LeBron James is being shut down. The Los Angeles Lakers’ season did not go as hoped this year and the team is not going to make the postseason. With that in mind, the team has decided to put James on the bench the rest of the season in order to let his groin fully heal.
The Lakers will play their first game without James on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Los Angeles has a slightly better record, but without James it will certainly be a heavy underdog on the road in this one. The Lakers-Pelicans game is one which should get a fair share of betting, and there are several other matchups that should pique the interest of the gambling public in NBA odds.
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Odds Analysis
The Lakers are going to be without James, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, who are all done for the year due to injury. That’s a huge collection of talent on the bench, and the team is going to really struggle the rest of the way. The Pelicans are a decent team at home but they should have no trouble winning this game. However, the added minutes for some young players should lead to an energized effort by the Lakers. Los Angeles is the choice to cover the spread.
The Milwaukee Bucks are on the road Sunday in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. It’s crucial to know if the Bucks will have superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo available. He tweaked an ankle last time out and it might be wise to sit him for a few games in order to get the Greek Freak healthy for the postseason. Milwaukee will still likely be the road favorite, but by fewer points if he cannot go. The Bucks have great depth anyway and should be able to overcome the absence of Antetokounmpo if he sits and still cover the spread.
The San Antonio Spurs are barely ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, and hopes to claim it in order to avoid the Warriors in the first round. San Antonio has destiny in its own hands and has a winnable game next time out. The Spurs are at home against the Sacramento Kings and should be able to take care of business easily, winning the game and covering the spread.
Speaking of the Warriors, they are tied with the Nuggets atop the West as the season comes to a close. Golden State would like the top seed and have a winnable game next time out at home against the Charlotte Hornets. Look for the Warriors to jump out to a sizable lead but to let off the gas enough late to allow Charlotte to cover the spread.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The best bet of the Sunday slate features the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City has really struggled of late, losing six of its past 10 games. However, the Thunder is the better team in this one and playing at home.
The oddsmakers know the stakes and will institute the Thunder as a sizable favorite, but Dallas is better than its record would suggest. The Mavericks have not been good at winning games this season, especially on the road, but they do usually manage to stay close. That’s the name of the game when it comes to NBA betting, and the gamblers will thank them,
Oklahoma City will win this game, but Dallas is the pick to cover the spread.
NBA ATS Pick: Dallas Mavericks to cover the spread against the Oklahoma City Thunder
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