Have the Los Angeles Clippers become the latest team to waste resources in an attempt to resuscitate Russell Westbrook’s career, or will the 34-year-old who made history a few years back by averaging a triple-double for the season help the Clippers make a postseason run? The Lakers shipped Westbrook to Utah, but the Jazz mostly did it to clear up space and see what their young core could do. Westbrook and the Jazz negotiated a buyout, and Utah waived him on Monday afternoon, and Westbrook now gets to join one of his teammates from his glory years in Oklahoma City, Paul George. The outcome of this deal will likely determine the arc of the rest of Westbrook’s NBA career. Let’s take a look at two intriguing NBA betting matchups coming Tuesday night in the Association.
NBA News: Top Betting Picks for Week 19
Denver Nuggets (+2.5) at Cleveland Cavaliers (O/U 221.5)
When: Thursday, February 23
Where: Rocket Mortagage Fieldhouse
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: NBA TV
The Cavaliers have won four in a row at home, and Donovan Mitchell continues to pace the offense, leading the team with 27.3 points per game. He also pulls down 4.1 boards and dishes out 4.9 assists per contest, and he knocks down 3.6 three-pointers per night. Darius Garland (21.8 points per game) is the second-leading scorer and is the top assist man (8.0 per game). Jarrett Allen adds 14.7 points per game and averages almost double figures in boards (9.9). The Cavs’ injury list includes Ricky Rubio (illness) and Cedi Osman (neck), both questionable. While the Cleveland offense ranks just 26th in the league (111.8 points per game), ther defense is the best in terms of points permitted (106.1). When the Cavaliers are favorites, they have gone 35-14 straight up, and they have gone 33-27-1 against the spread – and 26-18-1 against the spread when favored by at least two points.
Denver comes in as th underdog, which doesn’t happen often. In the 14 previous games this season when they have been the underdog, they have won seven of those straight up. They have been an underdog by at least two points ten times this season, and they have won five of those straight up. Against the spread, they are 32-25-2 on the season. Their injury list is a little longer; Collin Gillespie (leg) is out, and the questionable list includes Jamal Murray (knee), Zeke Nnaji (soulder) and Aaron Gordon (rib). Their leader in points (24.7), rebounds (11.5) and assists (10.1) is Nikola Jokic, and their top three-point producer is Michael Porter Jr (2.9 per game). Denver to cover.
Memphis Grizzlies (+4.5) at Philadelphia 76ers (O/U 228.5)
When: Thursday, February 23
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: TNT
Ja Morant brings the Memphis Grizzlies north to face the Philadelphia 76ers on TUesday night. Memphis has been an underdog 11 times so far this season and has won just one of those games. Against the spread, they have gone 26-28-3; as underdogs by at least four points, they have covered once in four games. Morant is the team’s leading scorer (27.3 points per game), and he aso dishes out 8.3 assists and grabs 6.0 rebounds per game. Steven Adams is the top rebounder with 11.6 boards per night, but he is listed as out (knee) for Tuesday’s game. Dillon Brooks nails 1.8 three-pointers per contest.
Philadelphia has gone 30-12 straight up when entering as the favorite, and they have a 34-23 record against the spread. However, when they have been favored by at least four points, they have gone just 13-14 against the spread. Furkan Korkmaz (personal) is the only 76er on the questionable list, and the team is glad to have Joel Embiid (33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists per game) healthy, alongside James Harden (21.4 points, 6.2 boards, 10.8 assists per game). Philadelphia to win and cover.
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