In this article, we’ll provide you with our top basketball picks on Saturday night’s NBA schedule with games between the Boston Celtics at New York Knicks & Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns. So let’s dive right in to study the odds, betting lines, teams, and players to give you our recommended betting picks to beat the New Jersey sportsbooks.
Boston Celtics (-5) at New York Knicks – O/U: 215
Saturday, October 26, 2019 – 7:30 p.m. EST
Betting Pick: Knicks (+5)
The Boston Celtics hit the road for a divisional matchup against the New York Knicks. Both teams ended up playing close games last night, but only the Celtics will be traveling to this one in an airplane. Because of that, we’re taking the Knicks to cover the five-point spread. Let’s look into the details a bit more to validate our decision.
NBA Betting Lines Analysis: Celtics at Knicks
We’re not sure about the Celtics getting the upper hand, considering the scoring has only come from a few sources early on. The Knicks played in Brooklyn last night, so the back-to-back shouldn’t have as much of a factor on them. While the Celtics did defeat the Raptors last night, we’re a bit sour on them as well and don’t feel like that proves as much as it used to.
Celtics Betting Form
As we mentioned, the Celtics need more scoring contributions from players other than Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Jalen Brown. While he’s more of a defensive player, Marcus Smart still hasn’t found a rhythm on the other end. That leaves a lot of opportunities for other players to step up, but no one has claimed that reward yet.
The Knicks provide a ton of mismatches down low for the Celtics. Enes Kanter will miss his second consecutive game, giving them even more trouble in that regard.
Knicks Betting Form
The Knicks looked dead in the Brooklyn waters last night, trailing by 19 points in the third quarter. Then, all of a sudden, they had found themselves up three points with under four minutes to go – only to let that lead evaporate.
Still, the Knicks showed some spunk down the stretch and that should carry over into tonight’s game. Their size should really play well against a Celtics team that doesn’t have much of it. In Boston’s game against a taller Philly team, they were outrebounded by 21 and had seven shots blocked. That’ll be a key factor in New York keeping this one close. Not to mention, the Knicks have plenty of bigger and longer players to throw the Celtics’ way.
Betting Pick: Knicks (+5)
While the Knicks may not win the game, there’s at least enough evidence to believe this game will stay close. They had a much better travel itinerary heading into tonight’s game and that’ll bode well at the end of the night. Also, as we mentioned, the height advantage should play well in the Knicks favor.
Los Angeles Clippers (-9) at Phoenix Suns – O/U: 229.5
Saturday, October 26, 2019 – 10:00 p.m. EST
Betting Pick: Clippers (-9)
The Los Angeles Clippers take their pristine 2-0 record into the desert to face the Phoenix Suns. Everyone thought that L.A. would certainly be the clear-cut title winner going into the season. However, it’s been the Clippers showing that, and not the Lakers. We like them to keep it going, and that’s why the Clippers are our top betting pick. Let’s look at the scenario in this game and examine a key factor that’ll be the difference.
NBA Betting Lines: Clippers at Suns
Even though the Suns have played well to start the season, we feel like the oddsmakers nailed this one. Of course, we would love the line to be lower for our benefit. The Suns will be in a very tough position tonight, not just playing the Clippers. In addition, they’ll have to deal with fatigue from playing an overtime game in Denver last night. This was already going to be a tough matchup, and it just got a lot harder.
Clippers Betting Form
Simply put, the Clippers have been amazing. Even without Paul George, this well-rounded team played well against the Lakers and beat the breaks off the Warriors to start the season. Kawhi Leonard is back to his old tricks, becoming arguably the best player in basketball. Landry Shamet and Patrick Beverley are playing their respective roles at each end of the court. On the second unit, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell are leading one of the best bench units in NBA history.
We don’t feel like a case needs to be made for LA. These guys are rolling smoothly and a dead-tired Phoenix team certainly won’t slow them down.
Suns Betting Form
As we mentioned, the Suns will be completely exhausted heading into this game. If you’re not familiar with Denver, it’s 5,280 feet (or one mile) above sea level and that’ll kill your stamina.
Making matters worse, DeAndre Ayton was suspended 25 games this week for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. It’s a huge blow for a team that had potential coming into the season. However, they did show they could hang without him against Denver last night.
When looking at the matchups, the Clippers can do plenty of things to slow Devin Booker down. Without his scoring contributions coming in bunches, that’ll force some of these other guys to be the man. Kelly Oubre Jr. did lead the team with 23 points last night. But tonight could look a lot different with Kawhi defending him.
Betting Pick: Clippers (-9)
We know everyone is giddy about both of these teams after two games, but one of them is in a tough predicament this evening. The Suns have way too much trouble attached to their bodies, while the Clippers went into coast-mode in their last game. Look for LA to dominate this game from the start and never look back.
