NBA Betting: Cousins Making Pelicans Debut
The NBA returns from the All-Star break on Thursday with six games on the schedule, highlighted by DeMarcus Cousins’ debut with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelicans shocked the rest of the league last week when they acquired the ornery Cousins from the Sacramento Kings. He’ll form an impressive front court alongside Anthony Davis when they face the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
New Orleans entered the break having won three of their last four straight up and against the spread. All three wins came as the underdog. In their last game a week ago, they upset the Memphis Grizzlies 95-91 as an 8-point underdog.
Houston went into the break off a 117-109 upset loss to the Miami Heat as a 10.5-point favorite at the Bovada sportsbook. That snapped a four-game winning streak SU, during which they were 3-1 ATS. The Rockets' road record lately leaves a lot to be desired, as they are 4-5 SU and 3-6 ATS in their last nine. The Rockets have reportedly acquired Lou Williams from the Los Angeles Lakers, but that has yet to be confirmed so he may not be in play for Houston on Thursday.
In their last seven versus the Pelicans the Rockets are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS. They also sport a 6-4 record SU and 7-3 mark ATS in their last 10 games in New Orleans.
Also on tap Thursday night is a Pacific Division showdown between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors.
The Clippers were on a four-game winning streak SU and ATS before the break. That included a pair of wins as a road underdog.
The Warriors were 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five before the break. At home they’ve won eight in a row SU at 6-1-1 ATS.
On the season the Warriors are 3-0 SU and ATS versus the Clippers. Golden State has won nine straight overall versus the Clippers at 6-3 ATS. At home versus Los Angeles the Warriors are a stout 12-1 SU and 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games.
Finally on Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers appear to have a cakewalk in their return from the break at home versus the New York Knicks.
The Cavaliers have won nine straight versus the Knicks, going only 5-4 ATS. Interestingly the UNDER is 8-2 in the last 10 matchups between the Knicks and the Cavaliers.