NBA Opening Night Lines - Boston or Philly?
October 16th, 2018
NBA opening night is finally here as the Sixers visit the Celtics in an Eastern Conference showdown. A key player will be missing from the later game as the reigning Warriors begin their title defense against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here's the breakdown so you can get your NBA betting off to a fast break.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (8pm ET) NBA Opening Night Lines: BOS -5.0 (210.5)
Everyone is just praying that this NBA opening night matchup goes better for Boston than it did last year. The Celtics will have Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back on the floor for the first time in a year as they face the Philadelphia 76ers in what's expected to be a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview (no offense, Toronto).
Boston Celtics - 58.5 Season Win Total / +600 to win NBA Title Philadelphia 76ers - 53.5 Season Win Total / +1400 to win NBA Title
There's no way of knowing which team is going to be better at this point, but the Celtics certainly feel like they have an edge. There are just so many pieces from Tatum to Rozier to their two big stars. Let's not forget about the always under appreciated Al Horford. Boston should be favored, especially considering that the 76ers have lost both of their season openers in the last two years. For what it's worth, they've also covered agains the NBA opening night lines in both of those defeats.
Philadelphia isn't to be undersold. Embiid and Simmons are the future of the league to a certain extent, and the evolution of Markelle Fultz is going to be one of the most fascinating stories of the season The Sixers were also one of the best defensive teams last year, limiting teams to a 43.4 field goal percentage which topped the league. There is a ton of fight in this team, and the chance to make a statement against the Eastern Conference favorite on national television is one that this squad won't pass up. Well coached and brimming with talent, the Sixers are a solid take despite the fact that Boston presents as a better team.
So we can go back and forth, but when you don't really know who to bank on, the best bet is usually to take the points. There will be time for you to grease the wheels of your NBA betting convoy as we roll through the season.
NBA Opening Night Bet - Philadelphia +5.0 (OVER)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors (10:30pm ET) NBA Opening Night Lines: GSW -13.0 (221.0)
You don't have to spend too long on this game. The Warriors get to feast on the Thunder, who will be without Russell Westbrook (knee) making this game all but impossible for the dog to cover in. The Thunder will be one of the best teams in the league, but only when Russ is back. The oddsmakers have put them on a bit of a championship futures island at +3300, as the Raptors are priced at +1600 and the next hopeful after that is the Utah Jazz at +5000.
None of those numbers compare to the Golden State Warriors, who are -175 currently at BetAmerica. That is the steepest price for a championship favorite in the history of NBA sports betting, though it resembles the mark set for them last year. Their season win total is also at an obnoxiously high 63.5 games.
Golden State Warriors - 63.5 Season Win Total / -175 to win NBA Title OKC Thunder - 49.5 Season Win Total / +3300 to win NBA Title
Golden State lost their NBA opening night game to Houston last year with an end score of 121-122 against a line of GS -9.5. The Thunder are an inviting team here, but it's just hard to convince yourself when Westbrook isn't part of the equation. The Warriors are 3-2 ATS when playing in their first game of the season. That's a trend that should improve after tonight's game.
That is a very large total for a matchup that will be missing a star player as well, so the UNDER is a stronger and safer play.
NBA Opening Night Bet - Golden State -13.0 (UNDER)
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (8pm ET) NBA Opening Night Lines: BOS -5.0 (210.5)
Everyone is just praying that this NBA opening night matchup goes better for Boston than it did last year. The Celtics will have Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back on the floor for the first time in a year as they face the Philadelphia 76ers in what's expected to be a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview (no offense, Toronto).
Boston Celtics - 58.5 Season Win Total / +600 to win NBA Title Philadelphia 76ers - 53.5 Season Win Total / +1400 to win NBA Title
There's no way of knowing which team is going to be better at this point, but the Celtics certainly feel like they have an edge. There are just so many pieces from Tatum to Rozier to their two big stars. Let's not forget about the always under appreciated Al Horford. Boston should be favored, especially considering that the 76ers have lost both of their season openers in the last two years. For what it's worth, they've also covered agains the NBA opening night lines in both of those defeats.
Philadelphia isn't to be undersold. Embiid and Simmons are the future of the league to a certain extent, and the evolution of Markelle Fultz is going to be one of the most fascinating stories of the season The Sixers were also one of the best defensive teams last year, limiting teams to a 43.4 field goal percentage which topped the league. There is a ton of fight in this team, and the chance to make a statement against the Eastern Conference favorite on national television is one that this squad won't pass up. Well coached and brimming with talent, the Sixers are a solid take despite the fact that Boston presents as a better team.
So we can go back and forth, but when you don't really know who to bank on, the best bet is usually to take the points. There will be time for you to grease the wheels of your NBA betting convoy as we roll through the season.
NBA Opening Night Bet - Philadelphia +5.0 (OVER)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors (10:30pm ET) NBA Opening Night Lines: GSW -13.0 (221.0)
You don't have to spend too long on this game. The Warriors get to feast on the Thunder, who will be without Russell Westbrook (knee) making this game all but impossible for the dog to cover in. The Thunder will be one of the best teams in the league, but only when Russ is back. The oddsmakers have put them on a bit of a championship futures island at +3300, as the Raptors are priced at +1600 and the next hopeful after that is the Utah Jazz at +5000.
None of those numbers compare to the Golden State Warriors, who are -175 currently at BetAmerica. That is the steepest price for a championship favorite in the history of NBA sports betting, though it resembles the mark set for them last year. Their season win total is also at an obnoxiously high 63.5 games.
Golden State Warriors - 63.5 Season Win Total / -175 to win NBA Title OKC Thunder - 49.5 Season Win Total / +3300 to win NBA Title
Golden State lost their NBA opening night game to Houston last year with an end score of 121-122 against a line of GS -9.5. The Thunder are an inviting team here, but it's just hard to convince yourself when Westbrook isn't part of the equation. The Warriors are 3-2 ATS when playing in their first game of the season. That's a trend that should improve after tonight's game.
That is a very large total for a matchup that will be missing a star player as well, so the UNDER is a stronger and safer play.
NBA Opening Night Bet - Golden State -13.0 (UNDER)
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