NBA Betting Plays for Week of 8/3 – 8/9

Philadelphia 76ers vs Portland Trail Blazers

630PM EST

Opening Line: Blazers -2 and 229.5
Current Line: Blazers -2.5 and 229

We get a matchup today between two playoff teams, however I believe there are levels between them at this juncture. The 76ers actually have a better record than the 3-2 Blazers inside the bubble at 3-1. However the level of competition faced has been at completely different levels. The Blazers two losses have come to the Celtics and Clippers, arguably the best team in their respective conferences. Their wins were all against current playoff teams while the 76ers lone loss is against the only team they’ve played sporting better than a .500 record. The Blazers having Nurkic and Collins back remains a huge boon for their roster while the 76ers are now without Ben Simmons for at least this game. A 2.5 point line is simply far too little and I believe the pace and scoring of the Blazers will separate this one somewhat easily. Take the Blazers today.

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets

330PM EST

Opening Line: Jazz -1 and 222
Current Line: Nuggets -1.5 and 222

With the Nuggets continuing to be a mess defensively, they will continue to be a target for us until they can get back to full strength, and perhaps even then if they don’t show any improvement. The Jazz enter this game on a back to back, but they did hold out their top four players for the front leg of this back to back and should be at full strength today. We know the Nuggets remain the least efficient defensive team in the bubble and the Jazz can exploit that, as they are top ten in offensive efficiency in the bubble, and match that mark on the defensive end as well. Good teams are simply going to be able to outscore this version of the Nuggets and the Jazz today should fit that bill. With the money coming in on the Nuggets and moving the Jazz to underdog status, they are very attractive with the only requirement being an outright win.

Betting Play: Jazz +1.5
Play ruled out.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets

8PM EST

Opening Line: Blazers -3.5 and 233.5
Current Line: Blazers -4 and 232.5

We were able to capitalize Wednesday on the Nuggets defensive ineptitude thus far in the bubble with an over play smashing. We get to go right back to that well, except this time with the Nuggets opponent. The Nuggets are dead last in defensive efficiency since the restart and despite being the third slowest paced team, have allowed the seventh most points per game. Enter the Trail Blazers, who have a new level of danger to them with the return of both Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic. The balance and depth this team now possesses should be a worry for the rest of the western conference, and the early returns are impressive. They are second in the league in offensive efficiency since the restart and third in the league in points scored per game. This is an absolute nightmare for the Nuggets who simply can’t figure out how to stop teams while missing three starters, and this game should be a runaway for the Blazers. They are the play today laying a comfortable four points.