NBA Thursday Tips: Sixers’ quick starters can pile on the pressure early

As the league resumes after the All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers will look to build momentum towards the NBA Playoffs when they face the Memphis Grizzlies in Thursday’s featured game.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Philadelphia 76ers

Tipoff: 12.30am Friday GMT (Sky Sports Arena) 

The 76ers headed into the All-Star break with 26 wins from their last 33 games and have quickly established themselves among beasts in the East. In that stretch, which dates back to December 10, Philly is averaging a league-best 31 points in the first quarter on an average differential of +2.8. They blitz early and put opponents away. Only the Nuggets and, weirdly, the Bulls are faster out of the blocks.

It’s back to business on Thursday in a home game against the Grizzlies, and the 76ers will trust that a week off doesn’t stall their momentum at the outset of a tough run that also pits them against Boston, Miami (twice), Dallas and Milwaukee.

With Joel Embiid averaging 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds, James Harden notching a double-double of his own with 21.4 points and 10.8 assists, and Tyrese Maxey impressing since moving clear of injury, at 18 in the NBA Championship odds, they are under-served as a sleeper pick.

Despite boasting a 20-10 statline against opponents with positive records, one of those losses came in early December in Memphis when Ja Morant sparked a 117-109 win for the Grizzlies with 28 points. The guests are highly effective on their own floor but less assured on their travels.

The Grizz are just 11-17 on the road, where they are outscored by an average of 2.7. The marked difference is on defence. At home, they concede 108.2 ppg. Away, a mammoth 116.3 – including a clip of 29.3 in fourth periods, third-worst in the entire NBA. Philadelphia is 1.99 on a handicap of -1 to take the final quarter with odds of 2.04 available to cover the over (230.5) on total points.

The markets give the 76ers a 60% chance of winning too. Memphis has only won four of its last 13 games and has had seven consecutive away reverses on a net differential of -10.5. The break may offer a reset, but Philly plans to quickly stomp that out.

Prediction: 76ers -7 @ 2.36

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz

Tipoff: 3am Friday GMT  

The Jazz’s bubble has long burst since their shock 10-3 start. Below .500 since early February, natural order has finally resumed and the buyout of Russell Westbrook underlined their focus on a rebuilding process. 

Three consecutive home losses before Salt Lake City played All-Star host may represent a coming trend in Utah after falling out of the play-in places – they now boast odds of 5 to merely reach the playoffs. But they can gain some short-term relief and temporarily trade tenth place with the Thunder with a Thursday win.

However, these two meet each other three times in the Jazz’s next five games, and OKC is a team worth watching. Over their past 11 games, they’ve beaten Denver and Cleveland while scoring 122 points per contest. Amid a stuttering inconsistent pack in the middle of the NBA Western Conference, there’s good value at present on their odds of 5.3 to reach the post-season.

Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder to score over 120 points @ 2.04 

Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers

Tipoff: 3am Friday GMT (Sky Sports Arena)

Are there two teams more in need of a post-All Star bump than California’s creaking crews – the Warriors and the Lakers? 

The reigning champs resume with a 29-29 record and the third-worst offensive rating in the entire NBA. The absence of Steph Curry for prolonged spells doesn’t help. The Dubs simply can’t close out which is why they are 2.52 to win in LA.

Winning hasn’t been the Lakers’ forte either in compiling a 27-32 mark. Only time will tell if the additions of D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt turns the tide after just a few days of practice to properly integrate the trio.

This might be a drab-scoring affair, but no team scores more in the fourth quarter than LA with 29.3ppg – versus a middling 26.9ppg for their guests. The Lakers are 1.98 with a handicap of -1 in the fourth. 

Prediction: Under 237 points @ 1.96 

NBA Thursday Tips

Memphis Grizzlies @ Philadelphia 76ers: 76ers -7 @ 2.36
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz: Thunder to score over 120 points @ 2.04
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers: Under 237 points @ 1.96