Picks of the Week: Mavericks-Lakers, Nuggets-Celtics
A collaboration between ALL-STAR Magazine and SportsPlus PH
Disclaimer: This article is not meant to be consumed as financial advice but rather as a way to provide context on sports betting.
When it comes to making sharp NBA betting decisions, few are as consistent and insightful as Denzeal Chung and Sanjay Belani. Both seasoned gamblers, Denzeal and Sanjay, have built reputations in their field for reading the game beyond the box score, blending deep basketball knowledge with an uncanny ability to analyze the ever-changing odds. This week, they’re back with their top picks, breaking down matchups, player trends, and betting lines.
Running Record:
Denzeal: 3-4-0
Sanjay: 3-4-0
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8:30 AM: Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
An intriguing matchup unfolds at the American Airlines Center in Dallas as the 5th-seed Mavericks host the 6th-seed Lakers in a pivotal Western Conference clash.
The Mavericks are grappling with injury concerns for their star duo, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, and remain stuck in a five-game losing streak. Depth issues have plagued Dallas, raising questions about their ability to recover against a Lakers team hitting its stride.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis continue to anchor Los Angeles, while Austin Reaves has stepped up significantly. Over his last 10 games, Reaves has averaged 21.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.9 rebounds, delivering All-Star-caliber performances. In a team full of stars, Reaves is proving he’s him.
Both teams share an 18-17 ATS (against the spread) record, but the Lakers have been dominant recently:
LA Lakers: 5-1 ATS in their last six games.
LA Lakers: 7-3 SU (straight up) in their last 10 games.
LA Lakers: 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
Denzeal’s pick: Lakers -6
11:00 AM: Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics
The defending champions Boston Celtics travel to Denver’s Mile High City for a marquee showdown against Nikola Jokić and the surging Nuggets.
The Celtics enter this game off a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where they managed just 27 points in the second half. However, Boston has been highly resilient, boasting an 8-1 record following losses this season, with only one instance of back-to-back defeats.
Denver, meanwhile, has won four of its last five games, climbing to 4th in the competitive Western Conference. Jokić remains the centerpiece of their success, but the Nuggets will face a significant challenge from the Celtics’ versatile inside-out attack and elite perimeter defense, which should help neutralize Jamal Murray and put more pressure on Jokić to carry the load.
Boston’s depth, talent, and bounce-back ability give them the edge in this matchup. Expect the Celtics to handle Denver’s firepower and secure both the win and the cover.
Trends:
Boston: 16-4 against Western Conference opponents in their last 20 games.
Boston: 4-2 ATS in their last six games.
Sanjay’s pick: Boston -5.5