Kobe Bryant might wish he could turn back time when the Lakers play back-to-back games this season. (Photo credit: Keith Allison / Foter / CC BY-SA)
Making your NBA betting picks can be as much about identifying bad situational spots as recognizing bad matchups.
Bad spots can be teams playing back-to-back nights or their third game in four nights, since fatigue wears down the legs and the legs are an important part of shooting the basketball. Bad spots can also be when teams are coming off an emotional game against a rival or powerhouse and might not be as focused for a lesser opponent.
We’ve identified three bad situational spots for teams in NBA betting for the upcoming week.
Lakers at Rockets, Wednesday, November 19
Back-to-backs this season won’t ever be ideal for the Lakers, who lean heavily on aging veterans Kobe Bryant (36) and Carlos Boozer. But having to play against the run-and-gun Rockets in Houston one night after a visit to Atlanta has an extra feeling of doom and gloom for L.A. Toss in the fact that the Rockets’ first seven wins this season came by double digits, and it could be a long night for the purple and gold.
Thunder at Nuggets, Wednesday, November 19
Playing the second game of a back-to-back in the high altitude of Denver or Utah is one of the toughest things for any team in the NBA to do. Imagine how difficult it will be for OKC, which has been cruelly undermanned so far this season without the services of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Thunder will play the previous night in Utah, so their short bench will probably still be sucking wind by the time they get to the Mile High City.
Wizards at Bucks, Saturday, November 22
Washington sees itself as similar to the Raptors — a young, up-and-coming team ready to challenge the top teams in the East this season. Friday, the Wizards will be home to LeBron and the Cavaliers in a game that could be a huge statement. We can’t imagine they’ll be as excited for a trip to Milwaukee the following night, even if Jason Kidd has the Bucks playing decent basketball so far this season. A saving grace for the Wiz might be that Milwaukee will be playing its fourth game in five nights.