THE NBA regular season enters its home straight over the next week as the race to fill in the play-off vacancies reaches its end.

But while the Milwaukee Bucks have now plugged what was the one remaining gap in the East, the Western Conference has only three of its eight confirmed, with seven teams all within three games of each other with only a clutch of contests left.

Clashes between the contenders, above all, will be pivotal: which makes tonight’s visit of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Denver Nuggets almost a must-win for both.

Especially for the hosts who presently sit ninth on 43-35, one loss behind their guests who have picked a dangerous time to hit a slump – losing five of their last nine.

The big factor has been the absence of All Star forward Jimmy Butler, whose knee injury has kept him out since mid-February. Averaging 24.8 points per game, it’s still more likely he’ll return for one of Minnesota’s three final games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies – and the Nuggets again, than this one.

Defensive duties are where Butler has been missed most with his team holding only the woeful Mavericks under 100 points in their last 24 outings to drop to 18th in the points allowed standings.

That makes them vulnerable to the Nuggets, who have won three straight, against the Pacers, Bucks and Thunder, with an offense that is on full power.

It suggests going over 220.5 total points is on the cards. And if Denver stay on a roll heading into their next two contests against the ninth-placed LA Clippers and high-flying Portland Trailblazers, the West could be a race that goes right to the wire with the possibility that every team in the Northwest Division beats the cut.

Mark's Tip

  • Denver -5.5 (3.30am)
  • (49-50, Unibet)
46 Comments
  1. mar10bet 6 years ago

    Bucks gearing up for a playoff run should have no problem at home to a Nets team that’s took the foot off the pedal. Bucks are 23-7-1 ATS (15 @ Home & 15 Away) against the Nets. Double digit Bucks win could be in the offering but taking the win
    It took a 41 point 4th quarter to beat the Spurs at home the other night but they wont get that done against another team with good D in the Jazz. Jazz covered 5/7 meetings with the Clippers and 17/25 in Utah. Jazz could cover the spread but I’m taking the win.
    Wizards on 3rd road game and are 0-2 against a Cavs team that are looking like they’re gearing up for a run to the Finals again. Wizards are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 road games & Cavs are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 home games. Oh and Cavs are 9-1 straight up. Like the Cavs to cover but taking the win.

    Bucks ML
    Jazz ML
    Cavs ML

    5/4 @ bet365 (additional 7.5% bonus) – 4 points

    • nick 6 years ago

      ?

  2. mar10bet 6 years ago

    Bucks -9 (Spread)
    Cavs -6 (Spread)
    Nuggets ML
    TWolves\Nuggets over 224.5 (Total)

    9/1 @ bet365 (additional 10% bonus) – 0.5 points

  3. nick2 6 years ago

    I don’t even understand basketball anymore

    • mar10bet 6 years ago

      ????

  4. mar10bet 6 years ago

    I’m trying to put a brave face on it but how can the Bucks lose at home to the Nets? You’re dead on nick2. It just ain’t adding up. Looks like Jordan was wise to pull back when he did. Just jumped on Nuggets @ 7/4 as they’re 8 down in the 3rd

    • nick 6 years ago

      Bucks were playing nice team basketball and lost to the Nets that were just jacking up contested 3 pointers..
      Worst of all was that I wasn’t that bothered because the Cavs were getting blown out then they make a huge comeback.

      I have took a prop tonight but I feel almost too embarrassed to post them anymore. ?

  5. Jordan 6 years ago

    Alright lads? See you’ve not been fairing much better. Seen some shocking stuff this week.

    On another note, who thinks the Cavs can win in Philly tonight? Philly -4 without Embiid and potentially Saric? Not sure what gives here? Trap? Really like the Cavs on the ML…

    • Jordan 6 years ago

      Shocking stuff as in results, not your bets ?

    • nick 6 years ago

      The whole NBA is a trap currently. ?

    • dazid316 6 years ago

      The Cavs never show up when you fancy them this season @Jordan but the price on the ML tonight does entice you into betting on them

    • Jordan 6 years ago

      @dazid316 the Cavs have been my Kryptonite but just something about them tonight. Will wait to see if Hill or Calderon starts. Clarkson could see more minutes. Nick, hopefully the playoffs go to plan. (Usually do). Still adamant its the Rockets to lose.

    • nick 6 years ago

      After watching the Warriors with their 3 “all-stars” last night I could realistically see them going out in R1.
      Hope they get paired up with the Nuggets, OKC or Twolves!

    • nick 6 years ago

      Also I took Clarksons points overs last night as Calderon and Hill were out and he was 2 points short. :D

  6. dazid316 6 years ago

    MLB Bet For Tonight

    Double @ 6/4 (£10)
    Indians ML
    Rockies ML

    Treble @ 4/1 (£10)
    NY Yankees ML
    Pirates ML
    Astros -1.5

    *Yesterdays*
    4 Fold @ 9.5/1 (£5) LOST
    Tigers ML ✓ win 9-7
    Twins/Mariners Over 6.5 Runs ✗ only 6 runs
    NY Yankees & Over 6.5 Runs ✗ lost 5-2
    Diamondbacks ML ✓ win 3-1

    Apr Bets 5 Won 0 -£25

  7. Jordan 6 years ago

    Load the gun we could be on the Cavs tonight boys ?

    • Jordan 6 years ago

      Either the Cavs or the LeBron show Over 47.5 PR&A. Philly half a game back and the Cavs are fighting for that 3rd seed. LeBron was insane in the 4th quarter pulling the Cavs back 17 down with 7 minutes remaining. Surely an even bigger fight tonight?

