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Last set of games before the Christmas Eve pause ahead of the big day. Here’s how to best navigate Thursday’s NBA action via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Follow along on Twitter (@Nick_Friar) for updates.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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Philadelphia 76ers vs. Atlanta Hawks
76ers (-8.5) -110
Philly is missing a few important pieces, but that’s nothing compared to what the Hawks are experiencing. To put it simply: John Collins, Cam Reddish and Bogdan Bogdanovic were the only three of Atlanta’s top nine scorers available vs. Orlando on Wednesday. Most of those players are in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, so the Hawks will need to make do with these three for a while. Hard to imagine that’s gonna go well for Atlanta after what vs. the Magic on Wednesday.
Not only are the Hawks depleted, on the second day of a back-to-back and on the road Thursday, they’re facing a superior team that has three of its top four scorers. Now, the 76ers aren’t great as home favorites this season (2-5), but the Hawks’ lack of impact players and their past play in this type of situation points toward Philly covering. Atlanta is 2-6 ATS as road underdogs, 2-4 ATS on the second leg of a back-to-back and 6-9 ATS off a loss.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
Max Strus over 14.5 points -115
Strus has gone over this number in each of Miami’s last three games, one of which was a 100-90 loss vs. Detroit. Like most other teams, the Heat have a numbers issue, which has presented Strus with a real opportunity. He was getting a chance before this recent stretch, but nothing like he is now. Thirty-four-plus minutes in each of the last three games — including Miami’s blowout win vs. Indiana — and 11-plus 3-point attempts in each of those games.
For any of these guys who are getting elevated minutes because of the NBA’s COVID-19 outbreak (on top of the never-ending flow of injuries), this is a chance to earn a regular spot in the rotation. So Strus isn’t going to take his foot off the gas if Miami flips the script on Detroit and turns this thing into a blowout.
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers
Spurs +110
The Lakers aren’t exactly rolling at the moment. Their last win was an overtime battle vs. the Mavericks sans Luka Doncic on Dec. 15. Since then, L.A. has lost Anthony Davis for an extended period of time and three games to go with that bit of news. It’s to the point where Thursday’s spread is a measly 1.5, making moneyline the better play for those leaning toward San Antonio in this one.
The Spurs are 6-9 on the road this season (like they are at home), and the Lakers are 10-8 at home. But with this expected to be a tight game, we can take a look at both teams ATS. The Lakers are 5-10 ATS as the home favorites. The Spurs are 8-4 ATS as road underdogs. With L.A. still trying to figure out how to make it work without Davis, this is a prime spot for San Antonio to steal one.
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