Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Thursday 8/13/20
NBA public betting, line movement for August 13
Patrick Everson
Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard dropped 61 points on the Mavericks in a Tuesday win, and he's looking for more Thursday against the Nets. Bet365 has Portland a 9-point favorite.
NBA betting odds are up for a seven-game Thursday slate full of playoff ramifications, all in the Western Conference. The penultimate day of the regular season features arguably the hottest player in the NBA Bubble, Damian Lillard, who leads the postseason-seeking Trail Blazers against the Nets.
Multiple oddsmakers provided insights on NBA opening lines and early line movement, sharp money and public betting for Thursday’s matchups.
NBA line movement
Portland is 5-2 SU in the bubble (5-1-1 ATS), overtaking Memphis for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference. Lillard is on a tear that includes a whopping 61-point effort in a 134-131 win over the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Bet365 opened the Trail Blazers -9.5 against the Nets, and the line ticked to -9 Wednesday evening for a 9 p.m. ET tip.
The streaking Suns are also trying to find their way into the postseason, and just might do it behind red-hot Devin Booker, who has scored 35 points in four of his last five games. Phoenix is 7-0 SU and ATS in the bubble and is tied with Memphis, a half-game behind Portland, for the No. 8 spot.
The Suns face the Mavericks in a 4 p.m. ET start, with Dallas locked into the No. 7 slot and having nothing to play for. Most sportsbooks opted against posting a line Wednesday night, awaiting clarity on the Mavs’ lineup, but FanDuel went up with Suns -5.5.
The Spurs and Grizzlies are also part of the four-team logjam looking to grab the West’s final postseason spot, so both need wins Thursday. FanDuel opened the Spurs -6.5 and moved to -7.5 against a Jazz team with nothing on the line, in a 6:30 p.m. ET start. The Grizzlies opened 4-point underdogs to the Bucks and closed to +3 late Wednesday night.
NBA public betting
Interestingly, the Consensus indicates some early public point-spread support for the 9-point-underdog Nets. Brooklyn was landing 67 percent of picks Wednesday night.
NBA
Thursday, August 13
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Trend Report
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Washington @ Boston
Washington
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Washington's last 10 games when playing Boston
Boston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
Boston is 11-1-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Washington
Sacramento @ LA Lakers
Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Sacramento's last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Sacramento's last 11 games
LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of LA Lakers's last 9 games when playing at home against Sacramento
LA Lakers is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Milwaukee @ Memphis
Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing Memphis
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Memphis's last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Memphis's last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
Dallas @ Phoenix
Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
Phoenix
Phoenix is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
San Antonio @ Utah
San Antonio
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Utah
The total has gone OVER in 11 of San Antonio's last 14 games when playing Utah
Utah
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Portland @ Brooklyn
Portland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Portland's last 7 games
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Brooklyn is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
New Orleans @ Orlando
New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New Orleans's last 9 games
Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Orlando's last 19 games
NBA
Dunkel
Thursday, August 13
Washington @ Boston
Game 709-710
August 13, 2020 @ 12:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Washington
109.237
Boston
125.550
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 16 1/2
232
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
218 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-1 1/2); Over
Sacramento @ LA Lakers
Game 707-708
August 13, 2020 @ 1:30 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
115.994
LA Lakers
116.553
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Lakers
by 1
219
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Lakers
by 5
225 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(+5); Under
Milwaukee @ Memphis
Game 703-704
August 13, 2020 @ 4:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
124.766
Memphis
113.599
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 11
222
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
by 1
229
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-1); Under
Dallas @ Phoenix
Game 711-712
August 13, 2020 @ 4:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
120.077
Phoenix
123.510
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Phoenix
by 3 1/2
232
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Phoenix
by 7
237 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(+7); Under
San Antonio @ Utah
Game 705-706
August 13, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
126.168
Utah
110.714
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 15 1/2
237
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 7
230 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(-7); Over
New Orleans @ Orlando
Game 701-702
August 13, 2020 @ 9:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
119.967
Orlando
111.793
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 8
229
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Orlando
by 3 1/2
221 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(+3 1/2); Over
Portland @ Brooklyn
Game 713-714
August 13, 2020 @ 9:00 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Portland
126.261
Brooklyn
114.361
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Portland
by 12
244
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Portland
by 9
236
Dunkel Pick:
Portland
(-9); Over
NBA Bubble Bets - Thursday
Kevin Rogers
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns – 4:05 PM ET
DAL: 42-31 Straight-Up, 37-34-3 Against the Spread
PHX: 33-39 Straight-Up, 36-35-1 Against the Spread
Is it possible the Suns can put together a perfect 8-0 record in the bubble and not make the playoffs? Yes. But Phoenix proved that were not going to pack it in when invited to Orlando for the restart by making up a six-game deficit on eighth-seeded Memphis with the possibility of qualifying for the play-in series.
