Sean Blazek's 2 Best NBA Bets for Thursday Dec 8
Houston Rockets @ San Antonio Spurs
The Rockets and Spurs are set to face off on Thursday inside AT&T Center in a battle between the two worst teams in the Western Conference. San Antonio has dropped eleven straight games moving their record to 6-18 on the season. The Rockets are coming off a 132-123 double-overtime win over Philadelphia on Monday. This is the first matchup this season between the interstate rivals. The game total is set at 232.5 points. The total averaged 242.5 points in four head-to-head matchups last season with all four games exceeding 232 points. Look to take the over game total on Thursday.
The Rockets have found some momentum winning four of their last seven games. Houston averages 110.9 points while allowing 117.2 points to opponents. They are led by their young backcourt of Jalen Green (21.6 ppg) and Kevin Porter Jr. (19 ppg). While this duo can be electric at times, they each average over three turnovers per game. Houston leads the league in turnovers averaging 18 turnovers as a team. If the Rockets cannot protect the basketball, San Antonio will take advantage of the fast break opportunities and keep this game close.
The Spurs are coming off an embarrassing 133-95 blowout loss to the Suns on Sunday. San Antonio averaging 109.5 points while allowing a league-worst 121.3 points to opponents. Their leading scorer Devin Vassell (knee) is currently listed as doubtful. Jakob Poeltl, Keita Bates-Diop, and Jeremy Sochan will all be out for Thursday. Fortunately for the Spurs, Josh Richardson is expected to suit up after being sidelined since Nov. 20 with an ankle injury. This team is running thin due to injuries and can use all the scoring they can get at this point.
Expect this to be an ugly game knowing these two teams rank 28th and 30th in defensive rating. The Spurs love to push the tempo ranking 6th in pace this season. Houston is not afraid to step up the pace and win games by outshooting their opponents. Houston has been an excellent team on the boards, ranking third in the league in total rebounds per game. San Antonio has been the opposite, ranking 23rd. Second-chance opportunities leading to open three-pointers will be the recipe for Houston here. Ride the trend and take the over game total in tonight’s contest.
Best Bet: Game Total OVER 232.5 Points
Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers
Denver will look to get back in the win column and snap a three-game losing streak when it travels to Portland on Thursday. The Nuggets are coming off a 116-115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at home. Portland has won two consecutive games, including a 116-100 win over Indiana on Sunday. These two teams have met once this season with the Trail Blazers winning 135-110 on their home court.
The Nuggets have been solid offensively averaging 114.8 points per game with an offensive rating of 115.8 which ranks fifth. Their struggles come on the defensive end of the floor ranking 26th in defensive rating, allowing opponents to score 113.7 points per game. As a team, they are led by Nikola Jokic who is averaging 23 points per game. Jamal Murray is second on the team averaging 17.6 points. Denver ranks third in effective field goal percentage on the season.
The Trail Blazers were happy to get Damian Lillard back on the court in their win over Indiana on Saturday. Lillard finished with 21 points on 7-16 shooting. Portland has an 8-4 record with Lillard on the court this season and a 5-7 record without him. Anfernee Simmons has been one of the most improved players this season averaging 24.7 points per game. He ranks second in the NBA with 4.23 three-pointers made per game. As a team, they are averaging 110.3 points while allowing 111 points per game to opponents.
Portland is averaging 225.6 points per game in their last 10 games. Denver games are also averaging 226 points in their last 10 games. The over is 8-2 in their last 10 meetings. The total cleared the closing line by 10+ points in six of the eight games that went Over. Denver has 9-6 over/under record away from home this season. Portland has 4-4-2 over/under record at home. These two teams put up 245 points in their first meeting in a game where Jokic and Murray only combined for 17 points. Do not expect their top two scorers to be held to single digit scoring once again. Anticipate the Nuggets to keep this game closer than their first battle and for the total to go over 226 points on Thursday.
Best Bet: Total OVER 226 Points
