The new NBA season is well underway and has already produced dazzling dunks, brilliant blocks and game winning buzzer-beaters from a blistering opening few games.
Multiple fixtures are played almost every night in America’s glamorous elite league so, in light of this quality action, Coral basketball writers have picked out some top NBA tips for November 9th action…
Atlanta Hawks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Wednesday, November 9
Tipoff: 00:00 GMT
Q Arena, Cleveland
LeBron to score 25 points or more in Cavs win
This Cleveland team is the premier force in the Eastern Conference and will dominate the East for the entire season. The Wine and Gold remain the only undefeated team in the league boasting a 6-0 record and the reigning NBA champions come into the clash with great confidence, thanks to a brilliant recent history against Atlanta.
Cleveland swept past Hawks in the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, won all three meetings last season and posted another sweep in the 2016 Eastern Conference semis.
LeBron James has scored 25 and 30 in his last two outings and, during his last, moved ahead of Hakeem Olajuwon in the NBA’s all-time scoring list. With this in mind, back LeBron, a player with a career average of 27.2 points, to score 25 or more in a Cavs win at 11/8 with Coral (£/€20 max stake).
Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers
Wednesday, November 9
Tipoff: 03:30 GMT
Staples Center, LA
Young Lakers can pile misery on Mavericks
Lakers were projected to be one of the worst teams in the Western Conference, but have started 4-3 thanks to their young core, eager to come out from under the shadow of Kobe Bryant.
The now D’Angelo Russell led LA outfit have recorded shock wins over Houston Rockets and dream team Golden State Warriors. Russell has really stepped up this term and transformed into a vocal leader on and off the court.
Staples Center is now a formidable place to go, as Lakers’ 3-0 home record suggests. Russell has been a big part of this, averaging 15.9 points a game and leading the team in assists at just 20-years-old.
Meanwhile, Rick Carlisle’s Mavericks experienced their worst ever start to a season, a run billionaire owner Mark Cuban said was driving him “nuts”.
Dallas held LA to an average of 88.3 points while sweeping last season’s three meetings, but this is a new look youthful Luke Walton Lakers side and they are well worth your attention.
With just two wins from their opening six outings on the hardcourt, Brooklyn are every bit the awful team that was projected. Timberwolves haven’t had the greatest of starts to the new campaign either, but can take huge positives from Karl-Anthony Towns recording his first back-to-back 30 plus point games.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, are working on a new offense that is really struggling to get moving. First-year coach Kenny Atkinson just doesn’t have the personnel to make an impact on both ends of the floor.
Tom Thibodeau, on the other hand, has a roster full of huge potential. Yes KAT gets the headlines, but Kris Dunn, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine are all potential future all-stars.
There looks just too much for Nets to handle in this encounter. Minnesota took W’s from both meetings last season, including a 100-85 triumph at Brooklyn. As a result, back Thibodeau’s team to cover a -15.5 handicap at 7/2.
Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trail Blazers
Wednesday, November 9
Tipoff: 03:00 GMT
Moda Center, Portland
Trail Blazers to eclipse Suns
Portland finally registered consecutive wins this season, but it took a 42-point effort from Damian Lillard against Dallas, followed by a career-best 37-point outburst by CJ McCollum over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Blazers also look as though they have turned a corner defensively too, keeping their opponents at arms length by holding them under 100 in their last two matches.
The Oregon outfit need to continue to be aggressive on both ends of the floor and avenge the early term loss in Arizona. Stopping Kevin Booker and TJ Warren will be key, after both found their shooting rhythm recently.
However, be sure to back the Blazers to cover their -12.5 handicap on home court at 6/4, as Portland’s defensive weakness, the paint, is unlikely to be tested by Phoenix.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Sacramento Kings
Wednesday, November 9
Tipoff: 03:30 GMT
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
Big man battle in Sacramento
Both sides come into the clash with mixed early season fortunes headed by their superstar big men. Anthony Davis may be putting up phenomenal numbers (averaging 30.4 points and 11.9 rebounds) but if his team are consistently losing, it becomes inconsequential. New Orleans are now still without a win from seven outings.
The same applies for DeMarcus Cousins and his Kings side. Sacramento return home after a five-game road trip and will be looking to kick off their home spell with a victory over the Pelicans.
Given the unpredictable nature of both sides, handicap betting is a market to stay away from, so instead go for a points total.
