With each passing game, LeBron James gets closer to the regular-season scoring record, long held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He had 26 in a comeback win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, and now he is just 63 points away from the mark. James’ points played a crucial role in the Lakers’ rally, as he came back in with 9:22 left in regulation with his team down, 98-90. He had nine points down the stretch, including a three-ball to put the Lakers ahead for the first time with 2:35 left on the clock. He also added a pair of free throws with 1:09 left. Anthony Davis added 31 points and 14 rebounds and got a key block on a layup attempt by Tyrese Haliburton with 16.5 seconds left. Heading into the weekend, let’s break down a couple of quality NBA betting picks.
NBA News: Top Betting Picks for the Weekend
→ Phoenix Suns (+9.5) at Boston Celtics (O/U 220.5) (7:30 pm ET)
Phoenix (27-26) started the year 16-7 and has gone 11-19 since then. Some of this has to do with the extended absence of guard Devin Booker, who has been out for almost six weeks with a groin strain. Booker will also miss the game in Boston before coming back next week. The Suns could really use him, as they showed in a 132-100 embarrassment they suffered in Atlanta on Wednesday. In that loss, they clanked 24 of 28 three-pointers and turned the ball over 16 times, leading to 31 Atlanta points. Miles Bridges led the team with 23 points, and Deandre Ayton put up 20 points and nine rebounds, but the Suns are just 21st in the league in points per game this season (112.7).
Boston (37-15) started the season 21-5, dropped five of six and then won 13 of 15. They cooled off again, dropping three in a row before knocking off the Lakers in overtime on Saturday. They followed that up with a 139-96 demolition of Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Celtics nailed 26 three-balls in that rout, one away from the club record. They built a lead as large as 49 points in the fourth quarter, and Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum each had seven three-pointers of their own. Brown and Tatum have both scored at least 25 points in the same game eight times this season – and they were able to take a seat for most of the fourth quarter. The Celtics beat Phoenix in the desert on December 7, building up a 45-point lead in the second half of a 125-98 laugher. Celtics to win and cover.
→ Atlanta Hawks (+1.5) at Utah Jazz (O/U 241.5) (9:00 pm ET)
Atlanta (26-26) delivered that rout of the Suns in a bounceback win after losing to the Clippers by seven at home and the Trail Blazers by four on the road. The Hawks shot 57.1% from the floor overall, and they delivered a 32-12 assist-to-turnover ratio. Dejounte Murray scored 40 against Portland and 21 more against Phoenix. Trae Young added 20 points and a dozen assists against Phoenix, and Onyeka Okongwu and Bogdan Bogdanovic put in a combined 35 points coming off the bench against the Suns. The Hawks now head west looking to end a stretch of six losses in eight games.
Utah (27-26) has a two-game winning streak after beating Dallas by eight and Toronto by three. The win over the Raptors came in 131-128 fashion on Wednesday, as the Jazz knocked down 53.0% of their shots and made 17 three-pointers. Lauri Markkanen posted a 28-point, 13-board double-double in the win over the Raptors. Jordan Clarkson kicked in 23 points and five assists. Mike Conley dealt out 19 points and eight assists, and Walker Kessler dominated the paint with 17 points, 14 rebounds and a career-best seven blocks. Jazz to win and cover.
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