NBA Thursday Slate Preview: Odds, Trends for Top Games

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The playoff push is on in the NBA, as tonight’s seven-game slate includes two massive Western Conference matchups.

Last night, the Jazz and Suns squared off in a battle of the NBA’s top records. Phoenix prevailed by four points in overtime, and now both teams take on another strong Western Conference foe tonight at 10 p.m ET/7 p.m. PT.

The Suns will look to extend their seven-game winning streak in Los Angeles against the Clippers. The Clippers lead the way at -125 to finish in first place in the Pacific Division, followed by the Suns at +130 and the Lakers at 15/1. In terms of title odds, the Clippers have the fourth-lowest odds at +600 and the Suns have the seventh-lowest at 17/1.

After opening at +5 at William Hill for tonight’s battle, the Suns are 6-point underdogs (+200 on the moneyline) to the Clippers (-240 ML). The total has shifted even more, going from 224 down to 221.

It’s a 50-50 split in terms of total number of tickets for which team William Hill bettors think will cover the spread, however the Suns have the advantage with 64% of the total dollars wagered.

One New Jersey bettor strongly believes in the underdog to keep the game close, as a $20,000 wager was placed on Suns +7 (-130) for a total potential payout of $35,384.60. That is the biggest bet taken thus far at William Hill for tonight’s NBA action.

For moneyline wagering in this one there’s also some division, as the Clippers have reeled in 66% of the total number of tickets and the Suns have snagged 60% of the total dollars wagered. William Hill bettors are aligned on the total, with the over collecting 83% of the total number of tickets and 84% of the total dollars wagered.

One New Jersey bettor strongly believes in the underdog to keep the game close, as a $20,000 wager was placed on Suns +7 (-130) for a total potential payout of $35,384.60. That is the biggest bet taken thus far at William Hill for tonight’s NBA action.

Meanwhile, the Jazz will face the Trail Blazers at home in Salt Lake City. This spread has also swung by a point, with Utah (-240 ML) dropping from 7-point chalk to -6 against Portland (+200 ML). The total has increased, though, jumping to 233 from 231.

William Hill bettors are rolling with the favorite here. The Jazz are drawing 58% of the total number of tickets and 65% of the total dollars wagered among all spread bets vs. the Trail Blazers, as well as 86% of the total number of tickets and 61% of the total dollars wagered for all moneyline bets.

Even with the total increasing by two points, the under has the edge with 54% of the total dollars wagered. The over, on the other hand, leads the way with 59% of the total number of tickets.

Incredibly, the biggest spread of the evening is a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. The Heat are 8.5-point home favorites (-380 ML) over the Lakers (+310 ML), who will be without LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The majority of William Hill bettors not only think the shorthanded Lakers can cover the number, but many are backing an outright upset.

Los Angeles has generated 59% of the total number of tickets and 58% of the total dollars wagered among all spread bets vs. Miami. Meanwhile for moneyline, the Lakers have attracted 54% of the total dollars wagered and the Heat have captured 78% of the total number of tickets.

Check out William Hill’s latest odds for every NBA game tonight below.

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