Jack Green's NBA predictions for the New Year's Eve games include the Pacers and 76ers to maintain their strong starts to the season.
Check out the Betway Insider’s NBA picks page for tips throughout the 2020-21 NBA season.
Indiana Pacers (-7.5) v Cleveland Cavaliers {ODDS:661313726:20/21}
In a meeting of teams with 3-1 records, the Pacers should make their home advantage count in a comfortable win.
Indiana went 25-11 on their own court last season, when they were the fourth seed in the East, while the Cavaliers finished last in the conference and posted an 8-21 record on the road.
The Pacers won their opening two games by at least 14 points before splitting two games with the Boston Celtics, and another victory by a wide margin looks likely on New Year’s Eve.
Philadelphia 76ers (-3) v Orlando Magic {ODDS:661314193:10/11}
The Magic have gone 4-0 to start the season but should suffer their first defeat against the 76ers.
Philadelphia are 3-1, with their only defeat coming while star centre Joel Embiid was out of the line-up with a back injury. Embiid returned in a 100-93 win over the Raptors on Tuesday and should play again here.
Orlando’s start to the season has been impressive but the 76ers will be in contention to win the East this year and should prove that they’re the far better team on Thursday night.
New York Knicks (+9) v Toronto Raptors {ODDS:661314679:10/11}
The Raptors have made a poor start to the season, losing all three of their opening games by a margin of at least five points.
The Knicks were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this year but have shown some promise in their first four games, going 2-2 including a 130-110 rout of title contenders Milwaukee.
With Toronto yet to really get going, the Knicks should maintain their strong start and at least keep this game close.
Phoenix Suns (+3.5) v Utah Jazz {ODDS:661315153:10/11}
The Suns went undefeated in the Orlando bubble to end last season, and their strong form has continued into the new season with a 3-1 start from their first four games.
Phoenix have won their last two games by a margin of at least 16 points, and their only defeat so far was a 106-103 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
The Jazz are 2-1, having beaten the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-109 last time out, but they lost their only home game so far so it’s worth backing Phoenix to at least stay within a few points on Thursday night.
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