The Suns have knocked off the likes of the Clippers, Heat, 76ers, Jazz, Pacers, and Mavericks, all playoff teams, while managing to cover in all seven games. Phoenix most recently topped a limping Philadelphia squad on Tuesday, 130-117 as 9 ½-point favorites behind a 35-point effort from guard Devin Booker. The Suns’ offense has been the key during the restart by scoring at least 114 points a game in all seven wins, while drilling the OVER five times.
The Mavericks have nowhere to move in the playoff race as Dallas will begin next week’s postseason as the seventh seed in the West. Dallas has posted a 3-4 record in the bubble with two of those victories coming in overtime against Sacramento and Milwaukee. The Mavericks lost a shootout to the Blazers on Tuesday, 134-131 in spite of knocking down 20 three-pointers, including nine treys and 36 points from Kristaps Porzingis.
Phoenix has already defeated Dallas in the bubble back on August 2 in a 117-115 triumph as six-point underdogs. The Suns erased a 13-point halftime deficit to pick up the upset in spite of Luka Doncic scoring 40 points for the Mavericks and Porzingis adding 30. Phoenix needs to win and have both the Grizzlies and Blazers lose to lock up the eighth seed, but would be eliminated from playoff contention with a defeat or wins by both Portland and Memphis on Thursday.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 4:05 PM ET
MIL: 56-16 Straight-Up, 39-33 Against the Spread
MEM: 33-39 Straight-Up, 35-36-1 Against the Spread
The Bucks are set as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but they may be without MVP front-runner Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak” was ejected in the second quarter of Tuesday’s 126-113 victory over Washington after he head-butted Wizards’ forward Moritz Wagner following a confrontation. Anteokounmpo will likely sit at least one playoff game for his actions as he is coming off an odd scoring line against the Wizards in which he scored 12 points on only one field goal, while making 10 free throws.
While the Bucks have nothing to play for, it’s the exact opposite scenario for the Grizzlies, who are scratching and clawing for an opportunity to make the playoffs. Memphis began this bubble experience as the eighth seed in the West, but the Grizzlies have compiled a 1-6 record and are on the verge of elimination if they lose to Milwaukee and either Phoenix or San Antonio win.
The good news for the Grizzlies is a victory guarantees them a spot in the play-in series this weekend for the eighth spot in the West. The bad news is they have to do it in spite of losing four times in the past 10 days by nine points or more and are coming off a 39% shooting performance from the floor in Tuesday’s 122-107 loss to the Celtics. Memphis has not covered the spread in any of its six losses, while the only ATS win came in the impressive 29-point rout over Oklahoma City as three-point ‘dogs last Friday.
Milwaukee defeated Memphis in the lone meeting this season at FedEx Forum, 127-114 as heavy 12-point road favorites in mid-December. The Bucks picked up the miracle cover by outscoring the Grizzlies, 37-19 in the fourth quarter, but Memphis played without Rookie of the Year favorite Ja Morant.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz – 6:35 PM ET
SA: 32-38 Straight-Up, 30-39-1 Against the Spread
UT: 43-27 Straight-Up, 33-36-2 Against the Spread
The Spurs still have work to do if they want to extend their NBA-record playoff streak to 23 consecutive seasons. San Antonio has won five of seven games with the only losses coming to Denver and Philadelphia, but the Spurs are currently riding a three-game winning streak. Gregg Popovich’s squad needs a win and plenty of help, mainly two losses from the trio of the Grizzlies, Blazers, and Suns to have a shot at least the ninth seed and the play-in series on Saturday.
San Antonio’s most recent victory came in blowout fashion over Houston on Tuesday, 123-105 as 4 ½-point favorites. James Harden sat out for the Rockets, while the Spurs spread the scoring around with seven players posting double-figures led by rookie Keldon Johnson’s 24 points. In three bubble games of totals of 236 or higher, the Spurs have finished UNDER the total, while all four games with closing totals of 227 ½ or lower have all eclipsed the OVER.
Utah will likely slide into the sixth spot of the Western Conference playoffs, which would put them against division rival Denver in the opening round. The Jazz have been a major disappointment in the bubble by going 2-5 in their first seven games with the wins against the Pelicans and Grizzlies. Utah needed a late rally to edge New Orleans, while Memphis has also struggled mightily since the restart. The Jazz are riding a four-game OVER streak, as Utah has allowed at least 110 points in six consecutive contests.
