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Congrats, we’ve made it to Saturday. As a way to celebrate, we’ve got a fun little six-game card filled with five afternoon games. With so much to choose from, let’s survey DraftKings Sportsbook for some player props, totals and sides to bet. You can follow me on Twitter (@KennyDucey) for any late adds.
Here’s what jumps out to me today.
Place your NBA bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves -5
The Celtics have lost five of six, and have failed to cover in five of their past seven. The games these days don’t matter for Boston, who can’t elevate out of the play-in tournament and can’t fall into the “loser’s bracket” if you will. With the lack of motivation comes a lack of bodies, too; Boston is missing Jaylen Brown (wrist), Kemba Walker (neck), Marcus Smart (calf), Robert Williams (toe) and Tristan Thompson (chest) for this one, and appears to be mailing it in completely. Minnesota has played some inspired basketball over the past month to close the season with some promise, and this revamped offense will be ready to pounce on Saturday.
Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs
Suns -11
The Spurs, like the Celtics, have already seen their fate sealed. They will be in the bottom bracket of the play-in tournament, claiming the last playoff spot out West. Because of this, they’re sitting DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl, and have a laundry list of injuries aside from those two. Dejounte Murray and Rudy Gay are both out as well, leaving the rotation razor-thin and comprised of guys from the end of the bench. Phoenix has been awful on defense over the past five games, with the worst defensive rating in the league, but this collection of players shouldn’t bother them. It’s weird for me backing a Suns team that hasn’t appeared interested in winning, but technically they can lock up the top spot out West with two wins and a loss by the Jazz to the Kings. They should do enough to win comfortably.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Shootaround [$50K to 1st]
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Heat -3
I’d already fancy the Heat to pull out a win over the Bucks with the form these teams are in, and I especially love Miami with how much is on the line here. The Heat are fighting with the Knicks and Hawks for home-court advantage in the East and should come out guns blazing here. Milwaukee ranks 24th in defensive efficiency over the past 10 games, and the Heat have a top-five offense over that span. This one should be pretty academic, even with both sides coming in almost fully healthy. I’m fading this Bucks defense and backing one of the league’s hottest scoring units.
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All betting odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jetsfan196) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
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