Ivica Zubac knocked down the first basket for the Los Angeles Clippers last night, hitting my +470 first basket scorer prop. Today, I am hoping to close out the regular season on a high with a 2nd straight day with a winning selection. There are plenty of games to pick from, with all of the leagues teams in action here. I have picked out 4 of my favourite selections below, so let’s not dwell any further and get right into them. And d o not forget to check out all of our NBA predictions too.
At the time of tip off, the Lakers will still harbour hope of making it as one of the top 6 seeds in the conference. Expect them to come out with a full strength lineup looking to get off to a fast start as a result. Against them will be a fatigued Jazz team without Walker Kessler. The absence of the rookie will give the Lakers a much better chance of winning the tip. It would also make the job for Anthony Davis of getting the games first basket easier. Over the last 10 games no Laker has made the teams opening basket on more occasions. Over that same stretch of games the Jazz are 26th in offensive rating while the Lakers are 6th defensively. They should get more than one shot at this. With a size advantage, Davis should benefit early.
After hitting his first basket prop last night, I am sticking with Ivica Zubac once more tonight. He has maintained his incredible streak of getting the scoring started for the Clippers, having done so in 7 of his last 10 starts. With the Suns having nothing to play for while the Clippers are looking to hold onto 5th, look for the visitors to get off to the better start. Jock Landale looks set to get the start at the 5 for the Suns. The Clippers man should have a size advantage over his opponent, making him the favourite to win the tip. It should also allow him to establish great post position down low if the Clippers look to go to him first. Looking at what they have been doing recently, there is a very good chance of that.
This looks like a must-win game for the Pelicans, and I expect their veteran players like CJ McCollum to step up. Luckily for him, Jonas Valanciunas is jumping for the ball for the Pelicans. The Lithuanian has won the tip in 7 of his last 10 games. Against a Timberwolves side that has won it just 4 times over that stretch, he should keep that streak going for his team. The Timberwolves do have great size on the inside, so do not be surprised to see the Pelicans turn to their guards for early offence. Mike Conley has the worst defensive rating of the Timberwolves starters which could make him an early target in an isolation set. McCollum would certainly have the skillset to take advantage.