Andrew Ortenberg
NBA
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We’ve got a small slate in the NBA today, but there are still plenty of opportunities for value. And what better way to celebrate than by going for a big payday on Thursday? That’s right; we’re back with another mega parlay, NBA edition. We’re going big and bold again, so let’s not waste any more time.
But before we dive in, don’t forget to check out our free picks on the side and total for every NBA game today.
Washington Wizards -3.5 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks -14 (-110)
Philadelphia 76ers ML (+180)
Parlay odds: +918
Let’s break down each of the legs one by one.
Washington Wizards -3.5 (-110) over Cleveland Cavaliers
It pains me to do this, but to start off this mega parlay I’m fading the Cavaliers. The Cavs have come through for us time and time again as part of this mega parlay, but they’re in really bad shape right now. Darius Garland just entered the COVID protocols a couple of days ago, and then Ricky Rubio tore an ACL in their most recent game. There’s a reason why head coach JB Bickerstaff was going to play Rubio for 40 minutes against New Orleans.
With Garland out the team had no other ball-handlers. Cleveland’s starting point guard will now be Kevin Pangos, a bottom of the roster player who isn’t an NBA caliber guard. Collin Sexton is already out for the year as well, leaving the Cavs without their top three ball handlers. This is going to be their first game without Garland and Rubio, and I think it’s going to be a disaster.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Cleveland Cavaliers vs Washington Wizards
Milwaukee Bucks -14 (-110) over Orlando Magic
Give me Milwaukee for our next parlay leg. The Bucks are almost back to full strength and they’ve rattled off four straight wins. These teams just played each other two nights ago, and the Bucks won by 17. They should be able to at least match that here. They won by 17 on Tuesday despite the fact that Franz Wagner went nuclear and dropped 38 for Orlando. I don’t see that happening again, and the Magic are playing with a roster that’s been decimated by COVID.
Orlando on Tuesday was starting Hassani Gravett, an undrafted free agent from the 2019 class who had never played in the NBA before two weeks ago. Then he was pulled from the middle of the game and placed in COVID protocols, as well. That’s how bad things are for them right now.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Milwaukee Bucks over Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers ML (+180) over Brooklyn Nets
To wrap up this mega parlay and hopefully bring us home, we have the 76ers. Head coach Doc Rivers just entered the COVID protocols, but I don’t think that’s too much of a loss. Philly is finally starting to get back into a rhythm now that Joel Embiid is back, and they’ve won three of four. In their most recent game, Embiid had 36 & 11, while Tobias Harris put up a triple-double.
When these teams played in Brooklyn a couple of weeks ago it was a very close game that was tied with less than two minutes left. Kevin Durant is going to play on Thursday, but it’s going to be his first game back since that meeting with Philly on December 16. As such, I think he could be a bit rusty after missing two weeks and having COVID. Embiid certainly looked rusty when he first came back from the protocols.
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