to sweep the back-to-back. The Jazz, of course, benefited from Damian Lillard’s injury and were able to pull away in the third period. Malik Beasley led the Jazz with 29 points, nailing six three-balls off the bench. That came one night after Beasley hung 27 on the Suns, knocking down seven three-pointers. Lauri Markkanen scored 38 against Phoenix and had a 23-point, 10-board night against the Trail Blazers.
The Clippers also look to make it three wins in a row. They beat Detroit on Thursday, 96-91, and then ran the San Antonio Spurs out of the gym, 119-97, on Saturday. The Clippers shot 54.3% overall from the floor and 52.5% from downtown, hitting a season high with 21 makes from distance. Paul George had 21 points in just 15 minutes before having to leave with injury. Reggie Jackson had 20 points and four assists, and John Wall had 15 assists and four steals to go along with five points. Norman Powell also hit double figures with 26 points. Clippers to win and cover.
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