Bad news for the Dallas Mavericks as they have lost very good backup point guard JJ Barea to a season-ending Achilles tear. Barea was injured in the second half of the Mavericks’ 119-115 win at Minnesota on Friday. The 34-year-old Barea was averaging 10.9 points and a team-high 5.6 assists per game. Here’s a look at two intriguing matchups this week. Check back for NBA odds.
Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – January 14th
.@bensimmons25 dishes, @jimmybutler takes it all the way!@statefarm | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/okUp3gz2qt
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) 13 de enero de 2019
Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers
- When: Tuesday, 7 PM ET (NBA TV)
Back in November, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler and throw-in Justin Patton to the Philadelphia 76ers for forwards Robert Covington and Dario Saric, guard Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round pick. Tuesday is Butler’s first game against his former team. Butler was deal by Tom Thibodeau, who has since been fired as Minnesota coach and team president. If you are wondering, Philly goes to Minnesota on March 13.
The Wolves could be down their top two point guards here in Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose. Rose sat for the seventh time in eight games Saturday with an ankle injury and interim coach Ryan Saunders said Teague aggravated his left ankle injury in the game. Teague missed nine games with this ankle issue, so he’s probably going to miss at least a game. Could mean much more playing time for Tyus Jones.
In that win over New Orleans, Karl-Anthony Towns had a career-high 27 boards with 27 points, three assists, two steals, four blocks, and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes. It’s the most rebounds by any player this season. Over his last nine KAT is averaging 28.3 points and 16.2 rebounds while shooting 53 percent.
Meanwhile, Covington has missed the past six games with a bone bruise on his right knee suffered Dec. 31 at New Orleans and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Butler was a game-time call Sunday vs. the Knicks but did play and had 16 points.
Joel Embiid (ankle) looked great in his return from a one-game absence, tallying 26 points, eight rebounds, one assist, six blocks and two turnovers across 32 minutes. Ben Simmons came through with a monster 20-point, 22-rebound double-double. He became just the fifth guard in NBA history to have ever hauled in at least 22 rebounds in a single game; joining the ranks of Jerry West, Fat Lever, Oscar Robertson, and Tom Gola.
The Wolves have won seven of the past 13 overall in this series but have lost four in a row in Philadelphia since notching a 126-95 victory on Jan. 6, 2014.
Latest NBA Betting Trends
- Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 12 of Minnesota’s last 14 games
- Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games
Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics
- When: Wednesday, 8 PM ET (ESPN)
A potential preview of the East Finals. They have split two meetings thus far. On Oct. 19 in Toronto, the Raptors won 113-101. Kawhi Leonard had 31 points and 10 rebounds, and Serge Ibaka added 21 points. Leonard made 10 of 25 attempts, including 2 of 5 from 3-point range, and went 9 for 9 at the free throw line. Kyrie Irving scored 21 points for Boston, and Al Horford had 14 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
On Nov. 16 in Boston, the Celtics won 123-116 in overtime. Irving had a season-high 43 points along with 11 assists. It was the first time Irving has scored at least 40 points with 10 or more assists in a game. He was the first player do it in the NBA this year, and the first Celtics player since Antoine Walker in 2001. Jayson Tatum had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Celtics.
Leonard had 31 points and 15 rebounds. Leonard had a chance to win it at the end of regulation, but his long jumper went off the rim. OG Anunoby left the game in the third quarter with a sprained right wrist. The home team has won the past nine in this series.
The magic number for the Raptors seems to be 30. Toronto is a perfect 8-0 this season when finishing with 30-or-more assists. The Raptors currently ranks 16th in the NBA in assists per game (25.5). The Dino is a bit banged up right now. Leonard (hip) went to the locker room during the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Wizards. CJ Miles sat out with a hip injury. Fred VanVleet did too with a thigh/hip injury.
Irving is dealing with a right quad contusion but probably plays. The club is hoping to get back center Aron Baynes from a broken hand by Wednesday.
Latest NBA Betting Trends
- Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston’s last 10 games
- Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto’s last 6 games
Expert NBA Betting Picks
The home trend continues in Celtics-Raptors and Sixers rout Wolves.
