NBA Picks & Preview: Lakers-Wizards, Thunder-Celtics, Suns-Cavaliers Games Tonight

What About All That Chatter That LeBron’s Playing Days Might Be Nearing an End?

At BetMGM, according to betting insights they just released, the biggest line movements have been the Boston Celtics, 6.5 (open) to 3.10 (now), the Denver Nuggets, 6.00 to 4.33, and the Oklahoma Thunder 67.00 to 19.00. No coincidence that the Celtics (59-16, 1^st in the Eastern Conference) host the Thunder (52-23, 3^rd in the Western Conference) tonight. 

The Phoenix Suns are generating the third-highest ticket percentage for NBA championship there (10.5%) behind the Nuggets (18.0%) and Celtics (15.5%). And it’s the Suns tonight (44-31, 8^th in the Western Conference, trying to hold off the L.A. Lakers) hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers (46-30, 3^rd in the Eastern Conference).

The other notable game is the Lebron-led Lakers (43-33, 9^th in the Western Conference) in Washington to face off against the lowly Wizards (15-61, 14^th in the Eastern Conference). 

NBA Schedule: Game Details

Game 1: Lakers vs. Wizards Insights

The career of the 39-year-old SF James, 21 seasons in the NBA, 20-time All-Star, four-time NBA MVP, is in the spotlight this week. The other day after dropping 40 points on the Brooklyn Nets, someone asked him about his long-term plans for basketball, and he indicated “I don’t have much time left.”  Last night the Lakers easily handled the depleted Raptors in Toronto, handing the Raptors their 14^th consecutive loss, 128-111. James only missed two shots and finished with 23 points.

The Lakers are 7-3 in their last ten games and are 1.5 games up on the Golden State Warriors for that last NBA Play-In Tournament spot. There’s still opportunity to move up though – the Lakers are just 1.5 games behind the Phoenix Sun and Sacramento Kings in the West. Holding down the 7^th and 8^th spots. D’Angelo Russell had 25 points against the Raptors and Anthony Davis finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds last night.

The Wizards are coming off a win too: 117-113 over the second place Milwaukee Bucks, of all teams. Talk about a big win for a team that’s playing for nothing.

🏀 Bet on Lakers vs. Wizards at DraftKings 🏀

Will James play tonight? He was non-committal when asked about it after last night’s game, getting treatment on his 39-year-old body. The Lakers have yet to submit their injury report to the NBA, as of 9:30 a.m. EST. PG Gabe Vincent (knee) and SF Cam Reddish are both day-to-day, while Jarred Vanderbilt also didn’t play last night (foot), according to ESPN. 

PF Marvin Bagley is day to-day with a knee issue, and Kyle Kuzma is day to-day with a heel issue, according to ESPN, for the Wizards. Deni Avdija had 23 points Washington, against Milwaukee. They won that game despite Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo finishing with 35 points, 15 rebounds and ten assists.

Lakers vs. Wizards Player Props

On the online betting front, according to DraftKings, LeBron James Over 7.5 Assists (1.69), James Over 1.5 Three Pointers Made (1.67), D’Angelo Russell Over 5.5 Assists (1.71), Austin Reaves Over 1.5 Three Pointers Made (1.60) and Anthony Davis Over 13.5 Rebounds (1.77) are most bet player props.

Game 2: Thunder vs. Celtics Insights

The Celtics are 8-2 in their last ten, winners of two straight. They are in fine tune mode for a long playoff run. If they beat the Thunder tonight, they lock down the No. 1 overall seed and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs, so there’s serious motivation to take down Oklahoma tonight.

The Celtics wrapped up a six-game road trip with a 118-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets Monday, shooting 19-of-53 from 3-point range. SF Sam Hauser went 7-11 from 3-point range (he’s been hot there of late) and finished with 25 points. SF Jayson Tatum led the way with 25 points on 9-19 shooting, while C Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and seven rebounds.

🏀 Bet on Thunder vs. Celtics at FanDuel 🏀

The Thunder are without Canadian-born superstar PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, out with a quad bruise in their 109-105 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers last night. Alexander has averaged 30.3 points this season. He is listed as day-to-day at ESPN. F Jalen Williams is day-to-day with an ankle injury.

SG Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable for tonight with a hand issue, and G Jaden Springer (knee) is also questionable for tonight.

The last time these two teams, on Jan. 2, Oklahoma City won 127-123, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 36 points. 

Thunder vs. Celtics Player Props

On the NBA betting front, at DraftKings, Jaylen Brown Points Over 20.5 (1.74), Brown First Field Goal (7.00), Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 Three Pointers Made (1.67) and Tatum First Field Goal (8.50) are most bet player props this morning.

Game 3: Cavaliers vs. Suns Insights

The Suns have a shot at a guaranteed playoff spot, one game behind New Orleans Pelicans, and are coming off a 124-111 win over the Pelicans Monday night. While the Cavs are 1.5 games for second spot in the Western Conference. They’re also coming off a win – 129-113 over the Utah Jazz last night. 

The story with the Sun is SG Devin Booker, who scored 52 points against New Orleans, led by eight 3-pointers. The Suns have won nine of their last 14 games. SG Caris LeVert led Cleveland with 26 points, while C Jarrett Allen had 21 points and 12 rebounds. PF Evan Mobley also scored 21 points. 

According to the NBA injury report today, for the Suns, SG Grayson Allen is questionable with hip soreness, and SG Damion Lee is out with a knee injury. According to ESPN, for the Cavs, SF Isaac Okoro is day-to-day with a toe injury, as is SG Donovan Mitchell, day-to-day with a knee injury.

Cavaliers vs. Suns Player Props

At DraftKings, Kevin Durant First Field Goal (9.00) is a most bet player prop this morning.

Our NBA Picks Today

The Over has been hitting lately for the Wizards, and the Over is also 42-33-1 for the Lakers this year. If LeBron plays, then take the Over at BetMGM in this one. 

The Thunder are missing two key starters as of noon today, but I still like them ATS at 888 Sport. For Suns-Cavaliers, tough to go against Phoenix on home court. They’re confident after beating up New Orleans the other night. Go with Phoenix ATS at FanDuel here.