    • nick 6 years ago

      I know Oddsshark isn’t really known for accuracy of their predicted scores but they have Philly winning by 17. They do also have the Lakers beat the Twolves so that kind of says it all. ?

  8. mar10bet 6 years ago

    Probably comes down to Love & Korver shooting from outside. When Love dried up their lead subsided but after the 1st Wizards were real good last night. That wins nothing to be scoffed at. I don’t want to rain on 76ers parade either as they deserve all the plaudits but who have they been beating. Best teams in their run were Nuggets & TWolves who have no D. Last team they played with good D was Pacers and they lost. Is Cavs D good enough yet though? More questions that answers.

  9. Jordan 6 years ago

    Cavs +4 @ 5/6 @ Skybet – 3 points

    Ease myself back in ??

    • mar10bet 6 years ago

      Welcome back mate. Tanking stops here tonight! ?

  10. Jordan 6 years ago

    LeBrons PR&A have shortened too ?? Now 4/5 from 5/6

  11. mar10bet 6 years ago

    Pacers were in cruise control the other night and spread the minutes around so I don’t think this b2b is an issue against an under performing Raptors who need 1 win or a Celtics loss to firm up 1st place. Getting 7.5 points on a form Pacers who need the win against the under performing Raps who don’t! I’m taking a bit of this.

    Pacers +7.5 (Spread)

    10/11 @ Bet365 – 3 points

  12. mar10bet 6 years ago

    Overs cashed in 8 of the last 11 Heat road games and these 2 seem to have a bit of a rivalry. With the Knicks having nothing to play and other than the Magic game putting up 100+ consistently and Heat needing wins I think this is a close match up and a low line @ 208.5.
    Wizards impressed last night and need wins.
    Pels need wins and should make light work of Suns.

    Knicks/Heat over 208.5 (Spread)
    Wizards ML
    Pelicans ML

    7/5 @ bet365 (additional 7.5% bonus) – 2.5 points

  13. nick 6 years ago

    It’s time for the king.

  14. nick 6 years ago

    2 minutes to go Green and LeBron killing the 76ers in the post and they go to Cedi Osman for 2 3’s. Great.

  15. nick 6 years ago

    Nice one Jordan, 76ers got lucky to win that!

  16. Jordan 6 years ago

    Cheers Nick. Watched the first quarter and went to bed ??

    Must have been some game!?

    LeBron absolutely smashed his PR&A too ??

    • nick 6 years ago

      Could get the Cavs +22.5 at some point in the second quarter, was tempted but waited too late and took +4.5. ?
      Cavs just didn’t rebound well and I think the 76ers got 9 points from offensive rebounds in the fourth.

  17. mar10bet 6 years ago

    Well done Jordan. It never covered my bets but certainly softened the blow and looked like some game. Raptors held Pacers to 73 so downed my single but Wizards downing my acca! Really ? I official give up for the remaining regular season as every night there is results I just can’t get my head round…..and I keep picking them ?

  18. dazid316 6 years ago

    MLB Bet For Tonight

    5 Fold @ 7.4/1 (£5)
    Nationals ML
    Indians ML
    LA Dodgers ML
    Pirates ML
    Astros ML

  19. Jordan 6 years ago

    Hi gents. Couple of thread questions.

    Do we like the Bucks tonight? Can we trust the Bucks tonight? Do we trust Denver on the road? (Massive game)

    • Jordan 6 years ago

      Giannis is out. No chance we’re on Milwaukee…

    • nick 6 years ago

      I think the Bucks are trying to face up to the Celtics in R1 so resting guys.

  20. Jordan 6 years ago

    Found a prop that I’m taking. Gay Harris will sit again for Denver, and I’m going to take Jamal Murray’s PR&A @ 365. The point guard is a streaky scorer, but in a game like tonight he needs to come up big. It was a toss up between him and Will Barton who favour the most with Harris’ absence, but I’m taking Murray based on averages. His line is 24.5, and over his past 10 have seen 25, 23, 36, 24, 22, 23, 34, 28, 33 and 22. His points are 16.5 but its very short.

    Jamal Murray (Nuggets) Over 24.5 PR&A @ 8/11 @ 365 – 2.75 points

    • nick 6 years ago

      On that, I’m taking Kyle O’Quinn o8.5 Rebounds.
      Kanter is doubtful again tonight and in his absence Kyle has been starting.
      In his last 3 starts he’s had 15, 12 and 14 rebounds.
      He did only play 22 minutes last night against the Heat but that’s because the Heat went small and Whiteside only saw 18 minutes.
      Tonight they’re up against the Bucks that like to go big with Henson and Zeller playing a combined 48 minutes in their last outing.
      If this prop sinks I think I’ll just only follow other guys from here on out. ?

    • nick 6 years ago

      Up to 10.5, should make me feel good about my chances but the last 3 I’ve been on have been moved up and still lost. ?

  21. Jordan 6 years ago

    Whoops! Gary* Harris…

  22. Jordan 6 years ago

    Damn. Reckon Murray will sit most of the fourth. Not needed.

  23. Jordan 6 years ago

    Really liked Denver too….

  24. Jordan 6 years ago

    Never mind ???

    • nick 6 years ago

      Nice shout, thank god for the Clippers keeping it close.

    • Jordan 6 years ago

      You’re telling me mate.

  25. Jordan 6 years ago

    Pelicans/Warriors Over 218
    Thunder +13.5
    Spurs ML

    17/10 @ 365 – 2 points

  26. nick 6 years ago

    Kyle O’Quinn has 9 rebounds at half time. ?

  27. Jordan 6 years ago

    Winner on the treble too ??

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