NBA Betting Tips 2023-24: Thursday, January 18th.

Fresh off a solid win against the Thunder, the Lakers are looking pretty good, especially playing at home. They’ve been finding their groove in familiar territory, and that could play a big part today. The Mavericks? Well, they’ve got a bit of a situation with Anthony Davis. The guy’s on fire lately, playing some of the best basketball of his career. That’s bad news for Dallas, who doesn’t really have anyone to match up with AD’s dominance.

Then there’s LeBron. With his size and skill, he’s a nightmare for the Mavericks, who just don’t have the height where it counts. The Lakers might not have the smoothest offense this season, but their defense is something else. It’s the kind of defense that can really mess with the Mavericks’ offensive flow.

Luka Dončić might not play, and that’s a big deal. Sure, Kyrie’s been stepping up big time, but he can’t do it all by himself. Tim Hardaway Jr. has had his moments, but consistency isn’t really his thing. If Luka’s out, it’s a tough spot for Dallas against a Lakers team that’s already a tough matchup on any given day. Combined with it being in Los Angeles, I like the Lakers here to cover the small line.

Now, I know Portland had a rough one against the Thunder last week (yeah, that 63-point loss was brutal), but hear me out – there’s some good stuff brewing with these guys. Scoot Henderson? The kid’s on fire! Dropped 33 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out nine assists last game. And with Deandre likely back in action today, things are looking up for Portland.

But here’s the real tea: the Nets are kind of a mess right now. They’ve dropped 13 out of their last 16 games. It’s like they’re in a bit of an identity crisis. No real star stepping up to take control. Dinwiddie, Cam Thomas, Ben Simmons, Mikal Bridges – they’re all trying, but it’s not quite clicking.

And let’s not forget the vibe over there in Brooklyn. It feels like half the team’s already thinking about their next gig, which isn’t great for team spirit or motivation.

So, why am I leaning towards the Blazers with a +6.5 spread? It’s simple. The game’s in Portland, and the Nets’ morale is just not there. Plus, their recent track record is… well, let’s just say it’s less than stellar. I’m betting on the Blazers to take advantage of this and cover that spread.