NBA picks and parlays for Aug 21: End of the road for the Sixers?
The NBA playoffs continue to amaze although they are playing in a bubble without fans. There are several teams who are rising to the occasion, while many others are failing to meet expectations. The most notable disappointment is the Philadelphia 76ers. The fans are giving up on this team and so is the betting public. Looking at who the public is betting on is crucial when making the NBA picks and parlays for Aug 21.
The pulse of the public
After watching the Sixers get dominated in two games by the Boston Celtics, no one wants to bet on this team. The Celtics are the most popular bet of the night grabbing over 80% of the betting action in game three to cover the number. Despite losing game two, the Nuggets are still a popular bet in game three. They have 72% of the bets as small favorites in game 3 against the Jazz.
Daily NBA Picks
Let’s get to our best bets. All point-spreads are taken from our top ten sportsbooks.
Jazz (+2) [BET NOW]
If defense wins ballgames the Denver Nuggets are in big trouble. Donovan Mitchell is scorching this defense and in the last outing the Jazz poured in 20 3-points to blow out the Nuggets. The Nuggets attempted to adjust the way that they played defense against Mitchell and it backfired leaving other players open for easy shots.
The Jazz shot 45% from outside the arc and this is what the Nuggets have been allowing since the NBA restart. The Nuggets have allowed this high percentage of 3’s in the last eight games and are the worst in the bubble on perimeter defense. The Nuggets are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 Conference Quarterfinals games and the Jazz is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog. The public will lose betting on a team that does not play defense. Jazz win again.
Sixers +5.5 [BET NOW]
Everyone is giving up on the Sixers and maybe for good reason. The Sixers don’t have Ben Simmons, look overmatched and they are quitting once they give up a run against Boston. The Celtics and their bench played well with the absence of the injured Gordon Hayward. Now is when the Celtics will put it in cruise control. This is the only chance for the Sixers to respond and try and steal a game or at least keep it close. I believed in Philly before the series started. Although that is hard to do now, this line is going to be inflated at tip-off and I will take a shot on Philly.
Daily NBA Parlay
It’s time to post the parlay! The favorite part of the article is putting together two winners to get paid. Here is the duo for today.
Two team parlay:
Jazz / Nuggets Over 218.5
Did I mention the Nuggets don’t play any defense? Not only do they not play any defense, but this game will be more high scoring because the Nuggets will be pressing in offense which will lead to more fouls and in turn, more free throws. This line should be around 225(ish) so I like the value. The Nuggets are an over machine as they have hit 20 overs in the last 27 games, 6-0 after a loss and 19-6-1 after allowing 100 points in the last game. The points just keep on coming. Bet the over.
Raptors / Nets Over 220.5
The Nets made this series bearable by keeping it close in game two against the Raptors. The Raptors took their foot off the gas and the Nets made them pay. The Raptors woke up in time to win, but they are not going to take any chances in this game. The over is cashing at a great clip for the Nets who have hit five of the last seven overall and 9-4 in the last 13 games as an underdog.