Hoops and Hockey Betting this Week
The Miami Heat have beaten the Oklahoma City Thunder five times in a row both SU and ATS as those interconference rivals prepare to meet again on Thursday night as we take a look at the biggest sports betting opportunities over the next several days.
The Heat are 5-0 both SU and ATS on the NBA betting lines at the sportsbooks in their last five games against Kevin Durant's Thunder, including a 103-97 victory at home as a favorite of 2.5 points back on December 25. LeBron James (29 points) and Dwyane Wade (21 points) led the way for the Heat in that Christmas win, with Durant scoring 33 points and Russell Westbrook adding 21 points and 11 boards for the Thunder. Miami (+175) leads Oklahoma City (+280) on the NBA title odds at 5Dimes right now.
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Miami also hosts Portland on Tuesday night this week before travelling to Oklahoma City to play the Thunder on Thursday night leading into the All-Star Break. The Thunder will be in Utah on Tuesday night, and they're 7-3 SU and 7-2-1 ATS over their past 10 contests vs. the Jazz – with the UNDER paying off in each of their last five matchups.
The San Antonio Spurs, who are third at +625 on the NBA futures at 5Dimes to win the championship this season, are on the road at Chicago on Monday night and at Cleveland on Wednesday night, while the +900 Los Angeles Clippers are at Philadelphia on Monday night before hosting the Rockets on Wednesday night and then taking on Kobe Bryant and the rival Lakers at Staples Center on Thursday night.
In college hoops early this week Kansas will face Kansas State on Monday night in Lawrence, while Tuesday's marquee matchup has Michigan State hosting Michigan in East Lansing. The Spartans put an end to a three-game SU and ATS losing streak against the Wolverines in their last meeting last February with a 64-54 win as a 7-point home favorite. Eight of their last 10 matchups have been UNDER results on the totals.
Around the NHL early this week the Philadelphia Flyers will be looking to get closer to the .500 mark as they play in Toronto against the Maple Leafs on Monday night. The Flyers have managed to win nine of their past 10 games against the Leafs, with the OVER paying out in three of their past four matchups. Philadelphia then travels to Winnipeg for Tuesday night, while the Leafs head down to Carolina for Thursday night.
The Boston Bruins then host the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, with those teams already having split a pair of meetings this season. Totals bettors have watched their last 10 matchups go just 3-4-3 on the OVER/UNDER at the online sportsbooks.