NBA Betting Preview – 26th February 2020
We’re heading towards the final quarter of the 2019/2020 NBA regular season and it has been on of the most exciting in recent memory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is on his way to back-to-back MVP awards as he leads the Milwaukee Bucks to a 70-win season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have transformed the Lakers into serious championship contenders while we have one of the best rookie classes with Zion Williamson and Ja Morant both playing at elite level.
There is still plenty to play for with the final playoff places and home court advantage still up for grabs.
Los Angeles Clippers @ Phoenix Suns
When: Wednesday 26th February @ 9:05PM
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena
Odds: LA Clippers (-5.5) -109 Phoenix Suns (+5.5) -109
The Suns are clinging on the race for 8th seed in the West.
Our Pick: Phoenix Suns (+5.5) -109
It has been a long time since the Phoenix Suns headed into March with meaningful regular season games left to play. Devin Booker’s whole Suns career has been part of a rebuilding process and they are by no means finished. This has been their best season in recent years despite Deandre Ayton’s early season suspension.
Monty Williams’ young team are 4.5 games behind the 8th seed Memphis Grizzlies. They can claw some of that deficit back during an upcoming six game home stand. However, to make that final playoff spot they will have to leapfrog the five teams above them in the standings. No easy task.
The Suns have won two of their last three home games and we think they will keep it close in this one too. The Clippers haven’t clicked into playoff mode yet. Doc Rivers’ side have lost four of their last six. We’re backing the Suns with the points at -109 with VIP Sports.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors
When: Thursday 27th February @ 10:30PM
Where: Chase Center
The Lakers can stretch their lead at the top of the Western Conference with a win in San Francisco.
Our Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
Barring a bad dip in form between now and the end of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers look to have already secured top seeding in the Western Conference.
For four of the last five seasons that position has been held by Thursday night’s opponents. Steve Kerr’s squad have suffered a dramatic fall from grace this season with injuries to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and the departure of Kevin Durant has left them with the bare bones of their championship winning roster. They have a league worst 12-46 record.
Curry is due to make a return to the starting line-up in early March but he wont make an appearance here. Andrew Wiggins is still adjusting to life in San Francisco while Eric Paschall has been their leading scorer for the bulk of the regular season.
The Lakers seem to be finding their groove and their outright odds have been shortened to +300 with VIP. Bet on LeBron James & Co. to pick up their 45th win of the season on Thursday.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Milwaukee Bucks
When: Friday 28th February @ 8PM
Where: Fiserv Forum
League leaders Milwaukee Bucks host an in-form Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.
Our Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (+8.5)
The high-flying Milwaukee Bucks are on course to become only the third franchise to break the 70-win marker in the NBA regular season. They have already become the first team to register to their place in this season’s playoffs.
Although not playing at the same level, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been just as impressive this season. Billy Donovan could have been forgiven for assigning this season to a rebuilding process after trading both Russell Westbrook and Paul George in the off-season. Chris Paul came back to Oklahoma in the Westbrook trade and he has proven himself to be a top-10 player in the NBA.
Paul has formed a formidable backcourt partnership with young Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and they will be a match for any team in the playoffs.
This game will be a good test for both teams and we can expect a game played at playoff intensity. The Thunder have won their last four in a row and a eight of their last ten – we’re tipping them to run the Bucks close on Friday night. Back them with VIPCasino.ca.
