O'Sullivan's Thursday NBA Picks: Raptors at Sixers, a Jazz and Clippers parlay plus a Rudy Gobert prop bet
At halftime of the Charlotte/Memphis game last night, Mason Plumlee had six points. I don’t know that I’ve had a more exciting NBA viewing experience than watching the second half hoping Plumlee didn't score another basket. Strangely riveting.
Seattle O’Sullivan 2021-2022 NBA Season so far: 49-58-2, -$229.12
(Standing Caveat: The universe is chaotic. Life is unpredictable. Things happen. Like injuries, for instance. In following Seattle O’Sullivan’s betting advice, be advised that you should always monitor your bets during the day to make certain unforeseen things have not occurred which might change your wagering opinion. Thank you.)
Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers, 7 pm Eastern
The Pick: Toronto +3.5 (-112), bet $7.70 to win $6.88
Philadelphia just has too many players out injured, resting, ill, or being petulant tonight to not take the points with Toronto. True, the Raptors are on the second game of a road back-to-back, but the Sixers will be without four of their five regular starters if you count Ben Simmons. Toronto didn’t cover last night, but that’s their first failure against the spread on the road in six games. The loss to the Celtics was also the Raptors' only loss on the road this season. I’m not saying Toronto will win - Philly is playing valiantly even with the injuries, etc. - but there’s a point where the Sixers can’t help but falter. The line going from +3 to +3.5 is enough for me to make a play on it.
Moneyline Parlay: Utah (-510) w/Los Angeles Clippers (-178), true price -116, bet $7.70 to win $6.68
Utah’s at home where they’re undefeated this season; Los Angeles is at home playing a Miami team playing the second game of a back-to-back, with last night’s game an overtime loss. I’ll pair the teams so I can get a virtual “standard” bet, and avoid Utah having to win by double-digits.
Player Prop Parlay: Rudy Gobert under 13.5 points w/over 13.5 rebounds +241, bet $3.85 to win $9.29
We’ll go slightly schizophrenic with our player prop parlay today. Gobert is averaging 14.6 points and 15.9 rebounds so far this season. Going up against Indiana’s frontcourt of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, Gobert should get his boards but perhaps won’t get as much scoring, leaving it to Donovan Mitchell against the Pacers weakened backcourt. The value of having him score about a point less than his average with more than two rebounds fewer is nice enough to make me watch this game tonight thoroughly conflicted in how I root for Gobert.