NBA analyst Gabe Seatter (@HoopCheck) looks at the best betting options from the opening night of the new season.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics | Wednesday 17th October 2018, 01:00
On Tuesday night the NBA season tips-off, and it has been one long wait. Transfers and injuries have seen every NBA fan biting their nails.
Anyone that read my Conferences previews will know just how keen I am on the Celtics winning the East Conference in some style this season. Their main challengers, in my opinion, happen to be age-old rivals the Philadelphia 76ers – a fitting start to the season for Game 1 of the Celtics’ schedule.
However, the 76ers have several injuries and with Dario Saric being a GTD (Game Time Decision), anyone backing the Celtics can certainly hope that he is ruled out come game time.
As far as a betting angle goes I’m keeping it pretty simple with the Celtics to get the job done. Brad Stephens’ elite style of defending should keep JJ Reddick of the 76ers as quiet as possible for such a good 3-point shooter.
The return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward should really shine and make the statement Boston need to demand maximum respect in the East. Therefore, I am simply going with Celtics -2.5 at 4/6 (BetStars).
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors | Wednesday 17th October 2018, 03:30
Moving on to the Western Conference, and the favourites to win at an astounding 1/3 are the Golden State Warriors. Their starting five is brutal, and not only that, but their entire bench runs deep.
The Warriors have a somewhat easier match-up for Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are likely to be without franchise face Russell Westbrook, and elite defender Steven Adams.
I can see Golden State really turning it on early against a depleted OKC team. The point spread is 12.5 and I think this is more than fair. It would be hard to back OKC +12.5 as they could easily be beaten by 15+.
I also expect Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to all put up numbers. However, I expect Durant to put up the most with him being a former OKC player.
So for me it has to be GSW -12.5 at 20/21 (Marathon).
I recommend playing both of these as a double, that comes in at around 11/5 (Marathon).
Best Bets
Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics – Boston Celtics -2.5 (4/6 BetStars)
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors – Golden State Warriors -12.5 (5/6 Bet365)
Back the double (11/5 Marathon)