These teams met last week but the Jazz should have a different cast of characters playing this time. Utah sat out Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Mike Conley in a 119-111 setback to San Antonio, but the Jazz managed the cover as 8 ½-point underdogs.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Brooklyn Nets – 9:05 PM ET
POR: 34-39 Straight-Up, 32-38-3 Against the Spread
BKN: 35-36 Straight-Up, 36-35 Against the Spread
The best individual story early on in the bubble was Indiana’s T.J. Warren, who scored 53 points in the opener against Philadelphia, followed by 32 and 34-point performances. However, the one player who has completely taken games over is Portland’s Damian Lillard, who followed up a 51-point showing against the 76ers with a 61-point barrage in Tuesday’s 134-131 victory over Dallas.
Lillard is already a proven star in the league, but the Blazers’ All-Star guard is looking to take his team to the playoffs following a terrible start to the season. Portland is 5-2 in the bubble and needs a win to guarantee a spot in this weekend’s play-in series for an opportunity to face the Lakers in the opening round of the playoffs. The Blazers have drilled the OVER in six of seven games, as Lillard hit nine three-pointers and drilled all 18 free throw attempts in the victory over Dallas.
Brooklyn has nothing to play for, but its not the final game of the season for the Nets, who face the Raptors in the first round of the playoffs. The Nets have posted an impressive 5-2 bubble mark, including upsets over the Clippers and Bucks. Brooklyn is fresh off a 108-96 victory over Orlando as four-point underdogs, while limiting an opponent to under 100 points for the first time in the bubble.
It seems like a hundred years ago when these teams last met, which was actually November 8 at Moda Center. Brooklyn edged Portland, 119-115 as three-point underdogs, but Lillard lit up the Nets for 60 points, the first of three games this season in which he scored at least 60 points. However, the Nets’ two leading scorers that night are currently injured as Spencer Dinwiddie put up 34 points and Kyrie Irving tossed in 33 points.
NBA
Long Sheet
Thursday, August 13
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NEW ORLEANS (30 - 41) vs. ORLANDO (32 - 40) - 8/13/2020, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 4-1 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 4-1 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MILWAUKEE (56 - 16) vs. MEMPHIS (33 - 39) - 8/13/2020, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 295-353 ATS (-93.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 95-70 ATS (+18.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 51-36 ATS (+11.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 51-33 ATS (+14.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 76-56 ATS (+14.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 74-55 ATS (+13.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 33-51 ATS (-23.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 4-1 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 4-1 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SAN ANTONIO (32 - 38) vs. UTAH (43 - 28) - 8/13/2020, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 29-39 ATS (-13.9 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 29-46 ATS (-21.6 Units) after scoring 115 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 5-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-5 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SACRAMENTO (30 - 41) vs. LA LAKERS (52 - 18) - 8/13/2020, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 21-12 ATS (+7.8 Units) after scoring 115 points or more this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 7-3 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 7-3 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WASHINGTON (24 - 47) vs. BOSTON (48 - 23) - 8/13/2020, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 16-35 ATS (-22.5 Units) in road games after allowing 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 19-41 ATS (-26.1 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
WASHINGTON is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 40-27 ATS (+10.3 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
BOSTON is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 102-80 ATS (+14.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-4 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-4 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DALLAS (43 - 31) vs. PHOENIX (33 - 39) - 8/13/2020, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.
PHOENIX is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games after scoring 115 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DALLAS is 86-68 ATS (+11.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 43-30 ATS (+10.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 231-182 ATS (+30.8 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
DALLAS is 36-19 ATS (+15.1 Units) after allowing 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 78-51 ATS (+21.9 Units) in road games after scoring 115 points or more since 1996.
DALLAS is 33-24 ATS (+6.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 70-55 ATS (+9.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 70-93 ATS (-32.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 8-2 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-3 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PORTLAND (34 - 39) vs. BROOKLYN (35 - 36) - 8/13/2020, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 22-31 ATS (-12.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
BROOKLYN is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in road games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 31-21 ATS (+7.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
BROOKLYN is 67-49 ATS (+13.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BROOKLYN is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BROOKLYN is 4-1 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 3-2 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
701NEW ORLEANS -702 ORLANDO
ORLANDO is 14-4 ATS (9.6 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% in the current season.
703MILWAUKEE -704 MEMPHIS
MILWAUKEE is 11-1 ATS (9.9 Units) in road games when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%) - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
707SACRAMENTO -708 LA LAKERS
SACRAMENTO is 14-2 ATS (11.8 Units) in road games after 1 or more consecutive unders in the current season.
709WASHINGTON -710 BOSTON
WASHINGTON is 18-37 ATS (-22.7 Units) in road games after a combined score of 215 points or more 2 straight games in the last 3 seasons.
711DALLAS -712 PHOENIX
PHOENIX is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) on a neutral court in the current season.
713PORTLAND -714 BROOKLYN
PORTLAND is 9-1 ATS (7.9 Units) after allowing 110 points or more 4 straight games over the last 2 seasons.