Bet On NBA Saturday – Bulls vs. Celtics, Magic vs. Mavs, Grizz vs. Durant Thunder

Basketball handicappers will have plenty of options in the NBA sportsbook on Saturday, Jan. 8th.

The pro basketball league will offer 8 games on Saturday.  Even though many handicappers will be spending their time watching the NFL wild card games, they should pay attention to at least 3 games in the sportsbook on January 8th.  Bulls vs. Celtics, Magic vs. Mavs and Thunder vs. Grizzlies should keep some eyes on the hardwood.

Jan. 8th – NBA Games Saturday

Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls

When:  7:30 pm EST

Fair NBA Odds:  Chicago –3 ½

Analysis:  Both of these teams play against different opponents on Friday night.  So, basketball betting fans should pay attention to those 2 games.  My feeling is that the Chicago Bulls will protect their home court versus a Celtics’ team that will be missing Kevin Garnett.  Chicago is only 10-7-1 ATS at home this season, but they’ve won 5 games straight up on their home court and the betting line figures to be less than 4, possibly 3, in this game.  Bulls’ forward Carlos Boozer should make the difference in frontcourt while Celtics’ point-guard Rajon Rondo won’t have an advantage over Derrick Rose.  I see Chicago beating the Celtics by at least 4 points on January 8th.

Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder

Where:  Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
When:  8:00 pm EST

Fair NBA Odds:  Oklahoma City -5 ½            

Analysis:  The Thunder gets a day of rest on Friday night before battling Memphis for the second time in their last 3 games as what I believe will be a close to 6-point NBA betting lines dog on Saturday.  Oklahoma City lost by 5 points as -1 point favorites vs. the Memphis Grizzlies, 105 to 110, the last time these two teams met.  I believe that the Thunder should cover the spread on Saturday given the fact that Memphis battles Utah on Friday before hopping on a plane to Oklahoma.  Guard O.J. Mayo, who has a problem with card games, is only probable for Friday night’s Grizzlies’ game because of an illness.  Who knows if he’ll be available on Saturday?  Either way, Kevin Durant should be much more comfortable shooting in his home building versus an okay, but still not quite good, Memphis team.

Orlando Magic at Dallas Mavericks

When:  8:30 pm EST

NBA Odds:  Orlando +3 ½

Analysis:  Dirk Nowitzki’s status is up in the air for this game.  Let’s say that Orlando is a good wager at +3 ½ in the online sportsbook with Dirk in the line-up, and a good wager at -1 ½ with Dirk out of the line-up.  Why such a big discrepancy?  That’s an easy question to answer.  The Mavs aren’t a great team ATS at home, 8-10-2 going into Thursday night, as it is.  They almost assuredly will miss Dirk having to face an Orlando team that has gone 6 and 1 ATS in their last 7 going into Friday night.  With Dirk out, the Magic would win the game straight up and might even go off as the favorite.  If Dirk plays, I still like the Magic to keep the game close and possibly upset Dallas straight up.

Bet on NBA games in the sportsbook!

Sources:  espn.com, covers.com